The Glacial Cup
December 1st - December 31st, 2021

Announcing December's Global Cup: The Glacial Cup!
Get ready for a new challenge beginning on December 1st! With it comes a new chance to prove your skill and increase your global and local player ranking! The Glacial Cup follows the same basic rules as all Silph Arena global cups, but this month it comes with a special twist! Here's what you need to know:

What Is The Glacial Cup?
Each month the Silph Arena holds a month-long Cup - a 'themed' PvP tournament - that provides tens of thousands of trainers around the world a specially-designed competitive challenge and a chance to prove they're the very best. The Silph Arena is the world's largest global network for ranked Pokémon GOTM tournament play.
During the Cup (December 1st - December 31st), local Silph League communities host and record a special tournament using the free Silph.gg tools. Wins and losses in this local tournament affect your player rank on local and global leaderboards - and may eventually even earn you an invitation to compete at Regionals and even the Continental or World Championships held at the end of the season!
All players are welcome to compete, whether it's your first tournament or your hundredth! Find a local tournament near you on the Tournament Map!
Reminder: only remote events are permitted through December!
Glacial Cup Rules
The Glacial Cup has a few special rules (designed to provide added challenge and fun) that differ from standard PvP combat in Pokemon GO:
- Team of 6: Competitors will bring a team of 6 Pokemon (and register them before the tournament begins). All battle parties used must be comprised of these 6 Pokemon.
- Great League: Matches are played in Great League: only Pokemon up to 1500 CP are permitted in the Cup.
-
Don't melt under the pressure: Only Pokémon with Dragon, Ice, Poison, Psychic, and Water types (including dual types) are allowed, with a few exceptions
- Altaria, Azumarill, Jellicent, Swampert, Deoxys Defense, Wobbuffet, Cresselia, Medicham, Alolan Ninetales, Alolan Sandshrew, Lanturn, Gardevoir, Toxicroack and Mega Pokémon are not eligible to use in the Glacial Cup.
-
Eligible List: What follows is the official list of exactly which species are permitted for use in the Glacial Cup:
Gen 1
#1
#2
#3
#7
#8
#9
#13
#14
#15
#23
#24
#29
#30
#31
#32
#33
#34
#41
#42
#43
#44
#45
#48
#49
#54
#55
#60
#61
#62
#63
#64
#65
#69
#70
#71
#72
#73
#79
#80
#86
#87
#88
#89
#90
#91
#92
#93
#94
#96
#97
#98
#99
#102
#103
#109
#110
#116
#117
#118
#119
#120
#121
#122
#124
#129
#130
#131
#134
#138
#139
#140
#141
#144
#147
#148
#149
#150
#150
#151
Gen 2
#158
#159
#160
#167
#168
#169
#170
#177
#178
#183
#186
#194
#195
#196
#199
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#201
#203
#211
#215
#220
#221
#222
#223
#224
#225
#226
#230
#238
#245
#249
#251
Gen 3
#201
#201
#258
#259
#269
#270
#271
#272
#278
#279
#280
#281
#283
#307
#315
#316
#317
#318
#319
#320
#321
#325
#326
#329
#330
#336
#337
#338
#339
#340
#341
#342
#343
#344
#349
#350
#351
#351
#358
#360
#361
#362
#363
#364
#365
#366
#367
#368
#369
#370
#371
#372
#373
#374
#375
#376
#378
#380
#381
#382
#382
#384
#385
#386
#386
#386
Gen 4
#393
#394
#395
#400
#406
#407
#418
#419
#422
#422
#423
#423
#433
#434
#435
#436
#437
#439
#443
#444
#445
#451
#452
#453
#456
#457
#458
#459
#460
#461
#471
#473
#475
#478
#479
#480
#481
#482
#483
#484
#487
#487
Gen 5
#494
#501
#502
#503
#515
#516
#517
#518
#527
#528
#535
#536
#537
#543
#544
#545
#550
#550
#561
#564
#565
#568
#569
#574
#575
#576
#577
#578
#579
#580
#581
#582
#583
#584
#590
#591
#592
#594
#605
#606
#610
#611
#612
#613
#614
#615
#621
#633
#634
#635
#643
#644
#646
#647
#648
Gen 6
#655
#656
#657
#658
#677
#678
#678
#686
#687
#688
#689
#690
#691
#692
#693
#696
#697
#698
#699
#704
#705
#706
#712
#713
#714
#715
#720
#720
Gen 7
#26
#28
#37
#88
#89
#103
#728
#729
#730
#740
#741
#747
#748
#751
#752
#757
#758
#765
#767
#768
#779
#782
#783
#784
#786
#788
#789
#790
#791
#792
#793
#799
Gen 8
#77
#78
#79
#80
#110
#122
#144
#199
#211
#215
#554
#555
#628
#713
#866
#895
