Pokémon Go has introduced three brand-new Ultra Beasts: Naganadel, Stakataka, and Blacephalon. While the excitement of catching and adding these unique Pokémon to your Pokédex is undeniable, the critical question remains: Are these Pokémon worth investing in beyond just their novelty? Let’s delve into each of these Ultra Beasts and determine their value in the current Pokémon Go meta.
Naganadel: The Poison and Dragon Hybrid
Naganadel evolves from Poipole and requires 200 candies along with an additional task of catching 20 Dragon-type Pokémon with Poipole as your buddy. This Poison and Dragon-type Pokémon has a max CP of 3587, an attack stat of 263, a defense of 159, and a stamina of 177.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Naganadel boasts several resistances, including double resistance to Grass and single resistance to Bugs, Electric, Fighting, Fire, Poison, and Water. However, it is weak to Dragon, Ground, Ice, and Psychic-type moves, which can be a disadvantage in certain battles.
Move Set and Performance
Naganadel’s move pool includes:
- Fast Moves: Poison Jab and Air Slash
- Charge Moves: Dragon Pulse, Sludge Bomb, Fell Stinger, and Acrobatics
For PvP, the optimal move set for Naganadel is Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb. Unfortunately, Dragon Pulse, despite being a Dragon-type move, is not particularly effective, making it less desirable in battles.
PvP Rankings
- Great League: Ranked 751
- Ultra League: Ranked 568
- Master League: Ranked 395
Naganadel’s performance in PvP is mediocre at best. It struggles to compete with top-tier Pokémon in any league, making it a less appealing option for serious PvP players.
Meta Relevance
As a Poison-type attacker, Naganadel is decent but not exceptional. It pales in comparison to Pokémon like Mega Beedrill and Nihilego, which offer better performance without the need for rare XL candies.
Stakataka: The Rock and Steel Fortress
Stakataka is a Rock and Steel-type Pokémon found in the Eastern Hemisphere. It has a max CP of 3724, with an attack stat of 213, a defense of 298, and a stamina of 156.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Stakataka’s typing gives it several resistances, including triple resistance to Poison and double resistance to Flying and Normal-type moves. However, it suffers from double weaknesses in Fighting and Ground-type moves, which are prevalent in the current meta.
Move Set and Performance
Stakataka’s move pool includes:
- Fast Moves: Tackle and Rock Throw
- Charge Moves: Stone Edge, Flash Cannon, and Bulldoze
The best move set for Stakataka as a meta attacker is Rock Throw and Stone Edge. However, its overall performance is lackluster compared to top rock-type attackers.
PvP Rankings
- Great League: N/A
- Ultra League: N/A
- Master League: Ranked 252
Stakataka’s high defense and decent attack stats are offset by its glaring double weaknesses, making it a risky choice in PvP battles.
Meta Relevance
As a Rock-type attacker, Stakataka does not compete well with the likes of Mega Aerodactyl and Rampardos. Its utility is limited, and its weaknesses make it less desirable for investment.
Blacephalon: The Glass Cannon
Blacephalon is a Fire and Ghost-type Pokémon available in the Western Hemisphere. It has a max CP of 3727, an attack stat of 315, a defense of 148, and a stamina of 142.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Blacephalon’s typing gives it several double resistances, including Bug, Fighting, and Normal-type moves. However, it is weak to Dark, Ghost, Ground, Water, and Rock-type moves.
Move Set and Performance
Blacephalon’s move pool includes:
- Fast Moves: Astonish and Incinerate
- Charge Moves: Shadow Ball, Overheat, and Mystical Fire
The optimal move set for Blacephalon as a meta attacker is Incinerate and Shadow Ball. This combination makes it a powerful, albeit glassy, attacker in both Fire and Ghost categories.
PvP Rankings
- Great League: N/A
- Ultra League: N/A
- Master League: Ranked 143
Blacephalon’s high attack stat makes it a formidable force, but its low defense and stamina significantly hinder its survivability in extended battles.
Meta Relevance
In the Ghost-type category, Blacephalon ranks lower than top attackers like Mega Gengar and Shadow Mewtwo. In the Fire-type category, it is outperformed by Pokémon like Mega Charizard Y and Reshiram. Its potential is overshadowed by these superior options.
Should You Invest in the New Ultra Beasts?
While Naganadel, Stakataka, and Blacephalon bring unique typings and intriguing moves to the table, their overall performance does not justify heavy investment. Each has significant weaknesses and limitations that prevent them from excelling in both PvP and as meta attackers.
For trainers looking to optimize their resources, it is advisable to focus on more proven Pokémon that offer better performance and reliability. However, for those who are collectors or casual players, adding these Ultra Beasts to your Pokédex can still be a fun and rewarding experience.