Have you ever wanted to be part of Team Rocket in Pokémon GO? Turns out the game can almost make it possible!

Team Rocket has been the main antagonist of the Pokémon series since its inception in 1996. If you used to watch the original cartoon series, you'd be familiar with Jessie, James, and the Pokémon Meowth with its human vocabulary. In the games, including Pokémon GO, and Team Rocket are usually up to no good, and you need to stop them. But what if you want to pay homage to them by wearing their uniform?

With this in mind, we've created the guide below to help you choose between the outfits available, and how much each one costs.

Rock that Team Rocket look

A bunch of Team Rocket costumes have been available in the style shop in Pokémon GO for several years. There are currently four outfits you can buy:

• Team Rocket Cliff-Style Outfit - 300 coins
• Team Rocket Cliff-Style Outfit (Short Sleeve) - 300 coins
• Team Rocket Arlo-Style Outfit - 200 coins
• Team Rocket Arlo-Style Outfit (Black) - 200 coins

These costumes are almost on the high-end in the store when you see a bunch of tops and trousers that can be bought for 200 coins. If you find yourself low on coins, we recommend visiting some Gyms to build up your wallet.

However, if you do have enough coins, read on.

How to buy and equip a Team Rocket costume

Buying and equipping a Team Rocket costume is a simple affair:

1. Tap on your Avatar in the lower left-hand corner of the main screen
2. Tap on the Style option in your Avatar menu

3. Locate the Team Rocket costume pieces in the Style menu
4. Tap Exchange to pay for one of the costumes

Congratulations — you're now (unofficially) part of Team Rocket in Pokémon GO! Niantic, Pokémon GO's developer, usually updates the shop with new styles of tops, trousers and costumes.

Make sure to check every few weeks to see if they drop a new Team Rocket costume for your avatar to wear on your adventures!

Evolving Feebas and Wurmple in Pokémon Go requires a lot of patience, but the reward is well worth it.

These Pokémon come from Generation III of the series, first introduced in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, all originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2003. If you remember playing these games, you may have some nostalgia for, not only catching Feebas and Wurmple but to evolve them for your collection.

It's not as simple as training them up to certain levels, standing back, and seeing them transform into a new form — these Pokémon have some unique requirements in order to start the process.

With this in mind, we've created the guide below to help lay out the steps needed to evolve Feebas and Wurmple.

How to evolve Feebas into Milotic in Pokémon Go

Milotic is a Water-type Pokémon. It evolves from Feebas, which is reminiscent of Magikarp. Unlike Gyarados and Magikarp candy, though, It doesn't take 400 Feebas candy to evolve Milotic. It only takes 100. But, it also takes Friendship.

Friendship is a mechanic we saw introduced in Pokémon Go Gen 2 where, in order to evolve an Eevee into Espeon or Umbreon, you had to make it your Buddy Pokémon and walk it for 10 KM.

Feebas is similar. But in order to evolve it into Miltoic, you need to walk it 20 KM.

Important: You can't just walk any Feebas for 20 KM in order to evolve one into Milotic. You need to walk the specific Feebas you want to evolve for 20 KM. That means, if you want a good (high iV) Milotic, you first need to find a good (high IV) Feebas. If you find a better Feebas you'd rather evolve, you'll have to start over.

1. Tap on your Avatar.
2. Tap on your Buddy.
3. Tap on the Switch button, bottom right.
4. Tap on Yes to confirm you want to switch buddies.
5. Choose the Feebas you want to walk.
6. Walk with your Feebas Buddy for 20 KM.
7. Collect 100 Feebas candy as you go (if you haven't already).
8. Tap on your Feebas Buddy.
9. Tap Evolve.

Once you're done, you'll have your Milotic. If you didn't get Waterfall and Surf as the Fast and Charge moves, you'll want to TM them at your soonest opportunity.

How to evolve Wurmple into Dustox and Beautifly

Wurmple is like the Caterpie of Gen 3. It's a little bug that only requires 12 candies to evolve into its second stage. Unlike Caterpie, Wurmple has a split second-stage evolution: It can evolve into either Cascoon or Silcoon.

Split evolutions are something we've seen since Gen 1, also with Eevee. Evolve an Eevee and you could get Flareon, Jolteon, or Vaporeon. Picture that, but with only two second-stage possibilities — and with each of those possibilities having a third stage evolution.

Important: Unlike Eevee in Gen 1, there's no trainer name trick you can use to guarantee control of at least one of each evolution. Unlike Eevee in Gen 2, there's also no Friendship mechanic and day vs. night trick to guarantee control over all evolutions. With Wurmple, second-stage evolutions seem to be totally and completely random.

1. Choose the Wurmple you want to evolve.
2. Tap Evolve.
3. Repeat as often as is necessary to get both Cascoon and Silcoon.
4. Evolve Cascoon into Dustox and Silcoon into Beautifly whenever you have the candy and the opportunity.

Did you know that there are regional exclusive Pokémon in Pokémon Go that can only be found in certain locations around the world? Having these Pokémon in your collection can earn you some serious bragging rights. But are they really worth the challenge to track down and catch?

Around the world, there are up to nine unique Pokémon that can only be found in certain regions. Kangaskhan, for example, can only be found in Australia. Keep in mind though, that Niantic, Pokémon Go's developer, has hosted special events in the past that can save you from traveling in different countries just to find certain exclusive Pokémon.

To help you on your quest, we've put together a guide below to highlight which Pokémon are exclusive to certain countries.

What are Regional Exclusive Pokémon in Pokémon Go?

Pokémon Go makes some Pokémon only available in certain regions of the world. Sometimes it's a country or island, a subcontinent or continent or part thereof, or in one case, coastlines around the equator. Whatever the region is, you have to go there to find its exclusive Pokémon.

What are the Regional Exclusive Pokémon in Pokémon Go?

There are over 40 regional exclusive Pokémon that can only be caught or hatched in specific parts of the world. While these Pokémon each have designated regions where they can be caught or hatched, there is the occasional overlap, as well as parts of regions that fall outside of the spawn areas. For example, the southern tip of Florida and Texas won't see the North American Regional Exclusive Tauros. Some Regional Exclusive Pokémon also swap regions periodically or during events.

Americas

• Bouffalant
• Carnivine
• Corsola (Tropical regions)
• Heracross
• Pachirisu
• Sigilyph (Southeastern USA)
• Tauros

Central and South America, Caribbean

• Corsola
• Heracross

Europe, Middle East, Africa

• Klefki (France)
• Mr. Mime
• Pansear
• Sigilyph (Greece, Egypt)
• Tropius
• Volbeat
• Zangoose

Asia

• Farfetch’d
• Kangaskhan
• Mime Jr.
• Pansage
• Relicanth
• Throh (Asia)
• Torkoal

Oceania

• Corsola (Tropical regions)
• Kangaskhan
• Relicanth
• Volbeat
• Zangoose

Do Pokémon Go Regional Exclusives ever change region?

They do! There are currently a few pairs that have swapped regions since their introduction, such as Zangoose and Seviper. Likewise, there is a trio of Legendary Pokémon, Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf, who swapped regions, giving Trainers a few weeks to attempt to catch each of them.

Have any Pokémon ever stopped being Regional and gone worldwide?

Plusle and Minun started off separately, like Zangoose and Seviper, but now both spawn globally. Rumor has it; that the Pokémon Company told Niantic the two best buddies shouldn't be separated.

Do Regionals sometimes appear in other regions, like during events?

Yes. Sometimes Regional Exclusive Pokémon will be included in events. It's almost always at real-world events like Go Fest Chicago, and sometimes during in-game events.

How do you catch Regionals in Pokémon Go?

You catch Regionals just like you catch any Pokémon in Pokémon Go but, if you have limited time or limited spawns, you're going to want to maximize your chances.

1. ABC. Always be curving. Once you can nail Curve Ball every time, you'll get a 1.7x bonus every time.
2. Max out your medals. Some are easier to get than others, but they consume no resources like Great or Ultra Balls or Razz Berries, so once you get them, that 1.1x to 1.3x is automatically applied each time.
3. Consistency counts. Aim for the smallest target you can nail every time. If that's Nice, it's nice. If that's Great or Excellent, even better. But the better the bonus you get the one you miss, and that extra 1.3 to 2x also doesn't consume resources and can make a difference.
4. Razz for real. Use Razz Berries when you need to. Unlike Great or Ultra Balls, you can't miss a Razz Berry, and its 1.5x bonus will last until you hit. For Golden Razz Berries, it's 2.5x!
5. Bump them Balls. Use Great and Ultra Balls to maximize your odds. You get an extra 1.5x for a Great Ball and 2x for an Ultra Ball, so use them to get those super rare or hard-to-catch Pokémon.

Trading for Regionals in Pokémon Go

If you just cannot afford to travel the globe in search of regionals, it is possible to trade with a friend who has. Well, for a price. If the Regional Pokémon is new to your Pokédex, it'll be considered a Special trade and cost both you and the person you're trading with a non-trivial amount of stardust. Here are the numbers:

• Friend: No Special Trades
• Good Friend: 20,000 Stardust
• Great Friend: 16,000 Stardust
• Ultra Friend: 1,600 Stardust
• Best Friend: 800 Stardust

There are restrictions on Trades based on Friendship level and location. This is, in part, to discourage people from selling Pokémon. While you can meet other players through Facebook, Discord, and Reddit, most players willing to trade Regional Exclusive Pokémon aren't going to ask for money or anything offline in return. If they do, it's probably a scam.

The best Pokémon in Pokémon Go will power you through trainer battles and let you take on Gyms with ease. They can help you take on a raid and they also just look cool when showing off to friends. Though Pokémon Go’s biggest mechanic is all about throwing Pokéballs, its battles can be a lot of fun if you do the necessary prep work. 

However, legendary Pokémon can be hard to get a hold of, and some haven’t shown up in the game for years. Here are the best Pokémon in Pokémon Go, split up into both legendary and non-legendary choices. 

Best legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Go

Mewtwo  (Psychic)

Mewtwo is a classic choice thanks to its iconic look and great move set. With its Psychic typing, you are better off putting the likes of Confusion and Psystrike in its moves but, in a pinch, it can learn Fire, Ice, Electric, Fighting, Ghost, and Normal moves. 

Eternatus (Poison/Dragon)

With a fairly unique typing and super high CP stats, Eternatus is an excellent choice. It can learn fewer moves than Mewtwo with only Fire, Poison, and Dragon moves, but both Dragon and Poison moves get a boost thanks to its typing. 

Groudon (Ground/Fire)

Groudon has good moves in its moveset, with Ground and Fire-type moves getting a boost. It also has very high stats and can be mega-evolved into Primal Groudon to dish out even more damage. 

Zekrom (Dragon/Electric)

This choice is at its best when paired with Dragon and Electric moves and can do serious damage thanks to its high attack stat. For a more defensive playstyle, put Charge Beam and Outrage into its moves to offer some versatility. 

Best non-legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Go

Slaking (Normal)

Slaking is a bit of an anomaly, having one of the very highest max CPs in the entire game. Being a Normal type, and therefore only weak to one type and not super effective against any, it can be a bit of a shakeup in a PVP team and might take the enemy by surprise. Yawn, its quick attack, generates energy, and Hyper Beam, its heavy attack, can take out enemies in a single brutal move. Slaking can also be mega evolved for more power.

Garchomp (Dragon/Ground) 

As you might expect from such a popular Pokémon, Garchomp is naturally a very good choice for any team thanks to high stats, and some great moves. It can take a while to get as it takes 125 candies and is pretty rare but it’s worth that effort for such a powerful choice. 

Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)

Tyranitar is the closest you get to a Dragon-type Pokémon without actually having the Dragon typing. It looks like Godzilla, has huge stats, and can even mega evolve to do more damage. If you need Rock and Dark moves in your team, this is the best choice out there. 

Metagross (Steel/Psychic) 

Metagross’ unique typing gives it a nice moveset and it has both very high attack and defense stats, allowing it to stay alive for longer than most Pokémon. We recommend pairing it with Bullet Punch or Zen Headbutt, as well as Meteor Mash, though Earthquake is also a solid choice. Like some of our previous choices, this too can mega evolve. 

With a grouping of these choices, you should be able to beat any raid, conquer any gym, and take on any friend. 

As you start to reach the higher levels, the Pokémon Go level requirements can be a real pain to reach. However, they allow you to catch even more powerful Pokémon and give you the ultimate bragging rights. If you’re playing the game anyway, it’s worth eventually completing them. 

Once you start getting to the high 30s and low 40s, it’s worth planning ahead by stockpiling your eggs, holding onto incense, and not using up all your berries. If you’re looking for the level requirements to get through them a little quicker, here’s how to get all the way up to level 50. 

What are the Pokémon Go level requirements?

Level 41-50 Requirements Graphic from r/TheSilphRoad

Up to level 40, you simply need to collect EXP from activities to level up. You will need an awful lot though, with level 39 taking five million EXP to get there. It could take you months, though it will take a little less time once you learn how to level up the fastest. 

From level 40 onwards, not only do you have to earn an absurd amount of EXP but you have to complete challenges too. Here are all the challenges from level 40 to level 50. Any requirements that use medals will work retroactively and the rest have to be completed while you have the challenge. The members of a Pokémon Go subreddit have put together a nice infographic that you can click on above but, if you can’t see it, here are the level requirements:

Level 41

• Power up Legendary Pokémon 20 times
• Win 30 raids
• Catch 200 Pokémon in a single day
• Earn 5 gold medal

Level 42

• Evolve Eevee into each of its unique Evolutions
• Use items to evolve Pokémon 15 times
• Make 3 excellent throws
• Use 200 berries to help catch Pokémon

Level 43

• Earn 100,000 Stardust
• Use 200 supereffective Charged Attacks
• Catch 5 Legendary Pokémon
• Earn 5 platinum medals

Level 44

• Win 30 battles in the Great League
• Win 30 battles in the Ultra League
• Win 30 battles in the Master League
• Battle in the Go Battle League 20 times

level 45

• Defeat 100 Team Go Rocket Grunts
• Purify 100 Shadow Pokémon
• Defeat a Team Go Rocket Leader 50 times
• Earn 10 platinum medals

Level 46

• Complete 100 Field Research tasks
• Take a snapshot of Pokémon 7 days in a row
• Make 50 excellent throws
• Hatch 30 eggs

Level 47

• Win 30 raids using a team of all unique Pokémon species
• Win a three-star raid using only Pokémon with 1,500 CP or less
• Power up 3 Pokémon to their max CP
• Earn 20 platinum medals

Level 48

• Receive 10 Souvenirs from your buddy
• Earn 300 hearts with your buddy
• Walk 200 km with your buddy
• Walk 25 km in a week 8 times

Level 49

• Make 10 trades with Pokémon caught at least 300 km apart
• Obtain 50 Lucky Pokémon in trades
• Send 500 Gifts to friends
• Earn 35 platinum medals

Level 50

• Make 999 excellent throws
• Catch one of the next five Legendary Pokémon you encounter
• Defeat a Team Go Rocket Leader 3 times using only Pokémon with 2,500 CP or less
• Achieve rank 10 in the Go Battle League

Why you should take the time to get past level 40 in Pokémon Go

Not only do you get level rewards every level but getting to the game’s highest levels bumps up the CP on each Pokémon. This means, that if you want the strongest version of the strongest Pokémon in the game, you need to put in the time to increase your level. 

You need a Metal Coat to evolve two Pokémon in Pokémon Go and, though it may take you a while to get both of them, it is worth it. Used for Pokémon that get the Steel type added during evolution, this not only makes them much tougher via evolving but gives them access to new move types. 

Unfortunately, as it's an evolution item, you will be heavily reliant on RNG, though there’s one thing you can do to up your chances of getting your item. Here’s how to get Metal Coat in Pokémon Go and what to do once you’ve finally found one. 

How to get Metal Coat in Pokémon Go 

You have a 1% chance of getting an evolution item each time you spin a Pokéstop. As you can get any of the six evolution items each time, this means you have significantly less than a 1% chance of getting Metal Coat with every spin. However, there’s a more consistent method. 

Pokémon Go has a daily quest system, where you can unlock new quests by spinning Pokéstops. If you don’t like the quests you have been given, you can get rid of them and unlock more from fresh Pokéstops. Each new day that you do a quest gives you a stamp and, when you collect 7 stamps, you get a guaranteed evolution item. The following items can drop from this method: 

• Dragon scale
• King’s Rock
• Metal Coat
• Sinnoh Stone
• Sun Stone
• Unova Stone
• Upgrade

Which Pokémon evolve with Metal Coat in Pokémon Go?

As of right now, there are two Pokémon in Pokémon Go that evolve using Metal Coat. The first is Scyther, which evolves into Scizor with Metal Coat and 50 Scyther Candy. With a max CP of just shy of 3000, high attack stats, and a combination of Flying, Steel, Dark, Bug, and Normal moves, this can be a powerhouse on the right team. 

Next up is Onix, which evolves into Steelix with Metal Coat and 50 Onix candy. Capable of learning Electric, Steel, Dark, Ground, and even Psychic type moves, this is a solid Pokémon with decent stats to boot. 

Getting a Dragon Scale in Pokémon Go is the only way to evolve one of the game’s best Water Pokémon, and it can give you access to Dragon-type moves before you actually catch yourself a good dragon. Unfortunately, with it being an evolution item, you need some luck, or a decent bit of time to get one for yourself. 

If you’ve been searching high and low for a Dragon Scale and just can’t seem to grab one, here’s everything you need to know about the elusive item. 

How to get Dragon Scale in Pokémon Go

Like many other evolution items in Pokémon Go, you can get the Dragon Scale from Pokéstops and Gyms if you are very lucky. With just a 1% chance of getting it though, you are better off trying via the daily task system. Every day, you can complete challenges. These challenges are unlocked by spinning Pokéstops and can be discarded for new ones if you don’t like them. If you do one every day, you unlock a stamp. After a week of collecting stamps, you get an Exp bonus and some special items. One of these items will be an evolution item. 

The following are the evolution items you can get from these weekly rewards: 

• Dragon scale
• King’s Rock
• Metal Coat
• Sinnoh Stone
• Sun Stone
• Unova Stone
• Upgrade

This means you have a 1 in 7 chance of getting the Dragon Scale on your first attempt but, if you spin enough Pokéstops and do enough challenges, you will get a Dragon Scale eventually. 

Which Pokémon evolve with Dragon Scale in Pokémon Go?

As of right now, only one Pokémon in Pokémon Go evolves using a Dragon Scale: Seadra. This Water-type Pokémon evolves from Horsea with 25 Horsea candy, and then from Seadra into Kingdra with 100 Horsea candy and the Dragon Scale. With a max CP of mid-2000, with even extra during a weather boost, and a Dragon/Water type pairing, this is a solid Pokémon with decent stats and a good move set. If you need some Dragon moves and see yourself combatting something with Fire too, this is an excellent pairing, and deserving of a spot in almost any team. 

Learning how to get Upgrade in Pokémon Go is the next step in making your Porygon much stronger. Being the only way to evolve it into Porygon2 and rather rare, you may have found yourself at a dead end looking for the illustrious upgrade item. Luckily, it’s a little easier to find than you may think — it just requires some patience. 

Here’s how to get Upgrade in Pokémon Go and how to use it. 

