Team Building Guide
ABC vs ABB Teams in Pokémon GO PvP Explained
ABC and ABB are two ways of building a three-Pokémon PvP team. The letters aren’t types — they describe how the three relate to each other.
The short version: ABC teams try to cover different threats. ABB teams deliberately put two Pokémon in the back with something in common. That changes how you play them.
What Is an ABC Team?
Three Pokémon with different coverage — A + B + C. If A struggles against something, B or C should have a good matchup into it. The goal is broad coverage, not creating the same weakness twice.
ABC teams feel intuitive because you usually have a direct answer to a threat. The downside: lose alignment, and the right counter can end up stuck facing the wrong Pokémon.
What Is an ABB Team?
A + B + B. The two Bs don’t have to be the same species or even the same type. What matters is that they share an important weakness, counter or role.
The first B usually draws out the opponent’s best answer to that part of your team. A deals with that counter. Once it’s gone, the second B can have a much easier endgame. Our ABB team strategy guide shows real example teams.
A Simple ABB Example
Both Pokémon in your backline struggle badly against the same kind of counter. Keep them both hidden and that counter may meet your last Pokémon and decide the battle.
So you switch the first B in early. The opponent reveals the counter. Your B might lose — that’s fine. You bring A back, remove the counter, and the second B never has to face it.
Does the First B Need to Win?
No. This is the part people miss. The switch can do its job even when it faints. Maybe it:
- draws out the counter
- takes a shield
- damages the counter
- gives your lead a chance to farm energy
If that opens a path for your last Pokémon, losing the individual matchup was useful. More on that trade-off in Shield Advantage vs Switch Advantage.
Which Is Easier to Play?
ABC, usually, if you’re new to structured team building. You see a threat and line up the answer.
ABB asks you to think about what the opponent may have behind their lead. Sometimes you make a switch that looks bad on purpose because you’re setting up the final matchup. Once that clicks, ABB gets a lot easier.
ABC vs ABB: Quick Comparison
| ABC | ABB | |
|---|---|---|
| Backline | Different coverage | Similar weakness/role |
| Main idea | Cover threats | Draw out a counter |
| Alignment | Often important | Often manipulated deliberately |
| Switch | Usually safe coverage | Often part of the strategy |
| Beginner friendly | Usually easier | Takes more planning |
Which Should You Use?
Neither is automatically stronger. Choose based on the Pokémon you want to use and how they interact. Three Pokémon that cover each other well? ABC makes sense. Two strong Pokémon sharing a counter your lead handles well? ABB gives the team a clear plan.
What matters is knowing which one you built. An ABB team played like a basic ABC team feels much worse than it really is.
Build Around a Plan
Either way, your team should answer one question: what do I do when I lose the lead? If you don’t know, the team probably needs work — How to Play a Bad Lead and How to Build a PvP Team are good next reads.
Build Your PvP Team