All middle-stage Pseudo-Legendary evolutions in Pokemon GO, ranked by PvP viability
Middle-stage Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon often get overshadowed by their powerful final evolutions in the main series games and even in Pokemon GO. However, when it comes to PvP, especially in the Great League, these Pocket Monsters can shine due to their unique stat distributions and access to interesting moves.
This article ranks all middle-stage Pseudo-Legendary evolutions in Niantic's mobile game based on their viability in PvP.
Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
Ranking all Pokemon GO middle-stage Pseudo-Legendaries
10) Pupitar
Pupitar’s Rock/Ground typing is its biggest downfall, leaving it vulnerable to a plethora of common moves, including Water, Grass, Fighting, and Ground types that are commonly used in PvP. While it has access to Bite and Crunch for type variety, these moves fail to provide enough synergy to make the creature competitive.
Even among other middle-stage Pseudo-Legendary evolutions, Pupitar struggles to carve out a niche due to its glaring defensive shortcomings.
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9) Gabite
Gabite benefits from the Dragon/Ground typing, granting it resistance to Electric moves and access to the energy-efficient Mud Shot.
However, Gabite's susceptibility to Ice- and Fairy-type moves significantly hampers its potential in Great League battles. While its energy generation is useful, its coverage and bulk leave much to be desired compared to others on this list.
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8) Sliggoo
Sliggoo’s mono-Dragon typing and bulk help reduce its weaknesses, but its limited moveset keeps it from excelling. With Dragon Pulse as a reliable charged move, the Pocket Monster can apply consistent pressure, but it lacks the coverage needed to handle common threats like Steel- or Fairy-type creatures. To make things worse, it has no STAB fast attacks.
Compared to others with more flexible typings or diverse movesets, Sliggoo falls short in versatility.
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7) Drakloak
Drakloak’s Dragon/Ghost typing makes it unique, offering insane resistance to Normal and Fighting moves. This typing provides an edge in specific matchups, but its fragility holds it back from consistent performance.
While Drakloak can occasionally catch opponents off-guard, its lack of bulk and mediocre moveset often make it a liability against bulkier or faster opponents.
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6) Shelgon
Shelgon is a decent middle-tier option, thanks to its mono-Dragon typing and respectable bulk. Equipped with Dragon Breath, it can dish out steady damage in neutral matchups.
However, Shelgon’s lack of coverage moves means it struggles against heavily defensive opponents or those with type advantages. It’s a solid pick for straightforward strategies but lacks the adaptability of higher-ranked Pokemon.
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5) Metang
Metang’s Steel/Psychic typing provides excellent resistance, making it a great defensive pick in certain matchups. Its access to Metal Claw and Psychic allows it to perform well against Fairy and Poison-types, which are common in the meta.
However, Metang’s slow energy generation and lack of offensive pressure make it more of a situational choice compared to some of the more versatile options.
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4) Dragonair
Dragonair excels due to its balanced stats and effective moveset, featuring Dragon Breath for consistent damage and Body Slam for shield baiting. Having access to Iron Tail also gives it some chance against Fairy-type foes. Its simplicity and reliability in neutral matchups make it an excellent choice for trainers looking for an adaptable Dragon-type pick.
While it lacks the added utility of dual typing, Dragonair’s straightforward performance makes it a competitive pick.
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3) Zweilous
Zweilous stands out for its Dark/Dragon typing, giving it a major weakness to Fairy-type foes and key resistances to Psychic-type creatures. Its moveset, including Dragon Breath and Body Slam, enables it to pressure opponents effectively while maintaining solid survivability.
Zweilous’ typing and decent bulk allow it to perform well in a variety of scenarios, making it a strong contender in the Great League.
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2) Arctibax
Arctibax’s Dragon/Ice typing allows it to handle specific threats with ease, particularly opposing Dragon- and Flying-type foes and neutralizing its Ice weakness. Its access to moves like Dragon Claw and Avalanche provides it with powerful options for shield pressure and type coverage.
Despite its situational vulnerabilities, Arctibax’s unique typing makes it a standout among its peers.
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1) Hakamo-o
Hakamo-o’s Dragon/Fighting typing grants it resistance to some of the most common offensive types in the Great League.
With a balanced stat spread and access to a versatile STAB moveset, Hakamo-o is well-equipped to handle a wide range of opponents. Its consistency in both offensive and defensive scenarios makes it the top choice among middle-stage Pseudo-Legendary evolutions for PvP.
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Middle-stage Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon offer intriguing opportunities for trainers seeking off-meta picks in PvP. While some excel due to their typing or movesets, others struggle to find their place in the competitive scene.
Each Pokemon on this list has its strengths and weaknesses, so finding the right fit for your team is key to maximizing their potential.
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