How to get Upgrade in Pokémon Go 

Unfortunately, there’s quite a lot of luck involved in getting an Upgrade. Though you can technically get it in many random drops, the most consistent way to guarantee a chance at receiving it is by doing seven daily tasks on separate days. From the game, click the binoculars at the bottom right corner of the screen. Then click “Today” and do one of those tasks. Once that is done, a small stamp will appear at the top of the screen and you have to do tasks on seven different days to unlock a “breakthrough” which comes with an evolution item at random. These do not need to be consecutive days so don’t worry about doing it every single day but it will take longer if you don’t. 

It’s worth noting that quests have a small bin icon next to them that you can use if it doesn’t seem worth your time. With a quest slot open, you can interact with a Pokéstop and you will receive a new task. This is a nice way of filtering through the time-intensive tasks and getting a slightly easier one. 

Which Pokémon evolve with Upgrade in Pokémon Go?

As of right now, Porgyon is the only Pokémon in Pokémon Go that evolves using Upgrade and 50 Porygon candies. From here, you can evolve Porygon2 into Porygon-Z with a Sinnoh Stone and 100 Porygon candies. Once you have more than one, you can hold onto it and evolve more Porygon or throw it out to save on storage space. Catching more Porygon can allow you to farm different stats and natures, but it’s also a good way to get Pokémon Go XP fast. 

If you’re looking to know how to get Unova Stone in Pokémon Go, there’s a good chance you’ve found a very lovable trio of monkeys. Used on Pansage, Pansear, Simisage, and a few more Pokémon from the fifth generation, it’s a bit of a grind to get the stone but worth it for those new Pokémon. 

Going over the two methods to get it, as well as every Pokémon that can evolve with it, here’s everything you need to know about the Unova Stone in Pokémon Go. 

How to get Unova Stone in Pokémon Go

There are a few main ways to get Unova Stones. The first is through Research Breakthroughs, the game’s quest system. After you have signed into the game, click the binoculars icon at the bottom right of the page. From here, click on the “Today” tab and you will see daily quests. Complete daily quests seven days in a row and you will get a Research Breakthrough that has a chance of giving you a Unova Stone. You should do these daily quests anyway as they're a good way to get Pokémon Go XP fast.

If you can’t be bothered to wait a whole week for a chance at a Unova Stone, you can also get one by defeating a Team Go Rocket Leader. There are three of these; Cliff, Sierra, and Arlo. Cliff is a tough-looking gentleman with a cap on, Sierra is a lady in a white and purple jumper, and Arlo has streaks of red in his black hair. Defeating any of these gives you the chance to get a Unova Stone. If you don’t get it the first time, you can walk around and fight more until you get it. Though you used to be able to get a Unova Stone by defeating Team Rocket’s Giovanna, it seems you can no longer do this. 

Which Pokémon evolve with Unova Stone in Pokémon Go?

The following Pokémon evolve with a Unova Stone: 

• Pansage into Simisage with one Unova Stone and 50 candy
• Pansear into Simisear with one Unova Stone and 50 candy
• Panpour into Simipour with one Unova Stone and 50 candy
• Munna into Musharna with one Unova Stone and 50 candy
• Minccino into Cinccino with one Unova Stone and 50 candy
• Eelektrik into Eelektros with one Unova Stone and 100 candy
• Lampent into Chandelure with one Unova Stone and 100 candy

These are all the Pokémon that evolve with Unova Stone in Pokémon Go right now and it’s the only use of this peculiar-looking stone. 

Once you know how to catch Pikachu Libre in Pokémon Go, you will be able to show off one of the rarest creatures in the game right now. It’s not so rare because it’s hard to find, but because the challenge of actually getting it is a rather grueling one. You need to learn how to battle and defeat other trainers first. 

Not only does the Pokémon look cool but catching it nets you some unique outfit items and  Pikachu Libre can also learn an exclusive move, making it a well-liked choice in many battles. 

Here’s how to catch Pikachu Libre in Pokémon Go, which movesets you should use, and how to counter it. 

How to catch Pikachu Libre in Pokémon Go

In order to get a chance at catching Pikachu Libre, you have to get to Legend Rank in the Battle League. To get into the Battle League, you press the Pokéball icon to get to the menu, then hit “Battle”. You can then start taking on the ranks. It will take a while but it's a good way to get Pokémon Go XP.

You get through the ranks by completing and winning battles consecutively. In order to get to Legend, you need to win over 50 games, take part in over 30 other battles, and get to a rating of 3,000+ by battling other high-level players. Here are all the ranks and rewards in the current season: 

• Rank 1: Guaranteed encounter with Wingull
• Rank 1+: Possible encounters with Machop, Gligar, Wingull, Grubbin, or Skwovet
• Rank 6: Guaranteed encounter with Scraggy
• Rank 6+: Possible encounter with Frillish or Carbink
• Rank 11+: Possible encounters with Alolan Marowak, Lickitung, Maraenie, Scraggy, or Ralts 
• Rank 16+: Possible encounters with Falinks, Wooloo, or Vullaby
• Rank 20+: 5-star Raid Boss (Zapdos, Landorus, or Yveltal)
• Ace Rank: Guaranteed encounter with Goomy and Lana-inspired wig
• Veteran Rank: Guaranteed Encounter with Deino and Lana-inspired shoes
• Expert Rank: Guaranteed Encounter with Jangmo-o and Lana-inspired outfit
• Legend Rank: Guaranteed Encounter with Pikachu Libre and a Lana-inspired pose

Once you get to Legend Rank, you will be faced with an encounter where the matador-themed Pokémon will pop out. 

Best Pikachu Libre moveset and counters

Pikachu Libre can learn the following moves as part of its traditional moveset: 

Fast Attacks: 

• Thunder Shock
• Charm

Charged Moves: 

• Thunder Punch
• Play Rough
• Flying Press
• Draining Kiss

Given Pikachu Libre is weak to Ground-type moves, setting Flying Press as your charged attack is a good choice. As well as this, Thunder Punch shares a type with Pikachu so it will also gain a bonus, making this the best combo for Pikachu Libre. 

As electric is weak to Ground, you want to make sure your Pokémon choice has Ground moves, but preferably isn’t a Ground type, as Pikachu Libre may have Flying Press. For more information on Battle League, as well as the specific requirements for each rank, check out our Pokémon Go Battle League information piece here. 

Kecleon in Pokémon Go is one of the most interesting species in the game purely because of how strange it is to catch. Every Pokémon up until the point Kecleon was introduced could either be caught by exploring your location or doing special events. Kecleon, the mischievous little chameleon, has a method true to its nature — one that requires a little perception. 

However, not only is catching it a fun gimmick, but Kecleon can be a surprisingly good part of a Pokémon Go team thanks to an interesting moveset and decent stats. 

If you want to catch Kecleon in Pokémon Go, this is everything you need to know. 

How to catch Kecleon in Pokémon Go

Kecleon generally doesn’t pop up as you walk, like other Pokémon. Instead, it turns invisible and clings to the side of Pokéstops. Click on every Pokéstop nearby and you will eventually come across one. The Pokéstop will inform you an obstacle is in the way and, if you click around enough, the Kecleon will fall off. Once this has happened, go out of the Pokéstop and look around for the Pokémon. 

Luckily, you don’t need to be within range of a Pokéstop to see the Kecleon so you can check Pokéstops from a distance and walk towards it when you spot the Pokémon. They don’t tend to be too quick to run away once you have found one so throw a berry down and start throwing your Pokéballs. If it does happen to get away, Kecleon isn’t super rare so keep trying Pokéstops until you have found one again. They will appear at Pokéstops that have been taken by Team Rocket but won’t appear until after you have cleared Rocket so you can’t check ahead of time. Kecleon and Ditto are two of the toughest Pokémon to find in the game.

Best Pokémon Go Kecleon moveset and counters

Kecleon can learn the following moves as part of its traditional moveset: 

Fast Attacks: 

• Sucker Punch
• Lick

Charged Moves:

• Flamethrower
• Ice Beam
• Aerial Ace
• Shadow Sneak
• Thunder
• Foul Play

As Kecleon is a Normal-type Pokémon, it doesn’t gain any bonuses from any of its moves, making them all viable choices. However, pairing Lick and Foul Play results in the highest overall damage, making it a great choice for taking on any battle. With so many of its charged moves covering different types, you can plan out your moveset based on who you are battling. You can play defense with the Pokémon’s moveset but you will likely want a dedicated defense Pokémon in your party instead.

If you are looking to beat a Kecleon, put a Fighting-type Pokémon in your party with Fighting moves and it should deal with the Kecleon in no time. 

Eevee is one of the most popular Pokémon throughout the series, and there's always a bit of mystery surrounding how to acquire its many different evolutions. There are eight different Eeveelutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield that can be caught or evolved differently. Here is how to catch Eevee, followed by how to evolve Eevee in Pokémon Sword and Shield, which is one of the best Nintendo Switch games available, to fill out your collection.

What you'll need

Is there a new Eeveelution in Sword and Shield?

Unfortunately, there aren't any new Eeveelutions in Gen 8. However, you can catch Eevee and all eight of its pre-existing Eeveelutions in Sword and Shield.

While there are 18 different Pokémon types, only half of them have received an affiliating Eevee-related evolution. Of the ones that we haven't seen, I'd especially love to see a Dragon-type, Ghost-type, and Flying-type Eeveelution. Maybe we'll see one of these in the next core Pokémon game.

Where to find Eevee in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Eevee can be found in the grass on Route 4 at any time during the day or night. You'll arrive at Route 4 after taking the train from Wedgehurst.

Eevee is very elusive, so it's going to take a while for it to appear. Keep wandering around in the tall yellow grass and keep an eye out for those adorable tell-tale ears sticking out.

How to catch Eevee in Pokémon Sword and Shield

1. Enter into a Pokémon battle with Eevee.
2. Weaken it with one of your Pokémon until its HP is in the 'red' zone.
3. Throw a Poké Ball and hope for the best!

How to evolve Eevee in Pokémon Sword and Shield

The pursuit of collecting and evolving every Pokémon is one of the reasons why this is one of the best Nintendo Switch games out there. Eevee has eight Eeveelutions, but each one has a different way of evolving:

Where to find stones in Pokémon Sword and Shield

An easy place to find these stones is on the narrow strip of land on the other side of the Lake of Outrage. However, you'll need to be far enough in the game to be able to ride your bike over the water. On this strip of land, you'll find a tall ring of stones. Each one has an element stone next to it.

How to check and quickly increase friendship in Pokémon Sword and Shield

A great way to increase your Pokémon's friendliness in a hurry is by having it hold the Soothe Bell. This is a special item that you get from a blonde-haired woman inside a house in Hammerlocke. The house is immediately on the right once you enter the city. Additionally, another person in the same home can tell you your Pokémon's current friendship level.

Catching Eeveelutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield

You'll find one of Eevee's evolutions if you go to the Lake of Outrage section of the Wild Area and head across the water to the ring of stones surrounding a den. A new Eeveelution appears each day, and the one you'll see depends on the weather.

Weather conditions for specific Eeveelutions

Evolve them all

Now you know all there is to know about how to catch and evolve Eevee in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Good luck on your journey to becoming the very best trainer. I hope you can capture all of the Pokémon you set your mind to in Sword and Shield. And be sure to check out some of the other best Pokémon games available on Switch — there are too many to count!

Leveling up is an important trope when it comes to Role Playing Games (RPG) like Pokémon Go. It's crucial to understand how to do this by getting as many experience points (XP) as possible.

Luckily, earning XP in Pokémon Go is a simple affair — you only need to play the game. Yet as you progress through the levels that the game offers, getting XP can be a difficult challenge, especially as you reach the higher levels. With this in mind, we've laid out a few tips to help you get there.

What you'll need

What's XP in Pokémon Go, and why would you want it?

XP stands for Experience Points, and it's what you need to collect to increase your level while playing on your iPhone. As you level up, you get access to more Gyms as well as items like Max Revives, Pinap, Nanab Berries, Ultra Balls, and more.

Earning XP also lets you hatch and catch higher-level Pokémon from eggs and in the wild. It can also power up your Pokémon's Combat Power (CP) and Health Points (HP), so they survive longer and do more damage when in battles.

The amount of XP you need to level up varies for different levels. For example, it takes 1,000 XP to go from level 1 to level 2. But it takes 25,000 XP to go from 19 to 20, and a whopping 5,000,000 XP to go from 39 to 40. Getting to level 50 takes a combined 176,000,000 XP!

How much XP do you need for each level in Pokémon Go?

As you level up in Pokémon GO, the amount of XP increases in order to progress. We've created a table below to help you aim for a certain level in the game.

Can you just buy XP in Pokémon Go?

In a way. You can't buy XP directly, but you can buy Lucky Eggs, which temporarily double the XP you get while playing the game. The effect lasts for 30 minutes, and you can buy them in different quantities from the Shop:

• One Lucky Egg for 80 PokéCoins.
• Eight Lucky Eggs for 500 PokéCoins.

Lucky Eggs are also included at times in the Special Boxes that are made available during events, allowing you to save some PokéCoins. These coins allow you to customize your character with unique clothes, hairstyles, backpacks and more.

How do you get more XP in Pokémon Go?

Simple: by playing! Almost everything you do in Pokémon Go earns you XP. It can sometimes be in small amounts, like the 10 XP bonuses you get for throwing curveballs or hitting "nice throw" targets at Pokémon.

Occasionally large quantities, like the 2000 XP bonus for spinning a Pokéstop or catching Pokémon on the 7th day in a row can also be obtained. Here's the complete breakdown:

XP for catching Pokémon

• Curve Ball bonus: 10 XP
• Nice Throw bonus: 10 XP
• Pokémon Flees: 25 XP
• First Throw bonus: 50 XP
• Great Throw bonus: 50 XP
• Excellent Throw bonus: 100 XP
• Catch a Pokémon: 100 XP
• Catch the 100th Pokémon of a species: 100 XP
• Add a Pokémon to your Pokédex: 500 XP
• Daily Catch Streak (Days 1-6): 500 XP
• Daily Catch Streak (Day 7): 2000 XP

XP for spinning PokéStops and Gyms:

• Spin a PokéStop: 50 XP
• Spin 10th PokéStop in a row: 100 XP
• Spin a PokéStop for the first time: 250 XP
• Spin 10th PokéStop for the first time in a row: 500 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Basic): 25 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Bronze): 50 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Silver): 75 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Gold): 100 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Basic): 31 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Bronze): 63 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Silver): 94 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Gold): 125 XP
• Daily Spin Streak (Days 1-6): 500 XP
• Daily Spin Streak (Day 7): 2000 XP

XP for hatching Pokémon:

• Hatch a 2K egg: 200 XP
• Hatch a 5K egg: 500 XP
• Hatch a 10K egg: 1000 XP
• Add a Pokémon to your Pokédex: 500 XP

XP for evolving Pokémon:

• Evolve a Pokémon: 500 XP
• Add a Pokémon to your Pokédex: 500 XP

XP for battling at Gyms and Raids:

• Feed a berry to a friendly Pokémon: 25 XP
• Beat a Gym defender: 100 XP
• Beat all Gym defenders: 25 XP
• Beat a Raid Boss: 3000 XP
• Beat a Legendary Raid Boss: 10,000 XP

XP for Friendship:

• Sending a Gift: 200 XP
• Become a Good Friend: 3,000 XP
• Become a Great Friend: 10,000 XP
• Become an Ultra Friend: 50,000 XP
• Become a Best Friend: 100,000 XP

How do Lucky Eggs work in Pokémon Go?

You get Lucky Eggs as a reward for leveling up, but you can also buy them in the Pokémon Shop, either as a single item or at a discount for 8-packs. Once a Lucky Egg is used, you get double XP for the next 30 minutes. Keep in mind though — that's 30 minutes as counted by the Pokémon Go servers. If you stop playing the game to do something else, the timer still runs down. Here's the difference a Lucky Egg makes:

For catching Pokémon:

• Curve Ball bonus: 20 XP
• Nice Throw bonus: 20 XP
• Pokémon Flees: 50 XP
• First Throw bonus: 100 XP
• Great Throw bonus: 100 XP
• Excellent Throw bonus: 200 XP
• Catch a Pokémon: 200 XP
• Catch 100th Pokémon of a species: 200 XP
• Add a Pokémon to your Pokédex: 1000 XP
• Daily Catch Streak (Days 1-6): 1000 XP
• Daily Catch Streak (Day 7): 4000 XP

For spinning PokéStops and Gyms:

• Spin a PokéStop: 100 XP
• Spin 10th PokéStop in a row: 200 XP
• Spin a PokéStop for the first time: 500 XP
• Spin 10th PokéStop for the first time in a row: 1000 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Basic): 50 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Bronze): 100 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Silver): 150 XP
• Spin a rival Gym (Gold): 200 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Basic): 62 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Bronze): 126 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Silver): 188 XP
• Spin a friendly Gym (Gold): 300 XP
• Daily Spin Streak (Days 1-6): 1000 XP
• Daily Spin Streak (Day 7): 4000 XP

For hatching Pokémon:

• Hatch a 2K egg: 400 XP
• Hatch a 5K egg: 1000 XP
• Hatch a 10K egg: 2000 XP
• Add a Pokémon to your Pokédex: 1000 XP

For evolving Pokémon:

• Evolve a Pokémon: 1000 XP
• Add a Pokémon to your Pokédex: 1000 XP

For battling at Gyms and Raids:

• Feed a berry to a friendly Pokémon: 50 XP
• Beat a Gym defender: 200 XP
• Beat all Gym defenders: 50 XP
• Beat a Raid Boss: 6000 XP
• Beat a Legendary Raid Boss: 20,000 XP

For Friendship:

• Become a Good Friend: 6,000 XP
• Become a Great Friend: 20,000 XP
• Become an Ultra Friend: 100,000 XP
• Become a Best Friend: 200,000 XP

Are there any other ways to get double (or more) XP in Pokémon Go? Events?

Absolutely. Pokémon Go has run several events so far that have offered XP multipliers. During some of them, it was a blanket 2x multiplier for all XP — essentially a constant Lucky Egg that ran all day, every day for the duration of the event. And yes, if you used a Lucky Egg at the same time, you got quadruple the XP.

Pokémon Go has also hosted events where the multiplier for XP was specific to catching, hatching, or some other action. It's essential to pay attention to what specific action in the game grants these bonuses and focus on those. Like other multipliers, these also stack with a Lucky Egg.

Keep an eye out for them.

What's the fastest way to earn XP?

There are a few good ways to "grind" XP in Pokémon Go and level up fast. Most of them involve using a Lucky Egg to get the maximum XP possible at any given time.

Time vs. money

You get Lucky Eggs when you level up, but you can also buy them from the Pokéshop. If you don't have much time but don't mind spending some money, you can buy all the Lucky Eggs you need.

As mentioned previously, you can get:

• One Lucky Egg for 80 Poké coins
• Eight Lucky Eggs for 500 Poké coins

Since Legendary Raids offer 10,000 XP a pop, and 20,000 XP with a Lucky Egg — and 40,000 XP during a double XP event! — you can quickly climb the levels by doing those raids. If you work with a group in an area with many Gyms, especially during a Legendary Raid Hour, it's possible to get tons of XP with only a couple of Lucky Eggs.

You'll need a lot of Premium Raid passes, though. Sometimes they're part of the Special Boxes, but usually, the cost is:

• One Premium Raid Pass for 100 Poké coins.

If you want to grind, using Pokémon Go Plus, the Bluetooth accessory that lets you spin Pokéstops and catch Pokémon faster, can speed up your progress. It also costs some money up-front but can be used at any point in time, even with the game running in the background.

