Pokemon Go: Best Counters for Raikou and the Legendary Beasts

Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Go have been promised from the get go. Its first trailer showed a hypothetical event featuring a massive battle against Mewtwo. This page includes a schedule of Legendary Pokemon Raids, the best way to take them down, and a List of Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Go.

Click on the Pokemon's name to see the best way to defeat them! 

Mewtwo	Sep. 6 - ? (EX Raids only)
Raikou	Aug. 31 - Sep. 30 (Americas)
Suicune	Aug. 31 - Sep. 30 (Asia-Pacific)
Entei	Aug. 31 - Sep. 20 (Europe & Africa)

Raid Eggs are currently not in effect. It is unclear whether this is temporary while Niantic fixes bugs, or a permanent change. For now, Raids will start with no countdown or warning. 

Niantic finally confirmed the arrival of Legendary Pokemon days before the first Live Event, Pokemon Go Fest in Chicago July 22, 2017.

Legendary Pokemon are only obtainable by defeating Legendary Pokemon Raids. Once defeated, Trainers will have a chance to capture the rare and powerful Pokemon much how they would a normal Raid Boss.

• You'll know a soon-to-begin Raid will feature a Legendary Pokemon if the Raid Egg is dark blue. 
• You will want the full 20 players if you want to make easy work of Legendary Pokemon.
• Fewer can defeat them, at the very least six, but you need high-leveled Pokemon well-suited for the task. 
• Legendary Pokemon cannot defend Gyms, but they can battle enemy Gyms and Raid Bosses. 
• Base Capture Rate for Legendary Pokemon is only 3%.
• Legendary Pokemon Buddy Distance is 20km per 1 candy. 

Because Legendary Pokemon are so difficult to take down, you can find recommended counters to strategically up your chance of defeating them. However, if none of your counters are high CP (1,500+ at the very least, preferably 2000+) you may as well just use your highest CP Pokemon. 

Because Legendary Pokemon have such a low capture rate at only 3%--Lugia only 2%-- you'll want to save your Golden Razz Berries and practice your Curve Balls to maximize your chance at catching a Legendary Pokemon. See the chart below made by Reddit user Epimetheos for a visualization of just how much the extra effort helps. 

Medals awarded for catching certain Types of Pokemon, for example Bird Keeper for Flying-type Pokemon, will increase catch rate as well. To earn the Gold Medal, catch 200 of a specific Type of Pokemon. 

Once in the process of catching the Legendary Pokemon: 

• Use a Golden Razz Berry for each attempt.
• Use a Curve Ball if you're confident in your accuracy.
• Only throw a  Premier Ball right after the Pokemon has attacked, so you can try to ensure your throw won't be interrupted.
• Wait for the Pokemon to re-center if it has moved to an awkward spot. 

Raikou is first appearing in the Americas August 31 - September 30. In Pokemon Gold and Silver, this Legendary Beast would appear in random areas of the map, only to run away to a different far away land when encountered. To somewhat mirror this mechanic, the Legendary Beasts in Pokemon Go will be available in different regions of the world at different times.

Raikou, as an Electric-type Pokemon, is only weak to one type:

Additionally, Ground-type Pokemon are resistant to Electric-type attacks. This makes the Ground- and Rock-Types Golem and Rhydon with Ground-type moves the most ideal counters to Raikou.

Steelix, with its Ground-type and super high defense, would make a decent anchor Pokemon.

Other Ground-type Pokemon, like Donphan, would be a great choice up against Raikou as well.

Possible Fast Attacks
Name	Type	Damage
Thunder Shock	Electric	6
Volt Switch	Electric	12

Possible Charged Attacks
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Thunder	Electric	100	3
Thunderbolt	Electric	80	3
Wild Charge	Electric	90	3

Suicune is first appearing in the Asia-Pacific region August 31 - September 30. In Pokemon Gold and Silver, this Legendary Beast would appear in random areas of the map, only to run away to a different far away land when encountered. To somewhat mirror this mechanic, the Legendary Beasts in Pokemon Go will be available in different regions of the world at different times.

Suicune, as a Water-type Pokemon, is weak to the following types:

• Electric
• Grass

Exeggutor will resist Suicune's Water-type attacks and deal super effective damage with its Grass-type attacks. Though Zapdos won't resist Suicune, it will do an incredible amount of damage.

