Giratina (Altered Forme)

Great League: N/A / 5

Until Giratina gets released as a Research Breakthrough, there’s no way to get it into Great League. Fingers crossed.

Ultra League: 5 / 5

Ultra League’s top threat, Giratina-A is all but a must-have if you want to compete. With its incredible bulk, relatively neutral coverage across most of the meta, and easy access to STAB charge moves, its dominance shapes the meta and challenges specific counters to keep it in check. The nerf to its coverage move, Ancient Power, following the April 2020 rebalance decreases its overall ability to fight back against its counters like Togekiss and Articuno, but overall its bulk and STAB moveset still makes it viable. The release of Candy XL hurts Giratina-A somewhat, as Pokemon like Umbreon, Mandibuzz, and Alolan Ninetales have become common enemies that Giratina-A struggle greatly against.

Master League: 4.5 / 5

Giratina-A remains an absolutely massive threat in Master even when considering the power of its counterpart, Giratina-O. Giratina-A sets itself apart through its sustained damage output and wider coverage, as it can use its Dragon-type STAB much more easily. It is much better at fighting against opposing Dragon-types and can win against Snorlax. Since its losses are less severe than Giratina-O's, it is generally a better safe switch. However, Giratina-A lacks Giratina-O's nuking potential to burst targets down.