With it, though, you can go through a ton of Poké Balls in a short time. You'll either need to stock up by going someplace that has a high-density of Pokéstops for you to spin, like downtown streets, or buy them from the Pokéshop as well.

It varies from region to region, of course, but in the U.S. you can get:

• 20 Poké Balls for 100 Poké coins.
• 100 Poké Balls for 460 Poké coins.
• 200 Poké Balls for 800 Poké coins.

That's a lot of money, enough to buy a fast-food lunch or a couple of fancy coffees, but it's less than most movie tickets and can provide you with a similar amount of fun if Pokémon is your jam.

Either way, time or money, grinding XP can cost you.

Mass Friending

The XP for increasing friendship levels is substantial as well:

• 3,000 XP for Great Friend
• 50,000 XP for Ultra Friend
• 100,000 XP for Best Friend

So, if you can time Friendship level increases and drop a Lucky Egg before they hit, you can wrack up a ton of XP. However, you can only increase your friendship level once per day per friend. While the pay off is definitely worth it, it takes 90 days of interactions to reach Best Friends.

Mass-raiding

One of the fastest ways to gain XP and level up in Pokémon Go is by Raiding — Legendary Raiding, specifically — a lot. You get 10,000 XP per Raid. That's 20,000 XP with a Lucky Egg and 40,000 XP with a double XP event and a Lucky Egg.

1. Stock up on Premium Raid Passes.
2. Join your local Raid group. They'll typically use Discord, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or a similar app to coordinate Raids.
3. Set up a Raid Train (where your group goes from one Raid to another, one after another) so you can Raid as much as possible at any given time.
4. Complete as many Raids as possible.

You'll also need Revives and Potions to keep your Raid Teams up and running.

You can easily burn $10, $20, even $50 or more a day doing mass Raids. But, if money is no object, you'll level up in record time. (Especially if you use your Go Plus to mass catch and your time moving between Raids to mass evolve — see below.)

Even if money is an issue, shopping smarter by picking up special Boxes with lots of Raid Passes and playing a lot to keep yourself stocked up on potions and revives still make this a great way to level up fast.

Mass-catching

The first method requires both a Lucky Egg and a Pokémon Go Plus accessory. The Plus lets you catch Pokémon swiftly and efficiently, and since it's binary — you either catch them or you don't — every catch nets you 150 XP. Add a Lucky Egg to that, and it's 300 XP per catch. If any Pokémon flee, instead, you still get 25 XP or 50 XP with the Lucky Egg.

1. Go to an area with plentiful Pokémon mass spawns. Busy cities with lots of PokéStops work best but any park or shopping mall that does a lot of traffice (especially on Community Day!) will work.
2. Connect your Pokémon Go Plus.
3. Start a Timer for 30 minutes.
4. Drop your Lucky Egg.
5. Optionally, drop an Incense to increase spawns.
6. Start catching Pokémon with your Pokémon Go Plus.
7. Travel slowly. As one mass spawn depletes, move on to the next one.
8. When the timer goes off, your Lucky Egg will be, done and you can stop.

Depending on how many Pokémon you average, your Lucky Egg and catching spree can net you tens of thousands of XP at a time.

• One a minute: 9,000 XP
• Two a minute: 18,000 XP
• Three a minute: 27,000 XP
• Four a minute: 36,000 XP

It's expensive because you need the Pokémon Go Plus and it uses a bunch of Poké Balls, but it works. And if you mass catch during a double XP event, your totals will be twice as high. If you can pick a spot that has a lot of Pokémon and a lot of PokéStops, you can save yourself some money because the PokéStops will help you replenish your PokéBalls.

This method works especially well during an XP event like the Solstice event, where catches were multiplied by 3x — 6x with Lucky Egg, or any of the monthly Community Days.

Mass evolving

The second method requires a Lucky Egg and a large quantity of a common Pokémon that is cheap to evolve and an even larger amount of their respective candy, to evolve. Since Caterpie, Weedle, Pidgey, Wurmple, and Whismur only require 12 candy to evolve, and each evolution nets you 500 XP — 1000 XP with a Lucky Egg — they are the top choices for this incredibly efficient method of leveling.

You do need to catch enough common Pokémon to make it worth your while. Doing the mass-catch above is a great way to stock up while earning XP at the same time. There are also a host of Pokémon that only require 25 candy to evolve, including Rattata, Lebdya, and Sentrat, and more that can fall back on if you need to.

(If you have any Pokémon with evolutions that will get you new Pokédex entries, you can fold them in for an extra 1000 XP — 2000 XP with Lucky Egg — a pop.)

To make things as efficient as possible, you can rename all the Pokémon you want to evolve before you start. Use punctuation like ! to push them to the top of the list. Otherwise, Caterpie, Weedle, and Pidgey are all really close together in Pokémon number, so sort that way and get to it.

1. Rename, sort, or otherwise prepare your Pokemon for evolution.
2. Start a Timer for 30 minutes.
3. Drop your Lucky Egg.
4. Start evolving your Pokémon, fast as you can.
5. When the timer goes off, your Lucky Egg will be done, and you can stop.

It takes 20 seconds to do an evolution, plus whatever time it takes to switch to and start the next one. So, depending on how many Pokémon evolutions you average, your Lucky Egg and evolving spree can net you tens of thousands of XP at a time. If you can manage two a minute, that's 60,000 XP!

That's not including new Pokédex entries. Of course, if you mass-evolve during an XP event, your results will be even better.

Double catch-and-evolve dip

Because Pokémon Go Plus is so easy to use, you can double up on mass-catching and mass-evolving. It's especially useful for squeezing every ounce of value out of your Lucky Eggs, even if it does cost more in terms of Poké Ball usage.

1. Go to an area with plentiful Pokémon mass spawns.
2. Connect your Pokémon Go Plus.
3. Start a Timer for 30 minutes.
4. Drop your Lucky Egg.
5. Optionally, drop an Incense to increase spawns.
6. Start catching Pokémon with your Pokémon Go Plus.
7. Start evolving your Pokémon, fast as you can.
8. Travel slowly. As one mass spawn depletes, move on to the next one, evolving at the same time as you go.
9. When the timer goes off, your Lucky Egg will be, done and you can stop.

The additional overhead that comes from having to hit the Pokémon Go Plus and the evolve button on your phone at the same time can slow down your catch and your evolve rate, but you should still end up way ahead in total.

And yeah, XP events make this even more profitable as well.

How about cheats? Can you beat the Pokémon Go XP system?

Some people try to force-quit the Pokémon Go app once an evolution starts, betting their phone is fast enough to relaunch before the evolution animation would have otherwise ended.

Others try to use multiple phones to get multiple concurrent evolutions at the same time. That kind of stuff can get your account banned, though, so you're better off taking the huge amount of XP you can get legitimately and leaving it at that. While it might be appealing to get even that little extra XP out of your Lucky Eggs, there are plenty of legitimate ways to level up fast that don't run the risk of getting banned from the game.

Level on up in Pokémon Go 

It will take a lot of effort and time before you make it to the last possible level in Pokémon Go. Over time, Niantic will likely add even more levels for us to reach. Keep up your daily activities and eventually, you'll be able to gain more and more XP. 

Your adventure in Pokémon Sword and Shield doesn't end after you defeat Champion Leon. You still need to catch Zacian and Zamazenta, and you'll need to go on another journey across the Galar region to do so. Buckle up because you'll face some of the toughest challenges yet. It would be wise to have a team of Pokémon that are close to Lv. 70 or higher.

Note: The following contains story spoilers for the end of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

What you'll need

Defeat Leon and visit the Slumbering Weald

Source: iMore

You'll need to defeat Leon in the Champion Cup and become the new Champion of the Galar region before you can catch Zacian and Zamazenta. After beating Leon, you'll start back in your house at the beginning of the game and be greeted by Professor Magnolia, who rewards you with a Master Ball. Exit your house and enter the Slumbering Weald through the gate on the left.

Go all the way to the end of the Slumbering Weald until you find the area where you first found the rusted sword and shield. Two brothers, named Shielbert and Sordward, will show up claiming that they are ancestors of Galar's first kings and thus rule the land. You'll battle one of them and defeat him, but your rival loses to the other.

The brothers will begin Dynamaxing Pokémon across the region, so you'll need to head to Wedgehurst's Pokémon Lab, where Sonia can monitor Power Spot Detectors to see where these Dynamaxed Pokémon are occurring. You'll need to travel to 7 gyms (with the exception of Spikemuth) and defeat a Dynmaxed Pokémon in each stadium, all the while battling the brothers a couple more times along the way. At this point, you'll want to go to Hammerlocke Stadium, where you can encounter either Zacian or Zamazenta on top of the Energy Plant where you first battled Eternatus.

How to find and catch Zacian and Zamazenta

Source: iMore

Depending on your game, you'll first need to subdue the other version's legendary before getting a chance to catch yours. Meaning in Pokémon Sword, you will battle Zamazenta before being able to catch Zacian, and vice versa for Pokémon Shield.

No matter what, you can't catch the other version's legendary Pokémon, so don't bother trying to. After knocking out the first one, you'll then be allowed to catch Zacian (Sword) or Zamazenta (Shield). They will both be Lv. 70. This is where it would be wise to use the Master Ball that Professor Magnolia gave you as it has a 100% catch rate, but you can also whittle down the Pokémon's health enough and try using another type of Poké Ball. I also highly encourage saving before you initiate the battle in case you accidentally knock it out.

Congratulations on your new legendary. You're that much closer to completing your Pokémon Sword and Shield Pokédex. If you want to have even more legendary adventures after you catch Zacian and Zamazenta, consider picking up the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass.

Pokémon Go map trackers have been contentious for some time. Being an easy way to quickly scour an area and pick out the very best Pokémon and even find the most valuable raids, some, Including Niantic, have considered it a form of cheating. For this reason, many of the Pokémon Go trackers people have used over the last eight years have stopped working. 

However, just because most of them have stopped doesn't mean they all have, and there's still an easy way to plan out the best routes ahead of time.  Here are some Pokémon Go map trackers that still work. 

What you'll need

Want to get the best Pokémon Go experience? The best iPhone Apple has to offer with long battery life and a huge display will help you get the best experience possible. Add one of the best portable batteries for iPhone and you've got a fantastic setup to go out and catch em' all.

These few sites have found legitimate ways to provide players with guidance to finding things in-game. And we're here to walk you through the remaining options. Also, be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon journey!

Why use a map or tracker in Pokémon Go in the first place?

While the information each map or tracker can provide varies and the quality of that information can be spotty in many areas, these tools can give players direction and save them a lot of time. If you're trying to find a Machop nest so you can power up your Machamp, some maps lay out all of the nests in an area and what Pokémon are spawning there. If you're looking for a particular raid battle, there are maps for that too. If you're visiting a new area and want to know where the biggest clusters of gyms and PokéStops are, there are also maps for that. One site even tries to keep track of rare Pokémon spawns.

While some players consider some or even all of these tools to be cheating, they can provide invaluable guidance for those who use them. Of those that are still up and running, four stand out.

Go Map for Pokémon Go

GO Map is a collaborative, real-time map that lists PokéStops and gyms, as well as Pokémon spawns. Because this site relies on players to report locations and spawns, it is more useful in some areas than others. This site also offers an interactive Pokédex with statistics and in-depth details about each Pokémon. They offer a PVP guide that provides not only step-by-step instructions but also a breakdown of their preferred Pokémon for PVP battles. You can sort Pokémon by country and city as well for major cities, or use it as a more traditional map.

PokeHunter for Pokémon Go

PokeHunter is one of the maps and trackers that runs remarkably well. They offer detailed information on gyms, including which Team has control at any moment, how many spaces remain in a gym, and where raids are happening. It'd be a perfect tool save for one massive downside: it only works for a handful of cities in three US states. If you happen to live or work in one of the following cities, this is a fantastic tool:

• California (Cupertino, Downtown Campbell, Mountain View, North San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Pasadena, and Los Banos)
• Minnesota (North Saint Paul, Apple Valley, Eagan, Savage, Burnsville, Prior Lake, South Minneapolis, and Lakeville)
• Oregon (Downtown Portland, Happy Valley, Gresham, and Hillsboro)

PogoMap for Pokémon Go

PogoMap is a comprehensive map of all Gyms, PokéStops, and Nests and one of my personal favorites for one particular reason: it differentiates between normal Gyms and Gyms that have the potential to hand out EX Raid Passes. Although EX Raids aren't happening at the moment, when they are happening, this is an invaluable tool.

While this map has the ability to report lots of useful details, such as which Pokémon are spawning in a current Nest, when Team Go Rocket has invaded a PokéStop or even which Field Research tasks any particular PokéStop is handing out, I found these features to be underutilized in my area despite being near multiple large cities. In some areas with more active players, these tools could be handy, but even without them, I find the information on this particular map to be super helpful.

The Silph Road

Saving the best for last, The Silph Road has remained the biggest and best-organized site for Pokémon Go players to collaborate. In addition to their comprehensive Pokédex and countless guides on Pokémon Go, they have a map that has all the Nest locations with both confirmed and rumored Nest spawns. Plus, there's an unofficial League Map that provides locations for real-world meet-ups of all varieties. Their site offers more information on Pokémon Go than any other I've ever found, and the people running it from all around the world are some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated players in the game. It's easy to see why they are the go-to authority on all things Pokémon Go.

Other options for Pokémon Go

Maybe, for some reason or another, these tools just aren't cutting it for you. While there will never be the number or quality of tools for Pokémon Go players as existed in its early days, there are still other options. Namely, the best thing you can do for real-time information on Pokémon Go is to connect with other local players. Many social platforms, such as Facebook and Reddit, run local Pokémon Go communities. These groups often have active Facebook Messengers Groups and Discord Chats, where you can connect with other local players who share locations of rare Pokémon spawns, Raids, coveted Research tasks, and more. If these tools just aren't enough, your best bet is to connect with other players through these groups.

Questions about maps and trackers in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about how to use these tools to up your Pokémon Go game? Have you found another map or tracker that isn't listed here to be particularly useful? Drop us a comment below, and be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Using the best TMs in Pokémon Go can be crucial when facing difficult battles, as they allow you to change a Pokémon's moves.

TMs (Technical Machines) have been a mainstay of the series ever since Pokémon Red and Blue debuted on the Nintendo Game Boy in 1997. TMs enable different Pokémon to learn new skills to be more effective against various types.

In Pokémon Go, there are three types:

• Fast, which can change a Pokémon's fast move.
• Charged, which can change a Pokémon's charged move
• Elite, which can allow a Pokémon to learn a specific move.

However, that's just the start of what TMs can do. To help, we've compiled the guide below to help you see which TMs are compatible with certain Pokémon, and how to use them very effectively.

What are the best movesets to change with TMs in Pokémon Go?

If Raid Battles are your things and you want to beat the Raid Bosses, these are the Pokémon you want to use your TMs on and the Fast Moves and Charged Moves you want to get. They're all single Fast TM or single Charged TM safe, which means you're guaranteed to get something better than you have. While there are "best movesets" for every Pokémon out there, there are plenty of exceptions and special cases. We've got the best movesets here but you might find other movesets are useful too.

Note: Before changing any move, double-check to make sure you do not have a Legacy Move. A Legacy Move is no longer available in a Pokémon's pool of Moves. Sometimes a Move is removed during an update, and sometimes it was only available for Community Day or Special Raids. While some Legacy Moves are less useful or even outright bad, some of them are outstanding, and some players collect Legacy Move Pokémon.

What are the best Pokémon Go movesets to change with TMs for Mega Evolution?

With the introduction of Mega Evolution Pokémon, these are the movesets you'll want for Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving. Some of the best movesets for Mega Evolved Pokémon include Legacy Moves so if you don't have a move indicated with an asterisk, it will require an Elite TM:

What are the best Pokémon Go movesets to change with TMs for Gym Battles?

It's hard to recommend anyone "waste" TMs on defenders anymore, given how the Gym system in Pokémon Go operates now. By punishing defenders with CP of 3000 or higher, limiting each Gym to only one Pokémon of the same kind at any given time, and making it much easier to take down Gyms, there's very little room left for classical "Gym defenders."

You're better off investing TMs — and stardust — in Raid Boss counters (see above) since anything you put into a Gym defender will, at most, only slow down an attacker by seconds. Still, if having the best defense is a point of pride for you, and you have the TMs to burn, here are some of the top Gym defenders.

Get the right moves for your Pokémon

Whenever you're dealing with TMs, the best options will depend on the Pokémon you're using and what you're doing with it. Take advantage of changing these movesets as you see fit to give your Pokémon a fighting edge. 

With many Pokémon games being remade for the Nintendo Switch, a lot of people, including me, are looking back to previous eras of Pokémon games. Some people will argue that previous Pokémon games are some of the best video games ever released. From the popular Kanto region in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, to the initially misunderstood but now revered Black and White, as well as their sequels, Black 2 and White 2 — Pokémon games are always in demand.

However, this, unfortunately, means that a lot of people want to take advantage of that popularity and demand by creating and selling reproduction cartridges, unbeknownst to buyers. It's easy to fall prey to these scams. 

I ended up not doing my due diligence when purchasing a second-hand copy of Pokémon Platinum and ended up with a bootleg copy while being charged the price of the authentic cartridge. This deceit occurs most with Pokémon games, despite being some of the best-selling games on the console.

Take note: Some cartridges shown in this article will be fake while others are authentic. We've labeled them each time to let you know if they are real or not. Be sure to pay attention to how fakes differ from genuine copies.

Things you'll need

Do you want to play the newest Pokémon games without the hassle of worrying about cartridge authenticity? Pick up a Nintendo Switch and the latest Pokémon game today!

Things to note about spotting fake Pokémon games

Pokémon games exist on all Nintendo handheld consoles from the original Game Boy to the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo Switch, so we'll have a section dedicated to Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS games.

Fake Game Boy and Nintendo DS games do exist in abundance. However, fake Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch games are far less common. The Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS have sold millions of units, and during the time since its release, gamers have worked tirelessly to expose fake games and inform each other.

The Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS saw 20 entries in the Pokémon series:

Fake Pokémon games: Game Boy and Game Boy Color

The Game Boy is where it all began, way back in 1996 with Pokémon Red and Green in Japan, and in 1998 with Pokémon Red and Blue in the United States. Fake Game Boy games are relatively easy to identify, so you shouldn't have any issue knowing your way around. 

Special tools to open: While it's not too difficult to identify fake Game Boy and Game Boy Color games based on outward appearance alone, it's always best to have a handful of tools with which you can open up games. You can find special tool kits online that offer security 3.8mm Gamebit screwdrivers, which are needed to open Game Boy cartridges.

Cartridge color and embossed text

Check sticker image, spelling, and trademarks: Look around at the sticker and any text on the cartridge to make sure they match up with what the authentic cartridge looks like. It's not uncommon for a fake cartridge to have mostly similar text but with a letter or two that aren't correct. The Nintendo logo should have a trademark symbol on the far right. if It's missing, the cartridge is fake. 

Beware the grey cartridge: If you see a North American or European Pokémon game in a gray cartridge, run away. Nintendo has never produced any Pokémon title on the Game Boy or Game Boy Color in a gray shell. Each game's cartridge color corresponds with its name — Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow have red, blue, and yellow cartridges. Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal have golden, silver, and icy blue cartridges. In Japan, Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, and Silver games were produced in gray cartridges, with Gold having a darker cartridge than the others. If you see a gray cartridge with a sticker showing any language other than Japanese, it's not authentic.

