Pokemon GO Catch Cup Tier List — Best PvP Pokemon Today (May 17, 2026)
🏆 PvP Tier List
Global Meta Analysis & Rankings • May Week 3 (May 17, 2026)
Pokemon GO PvP tier list for May Week 3. Featuring Mandibuzz, Malamar (Shadow), Morpeko Full Belly and more. Full matchup data, counter analysis, and team recommendations powered by PvPoke simulations. Updated May 17, 2026.
⚔️ Catch Cup (CP 1500)
S+
#1
Mandibuzz
DarkFlying Score: 94.8
⚔️ Snarl, Dark Pulse, Aerial Ace
✅ Beats
MalamarFurretCorviknightGolisopodClaydol
❌ Loses to
TinkatonMorpeko Full BellyCradilyPrimeapeLapras
Mandibuzz secures the #1 rank in Catch Cup with an exceptional 94.8 score, largely due to its potent moveset of Snarl, Dark Pulse, and Aerial Ace, offering high energy generation and diverse coverage. This enables it to decisively beat major threats including Malamar, Furret, Corviknight, Golisopod, and Claydol, demonstrating its dominant position against common meta picks. Despite its vulnerabilities to Tinkaton, Cradily, and Lapras, Mandibuzz maintains its top tier status by synergizing effectively with suggested teammates like Clodsire and Shadow Malamar, which mitigate its weaknesses.
🤝 Suggested teammates
ClodsireMalamar (Shadow)Dusknoir (Shadow)
S+
#2
Malamar (Shadow)
DarkPsychic Score: 91.7
⚔️ Psywave, Foul Play, Super Power
✅ Beats
FurretLaprasMarowak (Shadow)GrumpigFeraligatr
❌ Loses to
TinkatonGolisopodCorviknightClaydolDrapion (Shadow)
Shadow Malamar secures its #2 ranking in Catch Cup with an impressive 91.7 score, largely due to its ability to decisively beat key meta threats like Furret, Lapras, and Shadow Marowak. Its versatile moveset of Psywave, Foul Play, and Super Power provides exceptional coverage, allowing it to apply significant shield pressure and exploit numerous opponent weaknesses. Despite facing challenges from strong counters such as Tinkaton and Golisopod, Shadow Malamar's overall offensive power and strategic utility solidify its position as a top-tier choice.
🤝 Suggested teammates
MandibuzzMorpeko Full BellyDusknoir (Shadow)
S+
#3
Morpeko Full Belly
ElectricDark Score: 91.1
⚔️ Thunder Shock, Aura Wheel Electric, Psychic Fangs
✅ Beats
GolisopodMalamarFurretCorviknightDrapion (Shadow)
❌ Loses to
ClaydolMarowak (Shadow)ClodsireJumpluffTinkaton
Morpeko Full Belly secures the #3 rank in Catch Cup with a formidable 91.1 score, leveraging its unique Electric/Dark typing to decisively beat key meta threats like Golisopod, Malamar, and Corviknight. The fast-charging Thunder Shock combined with Aura Wheel Electric and Psychic Fangs provides versatile coverage and consistent shield pressure, proving effective against a broad range of opponents, including Poison/Dark Drapion (Shadow). However, its vulnerabilities to prominent Ground-types such as Claydol, Marowak (Shadow), and Clodsire necessitate strategic team composition, making partners like Shadow Dusknoir and Mandibuzz crucial for optimal performance.
🤝 Suggested teammates
Dusknoir (Shadow)ClodsireMandibuzz
S
#4
Dusknoir (Shadow)
Ghost Score: 90.5
⚔️ Astonish, Dynamic Punch, Shadow Punch
✅ Beats
CorviknightGrumpigClaydolTinkatonMarowak (Shadow)
❌ Loses to
FurretDrapion (Shadow)MalamarGolisopodLapras
Shadow Dusknoir secures its #4 ranking in Catch Cup with an impressive 90.5 score, leveraging its Astonish, Dynamic Punch, and Shadow Punch moveset to decisively defeat prominent meta picks like Corviknight and Tinkaton. This Ghost-type's offensive pressure, significantly amplified by the recent power buff to Astonish, makes it a potent threat, though it struggles against counters such as Furret and Drapion (Shadow). Therefore, pairing Shadow Dusknoir with teammates like Pangoro or Shadow Machoke is highly recommended to mitigate its vulnerabilities and maximize its impact on the battlefield.
🤝 Suggested teammates
PangoroMorpeko Full BellyMachoke (Shadow)
S
#5
Clodsire
PoisonGround Score: 90.2
⚔️ Poison Sting, Earthquake, Sludge Bomb
✅ Beats
JumpluffPrimeapeTinkatonFurretDrapion (Shadow)
❌ Loses to
CorviknightClaydolLaprasMalamarGolisopod
Clodsire (Poison/Ground) secures an impressive #5 ranking in Catch Cup with a score of 90.2, solidifying its position as a top-tier threat. Utilizing Poison Sting, Earthquake, and Sludge Bomb, Clodsire leverages its unique typing to achieve critical wins against prominent Pokémon such as Jumpluff, Primeape, and Tinkaton. While it struggles against common counters like Corviknight and Lapras, its effectiveness is enhanced when paired with teammates such as Mandibuzz or Morpeko Full Belly.
