Element Cup
Element Cup restricts the format to Fire, Water, and Grass final-evolutions at 500 CP or less. Marill, Snover, Galarian Slowpoke, and tiny starters rule the meta.
Element Cup is the "baby starter" format. Only the final-evolution Fire / Water / Grass mons that can squeeze under the 500 CP cap qualify — which usually means species that are nominally fully-evolved but tiny by stats (Marill, Lickitung-relatives, low-tier starters at low IVs).
IV floor matters more than usual: Element Cup requires specific low-attack IV rolls to keep CP under the cap while maximizing bulk. Many top picks need a rank-1 PvP IV check before you commit XL Candy.
- CP ≤ 500.
- Only Fire, Water, or Grass type mons may enter.
- Mons must be in their final evolution.
- Low-attack IVs are required to optimize CP cap stat distribution.
Bubble + Aqua Tail + Ice Beam carries the format. Massive bulk inside the cap and Water/Fairy synergy beats almost every starter.
Smack Down + Rock Blast under-caps comfortably. Wrecks the Fire starters trying to cosplay as Element Cup attackers.
Spark + Thunder Punch + Close Combat double-STABs the Marill mirror and pressures bulky Water leads.
Razor Leaf + Leaf Blade / Bullet Seed makes it the meta Grass answer. Outbulks rival Grass leads at the cap.
Hex + Sludge Bomb wrecks Marill and most Grass starters that hard-counter the Fires.
Dark damage from Snarl + Bullet Seed is unexpected coverage that catches Marill teams off-guard.
For the full ranked tier list with movesets across the game, see the Hundo Hunter tier list. Cross-reference the Fire / Water / Grass tier blocks for picks that fit this cup's ruleset.
What is Element Cup?
Element Cup restricts the format to Fire, Water, and Grass final-evolutions at 500 CP or less. Marill, Snover, Galarian Slowpoke, and tiny starters rule the meta.
What's the CP cap for Element Cup?
Element Cup is a 500 CP cap format. Build for low-attack IVs to maximize bulk under the cap.
Which types are allowed in Element Cup?
Element Cup allows Fire, Water, Grass. Dual-typed entries qualify if one of the typings is on the eligible list.
Who are the top picks in Element Cup?
The signature meta picks are Marill, Crustle, Pawmot. The full meta + anti-meta breakdown is above with movesets and rationale.
When does Element Cup run?
Runs annually around the Spring or Summer season; ~2-week window.
When was this entry last updated?
This Cup entry was last reviewed on 2026-05-29. Hundo Hunter re-reviews each tournament Cup at the start of every season.