Pokémon GO Fest Madrid 2024: The Best Pokémon to Look Out For

Good day, Pokémon Trainers! Pokémon GO Fest season is upon us and it promises to be larger and more exciting than ever before! But this brings up the ever-popular question,

What are the best Pokémon to catch?

Well, not to worry fellow trainer, I’m here to help narrow the field! But before we get to that it’s worth noting that this guide only accounts for those that we know for sure will be available during the Madrid GO Fest period according to the information shared by Niantic.

Also worth noting is that we have a huge preparation guide ready that you might want to check whether this is your first GO Fest or if you want to be completely prepared to face GO Fest 2024.

With that out of the way, Which Pokémon are truly worth getting?

Let’s begin and find out!

Mysterious Labyrinth

Do take note that the Madrid GO Fest will be divided into two experiences- the park experience and the city experience. The park experience will have you exploring different themed habitats where specific Pokémon will spawn at Parque Juan Carlos I Park. Whereas in the city experience, you will be able to find every Pokémon mentioned in each habitat along with event-exclusive raid encounters!

I will categorize the Pokémon in this guide based on the habitats available in the park experience. But do keep in mind that you can find all of these in the city experience as well. With that being said, let’s start with Pokémon found in the first habitat, the Mysterious Labyrinth:

Lickitung

Now here’s the thing, Lickitung’s evolution Lickilickycould be decent for the Ultra League. But if you haven’t had the chance to build a Lickitung for the Great League yet, you might want not even to evolve any Lickitung you catch. This is because Lickitung is one of the best Pokémon for the Great League!

A combination of extremely high bulk, a very neutral Normal, the Ghost type fast attack, Lick, the spammy Body Slam, and the Grass type Power Whip, makes Lickitung simply unmatched in terms of utility. Of course, for a bulky Pokémon like Lickitung you want the best IVs possible and to power one up you’re gonna need XL candies. So keep an eye out for Lickitungs!

Baltoy

This one isn’t too noteworthy. Though, Baltoy’s evolution, Claydol can be decent in Limited Great League metas. Such as the Psychic Cup. So it’s definitely not a top priority. But you could catch a few of them if you have the resources and time for it.

Beldum

In direct contrast to the previous entry, this unique PsychicSteel type Pokémon is an absolute beast! Beldum’s final evolution, Metagross, both in its shadow and regular variants, are some of the best Steel type Raid Attackers. They are only defeated by a recent entry which we will get to later. Metagross can be a pretty decent Psychic type raid attacker as well.

Metagross’s usefulness doesn’t even end there. It can also be a fantastic Pokémon for the Master Premier League and even the Open Master League! Where it’s strong enough to take down legendaries such as Xerneas, Lugia, and Mewtwo. However, one thing worth noting is that Metagross does need its legacy move Meteor Mash to be viable as a PvP Pokémon and a steel-type raid attacker.

Ferroseed

This is perhaps the most unassuming Pokémon in this habitat. Ferroseed’s GrassSteel typing might be veeery weak to Fire. But there aren’t that many Fire types to go around in PvP. Which is why Ferrothorn, Ferroseed’s evolution can be absolutely devastating in the Great League.

It was especially good in the recent Great League Remix, where Steel types were in short supply. But honestly, it can be just as good in the Open Great League if your opponent isn’t prepared for it. Definitely one worth building for PvP in my opinion.

Rocky Shore

Many different rock and water types wash up on this rocky shore. Including:

Chinchou

I wouldn’t be surprised if you know about Chinchou even if you have just a cursory knowledge of Pokémon GO PvP. After all, Chinchou’s evolution, Lanturn has been one of the longest-lasting favorites in the Great League. This will without a doubt still stay somewhat true despite the recent Spark nerf.

Lanturn is one of the two Electric type Pokémon to see regular play in the Great League. The other one being Charjabug. Lanturn just has a lot going for it. It has decent bulk, a charge attack with a decently good balance of energy gain and damage in Spark, and Surf and Thunderbolt as charged attacks.