Venasaur would be a good choice, but may be susceptible to Suicune's possibly Psychic-type quick move. Raikou, Jolteon, Meganium, and other Electric- or Grass-type Pokemon are also respectable.

Possible Attack Moves
Name	Type	Damage
Extrasensory	Psychic	12
Snarl	Dark	12

Possible Special Moves
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Hydro Pump	Water	130	1
Bubble Beam	Water	45	2
Water Pulse	Water	70	2

Entei is first appearing in Europe and Africa August 31 - September 30. In Pokemon Gold and Silver, this Legendary Beast would appear in random areas of the map, only to run away to a different far away land when encountered. To somewhat mirror this mechanic, the Legendary Beasts in Pokemon Go will be available in different regions of the world at different times.

Entei, as a Fire-type Pokemon, is weak to quite a few types:

• Ground
• Rock
• Water

As such, there are quite a few good counters against Entei. The most common of these is the Water-type Vaporeon, but Rock-type Pokemon, like Tryanitar are exceptional as well. Both are resistant to Fire-type attacks.

Dragonite, though it doesn't have any super-effective moves, is resistant to Entei's Fire-type attacks and is overall a well-rounded Pokemon. Omastar and Golem are again useful when up against Entei, as they are with many other Legendary Pokemon.

Possible Attack Moves
Name	Type	Damage
Fire Spin	Fire	15
Fire Fang	Fire	12

Possible Special Moves
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Flamethrower	Fire	70	1
Fire Blast	Fire	140	3
Overheat	Fire	160	2

Mewtwo first appeared on August 14 during the Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama. This Legendary Pokemon will begin appearing in Exclusive (EX) Raid Battles "in the coming weeks."  Mewtwo will only appear in Exclusive Raids. 

Mewtwo, as a Pyschic-type Pokemon, is weak to the following types:

• Dark
• Ghost
• Bug

Also worth noting is that Dark-type Pokemon are very resistant to Psychic-type moves, making the Dark- and Rock-type Tyranitar an ideal partner against Mewtwo.

Unfortunately, Mewtwo does have a 25% chance of having the Fighting-type Charge Move Focus Blast, which is super effective against Tyranitar. However, Tyranitar is resistant to Mewtwo's other possible Charge Attacks - so just be weary of which charge move the Mewtwo has.

Umbreon would be a good choice to put at the end of a team, as it has high survivability against Mewtwo - just be ready to dodge those Focus Blast attacks if it has them.

Pinser, Houndoom, and other Bug- and Dark-types are decent choices. Gengar, though it will do an impressive amount of damage, is weak to Mewtwo's Pyschic-type attacks and cannot survive long.

Possible Attack Moves
Name	Type	Damage
Confusion	Psychic	20
Psycho Cut	Psychic	5

Possible Charge Moves
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Psychic	Psychic	100	3
Shadow Ball	Ghost	100	3
Hyper Beam	Normal	150	2
Focus Blast	Fighting	140	2

Zapdos began appearing on August 7, 2017, and will remain until August 14. It is speculated that Ho-Oh will appear once Zapdos is removed from Raids.

Zapdos, as an Electric- and Flying-type Pokemon, is weak to the following types:

These will do 1.4x the usual damage. Unlike the other two Legendary Birds, Zapdos does not have a dual weakness. Additionally, many Pokemon that know Ice-type attacks are weak to Electric-type moves, like the Water- and Ice-type Lapras, or aren't generally very strong, like Jynx. Remember that Flying-type Pokemon will take Super Effective damage from Zapdos we well.

Golem, a Ground- and Rock-type, will resist Zapdos' Electric-type attacks and dish out extra damage with Rock-type moves. Just make sure the Golem has Rock-type moves, as although Ground-type attacks are usually Super Effective against Electric-type Pokemon, Zapdos' Flying-type neutralizes the buff.

Tyranitar, though it isn't resistant to Zapdos, can still dish out a great deal of damage if its Charge Attack is Stone Edge. Piloswine will resist Zapdos and deal Super Effective damage with its Charge Attack Avalanche, but can't learn an Ice-type Fast Attack. Rhydon will resist Zapdos' attacks, and can learn Stone Edge, but Zapdos has resistance to both of it's fast attacks (the STAB on Mud Slap makes it the slightly better of the two). 

Dragonite's Dragon-typing resistance and Flying-typing weakness allows it to sustain only neutral damage from Electric-type attacks, and though it can't deal Super Effective damage, it's still a generally strong contender in raids. 