#903
#904
And in text form:
- Abomasnow, Abra, Alakazam, Alolan Vulpix, Alomomola, Amaura, Amoonguss, Araquanid, Arbok, Ariados, Armored Mewtwo, Articuno, Aurorus, Avalugg, Axew, Azelf, Bagon, Baltoy, Barbaracle, Barboach, Basculin (Blue-Striped Form), Basculin (Red-Striped Form), Beartic, Beedrill, Beheeyem, Beldum, Bellsprout, Bergmite, Bibarel, Binacle, Blastoise, Brionne, Bronzong, Bronzor, Bruxish, Budew, Buizel, Bulbasaur, Carracosta, Carvanha, Celebi, Chimecho, Chinchou, Chingling, Clamperl, Clauncher, Clawitzer, Claydol, Cloyster, Corphish, Corsola, Cosmoem, Cosmog, Crabominable, Crawdaunt, Croagunk, Crobat, Croconaw, Cryogonal, Cubchoo, Deino, Delibird, Delphox, Deoxys, Deoxys (Attack Forme), Deoxys (Speed Forme), Dewgong, Dewott, Dewpider, Dialga, Dragalge, Dragonair, Dragonite, Drapion, Dratini, Drowzee, Druddigon, Ducklett, Duosion, Dustox, Ekans, Elgyem, Empoleon, Espeon, Espurr, Exeggcute, Exeggutor, Exeggutor (Alolan), Feebas, Feraligatr, Finneon, Floatzel, Flygon, Foongus, Fraxure, Frillish, Froakie, Frogadier, Froslass, Gabite, Galarian Articuno, Galarian Darmanitan, Galarian Darumaka, Galarian Mr. Mime, Galarian Ponyta, Galarian Rapidash, Galarian Slowbro, Galarian Slowking, Galarian Slowpoke, Gallade, Garbodor, Garchomp, Gastly, Gastrodon (East Sea), Gastrodon (West Sea), Gengar, Gible, Girafarig, Giratina (Altered Forme), Giratina (Origin Forme), Glaceon, Glalie, Gloom, Golbat, Goldeen, Golduck, Golisopod, Goodra, Goomy, Gorebyss, Gothita, Gothitelle, Gothorita, Greninja, Grimer, Grimer (Alolan), Grumpig, Gulpin, Guzzlord, Gyarados, Hakamo-o, Haunter, Haxorus, Hisuian Avalugg, Hisuian Braviary, Hisuian Qwilfish, Hisuian Sneasel, Hoopa (Confined), Hoopa (Unbound), Horsea, Huntail, Hydreigon, Hypno, Inkay, Ivysaur, Jangmo-o, Jirachi, Jynx, Kabuto, Kabutops, Kadabra, Kakuna, Keldeo, Kingdra, Kingler, Kirlia, Koffing, Kommo-o, Krabby, Kyogre, Kyurem, Lapras, Latias, Latios, Lombre, Lotad, Ludicolo, Lugia, Lumineon, Lunala, Lunatone, Luvdisc, Magikarp, Malamar, Mamoswine, Mantine, Mantyke, Mareanie, Marill, Marshtomp, Meditite, Meloetta (Aria Forme), Meowstic (Female), Meowstic (Male), Mesprit, Metagross, Metang, Mew, Mewtwo, Milotic, Mime Jr., Mr. Mime, Mr. Rime, Mudkip, Muk, Muk (Alolan), Munna, Musharna, Natu, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂, Nidorina, Nidorino, Nihilego, Noibat, Noivern, Octillery, Oddish, Omanyte, Omastar, Oranguru, Oricorio (Pa’u Style), Oshawott, Overqwil, Palkia, Palpitoad, Panpour, Pelipper, Piloswine, Piplup, Politoed, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Popplio, Primal Kyogre, Primarina, Prinplup, Psyduck, Quagsire, Qwilfish, Raichu (Alolan), Rainy Castform, Ralts, Rayquaza, Regice, Regidrago, Relicanth, Remoraid, Reshiram, Reuniclus, Roselia, Roserade, Salamence, Salandit, Salazzle, Samurott, Sandslash (Alolan), Scolipede, Seadra, Seaking, Sealeo, Seel, Seismitoad, Seviper, Sharpedo, Shelgon, Shellder, Shellos (East Sea), Shellos (West Sea), Sigilyph, Simipour, Skorupi, Skrelp, Skuntank, Sliggoo, Slowbro, Slowking, Slowpoke, Smoochum, Sneasel, Sneasler, Snorunt, Snover, Snowy Castform, Solgaleo, Solosis, Solrock, Spheal, Spinarak, Spoink, Squirtle, Starmie, Staryu, Stunky, Suicune, Surskit, Swalot, Swanna, Swinub, Swoobat, Tapu Fini, Tapu Lele, Tentacool, Tentacruel, Tirtouga, Totodile, Toxapex, Trubbish, Tympole, Tyrantrum, Tyrunt, Unown !, Unown ?, Unown A, Unown B, Unown C, Unown D, Unown E, Unown F, Unown G, Unown H, Unown I, Unown J, Unown K, Unown L, Unown M, Unown N, Unown O, Unown P, Unown Q, Unown R, Unown S, Unown T, Unown U, Unown V, Unown W, Unown X, Unown Y, Unown Z, Uxie, Vanillish, Vanillite, Vanilluxe, Vaporeon, Venipede, Venomoth, Venonat, Venusaur, Vibrava, Victini, Victreebel, Vileplume, Wailmer, Wailord, Walrein, Wartortle, Wash Rotom, Weavile, Weedle, Weepinbell, Weezing, Weezing (Galarian), Whirlipede, Whiscash, Wimpod, Wingull, Woobat, Wooper, Wynaut, Xatu, Zekrom, Zubat, Zweilous
- No Duplicates: Only one of each Pokemon species is permitted on your team of 6. (No species duplicates!)