Look for thumb grip and embossed text: There's a concave thumb grip at the top of every Game Boy game with text that reads "Nintendo GAME BOY™". Meanwhile, Game Boy Color games have a convex thumb grip that reads "Game Boy COLOR". Fake games often don't have this text or may just say something like "GAME." Make sure you check for this text, as it's one of the easier ways to tell a dud from the real deal.

Battery and circuit board

Check the battery: The battery size of each Game Boy and Game Boy Color Pokémon game will be etched on the board itself. Pokémon Red, Blue, Gold, Silver, and Crystal use a CR2025 battery, while Pokémon Yellow uses a CR1616 battery. Their batteries are not encased in any metal cage, so stay away from those. You will need a special Gamebit screwdriver in order to open the cartridge. 

It's possible a previous owner replaced the battery: Because these games are out of production, there is a chance that you may be purchasing a copy from someone who replaced the battery (which is ok if it was done correctly). It's therefore recommended to check all of the boxes if the battery looks like it's third-party — your buyer may have just replaced it. If this seems to be the case, check around for other clues to prove the cartridge's authenticity.

Beware messy soldering or glue: Game Boy games that Nintendo manufactured will never have any black soldering goop on them. If you open a Pokémon game and are greeted by a big black blob, it's a reproduction copy. There are online databases that feature both the exterior and circuit board of all Pokémon games from Red to Crystal, so if you're buying one online or in person, keep an image of the circuit board handy to compare.

Fake Pokémon games: Game Boy Advance

Starting in 2002 in Japan and 2003 in the rest of the world, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire made their Game Boy Advance debut, with the first remakes in the series, Pokémon FireRed and Leaf Green following shortly after. At the end of the Game Boy Advance's life, the definitive version of the Hoenn region was released: Pokémon Emerald.

Have the right tool for the job: Game Boy Advance cartridges can be opened with a 1.5mm tri-wing screwdriver.

Cartridge color and embossed text

Know what the cartridge should look like: Just like the Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, Pokémon games on the Game Boy Advance have a distinct look and feel. Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald sport a deep, translucent red, blue, and green, while Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen have bright red and green cartridges that are more opaque.

Check for thumb grip and embossed text: Game Boy Advance cartridges feature a smaller thumb tab on the front, with "GAME BOY ADVANCE" in bold letters just underneath it. On the back of each cartridge are two screws bordering a rectangle with the Nintendo logo, AGB-002 model number, and "PAT. PEND. MADE IN JAPAN."

Check spelling and trademark symbols: Ensure that none of the text on the cartridge is misspelled before buying. It's common for fake cartridges to look mostly correct with a slightly different spelling somewhere. Anywhere "Nintendo" is shown there should be a trademark symbol next to it. If it's not there, the cartridge is fake. 

Look for stamped numbers on front: Unique to Game Boy Advance cartridges is the presence of some numbers that are "stamped in" on the right side of the sticker. These numbers are featured on every Game Boy Advance cartridge and can survive some wear. As long as the sticker is intact on whatever product you're buying, it's more than likely to be legitimate. Of course, there are manufacturing differences in every batch of games produced, so if your copy doesn't have the embossed letters on the sticker, keep calm and look out for any other signs before ruling it a fake.

Battery and circuit board

Know which ones should or shouldn't have batteries: The batteries in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald will not be kept in a cage but may have a yellow or blue ring around them. FireRed and LeafGreen, on the other hand, do NOT have a battery, as there are no time-based events in the game.

Remember a battery might have been replaced: Because these games are old and out of production, there is a chance that you may be purchasing a copy from someone who replaced the battery (which is ok if it was done correctly). It's therefore recommended to check all of the other boxes to see if the cartridge is authentic. If the battery looks like it's third-party — your buyer may have just replaced it to allow the game to still work.

Check for authentic serial numbers on the circuit board: Each cartridge also has a series of numbers and letters just above the pins on the board. While different batches of cartridges may have different model numbers, as a general rule of thumb, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald will have the model number AGB-E05-01. FireRed and LeafGreen will read AGB-E02-20 or AGB-E02-30. These are all printed in white text in a specific font and can be seen even if you don't have a tri-wing screwdriver if you tilt the cartridge.

Look for the four golden rectangles on the backside of the circuit board: While not completely fail-proof, a means of authenticating your game is by finding the golden rectangle on the circuit board, located on the upper-left corner of the back of the cartridge. This rectangle is made up of four smaller rectangles, with each smaller rectangle having one to three dots on them. This can be seen on any GBA Pokémon game without opening the cartridge. If you're in doubt, check for this rectangle. It is possible for counterfeiters to replicate this design, but if it's not there, you'll know right away that the cartridge is fake.

How to know if you've been duped

If you've come across a GBA Pokémon game at a flea market and are unsure if it's legitimate or not, there are two simple ways to test for authenticity:

1. The text before the save-select screen

Place your game in your GameBoy Advance or Nintendo DS Lite. Upon booting up the game, a fake GBA Pokémon game will simply read, "The previous save file will be loaded. The game can be played." before the save-select screen appears. Authentic games will not show that message, but simply direct you to the save select screen.

An authentic copy of Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald with a dry battery will display the message, "The internal battery has run dry. The game can be played. However, time-based events will no longer occur." Your game is fine; the battery just needs replacing to complete specific tasks that require a day-night cycle to be running.

2. Compatibility with Generation 4 games

If you own an original Nintendo DS or DS Lite and an authentic copy of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver, you can test whether your GBA Pokémon game is authentic. Simply place both games into your DS or DS Lite and boot up the DS title. There will be a "Migrate from (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen)" option on the save select screen as long as a GBA Pokémon game is inserted. Fake GBA Pokémon games will not trigger this menu option.

Remember: For the migration option to be available in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, players must have seen (not caught) all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex — excluding Manaphy — and talk to Professor Rowan to obtain the National Dex. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, players must have defeated the Elite Four, entered the Hall of Fame, and obtained the National Dex before they're able to migrate Pokémon from the GBA Pokémon games.

Fake Pokémon games: Nintendo DS

The Pokémon games available on DS are Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2, and White 2. These games, especially the generation 4 games, are arguably the most-faked Pokémon games on the market. HeartGold and SoulSilver specifically have drastically increased in value on the secondhand market. So while you may want a deal, it's also important to be safe. These games have many tells, so there are quite a few things to keep an eye out for.

1. The ESRB rating and Nintendo Seal of Quality

If you're purchasing Pokémon games for the Nintendo DS, you should know that you aren't limited to games from your region. Nintendo DS games from Europe and Australia (PAL) will work on systems from the North America (NTSC-U) and Japan (NTSC-J) regions. However, the language cannot be changed in most games, so make sure you can speak the language of whatever game you've bought.

If you're purchasing an out-of-region game, you may notice that the stickers look different. Pictured here are my (extremely beat up) NTSC-U copy of Pokémon HeartGold alongside my fairly new PAL copy of HeartGold. Both games are genuine, but they both sport very different-looking stickers.

Here's what you can look for in North American and European/Australian games:

The differences are subtle, but there nonetheless. In addition, games have a different three-digit code in the bottom right-hand corner of the sticker. North American games display "USA", European and Australian games show "EUR", and Japanese games feature "JPN". If you see a game with a North American code that doesn't have an ESRB rating, the game is fake.

2. The game's unique code

As previously mentioned, every Nintendo DS game has a 10-digit code at the bottom of the cartridge's sticker. The code can be broken down as follows:

• System code — The first three digits display the letters NTR. This stands for "Nitro," a code name for the Nintendo DS during its development. Every game features these letters at the beginning of the code.
• Game code — Every game has a four-digit, game-specific code relative to their region. As can be seen above, Pokémon HeartGold has a game code of IPKE in North America and IPKP in Europe and Australia. Keep in mind your game's region when buying, and compare the game code to other cartridges being sold online.
• Region code — Make sure the region code corroborates the game code. USA for North America, EUR for Europe/Australia, and JPN for Japan. A genuine North American copy of Pokémon HeartGold should always have the code NTR-IPKE-USA at the bottom of the sticker.

3. The code on the back

Does the sticker look legitimate? Great! Now, look at the back of the cartridge. Remember that game code we spoke about earlier? If your game is legitimate, it will ALWAYS match the serial code on the back of the cartridge. The serial code is found below the embossed text, and the first four digits will always be the same as the game code at the bottom of the sticker on the front.

However, we know that you may be purchasing a second-hand copy of the game, so don't worry if that code is rubbed off! That may just mean that the game was well-loved.

4. The embossed text and trademarks

If the code on the back of the cartridge is missing, the embossed text should give you some insight into the game's legitimacy. This text looks "pressed into" the cartridge, but ever so slightly. Due to cheap production, reproduction copies usually have embossed text that is pressed in way too deep. Have a look at the above cartridges. If you look closely, the fake cartridge on the right (my bootleg copy of Pokémon Platinum) does not feature the registered trademark symbol in the upper right-hand corner of the "Nintendo" logo. These inconsistencies can give a reproduction cart away.

Beware of the text itself, as well. All Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum games, as well as every other grey-cartridge Nintendo DS game, will feature the text NTR-005 PAT. PEND. However, all Pokémon games that have infrared (IR) functionality — those being Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 — will feature the text NTR-031 PAT. PEND.. Keep this in mind when you're looking for an IR-functionality Pokémon game to avoid being deceived.

5. The circuit board and pins

Have a look at the game's circuit board. At the topmost part of the visible area of the board's backside, you can see some white numbers and letters that can vary from game to game. Notice how the left game in this picture shows numbers, but the right one doesn't. The contact pins of genuine games are a golden color as well, while reproduction cartridges' contact pins are often made of a cheaper tin, which can wear out more quickly. Given that the contact pins allow your system to read the game, you always want to have the best quality to ensure longevity.

6. The cartridge's top indent

This is arguably the fool-proof means of determining whether a Nintendo DS cartridge is fake. Have a look at the top part of the cartridge, which peeks out once you've inserted it into your system. The molds which make genuine Nintendo DS games are formed in such a way that there will always be a rectangular indent of varying length and width at the top of the cartridge. Have a look at the two above images. On the left, we have a regular grey Nintendo DS cartridge with an indent, revealing its authenticity. The following picture features a reproduction cart, which is completely smooth.

If you're purchasing a game in a brick-and-mortar store, you can always ask to inspect the cart. Any respectable seller understands how precarious these situations are and will show goodwill by allowing you to look over a product before buying it. Not all sellers on second-hand storefronts like eBay will post pictures of the top of the cart, but this is always good to keep in mind if you want to check for its authenticity upon arrival.

7. The color of the cart

As previously mentioned, the majority of Pokémon games on the Nintendo DS have IR functionality. Because these games rely on infrared light to communicate with technology like the Pokéwalker, their cartridges are made of a different material. Under normal conditions, these cartridges look black to the naked eye. Shine a bright light through them, though, and you'll see that the material is a dark reddish-purple in color.

Nintendo has never, ever produced a grey-cartridge version of the Generation 2 remakes or any of the Generation 5 games. Every IR-compatible Pokémon game has a reddish-purple cartridge. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are some of the most popular games in the franchise and can be quite expensive. If you're looking for one of those games and it's grey, stop. It's fake. Don't give your money to scammers unless you specifically wish to buy a reproduction copy. If you're fine with buying a reproduced copy, consider that these cartridges are not authorized by Nintendo and may not work as well as official copies do.

Fake Pokémon games: Things to look out for

Here are some things you should generally look out for when identifying whether your game is real or not. This more or less applies to any games on these systems, so feel free to apply this advice to whatever retro handheld game you're currently browsing for.

1. The seller

None of these games are in official production anymore, and as such, you'll always have to be wary of who you're buying them from. Now, reproduction copies and fakes pass through even the most seasoned of hands, so if you come across one from someone you trust, you don't necessarily need to assume they were trying to deliberately deceive you. What matters most is that no matter where you buy from, whether it's a brick and mortar store, GameStop, Amazon, eBay, or otherwise, don't automatically assume it's legitimate. 

If a game being sold online is being shipped out of China, immediately assume it's a fake. Reproduction copies come from Chinese sellers in droves, and it's unlikely that legitimate American copies of Pokémon games were being sold at retail in China in the 1990s or 2000s.

If you're buying from secondhand platforms like eBay, make sure you find a seller who offers eBay's Money Back Guarantee. This also goes for any online platform you shop on. If you're purchasing from a brick-and-mortar store that sells retro games, ask if they do returns before purchasing. Any seller worth their salt will allow you to either return the game if you find out it's a reproduction copy or open it up in front of them to examine it. It's your money, so don't be shy to ask for reassurance! Just remember to be respectful at all times.

2. The listing and unique images of cartridges

Be wary of games that are way too cheap to be true unless you've been able to inspect the cart thoroughly. It's a tough toss-up — it may be a shady scammer, or it's a parent looking to sell their child's old things without looking into how much this is worth. You may see cheaper games at flea markets and garage sales, so people may be more hesitant to let you open it in front of them, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Don't purchase games from any online sellers who only use stock images of the game's box art. Trustworthy sellers know how important reassurance is to potential buyers and will always show multiple images of their goods from various angles. If you can't see it, don't buy it. 

3. Sticker vibrance and composition

When you first gaze upon your potential purchase, have a look at the game's sticker. Examine it and ask yourself a few questions before clicking on that buy button:

• Does the sticker seem short or malaligned?
• Are the white strips at the top and bottom of DS stickers unusually thick/thin?
• Are the GBA stickers shiny or sparkly enough?
• Are the colors vibrant?
• Is all of the text sharp?
• Are the fonts used similar to other games?
• Does the sticker look like other authentic DS games you've seen online?
• Are trademarks where they should be?

Because reproduction carts are, well, reproductions, it means that their imitations will never be perfect. Check the sticker for anything that seems off. If you've been collecting Pokémon games for some time, your tingly sticker senses should be firing off. Reproduction cart stickers, due to the low print quality, often feature blurry text and washed-out colors. If you're unable to read what's on the sticker, that's an indication of the cartridge's authenticity.

You're a Pokémon Master!

And... that's it! You are now an official Pokémon game detective. A Detective Pikachu, if you will. When purchasing items from sellers both online and in-person, remember to keep your wits about you and be on the lookout for any shady behavior. A reputable seller will always entertain your wishes to prove a game's authenticity before buying. Know your games, and look at some previously sold games online to have a feel for what an authentic copy looks like. Soon you'll be a Pokémon master in no time!

Players have been spoofing their location to Turkey in order to get Pokémon GO’s in-game currency for cheaper, so developer Niantic has increased prices across the region — and Turkish players aren’t happy.

As pointed out by a Turkish Pokémon GO player in an X thread, prices for the smallest number of Pokécoins have risen by 1300%, making the bundle nearly unobtainable for many players. It’s important to note that many video game marketplaces have localized prices for regions that have lower average wages. The average monthly wage in Turkey works out to just a couple of hundred American dollars (17000 Turkish Lira) when exchanged, which is how non-Turkish players were able to exploit the price discrepancy to get Pokécoins for cheaper. To counter this problem, Niantic has raised the price of the cheapest bundle from 2.69 TL to 39.99. That’s a jump from 0.08 dollars to 1.24 dollars. This might seem comparably small to US players but it is now more expensive to buy coins in Turkey than the U.S., despite the Turkish minimum wage being significantly smaller.

Non-Turkish Pokémon GO players could previously change the store location to access marginally cheaper Pokécoins, meaning only Turkish players who aren’t spoofing their location have to deal with the price increase. The X thread states: “The latest price adjustment in this game that we love, has made the game unplayable for all of us.” The tweet continues, pointing out that prices in Brazil have been adjusted to reflect “Brazilian economic realities” but some Turkish players are being priced out of paying for coins.

Why would someone buy Pokécoins?

Pokémon GO is one of the most popular mobile games ever. It’s an AR game where you walk around in real life to find, catch, and train Pokémon, with an engaging gameplay loop that has kept people coming back eight years after its launch.

While free-to-play, users can spend their own money to buy Pokécoins, which can be exchanged for items that can make you a better trainer. This could mean getting incubators to hatch eggs, storage upgrades to hold more Pokémon and items, or raid passes to access raids to catch rarer Pokémon. Though you can progress the game without spending money, buying Pokécoins makes it happen much faster.

The game isn’t made literally unplayable by this price increase, as it is technically entirely playable without spending money, but more serious players who want to take part in the latest raids will be left on the sidelines while players in other regions can still afford to buy Pokécoins. Like Pokémon Sleep punishing players for cheating before it, this is a profit-maximizing measure and Turkish players are left to deal with the changes, while guilty players could just change their IP address to another region once more.

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If, like me, you grew up in the late '90s, you’ll remember the Pokémon series. Created by Game Freak, the pocket monster game originally launched on the Nintendo Game Boy handheld in 1996 — becoming a phenomenon once the decade came to an end.

Thanks to Delta, a multi-system emulator that launched on April 17 for iPhone, some users have been rediscovering the Pokémon series all over again. It’s coincidental then, that Ben McCarthy, developer of popular camera app Obscura, has released Ketchup, a well-designed app that lists every Pokémon, as well as their abilities, weak points, and even where to find them in each game.

Granted, there are already plenty of Pokémon apps you can download on the App Store that can help track the creatures you catch — but in my experience, they’ve all been terrible. Some can be buggy, others can just be plain broken. Yet Ketchup is the first app that has none of these issues, and instead hits on all the right notes.

The app is free to download on the App Store but also offers a one-time fee of $9.99 / £9.99 to unlock all 1,025 pocket monsters. After using Ketchup for several weeks, I’ve found it to be a brilliantly well-designed tool for finding certain Pokémon in the weeds when playing one of the games on my iPhone.

The perfect Pokédex app already

Every part of Ketchup is well-designed — so much so, that it reminds me of a feature from the Pokémon games. As you’re walking across the many towns in the games, you can use a handheld called a Pokédex, which records every creature you catch and can display some information about them. McCarthy’s app feels like the true successor — now, your iPhone is the modern Pokédex, but with plenty of useful features.

Upon opening the app, you’re brought to a list where you can select a creature, and you can look at everything you need to know about the Pokémon. You can ‘Favorite’ them to easily access them when needed, find out which elemental abilities are effective against another, or play a ‘Who’s that Pokémon?’ minigame, which is a callback to a segment from the animated TV show.

iMore covered McCarthy’s previous app Aether in February 2023. In this app, you could match up different types of Pokémon with one another to see how well their unique abilities would fare against another creature. Catching up with McCarthy, they revealed how Ketchup has been something they’ve long wanted to make. “A fully-fledged Pokédex app has been something I’ve wanted to build for years. Last year, one of the first problems I tried to tackle was how best to display type-matchups, and I realized that could exist as its own mini-app,” McCarthy reveals. 

“Aether being so focused made it less daunting to start, and then after that, building Ketchup felt more manageable. Work on Ketchup began in earnest towards the end of January, and I’m pleased with how quickly it’s come together since then. There’s a lot more I’d like to have included in the app, but given the possibility that App Review might never have let Ketchup through, I didn’t want to devote too much time to it, before getting it approved.”

In a strange sense of timing, the multi-system emulator Delta debuted on the App Store the week before Ketchup launched. As Delta can play past Nintendo consoles and handhelds, it meant that the first four generations of Pokémon games can now be played on the iPhone.

