Shadow Raids have arrived in Pokémon Go and Shadow Articuno is coming. Happily, we right here at iMore have every thing it’s worthwhile to know to beat it and add this highly effective Pokémon to your roster!
Who’s Shadow Articuno in Pokémon Go?
One of many authentic trio of Legendary Birds, Articuno is an Ice and Flying kind. Alongside aspect Zapdos and Moltres, these three are dominated over by Lugia, the one Pokémon able to stopping them as soon as they’ve begun to battle. In Pokémon Go, Articuno is now not a prime tier Pokémon, however its Shadow variant, an much more highly effective model captured and managed by Giovanni of Staff GO Rocket, continues to be useful for PVP. Now you may combat and seize Shadow Articuno in Shadow Raids. These raids are extremely robust and might solely be battled in particular person.
Additionally remember to take a look at our greatest Pokémon Go equipment, so that you might be totally outfitted in your Pokémon Journey!
Mega counters
There are a handful of choices for Mega Evolution when countering Shadow Articuno, specializing in every of its weak spot: Rock, Metal, Fireplace, and Electrical. Nonetheless, as Rock is a double weak spot, Rock sorts are your greatest wager.
Mega Aerodactyl
If in any respect potential, Mega Aerodactyl is the Mega Developed Pokémon you need in your raid occasion. This Rock and Flying kind takes tremendous efficient harm from each Rock and Ice kind strikes, but it surely’s the one Rock kind Mega at the moment out there, so make certain to have plenty of Revives and Potions readily available. Rock Throw and Rock Slide are the most effective strikes for Mega Aerodactyl on this raid.
Mega Aggron
Though it will not carry out in addition to Mega Aerodactyl and will not increase Rock sorts, Mega Aggron is one other nice performer on this raid. It is a pure Metal kind, so it resists each Ice and Rock kind strikes and can present a lift to the uncommon Metal kind counter. Aggron additionally has entry to the Rock kind strikes Smack Down and Meteor Beam, which are perfect for this raid.
Mega Blaziken
If you do not have entry to Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Blaziken additionally performs properly on this raid. This Fireplace and Combating kind resists Ice kind harm and has no weaknesses Shadow Articuno can exploit. Should you add Mega Blaziken to your staff, it ought to know Fireplace Spin and Blast Burn.
Honorable mentions
Whereas they won’t carry out as properly, the next Mega Developed Pokémon may also work for this raid:
Prime counters
Mega Articuno is an Ice and Flying kind with entry to Ice and Rock kind strikes. Its weaknesses embody Rock, Fireplace, Metal, and Electrical; nevertheless, Rock is a double weak spot, so you may wish to prioritize Rock sorts on this raid.
Rampardos
A fossil Pokémon initially found within the Sinnoh area, Rampardos is the highest normal counter for Shadow Articuno. As a pure Rock kind, it has no weaknesses Articuno can exploit. Rampardos can be extremely widespread, having been featured in quite a few occasions, and being cheap to completely evolve. Smack Down and Rock Slide are the strikes your Rampardos ought to know for this raid.
Rhyperior
Subsequent up is the Sinnoh Stone evolution, Rhyperior. It is a Floor and Rock kind, so it is weak in opposition to Ice kind strikes, however immune to Rock kind harm. The Rhyperior line has been featured in lots of occasions, together with Group Day, so most energetic gamers have it already powered up. Should you’re bringing Rhyperior to this combat, it ought to know Smack Down and Rock Wrecker.
Terrakion
One of many Legendary Swords of Justice, Terrakion is subsequent up. This Combating and Rock kind resists Rock kind harm and has no related weaknesses. Terrakion has had a number of runs in raids, so most energetic gamers have had the possibility so as to add it to their roster. Its greatest moveset for this combat is Smack Down and Rock Slide.
Gigalith
One other nice counter for Shadow Articuno is the Unovan native Gigalith. It is a pure Rock kind so it brings no notable resistances or weaknesses to this combat. Though Gigalith has a excessive evolution price, it advantages from Commerce Evolution, leaving plenty of sweet for powering up. Smack Down and Meteor Beam are the strikes you are in search of on this raid.
Tyranitar
Initially encountered within the Johto area of Gen II, Tyranitar is one other nice selection on this combat. It is a Darkish and Rock kind so it would not resist any of Articuno’s strikes, but it surely would not take tremendous efficient harm both. Tyranitar has been out there in so some ways for therefore lengthy that there is actually no excuse for energetic gamers to not have it already. Should you’re bringing Tyranitar to this combat, it ought to know Smack Down and Stone Edge.