Lanturn’s boons aren’t even limited to just Lanturn. An unevolved Chinchou can actually be solid for 500 CP Limited Little Cup metas, such as the Little Element Cup.

Shieldon

This is a Pokémon that perhaps evokes strong emotions in certain trainers when mentioned. Bastiodon, Shieldon’s evolution, is a fantastic Pokémon for the Great League.

Bastiodon is an extremely bulky Pokémon like Lickitung. But it plays very differently. Rather than being a neutral safe swap, Bastiodon is a polarising late-game closer. True to its design, Bastiodon can be an absolute wall! Mixed in with the big damage-dealing fast attack, Smack Down, Bastiodon can just outlast most of the competition late game.

However, to keep it in check, its RockSteel type combo makes it particularly weak to Fighting types and the many Water types in the meta right now. Nevertheless, it is a very strong Pokémon that can be annoying to fight against. It needs XL Candies so might as well catch any that come across your way!

Amaura

Amaura’s evolution, Aurorus is an interesting case since you typically don’t expect it in the open Great League but can be very good for certain Limited Great League metas. This is thanks to its unique RockIce typing. This gives it the ability to beat just about every BugDragon and Flying types (minus Skarmory) and even most fellow Ice types as well.

It can perform even better in the Ultra League, where it has access to more bulk to last longer. It has even seen play in certain 500 CP Limited Little Cup metas. Lastly, it can also be a decent Rock and Ice type Raid Attacker. So overall, not very impressive in any field but definitely one that can have many uses.

Dewpider

Dewpider and its evolution, Araquanid have a very unique WaterBug typing. This makes Araquanid solid as a spice pick or Limited Great League Pokémon. Where it can really bug (haha) enemies out with its opponent debuffing charged attack Bubble Beam. And Dewpider itself can be good for certain Limited 500 CP Little Cup metas.

Jangmo-o

The last one worth mentioning in this habitat, Jangmo-o’s final evolution Hakamo-o can be very good in the Master Premier League, as most pseudo-legendary dragons are. However, Jangmo-o’s second form, Hakamo-o actually benefits more from this season’s move updates than its final form, Kommo-o does.

As Brick Break now requires less energy and has a guaranteed chance to debuff your opponent’s defense. This will allow Hakamo-o to finally make use of its Fighting sub-typing offensively. This gives quite a lot more potential as its Dragon typing already gave it resistance against elemental types, and now it can threaten bulky Normal types like Lickitung as well.

Cursed Forest

Creatures of the dark hide behind the grassy Pokémon in this habitat. Keep your eyes out for:

Zubat

The bane of everyone who attempted to venture through Mt. Moon all those ages ago. Zubat’s final evolution is Crobat. Which can be a decent Poison type Raid Attacker, especially in its shadow form.

As far as PvP is concerned, it’s the middle evolution that deserves your attention. Golbat is perhaps one of the most prevalent Pokémon seen in Spice/ Limited Great League metas. It can be quite a devastating end-game Pokémon with the opponent debuffing Poison Fang and the heavy-damage Shadow Ball. Even here, the shadow form is preferred but the regular Golbat can work as well.

Tangela

Now this is a Pokémon that has a hyper-specific goal. Tangrowth, Tangela’s final evolution is one of the absolute best Grass type Raid Attackers. In fact, not counting in mega and legendary adjacent Pokémon, Shadow Tangrowth might as well be one of the best grass raid attackers in general. And regular Tangrowth can be pretty decent in a pinch as well.

Sableye

Typically you want a purified Sableye with access to the charged attack Return. We took a deep look as to the reason why before. Shifts in the meta have certainly made Sableye less safe of a safe swap. But it is still one of the better Pokémon for the Great League. Recently, Shadow Sableye has seen some success in the Play! Pokémon circuit as well. It’s one of the Pokémon that requires XL Candies if it has ideal IVs, so better catch ’em all!