Yet McCarthy simply chalks this up to coincidence. “It would have been remarkable if I manipulated both Apple and the EU Commission to make this happen on my schedule, but no, it was just good timing,” McCarthy reveals. “But I’m overjoyed to see Delta available to everyone, and it’s been really sweet to see so many people online rediscovering their favorite games.”

The future of Ketchup

I still have my original Nintendo 3DS handheld with Pokémon Heart Gold, which is a remake of Pokémon Gold on the Game Boy Color, released in 2000. I’ve been using Ketchup while playing the game, and it’s been a fantastic guide. It has helped me in lots of ways, from helping me find some of the monsters, to discovering the skill levels that some need to reach in order to ‘evolve’ into a more powerful type of pocket monster.

As I was playing the game and using Ketchup, I couldn’t help but think that an Apple Vision Pro version of the app would be a perfect next step, which McCarthy concurred with. “Ketchup on visionOS probably makes sense,” they reveal. “While I haven’t investigated that too deeply, I did at least get Ketchup to compile for visionOS, and it seems like it shouldn’t be too big a departure for the iPad version.”

For a 1.0 release, Ketchup is already a contender for one of the best iPhone apps of 2024. The app is so full to the brim of all the information you need for every Pokémon — it’s difficult to find any missing feature it desperately needs.

Right now though, McCarthy is looking ahead to WWDC 2024 in June – hoping to see some improvements for developers. “One of the biggest headaches with Ketchup (and Obscura for that matter) is that there’s no good SwiftUI equivalent to UIPageViewController, which lets you display a horizontally scrolling list of pages that are loaded as needed (think swiping between images in the Photos app),” they explain. “I had to jump in and out of UIKit to make that work, and it makes dealing with navigation in Ketchup a lot more complicated than it needs to be.”

With rumors suggesting that AI features are coming to iOS 18, the next update for compatible iPhones, McCarthy is curious as to what Apple will announce.

“I’m cautiously optimistic about what AI-related features we might see. I’m not hugely excited about AI being used for content generation, but if it can be used to handle tedious tasks that aren’t easily automated, I’ll be very happy.”

Regardless of what Apple will inevitably announce in June, I’ve come away very impressed with Ketchup. Considering the timing of its release so soon after Delta, these two apps have already become a perfect combo for discovering new Pokémon on my iPhone.

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Primal Groudon is coming back to raids in Pokémon Go! This is one of the toughest raids around, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this Legendary Pokémon to your team!

Who is Primal Groudon in Pokémon Go?

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Ruby, Groudon is known as the Continent Pokémon because of the part it played in forming and expanding the continents in the Pokémon world. Using the legendary Red Orb, Groudon can undergo Primal Reversion to take a form more like it's prehistoric form and expand the land masses once more.

In Pokémon Go, Primal Groudon acts as a Mega Pokémon, providing a Mega Boost to all the other Pokémon on the field and a same type Mega Boost to Ground and Fire types. As one would expect of a Legendary, Primal Groudon outperforms every Ground and Fire Mega Pokémon by a considerable margin, so this is one Pokémon you will definitely want in your roster! 

So be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all those Primal Groudon raids!

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Primal Groudon, focusing on its weaknesses: Fighting and Water; however, Water is a double weakness, so that should be your first choice.

Mega Swampert

Best of the best, the top damage dealer in this raid is Mega Swampert. As a Ground and Water type, it resists Fire type damage, but Grass type moves deal super effective damage. If you add Mega Swampert to your team, it should know Water Gun and Hydro Cannon.

Primal Kyogre

Close behind Mega Swampert is Primal Kyogre. Groudon's rival, Kyogre can also undergo Primal Reversion and provide a Mega Boost to all your Water type counters. As a pure Water type, Primal Kyogre also resists Fire type damage, while being weak to Grass type. Waterfall and Surf are the ideal moves for Primal Kyogre.

Mega Blastoise

Next up is Gen I's Mega Blastoise. It's another pure Water type, so it resists Fire type damage and is weak against with Water type. Its best moveset is Water Gun and Hydro Cannon.

Mega Gyarados

Mega Gyarados is another great option for this raid. It's a Water and Dark type, so it's also weak to Grass type damage and resistant to Fire type. If you're bringing Gyarados to this fight, it should know Waterfall and Aqua Tail.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
• Mega Slowbro with Water Gun and Surf
• Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
• Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Dragon Ascent

Top counters

Primal Groudon is a Ground and Fire type with access to Ground, Fire, Grass, and Dragon type moves. Its weaknesses include Water and and Ground type damage, but Water is a double weakness so you should focus on Water types for this raid.

Kyogre

As far as standard counters go, Kyogre is the top damage dealer in this raid. Groudon's rival is a pure Water type, meaning it resists Fire type moves, but is weak to Grass type damage. Fortunately, Kyogre has had many, many runs in raids, as well as a few other appearances in Pokémon Go, so most active players will have a few already. Waterfall and Surf is Kyogre's best moveset for this fight.

Swampert

Even without Mega Evolution, the Water starter from Hoenn, Swampert is an excellent counter for Groudon. It's a Water and Ground type, so Grass type moves hit for super effective damage, while it resists Fire type damage. As a starter, Swampert has been available many, many times, including starring in Community Day, so you probably already have a few powered up. Water Gun and Hydro Cannon are the moves you'll want your Swampert to know.

Gyarados

Another great counter for Groudon is Gen I's Gyarados. It's a Water and Flying type, so it resists Ground and Fire type damage while having no weaknesses Groudon can exploit. Gyarados may be a little expensive to evolve, but having been in the game since day one, there's really no excuse for active players not to have it. Waterfall and Hydro Pump are the ideal moves for Gyarados in this fight.

Kingler

Another Gen I classic, Kingler performs great in this raid. It's another pure Water type, so Grass type moves hit extra hard while it resists Fire type damage. Kingler has been in the game since day one and is cheap to evolve, so you probably have a few by now. The best moveset for Kingler is Bubble and Crabhammer.

Feraligatr

Another Water starter, Feraligatr of the Johto region is next on our list. It's a super common Water type, so like most of our top counters, it resists Fire type while taking super effective damage from Grass. Water Gun and Hydro Cannon are Feraligatr's best moves here.

Clawitzer

Another great counter in this raid is the Kalos native, Clawitzer. It's another pure Water type, so you'll want to be careful of Grass type moves. The Clawitzer line has been featured in a few events, so while it's not quite as common as some of the other top counters, most active players have had the chance to evolve it by now. Water Gun and Crabhammer are the best moves for Clawitzer here.

Golisopod

Originally encountered in the Alola region, Golisopod is next up on our list. As a Bug and Water type, Golisopod resists Ground type damage and has no weaknesses Groudon can exploit. Unfortunately, Golisopod is quite expensive to evolve and its first stage, Wimpod hasn't been featured as often as the other Pokémon on our list. Still, if you have it, your Golisopod should know Waterfall and Liquidation for this raid.

Samurott

Gen V's Water starter, Samurott is another excellent choice for facing Primal Groudon. It's another pure Water type, so be wary of Grass type moves. The Samurott line has been featured in events, including Community Day, so there's a good chance you already have it powered up. Your Samurott should know Waterfall and Hydro Cannon for this fight.

Empoleon

Sinnoh's Water starter, Empoleon is another option for this raid. It's a Water and Steel type, so it resists Dragon type damage, but takes super effective damage from Ground type moves. Empoleon has also had the Community Day treatment so is readily accessible for most players. Waterfall and Hydro Cannon is the moveset you're looking for here.

Palkia

Another great counter for Primal Groudon is the Legendary mascot of Pokémon Pearl, Palkia. This Dragon and Water type resists Fire type damage, but is weak to Dragon type moves. Palkia has only had a few full runs in raids, so it's a little less accessible than most of this list, but if you have it, it should know Dragon Tail and Aqua Tail.

Back up counters

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:

• Primarina with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
• Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Mew with Waterfall and Surf
• Greninja with Bubble and Surf
• Crawdaunt with Waterfall and Crabhammer
• Milotic with Waterfall and Surf
• Vaporeon with Water Gun and Aqua Tail
• Tapu Fini with Water Gun and Surf
• Pelipper with Water Gun and Weather Ball
• Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
• Crabominable with Bubble and Crabhammer
• Goodra with Water Gun and Muddy Water
• Floatzel with Waterfall and Liquidation
• Bruxish with Water Gun and Aqua Tail
• Sharpedo with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
• Slowking with Water Gun and Surf
• Slowbro with Water Gun and Surf
• Carracosta with Water Gun and Surf
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Water) and Giga Impact

Shadow counters

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 Aqua Tail
• Shadow Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Feraligatr with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
• Shadow Sharpedo with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
• Shadow Wailord with Water Gun and Surf
• Shadow Politoed with Bubble and Weather Ball
• Shadow Omastar with Water Gun and Hydro Pump
• Shadow Slowking with Water Gun and Surf
• Shadow Slowbro with Water Gun and Surf
• Shadow Lapras with Water Gun and Surf

Note: Shadow Gyarados, Shadow Swampert, and Shadow Feraligatr outperform all of the top counters. Shadow Blastoise, Shadow Salamence, and Shadow Sharpedo also perfom on par with top counters.

More details

Like Mega Raids, you're going to want to prioritize beating Primal Groudon as fast as possible to maximize the amount of Primal Energy you can earn. However, this is a pretty tough raid. Top level players with the best counters will want at least four party members and lower level players will want at least six.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Groudon's Fire, Grass, and Ground type moves, as well as the rare Ground type counters
• Wind will boost its Dragon type move
• Rain will boost your Water type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Primal Groudon in Pokémon Go!

Primal Groudon will only be back in raids for a limited time, so don't miss your chance to battle and capture this Legendary Pokémon! And be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Primal Kyogre is coming back to raids in Pokémon Go! This is one of the toughest raids around, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this Legendary Pokémon to your team!

Who is Primal Kyogre in Pokémon Go?

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Sapphire, Kyogre is known as the Sea Basin Pokémon because of the part it played in forming and expanding the oceans in the Pokémon world. Using the legendary Blue Orb, Kyogre can undergo Primal Reversion to take a form more like it's prehistoric form and expand the oceans once more.

In Pokémon Go, Primal Kyogre acts as a Mega Pokémon, providing a Mega Boost to all the other Pokémon on the field and a same type Mega Boost to Water types. As one would expect of a Legendary, Primal Kyogre outperforms every Water type Mega Pokémon by a considerable margin, so this is one Pokémon you will definitely want in your roster!

So be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all those Primal Kyogre raids!

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Primal Kyogre, focusing on its weaknesses: Electric and Water.

Mega Sceptile

Best of the best, the number one damage dealer in this raid is Mega Sceptile. This Grass and Dragon type resists Water and Electric type damage, but takes super effective damage from Ice type moves. If you're bringing Mega Sceptile to this raid, it should know Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant and you'll want to coordinate with the rest of your party to make the most of it's Grass type Mega Boost.

Mega Venusaur

While it won't perform as well as Mega Sceptile, Mega Venusaur is also an excellent choice here. As a Poison and Grass type, it resists Electric and Water type damage while having no weaknesses Kyogre can exploit. Venusaur's best moveset for this raid is Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant and you'll want to coordinate with the rest of your party to make the most of it's Grass type Mega Boost.

Mega Manectric

If you'd rather boost Electric types, Mega Manectric is your best option. It's a pure Electric type, meaning it resists Electric type damage and has no weaknesses Kyogre can exploit. You'll want to coordinate with your party to make the most of it's Electric type Mega Boost and be sure your Manectric knows Thunder Fang and Wild Charge.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Gallade with Low Kick and Leaf Blade
• Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Dragon Ascent
• Mega Latios with Dragon Breath and Solar Beam
• Mega Ampharos with Volt Switch and Thunder Punch
• Mega Abomasnow with Leafage and Energy Ball

Top counters

Primal Kyogre is a pure Water type with access to Water, Ice, and Electric moves. Its weaknesses include Grass and Electric types, leaving room for a couple winning strategies.

Kartana

The top standard counter in this raid is Legendary Ultra Beast, Kartana. As a Steel and Grass type, it resists Water and Electric type damage. Unfortunately, Kartana is incredibly limited, appearing only in special raids and only in the norther hemisphere. However, if you're lucky enough to have one, it should know Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade for this fight.

Zarude

Our next top counter is the Galarian Mythical, Zarude. Zarude is a Dark and Grass type, so it takes super effective damage from Ice type moves, but it resists Water and Electric type damage. Unfortunately, Zarude is limited to one per account and only for players who completed a limited Timed Research during the Secrets of the Jungle event. If you have it, your Zarude should know Vine Whip and Power Whip for this raid.

Xurkitree

Another Legendary Ultra Beast for the list, Xurkitree is our next top counter. As a pure Electric type, it has no relevant weaknesses and resists Electric type damage. While Xurkitree has been available a little more than Kartana, many players still haven't had the chance to battle it yet, so even if you have one, it may not be powered up yet. If you're bringing Xurkitree to this raid, it should know Spark and Discharge.

Zekrom

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom is another excellent choice when facing Kyogre. This Electric and Dragon type resists Water and Electric type damage, but takes super effective damage from Ice type moves. Zekrom has had a few runs in raids now, so there's a good chance you already have it powered up. Zekrom's best moveset for this fight is Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt.

Raikou

One of the Legendary Beasts of Johto, Raikou is another great counter for Primal Kyogre. It's another pure Electric type, so it resists Electric type damage while having no relevant weaknesses. Fortunately, Raikou has been available so many times, in so many ways that most active players could build entire teams of this Legendary Pokémon. Thunder Shock and Wild Charge are the moves you're looking for here.

Shaymin (Sky)

Another Mythical Pokémon, Sinnoh native Shaymin is our next top counter, but specifically in its Sky forme. It's a Grass and Flying type, so it resists Water type damage, but Ice type moves are super effective. While players have had a couple of opportunities to catch this Mythical, it is extremely expensive to change formes. However, if you're lucky enough to have a Shaymin (Sky) ready, Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot are the moves it should know.

Tapu Bulu

Next up is one of the Legendary Deities of Alola, Tapu Bulu. Tapu Bulu is a Fairy and Grass type, giving it resistances to Water and Electric type damage and a weakness to Ice type. Tapu Bulu has had a few runs in raids now, so it's a bit more obtainable than many of the Pokémon on this list. Bullet Seed and Grass Knot is the moveset your Tapu Bulu should know for this raid.

Magnezone

The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen I's Magneton, Magnezone is another great choice for this raid. It's a Steel and Electric type, which means it resists Ice and Electric type damage. Magnezone is the most obtainable of the top counters, being evolved from a Gen I Pokémon that has been featured in numerous events. If you invite Magnezone to this raid, it should know Spark and Wild Charge.

Thundurus (Therian)

One of the Forces of Nature, Thundurus in its Therian forme is our next top counter. He's an Electric and Flying type, so Ice type moves hit for super effective damage and he brings no useful resistances. Thundurus has been featured in raids several times and he shares candy with his Incarnate forme, so odds are you already have at least one powered up. If you're bringing Thundurus to this fight, he should know Volt Switch and Thunderbolt.

Roserade

Last but not least, Roserade is another Sinnoh Stone evolution. It's a Grass and Poison type that resists Water and Electric type damage, while being weak to Ice type moves. The Roserade line has been featured in several events, including Community Day, so most active players have a few already. Razor Leaf and Grass Knot are the best moves for Roserade here.

Back up counters

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:

• Celebi with Magical Leaf and Leaf Storm
• Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
• Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
• Tsareena with Magical Leaf and Grass Knot
• Chesnaught with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
• Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
• Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
• Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
• Leafeon with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
• Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
• Simisage with Vine Whip and Grass Knot
• Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant
• Shaymin (Land) with Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot
• Vikavolt with Spark and Discharge
• Breloom with Bullet Seed and Grass Knot
• Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Grass) and Giga Impact
• Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) with Snarl and Wild Charge
• Leavanny with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
• Tapu Koko with Volt Switch and Thunderbolt

Shadow counters

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 Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
• Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
• Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
• Shadow Tangrowth with Power Whip and Vine Whip
• Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
• Shadow Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
• Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
• Shadow Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant
• Shadow Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Seed Bomb
• Shadow Alolan Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Seed Bomb
• Shadow Zebstrika with Spark and Wild Charge
• Shadow Victreebel with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
• Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
• Shadow Tangela with Vine Whip and Power Whip
• Shadow Shiftry with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade

Note: This is an excellent raid for Shadow Pokémon. Every Shadow from Raikou down through Zebstrika performs on par with other top counters. Just make sure to coordinate with your party to focus on either Grass or Electric with the right Mega Boost and these Shadows will serve you well.

More details

Like Mega Raids, you're going to want to prioritize beating Primal Kyogre as fast as possible to maximize the amount of Primal Energy you can earn. However, this is a pretty tough raid. Top level players with the best counters will want at least five party members and lower level players will want to aim for seven.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Rain will boost Primal Kyogre's Water and Electric type moves, as well as your Electric type counters
• Snow will boost its Ice type move
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost your Grass type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Primal Kyogre in Pokémon Go!

Primal Kyogre will only be back in raids for a limited time, so don't miss your chance to battle and capture this Legendary Pokémon! And be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Pokémon Sleep is finally available on the App Store, and you can download The Pokémon Company's sleep-tracking game on your iPhone today.

Pokémon Sleep combines a sleep monitor with catching Pokémon, allowing you to make sleeping fun combined with your favorite pocket monsters from your childhood. We tried Pokémon Sleep, and our first impressions were very positive.

Pokémon Sleep looks like a great time, you essentially set an alarm and sleep, but instead of waking up to a graph in the morning, you get to see a graph alongside Pokémon you've caught overnight.

You can use Pokémon Sleep without any extra purchases, or you can purchase a Pokémon GO Plus +, which is a standalone accessory that lets you track your sleep without using your iPhone. This accessory could be perfect for young children that you don't want near an iPhone as they sleep.

Pokémon has succeeded in combining fun gameplay with healthy habits on smartphones, with the success of Pokémon GO centered on being active and Pokémon Smile helping children create healthy habits by brushing their teeth.

Sleep better with Pokémon Sleep

Pokémon Sleep is sure to be a success with young children and adults alike. The app turns sleeping into a game which could be a game changer for trying to get your young children to switch off at night. The app does have some micro-transactions, however, including a Premium Pass, which is $9.99 for a 1-Month Plan or $49.99 for a 6-Month Plan. The Premium Pass gives you unlimited sleep data rather than deleting it every few days.

Download Pokémon Sleep today on the App Store.

Mega Tyranitar is finally coming to Mega Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat and catch this highly anticipated Pokémon!

Who is Mega Tyranitar in Pokémon Go?

A pseudo-Legendary from the Johto region of Gen II, Tyranitar is a Rock and Dark type known for its incredible power and destructive nature. In Pokémon Go, it has been a staple for many trainers over the years. In fact, even with all the new Legendary Pokémon and Mega Pokémon Niantic has added since its introduction to the game, Tyranitar and its Shadow variant are both still some of the best in both Dark and Rock types.

Now Mega Tyranitar has arrived and players are excited. Mega Tyranitar retains its typing and is highly ranked in both. As a Rock type, it doesn't deal damage as quickly as Mega Aerodactyl, but it has a lot more bulk so lasts much longer on the field. Both may eventually be beat out by Mega Diancie, but as a Mythical, Diancie will likely be limited to one per account and it is likely to have its Mega Evolution restricted even further. As a Dark type, no other Mega comes close. 

Simply put, you're going to want Mega Tyranitar on your team. So be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all those Mega Tyranitar raids!

