Easy at trainer level 30 with optimized counters or weather boost
| HP | 15,000 | ATK | 163.53 | DEF | 208.56 |
|---|
| CP Range | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lvl 20 | 1665 - 1743 | Lvl 25 | 2082 - 2179 |
Notable Weather
| Boosts Boss's Moves | Boosts Counters' Moves |
|---|---|
| Snow, Partly Cloudy | Snow, Sunny / Clear, Rain, Partly Cloudy |
Fast Move Difficulty
| Move |
|---|
| Frost Breath |
Charge Move Difficulty
| Move | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Blizzard | Intermediate |
| Ice Beam | Challenging |
| Icy Wind | Easy |
| Ancient Power | Easy |
Overview
Articuno has very solid defense, but it suffers from one of the semi-common flaws that Pokemon with good defensive stats tend to have: an Ice typing. Ice alone puts Articuno in range of a few big-name attackers, and adding Flying to it just makes things that much worse for everyone's Team Mystic mascot. A duo is very viable with a bit of careful dodging, and is even easier partly cloudy weather
Approach
Team composition
-
Charizard's two formes are the only currently viable Mega Evolutions for the raid, though boosting Fire Type still doesn't put it on a par with most things that are just tossing rocks.
-
Rampardos, Shadow Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Terrakion, and Shadow Omastar are the true VIPs of this fight
-
Many other Pokemon are viable, but keep in mind that even non-STAB/weak rock moves tend to be stronger here than 1x super effective, strong STAB moves.
Battling strategy
-
Given the right team comp, DPS is not an issue at all. A bit of dodging is needed to make the duo work in general.
Note: "Good" movesets are not necessarily viable at the level indicated.
Best Raid Boss Counters
Mega Charizard Y
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
Pros:
-
Top DPS Mega Evolution Vs. Articuno currently
-
Makes Fire Types more viable in this fight
Cons:
- Mega Evolution, Mega Energy is limited and can be difficult to replenish
- Despite its boost to Fire Types, still can't make Fire as viable as Rock outside of clear weather
- Double weak to Ancient Power
- Best moveset is Elite
Mega Charizard X
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Fire Spin | Blast Burn | Best |
Pros:
-
Second best DPS Mega Evolution Vs. Articuno currently
-
Makes Fire Types more viable in this fight
Cons:
- Mega Evolution, Mega Energy is limited and can be difficult to replenish
- Despite its boost to Fire Types, still can't make Fire as viable as Rock outside of clear weather
- Weak to Ancient Power
- Best moveset is Elite
Rampardos
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Smack Down | Rock Slide | Best |
Pros:
-
Absolute highest DPS of all potential Articuno counters
Cons:
-
Somewhat frail, appreciates dodging.
Shadow Tyranitar
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Smack Down | Stone Edge | Best |
Pros:
-
Great overall performer, sporting a high mix of DPS and TDO
Cons:
- Shadow Pokemon, expensive to raise and requires an event to remove Frustration
- Best moveset is Elite
Rhyperior
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Smack Down | Rock Wrecker | Best |
| Smack Down | Stone Edge | Good |
Pros:
- Good availability. Species has been featured in several events, its own Community Day, and has been around since day one.
- Resists Ancient Power
Cons:
-
Weak to Ice Type movesets
-
Best moveset is Elite
Terrakion
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Smack Down | Rock Slide | Best |
Pros:
-
Resists Ancient Power
Cons:
- Legendary Pokemon, candy can be difficult to obtain
Shadow Omastar
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Rock Throw | Rock Slide | Best |
| Rock Throw | Ancient Power | Good |
Pros:
-
Resists Ice Type movesets
Cons:
-
Shadow Pokemon, expensive to raise and requires an event to remove Frustration
-
Best moveset is double Elite
Tyranitar
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Smack Down | Stone Edge | Best |
Pros:
-
Good overall accessibility. Has been featured in several events and has been a common raid boss since the feature's inception.
Cons:
-
Best moveset is Elite
Gigalith
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Smack Down | Rock Slide | Best |
No real advantages or disadvantages. Just a solid overall counter.
Omastar
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Rock Throw | Rock Slide | Best |
| Rock Throw | Ancient Power | Good |
Pros:
-
Resists Ice Type movesets
Cons:
-
Best moveset is double Elite
Shadow Metagross
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash | Best |
Cons:
-
The top non-Rock counter
-
Resists Ice Type movesets
Cons:
-
Shadow Pokemon, expensive to raise and requires an event to remove Frustration
-
Best moveset is double Elite
Darmanitan
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
Pros:
- Resists Ice Type movesets
- Has great synergy Charizard's two Mega Evolutions
Cons:
- Weak to Ancient Power
Alolan Golem
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Rock Throw | Stone Edge | Best |
No real pros or cons. A solid overall counter with the bonus of outstanding facial hair.
Aerodactyl
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Rock Throw | Rock Slide | Best |
Pros:
- Solid DPS option
Cons:
- VERY frail in this fight. Weak to Articuno's entire moveset.
Golem
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Rock Throw | Stone Edge | Best |
Pros:
- The original Articuno counter; many older players have at least one
- Resists Ancient Power
Cons:
- Weak to Ice Type movesets
Aggron
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Smack Down | Stone Edge | Best |
Pros:
- Very bulky option, can help to stay in the raid
- Resists Ice Type movesets
Cons:
- DPS is too low for the Duo, needs higher DPS support to be viable
- Your friends may attempt to slap you if they see you bring an Aggron to this fight
Heatran
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Fire Spin | Stone Edge | Best |
Pros:
- Highest TDO option in most neutral scenarios
- Double resists Ice Type movesets
Cons:
- DPS is too low for the Duo, needs higher DPS support to be viable
- Legendary Pokemon, candy can be difficult to obtain
Melmetal
| Fast Move | Charge Move | Rating |
|---|
| Thunder Shock | Rock Slide | Best |
Pros:
- Decent TDO option
- Resists Ice Type movesets
Cons:
- DPS is too low for the Duo, needs higher DPS support to be viable
- Mythical Pokemon, candy can be difficult to obtain
