How to take on Groudon in Pokémon Go - TechnW3
Do you have what it takes to beat Groudon?
For Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Niantic is bringing back every Legendary Raid for one day only. On Sunday, July 18, Groudon will return to Raids, alongside dozens of other Legenday Pokémon. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Groudon to your roster. And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!
Who is Groudon in Pokémon Go?
The mascot of Pokémon Ruby, Groudon is a Legendary Ground type Pokémon and the rival of Kyogre. This Legendary dinosaur-like Pokémon is incredibly powerful, capable of causing droughts and even volcanic eruptions. Like Kyogre, Groudon spends most of its time asleep, hidden far from the reach of people and other Pokémon. When it does come face-to-face with Kyogre, the pair will engage in a devastating battle that can only be stopped by an even more powerful Legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza.
Groudon is also capable of Primal Reversion, a state similar to Mega Evolution, although this hasn't been introduced in Pokémon Go... yet.
What are the best counters for Groudon in Pokémon Go?
As a pure Ground type, Groudon has three weaknesses: Grass, Water, and Ice. It is capable of dealing Ground, Fire, Grass, and Dragon type damage, meaning its moveset plays a big role in which type you should focus on as it can deal super effective damage to virtually all of its counters. However, with this introduction of Mega Evolution, as well as the rebalance of Shadow Pokémon, it is possible to focus on any of these three types and still win.
Mega Venusaur
Outperforming every other Pokémon in a vacuum, Mega Venusaur should be your first choice when going up against the Continent Pokémon. In the core games, Mega Venusaur's ability, Thick Fat eliminates its Fire and Ice weaknesses, but even without that advantage, Mega Venusaur is still the best choice in this Raid. You'll want to coordinate with your fellow Trainers to bring Grass types. Whether Mega, Shadow, or standard, you'll want your Venusaur to know Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant; however, if you don't have the Community Day exclusive move or the Elite TM to spare, Solar Beam can work as well.
Mega Blastoise
If you're looking to build a Water based offensive, Mega Blastoise is the ideal lead to counter Groudon. As a pure Water type, it takes increased damage from Solar Beam, but resists Fire Blast. It won't last quite as long as Mega Gyarados, but will do more total damge with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon. Just make sure you've stocked up on Potions and Revives, and that you're coordinating with the rest of your Raid party.
Mega Gyarados
Although it doesn't deal quite as much damage as Mega Blastoise, Mega Gyarados will last longer against Groudon thanks to its typing. A Water and Dark type, it resists Ground and Fire, while having no relevant weaknesses. If you are bringing Mega Gyarados along, you'll want Waterfall and Hydro Pump for its moveset.
Mega Abomasnow
Although Mega Venusaur works best in a vacuum, if you cannot coordinate with your fellow Trainers, Mega Abomasnow might actually be the safer choice for this Raid. As a Grass and Ice type, it takes half damage from Groudon's Ground and Ice type attack, but quad damage from its Fire type attack. With the Grass type attack Razor Leaf and the Ice type Weather Ball, Mega Abomasnow will boost both Grass and Ice type Pokémon on the field.
Kyogre
For a Water focused team, Kyogre is the obvious choice to counter the Continent Pokémon. Although Kyogre is a Legendary Pokémon, it's been available numerous times in Legendary Raids and as a Research Breakthrough Reward, so odds are you already have at least one or two powered up. As a pure Water type, Kyogre takes half damage from Groudon's Fire type attacks, but double damage from Solar Beam. Waterfall and Surf is the moveset you'll want your Kyogre to know.
Tangrowth
Originally discovered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Tangrowth is the evolution of Gen I's Tangela. Although it requires 100 Candies and a Sinnoh Stone to evolve, Tangela has been available since the start and Sinnoh Stones are much more common now than when first introduced, so most players have had plenty of chances to evolve Tangrowth. As a pure Grass type, Tangrowth takes half damage from Grass and Ground type attacks, but double from Fire. If you are bringing Tangrowth to this Raid, you will want it to know Vine Whip and Power Whip.
Gyarados
The evolution of what is arguably the weakest Pokémon out there, Gyarados requires a lot of work to evolve. However, thanks to the abundance of Magikarp being featured in multiple events, as well as Mega Gyarados Mega Raids, most players have entire teams of Gyarados. As a Water anf Flying type, it resists both Ground and Fire type attacks and has no weaknesses Groudon can exploit. If you're bringing Gyarados to this fight, you'll want it to know Waterfall and Hydro Pump.