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Tyranitar, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Ground, Bug, Steel, Water, Grass, Fairy, and Fighting. However, Fighting is a double weakness, so most of the recommended counters will benefit from a Fighting type Mega. 

Mega Blaziken

Beat out only by Terrakion, Mega Blaziken is the best Mega Evolved Pokémon you could bring to this fight. It's a Fire and Fighting type, granting it resistances to Dark, Steel, and Fire type damage. When facing Mega Tyranitar, the best moveset for Blaziken is Counter and Focus Blast.

Mega Gallade

If you don't have enough Mega Energy for Blaziken, Mega Gallade is another great option. It's a Psychic and Fighting type, so the only useful resistance it brings to this fight is Rock, but it isn't weak to any of Tyranitar's moves either. Low Kick and Close Combat are the ideal moves for Gallade here.

Mega Lopunny

Mega Lopunny won't last nearly as long as Gallade or Blaziken and it won't do nearly as much damage, but its the only other option for boosting Fighting types. As a Normal and Fighting type, it resists Dark and Rock type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Your Lopunny should know Double Kick and Focus Blast to deal the most damage.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Alakazam with Counter and Focus Blast
• Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
• Primal Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse
• Mega Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon
• Mega Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant

Top counters

Mega Tyranitar is a Rock and Dark type with access to Rock, Dark, Steel, and Fire type moves. It has a whopping seven weaknesses, including Ground, Bug, Steel, Water, Grass, Fairy, and Fighting types; however, Fighting is a double weakness, so you'll want to focus your efforts there.

Terrakion

Best of the best, Legendary Sword of Justice Terrakion is the top counter for this raid, even beating out Mega and Shadow Pokémon. As a Rock and Fighting type, it resists Dark, Rock, and Fire type damage, while its weak against Steel type moves. Terrakion has had several runs in raids now, so most active players have at least one powered up and ready for this fight. Double Kick and Sacred Sword are its best moves, but if you can't spare an Elite TM, Close Combat still puts it in the top counters.

Keldeo

Another of the Swords of Justice, Keldeo is our next top counter. this Water and Fighting type resists all four of Tyranitar's attack types. Unfortunately, Keldeo was only available to players who completed a Special Research and is limited to one per account. If you have Keldeo, Low Kick and Sacred Sword are its best moves here.

Conkeldurr

Unovan native Conkeldurr is next on our list. This pure Fighting type has no weaknesses Tyranitar can exploit and it resists both Rock and Dark type damage. Although it is pricey to evolve, Conkeldurr benefits from Trade Evolution and it has been featured in events, so chances are you already have a couple. Counter and Dynamic Punch are the moves your Conkeldurr should know.

Lucario

Originally encountered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Lucario is another great counter for Tyranitar. As a Steel and Fighting type, it takes super effective damage from Fire type moves, but it resists Rock, Dark, and Steel type damage. Lucario is limited to evolution only, but its first stage has been featured in eggs many times over the years, so many active players will have a few. Counter and Aura Sphere are Lucario's best moves here.

Machamp

Originally encountered in Kanto during Gen I, Machamp performs great against Tyranitar. It's a pure Fighting type, so it resists Dark and Rock while having no relevant weaknesses. Machamp is also super common, benefiting from Trade Evolution and having been featured in many events, including Community Day, so there's no good reason not to have a few. The best moveset for Machamp is Counter and Dynamic Punch.

Hariyama

From Gen III's Hoenn region, Hariyama performs well against Mega Tyranitar. It's another pure Fighting type, so it resists Rock and Dark type damage. Hariyama is also very common with its first stage having been featured in many events. If you're adding it to your team, your Hariyama should know Counter and Dynamic Punch.

Cobalion

Another of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Cobalion is our next top counter. This Steel and Fighting type takes super effective damage from Fire type moves, but resists the rest of Tyranitar's attack types. Cobalion has seen many runs in raids, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Double Kick and Sacred Sword is the moveset you're looking for, but if you don't have the Elite TM to spare, Counter puts it on par with the back ups.

Virizion

The last of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Virizion is another excellent choice here. It's a Grass and Fighting type, so Fire type moves hit for super effective damage, while it resists Rock and Dark type damage. Like the other Legendary Swords of Justice, Virizion has had several runs in raids, so you probably have at least one powered up. Double Kick and Sacred Sword are Virizion's best moves here, with Counter placing it in the back ups.

Breloom

Hoenn native Breloom is another great option for this fight. It's a Grass and Fighting type, so Fire type moves hit for super effective damage, but it resists Rock and Dark types. Breloom is also incredibly common and cheap to evolve. If you're adding it to your team, you want Counter and Dynamic Punch for Breloom's moves.

Galarian Zapdos

Last but not least is Galarian Zapdos. Unlike its Kantonian counterpart, Galarian Zapdos is a Fighting and Flying type, so its only useful resistance here is Dark, but it isn't weak to any of Tyranitar's moves either. Unfortunately, Galarian Zapdos can only be encountered using Daily Adventure Incense and it has a very small capture rate, so many players haven't even seen one, much less caught it. Still, if you have Galarian Zapdos, you'll want it to know Counter and Close Combat for this raid.

Back up counters

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:

• Blaziken with Counter and Focus Blast
• Buzzwole with Counter and Superpower
• Sirfetch'd with Counter and Close Combat
• Toxicroak with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Bewear with Low Kick and Superpower
• Togekiss with Hidden Power (Fighting) and Aura Sphere
• Sneasler with Rock Smash and Close Combat
• Emboar with Low Kick and Focus Blast
• Pheromosa with Low Kick and Close Combat
• Landorus (Therian) with Mud Shot and Super Power
• Heracross with Counter and Close Combat
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Fighting) and Focus Blast
• Pangoro with Low Kick and Close Combat
• Mienshao with Low Kick and Brick Break
• Poliwrath with Rock Smash and Dynamic Punch
• Crabominable with Rock Smash and Power-Up Punch
• Gallade with Low Kick and Close Combat
• Haxorus with Counter and Surf
• Sawk with Low Kick and Focus Blast

Shadow counters

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 Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Shadow Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Shadow Blaziken with Counter and Focus Blast
• Shadow Poliwrath with Rock Smash and Dynamic Punch
• Shadow Gallade with Low Kick and Close Combat
• Shadow Hitmonchan with Double Kick and Close Combat
• Shadow Ursaluna with Rock Smash and High Horsepower

Note: Although there are few Shadow Pokémon recommended for this raid, Shadow Machamp, Shadow Hariyama, and Shadow Blaziken are plentiful and perform on par with other top counters.

More details

As this is a Mega Raid, the faster you beat it, the more Mega Energy you will earn, so larger parties are always preferred; however, they're no necessary here. While Mega Tyranitar is a force to be reckoned with, thanks to its double weakness to Fighting type damage, it's not a super challenging raid. High level players with the best counters can duo this raid, but if you're lower level, you may want to aim for four or five players. 

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost Tyranitar's Rock type move
• Fog will boost its Dark type moves
• Snow will boost its Steel type move, as well as Steel type counters
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost its Fire type move, as well as Grass and Ground type counters
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost Fighting and Fairy type counters
• Rain will boost Water and Bug type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Mega Tyranitar in Pokémon Go!

Mega Tyranitar will only be around for a limited time, so you won't want to miss out on your chance to battle it! And be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

As I awoke to the unfamiliar morning alarm coming from Pokémon Sleep and pushed the poofy hotel blanket off, I couldn't help but wonder what the app had in store for me. I was excited, you see. Curious to know which Pokémon had appeared on the phone that I had been loaned overnight. To my utter delight, I discovered several favorites — Squirtle, Pichu, Geodude, Doduo, and Larvitar — all in various sleeping positions and looking cute as hell. I started the morning with a smile.

Strangely enough, I then did something I never do. I found myself looking forward to getting a decent night's sleep that night. Granted, this was in the hopes that I could find more Pokémon, but it's a good thing nonetheless.

For as long as I can remember I’ve had really bad sleep habits. Plagued by insomnia in high school and now frequently visited by strange nightmares that lead to sleepwalking, I don’t often get a full night’s rest or even want to. It's not uncommon for me to stay up ridiculously late and go to bed every night between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. and still get up by 7:30 a.m.

After having spent some time with this upcoming app developed by The Pokémon Company, I can say it is by no means perfect. However, it is very charming, and having something in my life that actually incentivizes me to go to bed at a good hour might be the thing that finally makes me develop better sleep habits.

This sleep-tracking concept might feel out of place for a Pokémon game, but it really isn't when compared to other Pokémon games in the mobile space. The popular Pokémon GO is what I consider one of the best free iOS games and it is designed around getting people outside and walking.

Meanwhile, Pokémon Smile is an app that encourages people to brush their teeth. Pokémon Sleep is simply the latest iOS and Android app designed around developing healthy habits in people of all ages. 

A typical night with Pokémon Sleep

As I alluded to earlier, during a Pokémon Sleep hands-on event hosted at a hotel in Santa Monica, California, I was loaned a phone with a preview build of Pokémon Sleep on it and was allowed to use the app overnight. Just note that since this was a preview build, the artwork, prices, and mechanics might not be the same as at launch. 

The app kicks things off by introducing you to Professor Neroli, who has discovered a string of islands filled with various Snorlax that have a strange Drowsy Power, which draws in other Pokémon and puts them to sleep around it. He wants your help documenting the Pokémon that appear and the sleeping positions they show up in.

Professor Neroli goes on to explain that each week, players are tasked with raising a specific Snorlax, and each morning after a sleep session is recorded, up to five Pokémon appear around that Snorlax. Sometimes you can even add these creatures to your Pokémon team. Once the week wraps up, it's time to move onto another island with a different Snorlax, which could open up new sighting possibilities. After I learned all of this, it was time to actually test the app out.

Before turning out the light for the night, I informed Pokémon Sleep when I wanted my target bedtime to be, and specified when I wanted to be woken up the next morning. I then told the app to start my sleep session and placed the borrowed phone plugged in and lying face down on the mattress next to me. I had been told that the phone needed to be on the bed in order to sense me and my movements through the night. This was a little odd since I'm used to keeping my phone on a nightstand so I don't knock it off the bed, but it was also easy enough to accommodate. 

If you don't like the idea of keeping your phone on the bed, you might want to get the optional Pokémon GO Plus + accessory, which releases on July 17, 2023. In addition to helping you play Pokémon GO, it can be used in place of your phone during Pokémon Sleep to rest on the bed next to you and record your sleep data. Using it also unlocks an adorable Nightcap Pikachu in Pokémon Sleep who gets added to your team as an extra team member than the usual five you're limited to. 

What's more, the accessory speaks softly in Pikachu's voice to remind you when to go to bed or tell you when to wake up. Full functionality between Pokémon GO Plus + and the Pokémon Sleep preview build wasn't available at the time of the event, but I was able to handle this device in person and got to hear the adorable Pikachu voice singing lullabies. It's ridiculously cute.

Speaking of cute things, there is a lullaby button in the app which when pressed plays the Pokémon Center theme music in a sweet and slow music box style. The loaner phone was too loud for me to get it to a low enough volume, so I ended up turning the music off, but it was still a fun surprise to discover. 

No room for abnormalities like sleepwalking

After using Pokémon Sleep through the night, I awoke and pressed a button to end my sleep session. Then the app launched into a rather lengthy tutorial, so you'll want to make sure you have time to get through everything the first time you use it. 

Here, the app explained that the type of Pokémon that appear around Snorlax depends on what Sleep Type the app classifies you as for the night. There's Dozing, Snoozing, and Slumbering — according to Professor Neroli, "these sleep stages help show how deep your sleep is." I attempted to get more information on what exactly determined these Sleep Types but the representative I spoke to made it clear that this information wasn't supposed to be the focus of the game. However, since Sleep Types determine which Pokémon show up it is going to be something we all care about, quite a bit.

The app categorized my 7.5 hours of sleep data as 5% Dozing, 42% Snoozing, and 53% Slumbering — meaning that, overall, I had a Slumbering Type Sleep Style for the night. Fortunately for me, Slumbering Type tends to draw in Water and Rock types, so I was delighted to find some of my favorite Pokémon when I awoke, including Squirtle. You can sometimes add one of these creatures to your team so they can collect berries to feed Snorlax and make it stronger, thus increasing the chance of getting more interesting Pokémon and rewards to appear. I only saw Gen 1 Pokémon during my time with the app. There are only 100 Pokémon to register at launch, but don't worry. There are plans to add more Pokémon in the future.

Pokémon Sleep gives out better rewards to adult players who get closer to recording 8.5 hours of sleep (11 hours if you're a child) — the extra half hour being when you start the recording before actually falling asleep. Those of us attending the event were told that this goal is based on data the developers learned about when consulting with Director and Professor Masashi Yanagisawa, at the international institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine at University of Tsukuba in Japan. The whole point is to get people into healthy habits that are recommended for the average person. So the idea is to encourage people to sleep more.

This is very good for the average person. The problem is, Pokémon Sleep doesn't have any way to account for irregular sleep tendencies. Personally, I think requiring adults to track 8.5 hours of data in order to get a 100% score is odd, especially for people like me who don't need to rest that much. I had the app running for roughly 7.5 hours, but I probably only slept for 5 on account of my usual restlessness. In total, I was only given a sleep score of 65%, and considering how little I tend to sleep, it doesn't seem likely that I'll hit 100% any time soon — even despite my best efforts.

During a Q&A session with Pokémon Sleep Director Kaname Kosugi, preview attendees were informed via an interpreter that the app "evaluates the weekly consistency" so if you stick to six or seven-hour sleep throughout the week you'll still earn Drowsy Power for Snorlax, but probably still won't get a better percentage. All of the other Pokémon Sleep preview attendees I spoke to got between a 45% and an 85% sleep score, showing how elusive that 100% might just be. But maybe this at least gives us all something to aspire to.

Additionally, being a sleepwalker I don't always stay in my bed at night (thankfully, I did during the preview event sleepover). However, this means that Pokémon Sleep won't always record my data correctly when I do my midnight ramblings. In this way, I wish the Pokémon GO Plus + was a watch or at least had a strap like the original Pokémon Go Plus accessory, that I could attach to my person so it recorded even when I moved around. Alternately, it would be nice if the Pokémon GO Plus + at least communicated with Fitbit or other health trackers to get my full sleep details. 

During that aforementioned Q&A session with Director Kosugi, I told him via interpreter about how my sleepwalking might lead to incorrect scoring and that I wished there was a way to go in later and fix my score if I actually did get a full night's sleep despite leaving my bed in the night. He responded that this is the first time he heard about "these kinds of needs" and that he "will consider putting those kinds of features in the future."

It's also worth noting that the app isn't meant to be used during naps as “sleep has to be at least 90 minutes long to be counted for research” and “you can (only) track 2 sleep sessions per day.” 

On the subject of privacy

In addition to telling me my Sleep Type, Pokémon Sleep created a chart displaying my sleep details allowing me to see when I entered into each type of sleep. Though not enabled for the preview build, the launch version will also record any noises you make during the night for you to listen to. I was disappointed to find that you cannot send these recordings to your friends because that would make for some hilarious sharing, but it's possible that this sharing feature isn't there for privacy reasons. 

Speaking of privacy, representatives assured preview attendees that this sleep data gets deleted from the phone after a few days and that all of the sleep data is sent anonymously to the Pokémon Company rather than being tied to any specific accounts. They further went on to explain that the company might do something like share general data for specific areas of the world like saying something like 81% of people in the Americas tend to have Slumbering Sleep Type. But the company won't know details about any specific person.

A reason to keep using the app

I was happy to find that Pokémon Sleep also makes it exciting to see the same Pokémon more than once by tasking players with filling out both a Pokédex as well as a Sleep Style Dex. Each creature has a few different Sleep Styles. For instance, the Doduo that came to me was in the Lookout Sleep style, with one of the bird heads standing sentry while the other dozed away. However, I might come upon another Doduo sleeping in a rarer Sleep Style (signified by a star rating) another morning and be able to add that to my Sleep Style Dex.

But the game isn't done once you wake up. Snorlax is a very hungry Pokémon, and each one has favorite foods that will increase its power more. So you can cook a recipe for your Snorlax using its favorite foods to increase its strength, meaning his ability to attract certain Pokémon. The helper Pokémon on my team gathered berries and other items over time, which can be used to create dishes and power up Snorlax. I simply had to tap on these helpers whenever there was an icon over their heads telling me when they'd gathered anything. 

The longer I waited between tapping, the more items my helpers had collected. Of course, my hard-working Pikachu and Squirtle who gathered berries also needed to be rewarded with Bonus Biscuits, which increase their friendship level with me. The higher my friendship points, the more efficient my helpers are, which means the more I can feed my Snorlax and power it up. 

From what I saw, there isn't much more to the game during the day, but that's a good thing as this app is supposed to help you sleep rather than keep you up late at night using your phone. 

Microtransactions and the future of Pokémon Sleep

I was a little surprised to find that there are microtransactions in Pokémon Sleep, but there definitely are. First off, there's a Premium Pass, which is $9.99 for a 1-Month Plan or $49.99 for a 6-Month Plan. The Premium Pass makes it so you have unlimited sleep data rather than deleting it every few days. You also get a Premium Bonus Biscuit each day, receive 100 sleep points each day, gain access to the Premium Exchange for exchanging sleep points, gain a monthly gift of 1,000 sleep points, get additional lavish rewards, and unlock a diary where you can take notes about your sleep. 

Much like with Pokémon GO, Pokémon Sleep users can also purchase various items in the General Store by spending Diamonds. Diamonds can be earned in the game by interacting with various menus or be given out as rewards for sleeping well. However, they can also be purchased with real-world money. The lowest purchase is 60 Diamonds for $1.19 while the largest purchase is 7,000 Diamonds for $97.99 — that's quite a lot.

Purchasing items can help you gain different perks. For instance, a Pokémon Box (120 Diamonds) expands storage while an Energy Pillow (60 Diamonds) restores 50 Energy to a single helper Pokémon. From my limited experience with Pokémon Sleep, I wouldn't say that there is any pay-to-win focus. As is the case with Pokémon GO, this new app can easily and effectively be paid for free. There are just some nice perks for people who want to use items. The real win is getting better sleep habits anyway, which you cannot buy.

During the Pokémon Sleep hands-on event, I got the impression that this app could be seeing a lot of changes and updates in the future including more competitive options and tweaks to the main mechanics. One of the things that has helped make Pokémon GO so engaging is that its players can join one of three teams and then compete against each other. This type of competition won't be available in Pokémon Sleep at launch, however, Kosugi explained that "the development team is now considering having those similar types of functions in the future." It's safe to say that we'll likely see several updates come to the app over time that will help it evolve into an even better sleep incentive.

Time to catch some Pokémon ZZZs

There's no denying that I've been thinking about Pokémon Sleep ever since I got to test it out in person. I'm sure it will consistently help me wake up to a smile as I discover the cute positions I find my favorite Pokémon sleeping in. I am excited to check out the full app when it launches.

However, as much as I love the idea behind Pokémon Sleep, I have some reservations about how well it will actually work for people with irregular sleeping issues, like me. Hopefully, updates will come in down the line that makes it more accommodating for a wider range of people. Regardless of that, I'm sure that using this app consistently could help me develop better sleeping habits and encourage me to go to bed at a reasonable hour every night. And that's truly something special.

Shadow Raids have arrived in Pokémon Go and Shadow Articuno is coming. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this powerful Pokémon to your roster!