- Arena Rules will be followed in all other particulars.
Take a moment to review the Arena Rules linked above. The rules have been updated for the new Competitive PvP Season, make sure you’re familiar with all of the changes!
How to Compete
Registration for the December Cup will become available to local community leaders on November 23th, 2021 - but Glacial Cups must be scheduled for dates between December 1st and December 31st, 2021. Find a Cup tournament near you via the Tournament Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Leader Questions:
How Do I Host a Glacial Cup Tournament in My Community?
Simply log in to Silph.gg with an authorized Community Leader account and create a Cup tournament on your community management page. You will be given an RSVP url to share with your community and, on the day of the tournament, a join code
to confirm your tournament's registrants. For a guide to setting up your tournament on Silph.gg, click here.
How Do I Become Authorized to Host Tournaments on Silph.gg?
All Silph League Discord community admins simply need to add themselves as 'Tournament Admins' via the Discord @SilphRoad
bot:
- On Discord, use the
@SilphRoad add-tournament-admin @username#0000
command in your#silph-league
channel. (You may need to log out of Silph.gg and back in again!)
Telegram channel and group admins are automatically authorized on Silph.gg.
Can I host multiple Glacial Cups in my community in December?
Yes. However, only one Glacial Cup will have significant impact in the participant’s Global Ranking. Participants can choose at at any point before they report their final round if they want that specific Cup to be weighted more heavily than the others.
Does the Glacial Cup have to be hosted on a specific date?
Any date between December 1st and December 31st, 2021 is a valid date to hold your community's Glacial Cup. The tournament registration page will not allow registering your Cup for an invalid date or time - so as long as you are able to create your tournament on Silph.gg, you will know it is set for a valid date.
I am a community leader of a Facebook Group (or other platform like Slack, Line, etc). How do I host the Glacial Cup Cup for my community?
The Arena team is working quickly to enable non-Discord/Telegram communities to host the Cup. Stay tuned for news on this front!
Participant Questions:
How Do I Join a Glacial Cup Tournament in My Community?
Find a local Cup being hosted by a community near you via the Tournament Map and read the event details on the event's RSVP page!
How Important Are Monthly Cups for My Player Rank?
Very. The vast majority of player rank in the Arena is derived from performance in the global, standardized Cups. (This is because Cups allow the Arena to observe the same controlled competitive scenarios for each player!)
Why is the Glacial Cup played in Great League?
Great League (max 1500cp) provides a diverse, new playing field with many options for creative, competitive teams. It also allows more casual players to join tournaments at meetups without being completely unable to compete with level 40 trainers who often sport the same level 40 Legendary Pokemon. Great League also marks immediately irrelevant much of the amassed arsenal of those who manipulate their GPS location ('spoof') to circumvent in-game mechanic limiters and acquire unnatural advantages.
Where can I learn more about global player ranking?
You can learn more about Global Player Rankings by reading our Guide to Player Rank.
Resources & Guides
Time to study up! Conquering this meta requires preparation and practice. Review this collection of guides and resources from Arena contributors and community content creators to help you on your way to victory:


Nifty Or Thrifty: Glacial Cup
By: JRE_Seawolf
It's time to start building your Glacial Cup team, so bargain hunters rejoice! Nifty or Thrifty is here with your monthly picks to really stretch that stardust.
Glacial Cup Search String
Copy and paste this string into the Pokemon GO search filter to see all of your eligible Pokemon! Learn how to copy and paste into Pokemon GO with this guide for iOS and Android.
Glacial Cup Meta Simplified
By: STEEEEEEEEEEVE7
PVP Steve is back again with another video to help you understand the Glacial Cup Meta!
Silph Arena Glacial Cup First Looks
By: Sosaflo
Team Rocket Academy's Sosaflo shares his initial look at The Glacial Cup!
Glacial Cup Meta Simplified
By: CountXevious
School is back in session with CountXevious of My PVP Academia as he breaks down the meta for the Glacial Cup!
Live Cup Data
As you plan your battle team, consider the species which appear most frequently in this meta: