Machamp Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters
Machamp is a popular Fighting-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,056, Machamp is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Machamp in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.
π Table of Contents
π Machamp Base Stats & Overview
Machamp (#068) is a Fighting-type Pokemon from Generation 1.
| Base Stats | |
|---|---|
| Attack | 234 |
| Defense | 159 |
| Stamina | 207 |
| Total Stats | 600 |
| Max CP | 3,056 |
| Buddy Distance | 3 km |
With 234 Attack, 159 Defense, and 207 Stamina, Machamp has a total stat product of 600. Its high Stamina gives it excellent staying power in prolonged battles.
βοΈ Best Moveset for Machamp
Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Machamp’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Machamp for raids, gym battles, or PvP.
Best Raid & Gym Moveset
For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Fighting-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.
β’ Fast Move: Best Fighting-type fast move
β’ Charged Move: Best Fighting-type charged move
Best PvP Moveset
In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.
β’ Fast Move: High energy generation move
β’ Charged Move 1: STAB move for consistent damage
β’ Charged Move 2: Coverage move for countering weaknesses
π― Machamp Type Effectiveness
Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Machamp effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Fighting-type Pokemon, Machamp has specific strengths and weaknesses.
β οΈ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)
Machamp is weak to: Flying, Psychic, Fairy-type moves. When battling against Machamp, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.
- Flying – Deals increased damage
- Psychic – Deals increased damage
- Fairy – Deals increased damage
π‘οΈ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)
Machamp resists: Bug, Rock, Dark-type moves. This means Machamp takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.
- Bug – Reduced damage
- Rock – Reduced damage
- Dark – Reduced damage
π Machamp PvP Analysis
Machamp can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:
Great League (1500 CP Limit)
With a max CP of 3,056, Machamp would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.
Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)
Machamp can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.
Master League (No CP Limit)
Machamp can hold its own in Master League with proper support, though it may struggle against the top-tier threats like Dialga, Giratina, and Mewtwo.
βοΈ Machamp Raid Guide
Machamp is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:
Using Machamp in Raids
When using Machamp as a raid attacker:
- Best against raid bosses weak to Fighting-type moves
- Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
- Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS
π― Best Counters for Machamp
Whether you’re battling Machamp in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Machamp:
Top Counter Pokemon
The best counters exploit Machamp’s weaknesses to Flying, Psychic, Fairy-type moves:
| Pokemon | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Rayquaza | Dragon/Flying | Air Slash + Hurricane |
| Moltres | Fire/Flying | Wing Attack + Sky Attack |
| Honchkrow | Dark/Flying | Peck + Sky Attack |
| Mewtwo | Psychic | Best Psychic attacker with Psystrike |
| Alakazam | Psychic | Glass cannon with high Psychic DPS |
| Espeon | Psychic | Accessible Psychic attacker |
Counter Strategy Tips
- Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Machamp
- Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
- Watch for Coverage Moves: Machamp may have moves that counter its own counters
- Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks
π How to Get Machamp in Pokemon GO
There are several ways to obtain Machamp in Pokemon GO:
- Wild Encounters: Machamp can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
- Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
- Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
- Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
- Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
- Trading: Trade with friends
Shiny Machamp
Yes, Shiny Machamp is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.
Machamp Evolution
Check the PokΓ©dex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Is Machamp good in Pokemon GO?
Machamp is a solid Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a max CP of 3,056, it can perform well in various battle scenarios, especially when its typing provides an advantage.
What is Machamp’s best moveset?
The best moveset for Machamp depends on your use case. For raids and gyms, prioritize high DPS Fighting-type moves for STAB bonus. For PvP, focus on moves with good energy generation and coverage options.
What are Machamp’s weaknesses?
Machamp is weak to Flying, Psychic, Fairy-type moves. When battling Machamp, use Pokemon with these attack types for maximum effectiveness.
Can Machamp be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shiny Machamp is available in Pokemon GO. Keep catching Machamp for a chance at the shiny variant!
What is Machamp’s max CP?
Machamp’s maximum CP is 3,056 at level 50 with perfect 15/15/15 IVs. At level 40, the max CP is approximately 2,780.
π‘ Pro Tips for Using Machamp
Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Machamp’s potential in Pokemon GO:
1. IV Optimization
For raids and gym battles, prioritize Machamp with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.
For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:
- Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
- Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
- Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap
2. Power Up Priority
Before investing Stardust and Candy into Machamp, consider:
- Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
- Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
- Are there better alternatives for the same role?
- Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?
3. Team Composition
Machamp works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Fighting type weak to Flying, Psychic, consider adding team members that resist these types.
4. Weather Considerations
Take advantage of weather boosts:
- When catching: Weather-boosted Machamp spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
- When battling: Weather that boosts Fighting moves increases your damage output
- When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather
π Machamp in the Pokemon Franchise
Machamp first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Machamp’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.
In Pokemon GO, Machamp was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Machamp has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.
π How Machamp Compares
Let’s see how Machamp stacks up against other Fighting-type Pokemon:
| Stat | Machamp | Type Average | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 234 | ~180 | βββ |
| Defense | 159 | ~160 | ββ |
| Stamina | 207 | ~170 | βββ |
| Max CP | 3,056 | ~2,500 | ββ |
π― Conclusion
Machamp is a powerful Fighting-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,056 and solid base stats (234/159/207), it performs well in Ultra League PvP and can serve as a reliable raid attacker against appropriate targets.
Remember to:
- Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
- Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
- Build a team that covers Machamp’s weaknesses
- Take advantage of weather boosts when possible
For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.
Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.