Who is Shadow Articuno in Pokémon Go?

One of the original trio of Legendary Birds, Articuno is an Ice and Flying type. Along side Zapdos and Moltres, these three are ruled over by Lugia, the only Pokémon capable of stopping them once they've begun to battle. In Pokémon Go, Articuno is no longer a top tier Pokémon, but its Shadow variant, an even more powerful version captured and controlled by Giovanni of Team GO Rocket, is still valuable for PVP. Now you can fight and capture Shadow Articuno in Shadow Raids. These raids are incredibly tough and can only be battled in person.

Also be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Shadow Articuno, focusing on each of its weakness: Rock, Steel, Fire, and Electric. However, as Rock is a double weakness, Rock types are your best bet.

Mega Aerodactyl

If at all possible, Mega Aerodactyl is the Mega Evolved Pokémon you want in your raid party. This Rock and Flying type takes super effective damage from both Rock and Ice type moves, but it's the only Rock type Mega currently available, so make sure to have lots of Revives and Potions on hand. Rock Throw and Rock Slide are the best moves for Mega Aerodactyl in this raid.

Mega Aggron

Although it won't perform as well as Mega Aerodactyl and won't boost Rock types, Mega Aggron is another great performer in this raid. It's a pure Steel type, so it resists both Ice and Rock type moves and will provide a boost to the rare Steel type counter. Aggron also has access to the Rock type moves Smack Down and Meteor Beam, which are ideal for this raid.

Mega Blaziken

If you don't have access to Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Blaziken also performs well in this raid. This Fire and Fighting type resists Ice type damage and has no weaknesses Shadow Articuno can exploit. If you add Mega Blaziken to your team, it should know Fire Spin and Blast Burn.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Charizard Y with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Mega Ampharos with Volt Switch and Power Gem
• Mega Houndoom with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
• Mega Charizard X with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Mega Manectric with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge

Top counters

Mega Articuno is an Ice and Flying type with access to Ice and Rock type moves. Its weaknesses include Rock, Fire, Steel, and Electric; however, Rock is a double weakness, so you'll want to prioritize Rock types in this raid.

Rampardos

A fossil Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, Rampardos is the top standard counter for Shadow Articuno. As a pure Rock type, it has no weaknesses Articuno can exploit. Rampardos is also incredibly common, having been featured in a number of events, and being inexpensive to fully evolve. Smack Down and Rock Slide are the moves your Rampardos should know for this raid.

Rhyperior

Next up is the Sinnoh Stone evolution, Rhyperior. It's a Ground and Rock type, so it's weak against Ice type moves, but resistant to Rock type damage. The Rhyperior line has been featured in many events, including Community Day, so most active players have it already powered up. If you're bringing Rhyperior to this fight, it should know Smack Down and Rock Wrecker.

Terrakion

One of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Terrakion is next up. This Fighting and Rock type resists Rock type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Terrakion has had several runs in raids, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Its best moveset for this fight is Smack Down and Rock Slide.

Gigalith

Another great counter for Shadow Articuno is the Unovan native Gigalith. It's a pure Rock type so it brings no notable resistances or weaknesses to this fight. Although Gigalith has a high evolution cost, it benefits from Trade Evolution, leaving lots of candy for powering up. Smack Down and Meteor Beam are the moves you're looking for in this raid.

Tyranitar

Originally encountered in the Johto region of Gen II, Tyranitar is another great choice in this fight. It's a Dark and Rock type so it doesn't resist any of Articuno's moves, but it doesn't take super effective damage either. Tyranitar has been available in so many ways for so long that there's really no excuse for active players not to have it already. If you're bringing Tyranitar to this fight, it should know Smack Down and Stone Edge.

Aggron

Next up is Hoenn native, Aggron. This Steel and Rock type takes reduced damage from all of Shadow Articuno's moves. The Aggron line has also been featured in tons of events and have both Shadow and Mega variants, so most active players will have this Pokémon in their roster already. Smack Down and Meteor Beam is the moveset best suited for this raid.

Aurorus

Another fossil Pokémon, Aurorus was originally discovered in the Kalos region. Its a Rock and Ice type, giving it resistance to Ice type damage, but a weakness to Rock type moves. The Aurorus line has been boosted in a couple of events, so there is a good chance you already have this prehistoric Pokémon in your roster. Rock Throw and Meteor Beam are the best moves for Aurorus in this raid.

Tyrantrum

Another fossil Pokémon discovered in the Kalos region, Tyrantrum performs great against Shadow Articuno. As a Rock and Dragon type, Tyrantrum takes super effective damage from Ice type moves. The Tyrantrum line has not been featured often, so you might not have one fully powered up, but if you do, Rock Throw and Meteor Beam are the moves you're looking for.

Lycanroc (Midday)

Originally encountered in the Alola region, Lycanroc (Midday) is our next top counter. A pure Rock type that brings no useful resistances to this fight, it also has no weaknesses Articuno can exploit. Lycanroc's first stage, Rockruff has been featured in raids many, many times so most active players have had plenty of chances to catch and evolve this Pokémon. If you add Lycanroc to your team, it should know Rock Throw and Stone Edge.

Omastar

Last but certainly not least is a fossil from the Kanto region, Omastar. Omastar is a Rock and Water type, so it has no weaknesses Articuno can exploit and it resists Ice type damage. As a Gen I Pokémon that has been featured in countless ways, there's really no excuse not to have a couple fully powered up at this point. Rock Throw and Rock Slide is the moveset your Omastar should know in this fight.

Back up counters

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:

• Hisuian Arcanine with Fire 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 Fire Fang and Rock Slide
• Excadrill with Metal Claw and Rock Slide
• Reshiram with Fire 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 Quick Attack 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 Power (Rock) and Sacred Fire++
• Melmetal with Thunder Shock and Rock Slide
• Crustle with Smack Down and Rock Slide

Shadow counters

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 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 Fire Fang and Overheat
• Shadow Blaziken with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Rock) and Sacred Fire++

More details

Shadow Raids are incredibly challenging. Even using the best counters and Purified Gems, top trainers should aim for parties of at least three members. More importantly, you're going to need to communicate during the raid to time use of Purified Gems and Mega Evolved Pokémon. We recommend getting together as large a group as possible for this raid, and stock up on as many Purified Gems, Revives, and Potions as you can.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Snow will boost Shadow Articuno's Ice type moves, as well as your Steel type counters
• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost its Rock type move, as well as your Rock type counters
• Rain will boost your Electric type counters
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost your Fire type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Shadow Articuno in Pokémon Go!

Shadow Articuno is only available for a limited time. Don't miss your chance to add it to your roster and be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Shadow Raids have arrived in Pokémon Go and Shadow Mewtwo is coming. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this powerful Pokémon to your roster!

Who is Shadow Mewtwo in Pokémon Go?

One of the most powerful Pokémon to exist and one of the very first Legendaries, Mewtwo was created using DNA from the ancestor of all Pokémon, Mew. Unlike Mew however, Mewtwo hated all of humanity for the cruelty of its creators and even tried to wipe out all life on the planet, leaving only its cloned Pokémon behind.

In Pokémon Go, Mewtwo was the strongest Pokémon for a long time, but it was eventually unseated by Shadow Mewtwo, an even more powerful version captured and controlled by Giovanni of Team GO Rocket. Now Shadow Mewtwo stands at the top with a handful of Mega Evolved Pokémon, Primal Pokémon, and Shadow Legendaries, so you won't want to miss the chance to add it to your roster even if you already have one.

And be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Shadow Mewtwo, focusing on each of its weakness: Ghost, Bug, and Dark.

Mega Gengar

Best of the best, if at all possible, you will want to bring Mega Gengar to this fight. This Ghost and Poison type resists Fighting type damage, but it takes super effective damage from Psychic type, so make sure you have plenty of Revives on hand. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball are the ideal moves for Mega Gengar here.

Mega Bannette

While it won't hit as hard as Mega Gengar, Mega Banette is another great option for a Ghost based offensive. It's a pure Ghost type, so it resists Fighting type damage and it has no weaknesses Mewtwo can exploit. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball is also the best moveset for Mega Banette.

Mega Houndoom

If you want to mount a Dark based offensive against Shadow Mewtwo, Mega Houndoom is the best option. It's a Dark and Fire type so it resists Psychic, Fire, and Ice type damage, but Fighting type moves hit for super effective damage. If you're bringing Mega Houndoom to this fight, it should know Snarl and Foul Play.

Mega Absol

Another option for Dark based teams is Mega Absol. It's a pure Dark type, so it's super resistant to Psychic type damage, but weak against Fighting type moves. Snarl and Dark Pulse are the moves your Absol should know for this raid.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Gyarados with Bite and Crunch
• Mega Alakazam with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Mega Gardevoir with Charge Beam and Shadow Ball
• Mega Ampharos with Volt Switch and Brutal Swing
• Mega Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Primal Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse
• Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
• Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Mega Blastoise with Bite and Hydro Cannon

Top counters

Shadow Mewtwo is a pure Psychic type with access to Psychic, Electric, Fire, Ice, and Fighting type moves. Its weaknesses include Bug, Ghost, and Dark types leaving room for multiple winning strategies.

Hydreigon

When it comes to standard Pokémon, Hydreigon is the top performer against Shadow Mewtwo. This Dark and Dragon type resists Psychic, Electric, and Fire type damage, but is weak against Fighting and Ice types. The Hydreigon line was featured in Community Day, among other events, so there's a good chance you have it already. Bite and Brutal Swing are the moves your Hydreigon needs to know here. If you don't have the Legacy Move or an Elite TM to spare, you're better off picking from other top counters.

Giratina (Origin)

Next up is a Legendary from Sinnoh, Giratina (Origin). This Ghost and Dragon type resists Electric, Fire, and Fighting type damage, but it's weak against Ice type moves. Both formes of Giratina have had several runs in raid and share candy, so chances are good you have it already powered up. For this fight, your Giratina should know Shadow Claw and Shadow Force.

Gholdengo

Another great counter for Shadow Mewtwo is Gen IX's Gholdengo. This Ghost and Steel type takes super effective damage from Fire type moves, but it resists Psychic, Ice, and Fighting type damage. Unfortunately, Gholdengo is still pretty new to Pokémon Go and it requires a whopping 999 Gimmighoul coins to evolve. Still, if you have it, Hex and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want in this raid.

Chandelure

Originally discovered in the Unova region of Gen V, Chandelure performs very well against Shadow Mewtwo. It's a Ghost and Fire type, so it resists Fire, Ice, and Fighting type damage while having no weaknesses Mewtwo can exploit. Chandelure has had the Community Day treatment, as well as being featured in multiple events, so most active players already have it. Hex and Shadow Ball are the best moves for Chandelure in this fight.

Darkrai

A Mythical from the Sinnoh region, Darkrai is another excellent choice for this raid. It's a pure Dark type, so it resists Psychic type damage, but is weak against Fighting types. Although it's a Mythical, Darkrai has been featured in raids several times, so most active players have had the chance to catch it. Its best moves for this raid are Snarl and Dark Pulse.

Hoopa (Confined)

Hoopa (Confined) is another great counter for Shadow Mewtwo. This Mythical Pokémon is a Psychic and Ghost type, granting it resistances to both Psychic and Fighting type moves. While Hoopa (Confined) was only able to be caught by completing a limited Timed Research, its Unbound forme has been in raids and it can change formes. If you add Hoopa to your team, Astonish and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want.

Hoopa (Unbound)

Although its Confined forme performs better in a vacuum, Hoopa (Unbound) is also an excellent choice. Instead of Ghost and Psychic, it's a Dark and Psychic type so it only resists Psychic type damage in this raid. While Elite Raids are only held one day a month, Hoopa (Unbound) has been featured three times on top of being available in limited Timed Research, so there's a good chance you have one. Astonish and Dark Pulse are the best moves for this forme of Hoopa.

Yveltal

Another great counter is the mascot for Pokémon Y, Yveltal. This Flying and Dark type is weak to Electric and Ice type moves, but it resists Psychic type damage. Yveltal has only had a couple runs in raids and it's been a while, so you might not have it fully powered up. However, if you're adding Yveltal to your team, it should know Snarl and Dark Pulse.

Lunala

The Legendary mascot for Pokémon Moon, Lunala performs great against Shadow Mewtwo. This Ghost and Psychic type resists Psychic and Fighting type damage and it has no weaknesses Mewtwo can exploit. Unfortunately, Lunala can only be obtained by evolving Cosmog which is currently limited to one per account and only for players who completed a past seasonal Timed Research. If you have it though, Air Slash and Shadow Ball are its best moves for this fight.

Mewtwo

Last but certainly not least, Mewtwo is a great counter for itself. As a pure Psychic type, it resists Psychic and Fighting type moves while having no relevant weaknesses, and unlike Shadow Mewtwo raids, Mewtwo can learn the powerful Ghost type move, Shadow Ball. Better yet, Mewtwo has been available so many times, in so many ways that many players have entire teams of Mewtwo. Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball are Mewtwo's best moves in this raid.

Back up counters

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:

• Zarude with Bite and Dark Pulse
• Giratina (Altered) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Force
• Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
• Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
• Guzzlord with Snarl and Brutal Swing
• Zoroark with Snarl and Foul Play
• Vikavolt with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Bisharp with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Krookodile with Snarl and Crunch
• Pinsir with Bug Bit and X-Scissor
• Incineroar with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Yanmega with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Pheromosa with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Trevenant with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
• Reshiram with Fire Fang and Crunch
• Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball

Shadow counters

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 Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
• Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Pinsir with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Mismagius with Sucker Punch and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Alolan Muk with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
• Shadow Alakazam with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball

More details

Shadow Raids are incredibly challenging and Shadow Mewtwo is the most challenging thus far. Even using the best counters and Purified Gems, top trainers should aim for parties of at least five members. More importantly, you're going to need to communicate during the raid to time use of Purified Gems and Mega Evolved Pokémon. We recommend getting together as large a group as possible for this raid, and stock up on as many Purified Gems, Revives, and Potions as you can.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Wind will boost Shadow Mewtwo's Psychic type moves
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost its Fire type move
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost its Fighting type move
• Snow will boost its Ice type move
• Rain will boost its Electric type move, as well as your Bug type counters
• Fog will boost your Ghost and Dark type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Shadow Mewtwo in Pokémon Go!

Shadow Mewtwo is one of the most powerful Pokémon in all of Pokémon Go and it's only available for a limited time. Don't miss your chance to add it to your roster and be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Mega Pinsir is coming to Mega Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have gathered the best counters based on its current stats and movesets so you can prepare.

Who is Mega Pinsir in Pokémon Go?

One of only four Bug type Mega Evolutions, Mega Pinsir is the Bug and Flying type evolution of Gen I's Pinsir. As far as Bug type Megas go, it can't really compete with the upcoming Mega Heracross; however, it can keep pace with Mega Scizor, dealing slightly more damage per second in exchange for being a little squishier. As a Flying type, however, Pinsir has no Flying type moves, so it won't really be useful there unless Niantic gives it new moves in the future.

Also be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Pinsir, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Rock. However, Rock is a double weakness, so most of the recommended counters will benefit from a Rock type Mega. 

Mega Aerodactyl

Best of the best, Mega Aerodactyl outperforms every other counter in this raid. As a Rock and Flying type, it can boost two of Pinsir's weaknesses and provide resistances to both Bug and Normal type moves. Because the vast majority of the counters are Rock type, you also won't have to coordinate with your raid party to make the most of its Mega Boost. Rock Throw and Rock Slide are the moves your Aerodactyl should know here.

Mega Charizard Y

While Rock should be your first choice, Mega Charizard Y performs really well in this raid if you don't have the Mega Energy for Aerodactyl. It's a Fire and Flying type, giving it resistance to Bug and Fight type damage, as well as boosting two of Pinsir's weaknesses. You will want to coordinate with your raid party though, as few players will be bringing Fire and Flying types. Fire Spin and Blast Burn are the ideal moves for Charizard in this fight.

Mega Aggron

Although it cannot match Mega Aerodactyl or Mega Charizard Y's performance, Mega Aggron is another option. This pure Steel type won't give you a useful Mega Boost, but it does have access to powerful Rock type moves. It resists Bug and Normal type damage, but Fighting type moves hit for super effective damage. Smack Down and Meteor Beam are the best moves for Aggron here.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Blaziken with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Mega Ampharos with Volt Switch and Power Gem
• Mega Charizard X with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Mega Manectric with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge

Top counters

Mega Pinsir is a Bug and Flying type with access to Bug, Fighting, and Normal type moves. Its weaknesses include Rock, Fire, Flying, Electric, and Ice types; however, Rock is a double weakness, so you should focus on that.

Rhyperior

The Sinnoh Stone evolution, Rhyperior is the best of the standard counters for Mega Pinsir. It's a Rock and Ground type, giving it resistance to Normal type damage, but weakness to Fighting type. Rhyperior is incredibly obtainable thanks to its Community Day. Your Rhyperior should know Smack Down and Rock Wrecker, in this fight. If you don't have the legacy move or an Elite TM to spare, Stone Edge is the next best move but puts it on par with back up counters.

Tyrantrum

Next up is a fossil Pokémon originally discovered in Kalos, Tyrantrum. This Rock and Dragon type takes super effective damage from Fighting type moves, but resists Normal type damage. While Tyrantrum is only available via evolution, its first stage has often been featured in eggs, so there's a good chance you have it. Rock Throw and Meteor Beam is the moveset your Tyrantrum should know.

Terrakion

One of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Terrakion performs great against Pinsir. As a Rock and Fighting type, Fighting type moves hit for super effective damage, but it resists Bug and Normal type damage. Terrakion has had several runs in raids, so most active players will have it ready to fight. Your Terrakion should know Smack Down and Rock Slide to deal the most damage.

Gigalith

Gen V's Gigalith is another great counter for Mega Pinsir. It's a pure Rock type, so it resists Normal type damage but is weak against Fighting type moves. Although Gigalith is expensive to evolve, it does benefit from Trade Evolution, leaving plenty of leftover candy for powering up. Smack Down and Meteor Beam are the moves you're looking for.

Rampardos

Another fossil Pokémon, Rampardos was originally discovered in the Sinnoh region. It's a pure Rock type, so weak to Fighting type moves and resistant to Normal type. The Rampardos line has also been featured in numerous events and eggs, so chances are you already have a few. Its best moves are Smack Down and Rock Slide.

Landorus (Incarnate)

One of the Forces of Nature from Unova, Landorus (Therian) is our next top counter. He's a Ground and Flying type, giving it resistances to Fighting and Bug type moves. He's also been featured in raids several times, so most active players will be able to bring him along. If you include Landorus on your team, he should know Rock Throw and Rock Slide.

Aerodactyl

While its Mega Evolution is the top performer in this raid, the original Aerodactyl still performs great. It's also a Rock and Flying type, meaning it resists Bug and Normal type damage. Aerodactyl has also been in the game since day one so there's really no good reason not to have at least one fully powered up. Rock Throw and Rock Slide are the moves you'll want.

Archeops

A fossil Pokémon originally discovered in Unova, Archeops is a great counter for Pinsir. As a Rock and Flying type, it resists Bug and Normal type damage, and has no weaknesses Pinsir can exploit. The Archeops line has been featured in Adventure Week and eggs, so there's a good chance you have one ready. Your Archeops should know Wing Attack and Ancient Power for this raid.

