5 must-try spice picks in Pokemon GO's Master League

One of the many aspects of Pokemon GO that players enjoy is the competitive Battle League. Split into three separate formats, players have a choice in whether they want to enter the Great, Ultra, or Master Leagues. The Master League is one of the most interesting tiers in the game since it removes the combat power cap that keeps the other formats balanced.

As one could expect, this tier is filled to the brim with Legendary Pokemon, Ultra Beasts, and Mythical Pokemon. While some players may think this makes the tier very difficult to get into, there are some interesting party members to be considered that are much more common than many of Pokemon GO's top Master League contenders.

NOTE: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion.

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Five anti-meta picks players should consider in Pokemon GO's Master League

1) Gyarados

Gyarados is a strong Water-type that can counter many of the Legendaries in Pokemon GO. (Image via Game Freak)

Gyarados is a Water and Flying-type Pokemon with amazing attack and rather average bulk. While some may not see the benefit of taking such a creature over another like Palkia, the secondary typing makes it the perfect counter for Groudon since the Flying element takes minimal damage from Ground-type attacks.

In addition, it also has a Shadow variant which can be received by defeating Team GO Rocket grunts. This variant has a considerable buff to its attack at the cost of a small portion of its defense stat, allowing Gyarados to fit its role as a short-lived Legendary counter much easier in Pokemon GO.

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2) Goodra

Goodra is a very bulky and balanced Dragon-type with a vast movepool. (Image via Game Freak)

Goodra is the Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon of the Kalos region and possesses some of the most balanced stats among the regional archetype. This remains consistent in Pokemon GO where it manages to serve as a decent Dragon-type thanks to its stats and varied movepool, granting it many coverage options for different match-ups.

Having so many different sets it can reliably run, it may take a bit of learning to figure out how to use Goodra effectively. Additionally, it can run Draco Meteor, which lowers Goodra's attack stat. This drawback can easily cost inexperienced battlers the match if they use the move incorrectly.

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3) Snorlax

Snorlax is one of the best Normal-types in Pokemon GO. (Image via Game Freak)

Snorlax is one of the most iconic and reliable Normal-types in Pokemon GO. Being of the Normal element, it has a few considerable coverage options that allow it to take on creatures that would otherwise wall it off completely. Thanks to its access to Lick, Snorlax is one of the few monsters in Master League able to take out Giratina.

Given its sheer size, it understandably has one of the best stamina stats in the game. This allows it to sit into match-ups where the opponent deals neutral damage, outlasting its opponent. It also has access to Superpower to allow it to dish out massive damage to Steel-types in the tier like Excadrill and Dialga.

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4) Florges

Florges is a decent Fairy-type tank that counters a few high-tier picks. (Image via Game Freak)

When players need a safe Fairy-type to take down the tier's many Dragon-types, they tend to turn to Florges. However, it has fallen off in recent times due to its lack of flexibility in its moveset, leading to its optimal moveset including only Fairy-type moves. However, this makes it the best possible choice against these dragons.

While its defense is its best stat, Florges also has an amazing attack stat for its role, allowing it to deal some impressive damage even in neutral match-ups against picks like Xerneas and Zacian. Although, it is incredibly situational given its role as a Dragon-type counter.

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5) Mamoswine

Mamoswine is a very bulky Ground and Ice-type capable of taking on Dragon and Steel-types. (Image via Game Freak)

Mamoswine is one of the most underappreciated creatures in Pokemon GO's Master League. Having both an Ice and Ground typing and access to moves of the element, it counters some of the most oppressive picks in the tier. With many of the top contenders in the Master League being Flying, Dragon, and Steel-types, Mamoswine is a perfect anti-meta damage dealer.

One downside of using Mamoswine is that its best Ground-type attack, High Horsepower, is locked behind the use of an Elite Charged TM, which is a very rare item for most players to obtain. It also has low defense, but high stamina and attack, meaning it will take serious damage from super-effective charged attacks.