Torterra
The final Evolution of Gen IV's Grass starter, Torterra performs very well against Groudon. Its first stage, Turtwig has been featured in multiple events, including Community Day and otherwise has a pretty high spawn rate, so most players have several Torterra and plenty of Candy for powering up. As a Grass and Ground type, it takes half damage from Ground and double from Fire. Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant are the moves you'll want your Torterra to know for this Raid.
Swampert
The final evolution of Gen III's Water starter, Swampert performs very well against Groudon. It's first stage, Mudkip has been featured in multiple events, including Community Day, and is pretty easy to find, so most players probably already have at least one or two evolved and powered up. As a Water and Ground type, it takes half damage from Fire, but quad damage from Grass. If you're bringing Swampert along, you'll want Water Gun for the fast move and Hydro Cannon for its charged move.
Mewtwo
The Psychic Legendary of Gen I, Mewtwo remains one of the strongest Pokémon in all of Pokémon Go. It has been available in a number of ways, including EX Raids, Legendary Raids, Special Research, Timed Research, and even as a Shadow Pokémon captured by Giovanni. Beyond its phenomenal stats, Mewtwo has access to a wide array of move types and has no weaknesses Groudon can exploit. By pairing Confusion with the charged attack, Ice Beam, it can deal super effective damage to Groudon even without the benefit of STAB. However, if your Mewtwo knows Psystrike or Shadow Ball do not TM these moves!!! Both are the strongest moves of their type and are considerably more useful, on top of being Legacy Moves.
Feraligatr
Another Water starter's final evolution, Feraligatr was originally discovered in the Johto region of Gen II. It's been in Pokémon Go for a long time and has been featured in multiple events, so most players have at least one or two already powered up. As a pure Water type, it takes half damage from Fire, but double from Grass. If you're bringing Feraligatr to this Raid, you'll want it to know Water Gun and Hydro Cannon.
Palkia
One of multiple Legedary Dragons discovered in the Sinnoh Region of Gen IV, Palkia makes for a great counter to Groudon. However, Palkia hasn't seen as widespread availability as the other Pokémon on this list, having only been in Raids twice. As a Dragon and Water type, it takes only a quarter of the damage from Fire type attacks and has only one weakness Groudon can exploit: Dragon. If you're bringing Palkia to this Raid, you'll want Dragon Tail for the fast move and Aqua Tail for its charged move.
Back ups?
Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:
- Empoleon with Waterfall and Hydro Cannon
- Roserade with Razor Leaf and Grass Knot
- Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
- Alolan Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Solar Beam
- Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
- Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Surf
- Clawitzer with Water Gun and Crab Hammer
- Simisage with Vine Whip and Grass Knot
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant
- Breloom with Bullet Seed and Grass Knot
- Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
- Ho-Oh with Hidden Power and Solar Beam
- Latios with Dragon Breath and Solar Beam
- Chesnaught with Vine Whip and Solar Beam
- Tornadus (Incarnate forme) with Air Slash and Grass Knot
- Leafeon with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Meganium with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Leavanny with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
Shadow Pokémon?
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:
- Shadow Gyarados with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
- Shadow Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
- Shadow Mewtwo with Confusion and Ice Beam
- Shadow Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power and Solar Beam
- Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
- Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Shiftry with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Shadow Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
- Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Shadow Articuno with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
- Shadow Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Seed Bomb
- Shadow Tangela with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Shadow Victreebel with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Shadow Abomasnow with Razor Leaf and Weather Ball
Note: In a vacuum Shadow Gyarados, Shadow Swampert, Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Venusaur, and Shadow Ho-Oh outperform every other non-Mega Pokémon in the best counters list. However, because there are Mega Pokémon with all three of Groudon's type weaknesses, the Mega Pokémon in the Raid will determine your best counters. If it is possible to safely coordinate with your fellow Trainers to bring one type, it will make the Raid go much quicker.
How many players does it take to beat Groudon in Pokémon Go?
Under the best circumstances, it is technically possible for two top level players to take out Groudon. If you cannot coordinate with your fellow Trainers or are a lower level, you may need four or more.
Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Groudon's Ground and Fire type attacks, as well as both your Grass counters and Groudon's Grass type move.
- Wind will boost Groudon's Dragon type move.
- Rain will boost your Water type counters.
- Snow will boost your Ice type counters.
Questions about taking on Groudon in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary Pokémon Groudon? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex so you can be the very best like no one ever was!
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