Deino

Let’s finish things off with a Pokémon that has multiple uses in multiple forms. Firstly, Deino itself is a solid 500 CP Little Cup Pokémon. It’s a Dragon so of course it does a lot of neutral damage but the fact that it’s also Dark type means it can also threaten the top Pokémon in Open Little Cup, Bronzor. And then one step up, we have Zweilous. Zweilous is a solid Pokémon for the Great League. It’s not as popular as Shadow Dragonair and Altaria, but it is still solid. For example, it can make handy work of the bulky Cresselia and can even beat Shadow Dragonair as a dragon type.

Finally, we reach Hydreigon. One of the few non-legendaries to be solid for the Master League. In fact, it can beat Giratina’s Origin Form, Mewtwo, and Kyogre. It’s also a solid Dark type Raid Attacker being ranked #5 on our list.

Flabébé

Flabebe (Orange)

This is the orange Flabébé that can be found globally but is pretty rare. So it makes for a decent collector’s item. Especially in its shiny form. However, it’s definitely not just a collector’s item. Florges, Flabébé’s final form, is one of the best Fairy types for not only the Master Premier League but also the Open Master League.

The Master League generally tends to be dominated by Flying,Dragon, and Fairy type Pokémon. And Florges is a unique non-legendary that’s powerful enough to not only defeat a lot of the dragons but also some of the prevalent fairy types. Such as Zacian and Xerneas, in specific shielding scenarios. Not only that, Florges is also one of the best Fairy type Raid Attackers.

Phantump

Now here’s a blast from the past. Trevenant, Medicham, and Noctowl were the dreaded rock-paper-scissor trio of the Great League just last year. Trevenant, Phantump’s evolution was solid for the Ultra League as well.

But unfortunately, a Seed Bomb nerf, put a stain on ol’ Trev’s potential. Well, Seed Bomb has been buffed back now. So despite the prevalence of Flying types in both metas, Trev is still a solid investment. Definitely catch some and consider trading them with a friend since that decreases the cost of evolution.

Sunrise Gateway

The final habitat to mention is one that houses many fantastic Pokémon, such as:

Skarmory

Another comeback story. Skarmory was an early favorite for PvP but eventually fell off. Now with Steel Wing being buffed Skarmory is back with a vengeance in the Great League. It has a really unique SteelFlying type that is shared by only one other Pokémon that isn’t even available in GO yet. This combination of typing and the sheer pressure Steel Wing brings makes Skarmory a real threat. Making it one of the premier fliers along with Gligar.

If you’re willing to invest the XL Candies, Skarmory can actually be decent in the Ultra League as well. All in all, I think for any fans of PvP a chance to catch a good Skarmory, is a chance worth taking.

Bronzor

Bronzong, Bronzor’s evolution can be decent for certain Limited Great League metas, such as the Psychic Cup. But really, if you don’t have a good one in your collection you might actually want to keep your eye out for a decent unevolved Bronzor. And I might even suggest spending XL Candies to power up a 500 CP Bronzor. I know, I know, this might seem ridiculous. But despite Little Cup not being a regular cup, Bronzor is still the best Pokémon for it. So it might be worth investing in!

Fletchling

From two Steel types to the counter to steel. Talonflame, Fletchling’s final evolution, is arguably the third best Flying type right now. Just behind Gligar and Skarmory. And much like Skarmory, it’s because of a buff to its fast attack. In this case, the damage and energy buff to Incinerate to make up for its slow animation speed.

So ya, Talonflame, look out for a good one for the Great League. It can be a devastating Pokémon to deal with if you come unprepared and is one of the two Fire Pokémon to see regular play in the Great League. So I’d say it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for.

Tyrunt

We can move away from PvP for a bit. As Tyrantrum, Tyrunt’s evolution, is a fantastic Rock type Raid Attacker. And it doesn’t need to be a shadow Pokémon or a legacy move to find success. It can be an okay Dragon type raid attacker as well, but over on that side, you do have a lot better options.

Carbink

Now, I do not hide my love for Carbink. It’s such a cool combination of cute and competent. It’s arguably one of the best Pokémon for the Great League, despite all of the Water types available to counter it right now. Carbink is very solid for multiple reasons.