🤝 Suggested teammates
MandibuzzMorpeko Full BellyPangoro
S
#6
Pangoro
FightingDark Score: 90.2
⚔️ Karate Chop, Close Combat, Night Slash
✅ Beats
FurretMalamarLaprasDrapion (Shadow)Golisopod
❌ Loses to
TinkatonJumpluffGrumpigClaydolCorviknight
Pangoro secures its #6 ranking in Catch Cup with an impressive 90.2 score, utilizing the rapid energy generation of Karate Chop to unleash powerful Close Combat and Night Slash. Its Fighting/Dark typing offers crucial offensive coverage, enabling decisive wins against meta threats like Furret, Malamar, Lapras, Shadow Drapion, and Golisopod. While potent, players must carefully manage its vulnerabilities to Tinkaton, Jumpluff, and Grumpig, making strategic team building with partners such as Shadow Dusknoir or Mandibuzz essential.
🤝 Suggested teammates
Dusknoir (Shadow)MandibuzzClodsire
S
#7
Machoke (Shadow)
Fighting Score: 90.1
⚔️ Karate Chop, Cross Chop, Dynamic Punch
✅ Beats
FurretCorviknightLaprasDrapion (Shadow)Malamar
❌ Loses to
SkeledirgeGrumpigTinkatonGolisopodClaydol
Shadow Machoke earns its #7 rank in Catch Cup with a robust 90.1 score, primarily utilizing its efficient Karate Chop, Cross Chop, and Dynamic Punch moveset to apply significant Fighting-type pressure. This allows it to confidently defeat threats such as Furret, Corviknight, and Shadow Drapion, though it faces stiff opposition from Skeledirge, Tinkaton, and Golisopod. Its strong performance and specific role make it an excellent choice, particularly when complemented by teammates like Shadow Dusknoir or Mandibuzz.
🤝 Suggested teammates
Dusknoir (Shadow)MandibuzzDrapion (Shadow)
S
#8
Malamar
DarkPsychic Score: 90.1
⚔️ Psywave, Super Power, Foul Play
✅ Beats
FurretLaprasGrumpigFeraligatrCorviknight
❌ Loses to
TinkatonGolisopodClaydolDrapion (Shadow)Marowak (Shadow)
Malamar asserts its #8 position in Catch Cup with an impressive 90.1 score, capitalizing on its unique Dark/Psychic typing and the comprehensive coverage provided by Psywave, Superpower, and Foul Play. This potent moveset allows it to secure decisive victories against key meta threats such as Furret, Lapras, Grumpig, and Feraligatr. While vulnerable to prominent counters like Tinkaton, Golisopod, and specific Shadow variants, Malamar finds excellent synergy with teammates like Shadow Dusknoir and Mandibuzz to cover its weaknesses.
🤝 Suggested teammates
Dusknoir (Shadow)MandibuzzMorpeko Full Belly
A+
#9
Drapion (Shadow)
PoisonDark Score: 89.7
⚔️ Poison Sting, Crunch, Aqua Tail
✅ Beats
GrumpigFurretGolisopodMalamarFeraligatr
❌ Loses to
ClaydolLaprasMarowak (Shadow)TinkatonCorviknight
Shadow Drapion secures an impressive #9 ranking in Catch Cup with a formidable 89.7 score, leveraging its high-pressure Poison Sting, Crunch, and Aqua Tail moveset. This Poison/Dark type proves dominant against key threats like Malamar, Golisopod, and Feraligatr, though it faces stiff opposition from strong counters such as Claydol, Lapras, and Tinkaton. Its robust STAB combination and crucial coverage make Shadow Drapion a high-value pick, particularly when paired with teammates that can address its vulnerabilities to Ground, Water, and Fairy types.
🤝 Suggested teammates
Dusknoir (Shadow)MandibuzzMalamar (Shadow)
A+
#10
Togedemaru
ElectricSteel Score: 89.6
⚔️ Thunder Shock, Fell Stinger, Wild Charge
✅ Beats
MalamarGolisopodFurretCorviknightTinkaton
❌ Loses to
ClodsireMarowak (Shadow)ClaydolPrimeapeCradily
Togedemaru secures the #10 spot in Catch Cup with an impressive 89.6 score, largely due to its potent Electric/Steel typing and strong performance against prevalent threats. Its quick-charging Thunder Shock combined with Fell Stinger and Wild Charge allows it to dismantle key meta picks like Malamar, Golisopod, and Tinkaton, capitalizing on its unique coverage. However, its strong counters such as Clodsire and Shadow Marowak necessitate careful team construction, making it ideal alongside teammates like Shadow Dusknoir or Mandibuzz to cover these vulnerabilities.
🤝 Suggested teammates
Dusknoir (Shadow)MandibuzzMalamar (Shadow)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Pokemon for Catch Cup (CP 1500) right now?
As of May 17, 2026, Mandibuzz leads the Catch Cup (CP 1500) meta based on PvPoke simulation data.
How often does the PvP meta change?
Open league meta shifts mainly at the start of each GBL season (~every 3 months) when move rebalances happen. Themed cups rotate every 1-2 weeks with completely different metas.
Where does this tier list data come from?
All rankings are sourced from PvPoke, which simulates every possible matchup to generate objective scores. AI analysis adds context on team building and current meta trends.
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DY
Written by DY (Chief Researcher)
Game QA Professional specializing in technical analysis and meta-data research. Founder of DY Game Lab, dedicated to providing high-fidelity gaming insights, market trends, and competitive tier lists with professional analytical depth.
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