Legendary Raid battles have just been announced in Pokémon GO. Players have until a couple days after the 22nd of July (this Saturday) to prepare for these new Raid Battles. While information is currently still scarce, we’ve compiled this guide to getting the best out of your Pokémon for the battles against the new Raid Bosses. Check back as we update with more details! We have advice for Lugia and Articuno.
When do they start?
Players at the Chicago GO Fest event will get their first chance at Legendary Raids on the 22nd of August, Saturday during the evening (6pm – 7pm Chicago time). While this requires unlocking during the Worldwide Challenge during the day, it is rather likely they will be unlocked. Afterwards, Raid Battles will appear worldwide. Like with other Raid Battles, players will get a chance to catch the Legendary Pokémon on beating it successfully.
Raid Eggs for Legendary Pokémon within the reveal video may two days to hatch, so it may not be until Monday (24th of August) that players will be able to take on Legendary Raid Battles. Right now, battles are live for this weekend! Furthermore, Legendary Raids last for two ours. You can currently take them on with Raid Passes and Premium Raid Passes.
What Legendaries are available?
Right now, Lugia and Articuno are available. Moltres and Zapdos will be the next Legendaries to be added; no date has yet been announced.
Following those, Ho-Oh is likely given its appearance in the video.
Mew, Suicune, Entei, Raikou and Celebi are other possibilities, but they were absent in the video. They will be likely to be released in future updates.
Legendary Pokémon also have a Base Catch rate of 2% – so good luck!
Lugia
Lugia has been seen with a CP of 42,753, and attacks of Extrasensory/Dragon Tail (fast) and Sky Attack/Hydro Pump/Future Sight (charge).
Articuno
Articuno has been seen with a CP of 37,603 (around 1,600 CP when caught), and moves of Frost Breath (fast) and Icy Wind/Ice Beam/Blizzard (charge).
For reference, Tyranitar (Raid level 4), currently the strongest of the level 4 Raid Bosses, can have a CP of 34,707. Attacking with 4 to 6 players minimum (depending on Trainer level) is recommended for level 4 raids.
Best Pokémon to use
What are the best Pokémon to use for fighting Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO? Given the first four Legendaries are Lugia, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres – all Flying types, two of these Fire/Flying and one Ice/Flying, Rock-type attackers are ideal.
- For Lugia – use Golem with Rock-type attacks, Tyranitar with Dark or Rock-type attacks, and other Dark types like Houndoom or Rock types like Rhydon. If it has Hydro Pump (a possible Charge move), Lapras and Cloyster may also be good choices.
- For Articuno – use Rock types like Golem, Tyranitar and Rhydon if they have Rock-type attacks, Lapras and Cloyster with Ice-type attacks, and Jolteon and other Electric-type attackers.
Enter Golem, perhaps one of the best attackers to use in Legendary Raids – if it has Rock-type Attacks! Ground-type attacks do little to Flying types, so you may need to use a TM. You will want Rock Throw as the Fast move, and either Rock Blast or (preferably) Stone Edge for the Charge move. Golem also resists Flying, Fire and Electric type attacks (but not Ice); a strong choice indeed.
Rhydon is another strong contender. Already one of the best attackers in the games, a Rhydon with Rock-type attacks will be of great help. Sadly, only its Charge move of Stone Edge fits the bill. The same applies to Tyranitar. Therefore, Golem may actually be a preferable option! Omastar is another Pokémon to consider if it has Rock-type moves.
Beyond Rock-type attacks, Electric-types will be super-effective against all of the Legendary Birds sans Zapdos. Ice-type attacks will be ideal to use against Zapdos/Articuno, and Water-type attacks against Ho-Oh and Moltres (and Water-type attackers will resist Articuno’s Ice-type attacks). Lapras and Cloyster may be ideal against Articuno along with Fire-type attackers, and Arcanine with Wild Charge may suit battles against Articuno, Moltres and Ho-Oh thanks to a resistance to their elemental attacks.
For fighting the likes of Mewtwo (and Mew if it becomes a Raid Boss), Tyranitar would be a solid option with Bite and Crunch. (It would also be great against Lugia provided it has no Water-type attacks.) Other Dark-types (e.g. Houndoom) may also be the best choice to go with. However, if Mewtwo has a Fighting type attack, you’ll better get good at dodging! Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor may be a viable option to consider as well, as would Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor. Gengar with Shadow Ball will help, but fall quickly to Psychic attacks due to its typing and low defences.
In short – power up Golem, Rhydon and Tyranitar with Stardust, after ensuring they have the right types of attacks. Focus on type advantages and be sure to take on the Legendary Pokémon in a group! If you’re still unfamiliar with Raid Battles in general, check out our guide article.
Do you have your own suggestions and tips? Let us know in the comments!
Edited by Volpe Artica.
Source: Daily.pokecommunity
