Medicham in Pokémon GO: PvP Build & Counters
Medicham is a Fighting/Psychic-type Pokémon introduced in Generation III. Known for its powerful punches and surprisingly high attack stat, Medicham has carved a niche for itself in the Pokémon GO PvP meta, particularly in the Great League. This guide will delve into Medicham’s strengths, weaknesses, optimal moveset, and counters to help you master using and battling against this dynamic fighter.
Medicham’s Strengths in PvP
Medicham boasts several advantages that make it a formidable opponent in the Great League:
- High Attack Stat: Medicham’s impressive attack power allows it to deal significant damage, even against Pokémon with type advantages. It can often secure wins through sheer offensive pressure.
- Diverse Moveset: Access to a variety of Fighting and Psychic-type moves grants Medicham flexibility in coverage and allows it to exploit numerous weaknesses.
- Bulkpoint Potential: With proper IVs, Medicham can reach key bulkpoints, allowing it to survive crucial hits and outlast opponents it would otherwise lose to.
- Surprise Factor: While not uncommon, Medicham isn’t a staple pick in every Great League team, which can give you a slight edge against unprepared opponents.
Medicham’s Weaknesses in PvP
Despite its strengths, Medicham possesses some key vulnerabilities:
- Flying, Ghost, and Fairy-type Weakness: Medicham is triple weak to Flying-type moves, making it extremely vulnerable to common threats like Skarmory and Altaria. Ghost and Fairy-type moves also deal super-effective damage.
- Glass Cannon Tendencies: While it can achieve decent bulk, Medicham is generally frail and can be easily knocked out if it doesn’t secure quick knockouts itself.
- Reliance on Shields: Due to its fragility, Medicham often needs to utilize shields effectively to survive powerful attacks, which can leave it exposed later in the match.
Optimal Moveset for Medicham in PvP
The best moveset for Medicham in the Great League is generally considered to be:
- Fast Move: Counter
- Charged Move 1: Power-Up Punch
- Charged Move 2: Psychic or Ice Punch
Counter provides excellent energy generation, enabling Medicham to quickly unleash its powerful charged moves. Power-Up Punch not only deals damage but also increases Medicham’s attack stat, turning it into a devastating force. Psychic offers broad coverage, while Ice Punch targets Flying-types like Altaria, which would otherwise hard counter Medicham. You can learn more about optimal movesets in our guide on best Pokémon movesets in Pokémon GO.
Counters to Medicham in PvP
Several Pokémon can effectively counter Medicham in the Great League:
- Flying-types: Skarmory, Altaria, and Pidgeot are excellent choices due to their Flying-type attacks, which deal massive damage to Medicham. Be cautious, however, as Medicham’s Ice Punch can threaten Altaria.
- Ghost-types: Jellicent and Sableye can take advantage of their resistance to Fighting-type moves and deal super-effective damage with Ghost-type attacks. They should be careful of Medicham’s Psychic attacks however. You can research more about Pokémon GO counters to prepare your team.
- Fairy-types: Togekiss and Gardevoir resist Fighting-type moves and deal super-effective damage with Fairy-type attacks, making them solid counters.
- Psychic-types: Strong Psychic-type attackers like Cresselia and Mewtwo can outpace and overpower Medicham, though they are vulnerable to its counter and power up punch.
Tips for Using Medicham in PvP
- Shield Management: Use shields strategically to protect Medicham from super-effective attacks, especially from Flying-types.
- Target Switching: Identify favorable matchups and switch in Medicham when it can exploit an opponent’s weakness.
- IV Optimization: Aim for IVs that maximize Medicham’s attack stat and provide enough bulk to survive key hits. You can find more about ideal IVs for the Great League with our dedicated Great League IV guide.
Conclusion
Medicham is a powerful and versatile Pokémon in the Pokémon GO Great League. By understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal moveset, you can effectively utilize its offensive prowess and secure victories. Equally important is recognizing its counters and preparing strategies to overcome them. With careful planning and skillful play, Medicham can be a valuable asset to your PvP team.