Possible Attack Moves
Name	Type	Damage
Charge Beam	Electric	8

Possible Charge Moves
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Zap Cannon	Electric	140	2
Thunderbolt	Electric	80	3
Thunder	Electric	100	3

Moltres began appearing in Raids on July 31, 2017, and will remained until August 7.

Moltres, as a Fire- and Flying-type Pokemon, is weak to the following types:

• Electric
• Water

Each of these will do 1.4x the usual damage.

Rock-type moves will do 1.96x the damage.

Golem with two Rock-type attacks is the best counter to Moltres, as it's resistant to all of Moltres' attacks and will deal 1.96x damage. Compared to Omastar, it's easier to obtain and has a higher attack power.

Omastar with Rock-type moves is a fantastic counter to Moltres as well though. Like Golem, it's resistant to Moltres' attacks, and if it has Rock-type moves, will do 1.96x damage as well. Even if your Omastar has Water-type moves, it will still do extra damage.

Strong Water-type Pokemon with decent defense like Gyarados, Vaporeon, and Kingdra, if it has Water-type moves, will do well against Moltres. Tyranitar, though it doesn't have access to two moves that are super-effective, will do well along with other favorites like Dragonite.

Attack Moves
Name	Type	Damage
Fire Spin	Fire	14

Charge Moves
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Fire Blast	Fire	140	3
Heat Wave	Fire	95	2
Overheat	Fire	160	2

Lugia first appeared in Raids July 22, 2017, at the conclusion of Pokemon Go Fest. It is unclear how long it will be available. Lugia is especially tough to take down. Plan on having 20 trainers, or at least 8 of very well-prepare, high-level players. Lugia will cease from appearing in Raids on Aug. 31, 2017, and it is unknown when it will appear again. 

Lugia, as a Psychic- and Flying-type Pokemon, is weak to the following types: 

• Dark
• Rock
• Ice
• Ghost
• Electric

Each of these will do 1.4x the usual damage. 

Lugia is able to attack with Psychic, Flying, Dragon, and Water-type moves.

Tyranitar would be a good offensive Pokemon to take Lugia on, but you must be especially wary of its Hydro Pump charged attack and plan on manually dodging those, or your Tyranitar may be one-shot. 

Jolteon, with Electric-type moves, and Omastar, with Rock-type moves, will also be good choices. Gengar has super-effective Ghost-type attacks, but is weak to Lugia's Psychic-type attacks. 

Possible Attack Moves
Name	Type	Damage
Extrasensory	Psychic	12
Dragon Tail	Dragon	15

Possible Charge Moves
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Sky Attack	Flying	70	3
Hydro Pump	Water	130	1
Futuresight	Psychic	120	1

Articuno first appeared in Raids July 22, 2017, at the conclusion of Pokemon Go Fest, and will only be available in its first run until July 31, 2018. 

Articuno, as an Ice- and Flying-type Pokemon, is weak to the following types: 

• Electric
• Fire
• Steel

Each of these will do 1.4x the usual damage. 

Rock-type attacks will do 1.96x the damage, being undoubtedly the best type to attack Articuno with. 

Articuno only attacks with Ice-type moves, giving Omastar a fantastic advantage against the legendary bird if it has Rock-type attacks. The Rock- and Water-type Fossil Pokemon Omastar does 1.96x the damage with its Rock-type moves, and is resistant to Articuno's Ice-type attacks. 

Houndoom is also resistant to Articuno, and will do super-effective damage with its Fire-type attacks. Tyranitar is also a good choice, taking neutral damage but dishing out super-effective Rock-type attacks. 

Other plain Fire-type Pokemon, like Typhlosion and Flareon, are also good choices. 

Possible Attack Moves
Name	Type	Damage
Frost Breath	Ice	10

Possible Charge Moves
Name	Type	Damage	Number of Special Bars
Ice Beam	Ice	90	3
Icy Wind	Ice	60	2
Blizzard	Ice	130	3

 We will update this list as Legendary Pokemon become available. 

Suicune
Raikou	Entei

These Legendary Pokemon have been noticeably absent from trailers. These include the mythical Pokemon Mew and Celebii, both of which were incredibly difficult to procure in the main Pokemon games. The only way to find Celebii and Mew in the original Pokemon games are through special events.

Mew	Celebii

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