Nov 21, 2022: Season 2 Cycle 3 Factions Metas

As Season 2 of Factions hits its stride, it is time to delve into the new open league and battlefield metas! Start strategizing with your Faction, updating your rosters, and preparing for Cycle 3.

CYCLE 3 TIMELINE

Registration will open on Monday, November 28 and close on Saturday, December 3rd at 23:59 UTC. Between that time you will be able to create a Faction or update existing rosters and invite new members. Be sure to have all members in their designated role before registration closes. Cycle 3 will then commence on Tuesday, December 6th at 00:00 UTC. Like prior Cycles, this next Cycle will consist of nine weekly bouts.

BATTLEFIELD METAS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR GREAT, ULTRA, AND MASTER LEAGUES

(Due to their lack of accessibility prior to the Cycle 3 start, Solgaleo and Lunala are banned from all formats.)

GREAT LEAGUE

The restriction list for Great League teams has been expanded to two lists. Specialists may now choose up to 1 Pokémon from an S restricted list, up to 2 Pokémon from an A restricted list, and complete their team with 3 (or more) Pokémon not listed in either restricted list. Galarian birds and Sneasler are banned.

S Restricted
Choose up to 1: Galarian Stunfisk, Registeel, Bastiodon, Lickitung, Sableye, Trevenant, Altaria, Swampert, Medicham, Noctowl, Azumarill, Toxapex

A Restricted
Choose up to 2: Alolan Ninetales, Wigglytuff, Venusaur, Umbreon, Mandibuzz, Walrein, Skarmory, Diggersby, Cresselia, Obstagoon, Scrafty, Tapu Fini, Defense Deoxys, Araquanid, Nidoqueen, Cofagrigus, Runerigus, Lanturn, Pelipper, Pidgeot, Aurorus

ULTRA LEAGUE

Similarly, the restriction list for Ultra League teams has been expanded to two lists. Specialists may now choose up to 1 Pokémon from an S restricted list, up to 2 Pokémon from an A restricted list, and complete their team with 3 (or more) Pokémon not listed in either restricted list. Galarian birds are banned.

S Restricted
Choose up to 1: Galarian Stunfisk, Registeel, Cobalion, Giratina Altered, Trevenant, Swampert, Cresselia, Talonflame

A Restricted
Choose up to 2: Scrafty, Tapu Fini, Cofagrigus, Nidoqueen, Mandibuzz, Umbreon, Walrein, Defense Deoxys, Regirock, Steelix, Buzzwole, Dragonite, Virizion, Alolan Ninetales, Jellicent, Runerigus, Dubwool, Greedent, Kommo-o, Guzzlord, Miltank, Pidgeot, Aurorus

ULTRA LEAGUE FOR CYCLE 4

As stated above, the Ultra League Specialist role is returning to open format for Cycle 3. However, a unique Ultra League meta is in the works for Cycle 4. Like planning for the Ultra League Celestial Battlefield, we want to give Specialists enough lead time to prepare resources to build teams. Details about this new Ultra League meta will be released in the coming weeks.

JUSTICAR BATTLEFIELD

Fight for goodness in the Justicar Battlefield! Assemble a team with only Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ice, and Poison type Pokémon. No Ground types, Toxicroak, Dragalge, Aurorus, Alolan Golem, Lanturn, Tapu Fini, or Megas are permitted in this battlefield. As always, eligible Pokémon in this battlefield are subject to change if in-game moveset updates occur between now and the Cycle 4 start. Best luck gathering resources for team building until then!

MASTER LEAGUE

Specialists have 8 points available to build their team based on the point structure below. Mega Charizard Y, Mega Gengar, Mega Gyarados, Mega Latias, Mega Latios, and Mega Swampert are banned from Master League.

S Tier: 4 Points
Mewtwo, Dialga, Zacian, Mega Aggron, Mega Scizor

A Tier: 3 Points
Lugia, Ho-Oh, Groudon, Kyogre, Palkia, Giratina Origin, Giratina Altered, Meloetta, Zarude, Mega Blastoise, Mega Steelix

B Tier: 2 Points
Zekrom, Xerneas, Yveltal, Melmetal, Mew, Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, Mega Abomasnow

C Tier: 1 Point
Dragonite, Reshiram, Landorus Therian, Landorus Incarnate, Genesect, Mega Venusaur, Mega Alakazam, Mega Pidgeot, Mega Blaziken, Mega Sceptile

D Tier: 0 Points
Any Pokémon not previously mentioned in Tiers S, A, B, or C. The following Mega Pokémon are permitted in this tier: Mega Beedrill, Mega Pidgeot, Mega Slowbro, Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Ampharos, Mega Houndoom, Mega Manectric, Mega Absol, Mega Banette, Mega Lopunny, Mega Glalie

FIELD SPECIALIST POSITIONS AND METAS

(Due to their lack of accessibility prior to the Cycle 3 start, Solgaleo and Lunala are banned from both battlefields.)
Of the four Field Specialists roles, two Specialists will compete in the Ember Battlefield and two Specialists will compete in the Vanguard Battlefield.

EMBER BATTLEFIELD

Sparking off the competition, in this battlefield Specialists can pick any six Pokémon that meet the following conditions:

Allowed
Electric, Fire, Grass, or Ground typing as well as Alolan Muk, Hisuian Qwilfish, Honchkrow, Machamp, Malamar, Poliwrath, Primeape, and Sirfetch’d.

Bans
Pokémon with Dragon, Rock, or Steel typing and Mudbois (Water/Ground)
Abomasnow, Diggersby, Dugtrio, Lanturn, Nidoqueen, Ninetales, Pachirisu, Salazzle, Stunfisk, and Whimsicott are not permitted.
Megas and Shadows are also not permitted.

VANGUARD BATTLEFIELD

As this Season passes its midpoint, we couldn’t let the battlefields plateau. Instead this battlefield, inspired by four famous trainers, takes it to new heights!

Teams of six will be comprised of Pokémon with the following pick restrictions:

• Slot 1: Choose one Pokémon with Ice or Water typing. Froslass, Jellicent, Kingdra, and Poliwrath cannot be picked for this slot, but can be picked elsewhere.
• Slot 2: Choose one Pokémon with Fighting, Ground, or Rock typing.
• Slot 3: Choose one Pokémon with Ghost or Poison typing.
• Slot 4: Choose one Pokémon with Dragon or Flying typing.
• Slot 5 and 6: Choose two Pokémon with Water, Ground, Rock, Poison, or Flying typing however, Ice, Fighting, Ghost, and Dragon typing are banned in these team slots.

Bans
Megas, Pokémon with Dark, Fairy, and Steel typing, plus any Pokémon in generation 7 and onwards including their corresponding forms (Alolan, Galarian, Hisuian). Abomasnow, Aurorus, Lanturn, Medicham, Trevenant, and Altaria are also not permitted.