First, it is extremely bulky! One of the bulkiest Pokémon in the Great League. Second, it has a very unique RockFairy typing giving it a whole host of strengths and weaknesses. It can destroy most Flying and Dark types with ease thanks to that typing. Lastly, despite being so defensive it can dish out damage quickly too with its fast attack of choice Rock Throw.

All in all, Carbink is a very good Pokémon to keep an eye out for if you’re at all interested in PvP. It’s also a pretty rare Pokémon. It was released last GO Fest, and has only been available on rare occasions so far. As such, GO Fest is a fantastic place to get it. Especially if you want to build one with good IVs for PvP as it needs a lot of candies and XL candies.

Raid Encounters

This concludes our wild encounter segment. But continue to stick around, because the city experience brings with it well-beloved Ultra Beasts. Along with some very exciting new encounters!

Necrozma

So Necrozma isn’t just debuting in Pokémon GO. It’s coming in full force with 3 unique forms! Basic Necrozma’s base form, Dusk Mane, and Dawn Wings will all be available in 5-star raids during GO Fest. However, to actually get Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings, you have to avail yourself of GO’s newest mechanic, Fusion! More info on this can be found here.

But suffice it to say these ARE the big catches of GO Fest this year. Even ignoring the collector’s value and coolness factor, Necrozma has a lot of potential. For starters, from what we know already Dusk Mane is likely to be the current best Steel type Raid Attacker. Dawn Wings, is the best Ghost type Raid Attacker. And all three can be decent Psychic type raid attackers. As for PvP, it’s very likely they’ll have some play in the Open Master League.

Ultra Beasts

So there’s a sizable number of ultra beasts appearing in 5-star raids in every GO Fest this year. As such, I believe it’s worth briefly going through the use cases of each of the ones that are worth getting gameplay-wise.

Guzzlord is the most obvious one for PvP. It’s honestly good for all three leagues, Great League, Ultra League, and Master League. Though you primarily want it for the Great and Ultra leagues. Its impressive bulk along with its fast charging fast attacks make it fantastic for those leagues.

Nihilego can also be good for the Master League, but its main use is elsewhere. It is one of the Raid Attackers, both as a Poison type and as a Rock type. The same applies to Kartana, who is rated the second best Grass Raid Attacker right now according to our database. And again, the same is very much true for Xurkitree, the second-best Electric type Raid Attacker right now!

Collector’s Items

If more than PvP or raid viability, you’re more interested in that which is truly rare and exclusive, I have you covered as well. Even ignoring the already mentioned raid Pokémon, and rare shinies such as Flabébé, there will be some event-exclusive including:

These versions of Pikachu and Eevee will be exclusive to the in-person GO Fests this year, and will also be available as a shiny. The moon crown Pikachu and Eevees will spawn in the Mysterious Labyrinth and Cursed Forest habitats. On the other hand, the sun crowns will spawn during Rocky Shore and Sunrise Gateway habitats. These aren’t the only costumed Pokémon though. As a Lapras wearing a scarf will be available in the Rocky Shores habitat. So definitely keep an eye out for these costumed shinies!

While they aren’t shiny, these two are rare Pokémon regardless. Klefki is only available in France typically. And Rotom Heat isn’t typically spawning around in general. Even during GO Fest Madrid, Rotom Heat will only be available by taking snapshots.

All habitats will also spawn specific Unown with their shiny forms also being available. If you’ve taken the daunting challenge of catching every shiny Unowns you definitely don’t want to miss this chance!

Still want more? Here are the Pokémon that will make their first shiny appearance during Madrid GO Fest:

Shiny Crabrawler	Shiny Crabominable

Conclusion

This year certainly seems to be the year of experimentation. We had overworld attacks with Origin Dialga and Palkia during the GO Tour. And now fusions during GO Fest! With that in mind, Pokémon GO Fest 2024 is shaping up to be more promising than ever before with many exciting Pokémon to collect!

Hopefully, I have helped you narrow down which Pokémon you want to focus on during this event. And if you want a deeper dive for the Pokémon that will be worth catching for PvP, we will have a PvP Field Guide as well. Stay safe and have fun out there. I wish you all an amazing GO Fest 2024!

Goodbye for now, Pokémon trainers. Priom-out!