Aggron
Subsequent up is Hoenn native, Aggron. This Metal and Rock kind takes lowered harm from all of Shadow Articuno’s strikes. The Aggron line has additionally been featured in tons of occasions and have each Shadow and Mega variants, so most energetic gamers may have this Pokémon of their roster already. Smack Down and Meteor Beam is the moveset greatest suited to this raid.
Aurorus
One other fossil Pokémon, Aurorus was initially found within the Kalos area. Its a Rock and Ice kind, giving it resistance to Ice kind harm, however a weak spot to Rock kind strikes. The Aurorus line has been boosted in a few occasions, so there’s a good probability you have already got this prehistoric Pokémon in your roster. Rock Throw and Meteor Beam are the most effective strikes for Aurorus on this raid.
Tyrantrum
One other fossil Pokémon found within the Kalos area, Tyrantrum performs nice in opposition to Shadow Articuno. As a Rock and Dragon kind, Tyrantrum takes tremendous efficient harm from Ice kind strikes. The Tyrantrum line has not been featured typically, so that you won’t have one totally powered up, however if you happen to do, Rock Throw and Meteor Beam are the strikes you are in search of.
Lycanroc (Noon)
Initially encountered within the Alola area, Lycanroc (Noon) is our subsequent prime counter. A pure Rock kind that brings no helpful resistances to this combat, it additionally has no weaknesses Articuno can exploit. Lycanroc’s first stage, Rockruff has been featured in raids many, many instances so most energetic gamers have had loads of possibilities to catch and evolve this Pokémon. Should you add Lycanroc to your staff, it ought to know Rock Throw and Stone Edge.
Omastar
Final however actually not least is a fossil from the Kanto area, Omastar. Omastar is a Rock and Water kind, so it has no weaknesses Articuno can exploit and it resists Ice kind harm. As a Gen I Pokémon that has been featured in numerous methods, there’s actually no excuse to not have a pair totally powered up at this level. Rock Throw and Rock Slide is the moveset your Omastar ought to know on this combat.
Again up counters
Though most gamers will have the ability to make a staff of the most effective counters, if you happen to’re discovering a niche in your staff, there are many again ups who work properly in bigger teams. Simply be sure to’re dodging and any of the next may very well be an honest again up:
- Hisuian Arcanine with Fireplace Fang and Rock Slide
- Alolan Golem with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
- Lycanroc (Midnight) with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
- Nihilego with Acid and Rock Slide
- Darmanitan with Fireplace Fang and Rock Slide
- Excadrill with Metallic Claw and Rock Slide
- Reshiram with Fireplace Fang and Fusion Flare
- Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Xurkitree with spark and Discharge
- Sudowoodo with Rock Throw and Meteor Beam
- Kleavor with Fast Assault and Rock Slide
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Hisuian Avalugg with Powder Snow and Rock Slide
- Golem with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
- Solrock with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Lunatone with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Regirock with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
- Ho-Oh with Hidden Energy (Rock) and Sacred Fireplace++
- Melmetal with Thunder Shock and Rock Slide
- Crustle with Smack Down and Rock Slide
Shadow counters
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Staff GO Rocket make them wonderful glass cannons. Not solely are their stats boosted, however throughout particular occasions or with Elite TMs, it is potential to alter their strikes. Should you occur to have any of the next Pokémon with the correct moveset, they’ll work very properly on this raid:
- Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Shadow Aggron with Smack Down and Meteor Beam
- Shadow Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Shadow Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Shadow Sudowoodo with Rock Throw and Meteor Beam
- Shadow Golem with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
- Shadow Machamp with Bullet Punch and Rock Slide
- Shadow Entei with Fireplace Fang and Overheat
- Shadow Blaziken with Fireplace Spin and Blast Burn
- Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Energy (Rock) and Sacred Fireplace++
Extra particulars
Shadow Raids are extremely difficult. Even utilizing the most effective counters and Purified Gems, prime trainers ought to purpose for events of not less than three members. Extra importantly, you are going to want to speak through the raid to time use of Purified Gems and Mega Developed Pokémon. We advocate getting collectively as giant a gaggle as potential for this raid, and refill on as many Purified Gems, Revives, and Potions as you may.
Climate situations that may impression this raid embody:
- Snow will increase Shadow Articuno’s Ice kind strikes, in addition to your Metal kind counters
- Partly Cloudy Climate will increase its Rock kind transfer, in addition to your Rock kind counters
- Rain will increase your Electrical kind counters
- Sunny/Clear Climate will increase your Fireplace kind counters
Do not miss your probability to catch Shadow Articuno in Pokémon Go!
Shadow Articuno is simply out there for a restricted time. Do not miss your probability so as to add it to your roster and remember to take a look at the remainder of our Pokémon Go guides so you can also grow to be a Pokémon Grasp!