Darmanitan

Originally encountered in the Unova region of Gen V, Darmanitan is our next top counter. This pure Fire type has no weaknesses Pinsir can take advantage of and it resists Bug type damage; however, it won't benefit from a same type Mega Boost in most raids. The Darmanitan line has been featured in many events, and it shares Candy with its Galarian variant, so most active players can bring it along. Fire Fang and Rock Slide are the moves you're looking for.

Nihilego

Last but not least is Legendary Ultra Beast, Nihilego. This Rock and Poison type has no weaknesses Mega Pinsir can exploit and it resists Bug and Normal type damage. Unfortunately, Nihilego has had extremely limited availability so far, so many players haven't even seen one. Still, if you have it, Acid and Rock Slide is the ideal moveset for Nihilego in this fight.

Back up counters

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:

• Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Hisuian Arcanine with Fire Fang and Rock Slide
• Reshiram with Fire Fang and Fusion Flare
• Alolan Golem with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
• Golem with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
• Lycanroc (Midnight) with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
• Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Rock) and Sacred Fire++
• Xurkitree with Spark and Discharge
• Lycanroc (Midday) with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
• Rayquaza with Air Slash and Ancient Power
• Zekrom with Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt
• Crustle with Smack Down and Rock Slide
• Aurorus with Rock Throw and Meteor Beam
• Moltres with Fire Spin and Sky Attack
• Chandelure with Fire Spin and Overheat
• Thundurus (Therian) with Volt Switch and Thunderbolt
• Hisuian Avalugg with Powder Snow and Rock Slide
• Aggron with Smack Down and Meteor Beam
• Regirock with Rock Throw and Stone Edge

Shadow counters

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 Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Shadow Golem with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Rock) and Brave Bird
• Shadow Moltres with Fire Spin and Sky Attack
• Shadow Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Ancient Power
• Shadow Hippowdon with Thunder Fang and Weather Ball
• Shadow Entei with Fire Fang and Overheat
• Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
• Shadow Armaldo with Fury Cutter and Rock Blast

Note: Shadow Aerodactyl outperforms every single counter except for Mega Aerodactyl. Shadow Golem, Shadow Ho-Oh, Shadow Moltres, Shadow Omastar, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Zapdos, and Shadow Hippowdon all perform on par with other top counters.

More details

Mega Pinsir is not one of the more challenging Mega Raids. With the right counters, two top level players should be able to beat it. However, because it is a Mega Raid, you want to prioritize beating it faster to earn the most Mega Energy. 

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Rain will boost Mega Pinsir's Bug type moves, as well as your Electric type counters
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost its Fighting type moves
• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost its Normal type move, as well as your Rock type counters
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost your Fire type counters
• Wind will boost your Flying type counters
• Snow will boost your Ice type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Mega Pinsir in Pokémon Go!

Mega Pinsir will only be around for a limited time, so you won't want to miss out on your chance to battle it! And be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Pokémon GO maker Niantic this week announced some major price increases to Remote Raid passes on the popular iPhone game that has fans so vexed they're planning to boycott the game. 

"We want to give you a heads-up about changes coming to Pokémon GO’s Remote Raid Passes," the company stated in a press release. Plans to "rebalance the game and ensure it’s enjoyed by Trainers for years to come" involve some severe price adjustments for Remote Raid Passes, with a three-pack now costing 525 PokéCoins. 

A single Remote Raid Pass is now 195 PC and a Premium Battle Pass three-pack is now 250 PC. 

Remote Raid participation limits have also been introduced, with trainers now limited to a maximum of five per day, with further restrictions on how you can earn Remote Raid Passes as rewards in-game. 

Niantic says that since their introduction in 2020 "Remote Raid Passes have come to dominate the experience of playing Pokémon GO in a way we never intended" and says the change "is necessary for the long-term health of the game." Fans, however, are furious. 

Fan backlash

A post in the Pokémon GO subreddit that states "That’s it… I’m not spending money on this game anymore…" has 10,000 upvotes in just 14 hours. Another said "that's one way to shut down your own game Niantic", and still another lamented "the most insulting part is that after increasing the price for decreased functionality, they had the nerve to explain to all us idiots that this is "for our benefit."

In fact, users are so up in arms that some are planning to boycott the game, organizing a strike to protect the increases. 

"We're all aware of the predatory monetization schemes in the game shop with overpriced boxes and items", says a flier circulating online. "This would be a dire change for all of us and especially rural players." 

The strike calls for players to boycott remote and premium raid passes and to spread the word. All of the top posts on the PoGo subreddit are negative responses to Niantic's move. It remains to be seen whether Niantic will reverse course given the extensive backlash to its new plans. As it stands, these changes are set to take effect from 11 am PDT on April 6. 

Regieleki is coming to Elite Raids in Pokémon Go. These are a super limited raids with only one day a month to catch one, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add Regieleki to your team!

Who is Regieleki in Pokémon Go?

One of the Legendary Titans, Regieleki is a Legendary from the Galar region. Along with Regidrago, it was added to the Legendary Titans, a collection of golem-like monotype Pokémon all created by Regigigas. 

Much like its counterpart however, Regieleki isn't looking to be super useful in Pokémon Go. It may fare a little better than Regidrago given how oversaturated Dragon type is, but this one is probably just going to be Dex filler. Still, you're going to want at least one for your Pokédex and you can always transfer any Regieleki you catch to Pokémon Home for use in other Pokémon titles.

Also, be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all the Regidrago raids! 

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Regieleki, but only two focus on its sole weakness: Ground.

Primal Groudon

Best of the best, Primal Groudon is the top performing Pokémon in this raid. After undergoing Primal Reversion, Primal Groudon becomes a Ground and Fire type, giving it super resistance to Electric type damage. If you add Primal Groudon to your team, Mud Shot and Precipice Blades are the moves it should know.

Mega Swampert

If you weren't fortunate enough to snag a Primal Groudon, Mega Swampert is the next best option for a Mega in this raid. As a Ground and Water type, it resists Electric type damage while boosting all your Ground type counters. Mud Shot and Earthquake are Mega Swampert's best moves here.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Latios with Dragon Breath and Psychic
• Mega Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant
• Mega Gengar with Shadow Claw and Sludge Bomb
• Mega Gallade with Confusion and Psychic
• Mega Gardevoir with Confusion and Psychic

Top counters

Regieleki is a pure Electric type with access to Electric, and Normal type moves. Its sole weakness is Ground type, so you will want to focus on those.

Groudon

Even without Primal Reversion, Groudon is the best standard counter for Regieleki. A pure Ground type, it resists Electric type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Groudon has also had several runs in raids, including the recent Primal raids, so most active players have a couple already. Mud Shot and Precipice Blades are Groudon's best moves in this fight, but if you don't have the event exclusive move, Earthquake still lands it in our top counters.

Garchomp

Next up is a pseudo-Legendary from Sinnoh, Garchomp. This Dragon and Ground type resists Electric type damage and has no weaknesses Regieleki can exploit. Thanks to its Community Day, most active players have had plenty of opportunities to add this Pokémon to their roster. Mud Shot and Earth Power are the moves your Garchomp should know, but Earthquake can do in a pinch.

Excadrill

Unovan native Excadrill is our next top counter. This Steel and Ground type resists all of Regieleki's move types. The Excadrill line is also incredibly common and easily obtainable, so you might already have one powered up for this fight. If you're bringing Excadrill to this raid, it should know Mud-Slap and Drill Run.

Rhyperior

The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen I's Rhydon, Rhyperior is another great option for fighting Regieleki. This Rock and Ground type resists both Normal and Electric type moves on top of being very tanky. It's also incredibly common, having the Community Day treatment and multiple other events. Your Rhyperior should know Mud-Slap and Earthquake to deal the most damage in this fight.

Mamoswine

Originally discovered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Mamoswine is another great choice in this raid. It's an Ice and Ground type, so it resists Electric type damage. Mamoswine has also had the Community Day treatment and been featured in many events. Mud-Slap and High Horsepower is the moveset you'll want your Mamoswine to know.

Landorus (Therian)

One of the Legendary Forces of Nature, Landorus (Therian) is our next top counter. He's a Flying and Ground type, so he resists Electric type damage. While both formes of Landorus perform great here, the less common Therian forme is preferred. He hasn't seen as much raid time, but both use the same candy making them easier to power up. Your Landorus should know Mud Shot and Earthquake for this raid.

Landorus (Incarnate)

While the Therian forme is better, Landorus (Incarnate) also performs great here and he has been available more often, increasing the odds that you already have him. He's also a Ground and Flying type, so Electric type moves do less damage. Mud Shot and Earth Power are the best moves for this forme of Landorus.

Golurk

Gen V's Golurk is another excellent choice when facing Regieleki. This Ghost and Ground type is super resistant to Electric and Normal type damage. It's also very common, having been featured for the last four years of Halloween events. Your Golurk should know Mud-Slap and Earth Power to do the most damage here.

Rhydon

If you don't have the candy and Sinnoh Stone to evolve it, Rhydon is still a top counter for Regieleki. This Ground and Rock type also resists all of the Electric titan's moves, and since its been in the game since the start, nearly all players have had the chance to add it to their collection. Mud-Slap and Earthquake are the best moves Rhydon can know here.

Krookodile

Gen V's Krookodile is our final top counter. It's a Dark and Ground type so it resists Electric type damage. Unfortunately, Krookodile is still very limited in Pokémon Go, with its first stage limited to 12KM Strange Eggs rescued from the leaders of Team GO Rocket. If you are bringing Krookodile to this fight, it should know Mud-Slap and Earthquake.

Back up counters

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:

• Golem with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
• Donphan with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
• Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Ground) and Giga Impact
• Flygon with Mud Shot and Earth Power
• Ursaluna with Tackle and High Horsepower
• Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
• Kartana with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
• Hoopa (Unbound) with Confusion and Psychic
• Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Earthquake
• Reshiram with Fire Fang and Fusion Flare
• Swampert with Mud Shot and Earthquake
• Nidoking with Double Kick and Earth Power
• Hippowdon with Ice Fang and Earth Power
• Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe
• Seismitoad with Mud Shot and Earth Power
• Lunala with Confusion and Shadow Ball
• Gigalith with Mud-Slap and Meteor Beam
• Giratina (Origin) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Force
• Shaymin (Sky) with Hidden Power (Ground) and Grass Knot

Shadow counters

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 Mamoswine with Mud-Slap and High Horsepower
• Shadow Golurk with Mud-Slap and Earth Power
• Shadow Donphan with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
• Shadow Golem with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
• Shadow Ursaluna with Tackle and High Horsepower
• Shadow Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike
• Shadow Swampert with Mud Shot and Earthquake
• Shadow Hippowdon with Ice Fang and Earth Power
• Shadow Flygon with Mud Shot and Earth Power
• Shadow Latios with Dragon Breath and Psychic
• Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Earthquake

Note: Shadow Mamoswine and Shadow Golurk outperform every counter except Primal Groudon. Shadow Donphan, Shadow Golem, Shadow Ursaluna, and Shadow Mewtwo all perform on par with other top counters.

More details

It is currently estimated that this raid can be beat with three top level players; however, as an Elite Raid, there is a 24 hour notice period to gather a larger party. Keep in mind that Remote Raid Passes cannot be used, so you'll have to coordinate with local friends on this one.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost Regieleki's Normal type attacks
• Rain will boost its Electric type moves
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost your Ground type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Regieleki in Pokémon Go!

Regieleki raids are few and far between so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Regidrago has arrived in new Elite Raids in Pokémon Go. These are a super limited raids with only one day a month to catch one, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add Regidrago to your team!

Who is Regidrago in Pokémon Go?

One of the Legendary Titans, Regidrago is the Dragon type Titan. Unfortunately for him, Dragon type is already swimming with incredibly powerful Legendaries and Megas, as well as powerful pseudo-Legendaries. As such, Regidrago will probably not be much more than a Dex entry for most players. However, given its very limited availability, you're going to have to plan if you even want a chance at encountering it.

Also, be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all the Regidrago raids! 

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Regidrago, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Ice, Dragon, and Fairy.

Mega Gardevoir

The top performing Pokémon in this raid is Mega Gardevoir. This Fairy and Psychic type resists Dragon type moves and has no weaknesses Regidrago can exploit. However, while it does more damage in a vacuum than any other, the vast majority of Pokémon recommended for this raid are Dragon type, so it will require coordination to make the most of its Fairy type Mega Boost. If you are bringing Gardevoir to this fight, it should know Charm and Dazzling Gleam.

Mega Salamence

The next top performing Mega in this raid is Mega Salamence. As a Dragon and Flying type it takes super effective damage from Dragon type moves, but so do most of the top counters. If you bring Mega Salamence to this fight, it should know Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor.

Mega Latios

Another great option for a Dragon based offensive is Mega Latios. This Mega Legendary is a Dragon and Psychic type. This means he takes super effective damage from Dragon and Dark type moves, so he doesn't last quite as long as Salamence. If you're bringing Mega Latios to this raid, Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw is the moveset you want him to know.

Primal Groudon

While I wouldn't recommend bringing Primal Groudon to this raid, if you already have your Groudon reverted and don't want to enter cooldown, it still outperforms any of the standard top counters. It's a Ground and Fire type, meaning it has no useful resistances or weaknesses here, and it won't be providing a same type boost to any of the recommended counters. If you do bring Primal Groudon along, it should know Dragon Tail and Precipice Blades.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Latias with Dragon Breath and Outrage
• Mega Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Mega Charizard X with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
• Mega Alakazam with Psycho Cut and Dazzling Gleam
• Mega Glalie with Frost Breath and Avalanche
• Mega Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Dragon Claw
• Mega Charizard Y with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
• Mega Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
• Mega Banette with Shadow Claw and Dazzling Gleam

Top counters

Regidrago is a pure Dragon type with access to Dragon, Dark, and Normal type moves. Its weaknesses include Dragon, Fairy, and Ice types, leaving multiple winning strategies; however, the vast majority of top counters are Dragon types, so you will likely want to focus on those.

Rayquaza

Gen III's Rayquaza is the top performing standard counter in this raid. It's a Dragon and Flying type, so Dragon type moves hit for super effective damage. Although it's a Legendary, Rayquaza has been available many, many times, so most active players have at least one by now. Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe are its best moves for this raid, but if you don't have the legacy move or the Elite TM to spare, Outrage still performs very well.

Salamence

A pseudo-Legendary from the Hoenn region, Salamence is our next top counter. Another Flying and Dragon type, it takes super effective damage from Dragon type moves. The Salamence line has been featured in many events, including Community Day so you likely already have at least one or two. Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor is the moveset your Salamence should know.

Palkia

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Pearl, Palkia is the next top counter for Regidrago. Like most of the best counters, this Dragon and Water type takes super effective damage from Dragon moves. Palkia has had a few full runs in raids so there's a good chance you already have it in your roster. Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor are the moves your Palkia should know in this raid.

Kyurem

Next on the list is Gen V's Kyurem. A Dragon and Ice type, it takes super effective damage from Dragon type moves. Kyurem has been in raids several times so there's a good chance you have one or two powered up and ready to fight. The best moveset for Kyurem in this fight is Dragon Breath and Glaciate, but if you don't the legacy move or an Elite TM to spare, Draco Meteor is still a top counter.

Dragonite

A pseudo-Legendary from Kanto, Dragonite is another great choice here. It's a Dragon and Flying type, so Dragon type damage will hit extra hard. Despite being a pseudo-Legendary, the Dragonite line has been feature in so many events, raids, and even Special Research, that there's really no good reason not to have a whole team of powerful Dragonite. Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor are the moves you want, but if you don't have the legacy move or the Elite TM to spare, Dragon Claw is its next best charged move.

Dialga

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Diamond, Dialga is another option for countering Regidrago. As a Steel and Dragon type, Dialga is the only top counter that isn't weak against Dragon type damage, and it resists Normal type moves as well. Dialga is also common, having been featured in raids a few times. If you include it on your team, your Dialga should know Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor.

Reshiram

Reshiram, the Legendary mascot of Pokémon Black is next on our list. It's a Fire and Dragon type, so its only relevant weakness is to Dragon type and it has also had a few runs in raids. If your bringing Reshiram to this fight, Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor is its best moveset.

Zekrom

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom is another Pokémon you could bring to this raid. It's an Electric and Dragon type, so once again, its weak against Dragon type damage, and it's also had a few runs in raids. Dragon Breath and Outrage is the moveset you'll want your Zekrom to know.

Latios

One of the Eon Duo of Gen III, Latios is a great choice when facing Regidrago. As a Psychic and Dragon type, he takes super effective damage from both Dragon and Dark type moves. Latios has been in raids and Mega raids many times, so most active players have had the chance to catch it. Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw are the moves your Latios should know here.

Garchomp

Last but not least is a pseudo-Legendary from Sinnoh, Garchomp. As a Ground and Dragon type, it takes super effective damage from Dragon type moves. The Garchomp line has been featured in multiple events, including Community Day, so you likely have at least one already powered up. If you add Garchomp to your team, it should know Dragon Tail and Outrage.

Back up counters

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: 

• Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
• Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
• Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) with Quick Attack and Play Rough
• Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
• Tapu Koko with Quick Attack and Dazzling Gleam
• Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Xurkitree with Thunder Shock and Dazzling Gleam
• Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
• Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
• Primarina with Charm and Moonblast
• Tyrantrum with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Alolan Exeggutor with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
• Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Ice Beam
• Hydreigon with Dragon Breath and Dragon Pulse
• Groudon with Dragon Tail and Precipice Blades
• Galarian Rapidash with Fairy Wind and Play Rough
• Sylveon with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Giratina (Origin) with Dragon Tail and Shadow Force

Shadow counters

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 Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
• Shadow Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
• Shadow Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Ice Beam
• Shadow Latias with Dragon Breath and Outrage
• Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
• Shadow Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage

Note: Shadow Dragonite, Shadow Latios, and Shadow Gardevoir outperform all the top counters except for the Megas and Primal Groudon. Shadow Weavile, Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Latias, and Shadow Salamence all perform on par with the top counters.

More details

It is currently estimated that this raid can be beat with just two or three top level players; however, as an Elite Raid, there is a 24 hour notice period to gather a larger party. Keep in mind that Remote Raid Passes cannot be used, so you'll have to coordinate with local friends on this one.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost Regidrago's Normal type move
• Wind will boost its Dragon type moves, as well as your Dragon type counters
• Fog will boost its Dark type move
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost your Fairy type counters
• Snow will boost your Ice type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Regidrago in Pokémon Go!

Regidrago raids are few and far between so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Mega Evolution has finally arrived in Pokémon Go and with it, Mega Raids! A whole new class of Raids, Mega Raids let you and your friends challenge a Mega Evolved Pokémon. These are some of the most challenging raids yet, but we here at iMore got your back! Mega Medicham is here and we have everything you need to know to take on its Mega Raid.

Who is Mega Medicham in Pokémon Go?

The Mega Evolution of Gen III's Medicham, Mega Medicham is a Psychic and Fighting type that hits like a truck in the core games. Unfortunately, its incredible performance did not translate well in Pokémon Go's game mechanics. Originally, Mega Medicham had an ability that would double its Attack. As Pokémon Go doesn't have abilities, its stats are just too low to compete and with Mega Mewtwo X and Y on the way, it was never going to be a top performer. 

Still, you'll want to Mega Evolve one at least for the Pokédex, and it does work in a pinch as a back up for a Fighting or Psychic type Mega Boost. And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all the Mega Medicham raids!

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Medicham, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Flying, Ghost, and Fairy type. 

Mega Gengars

The top performing Pokémon in this raid is Mega Gengar. This Poison and Ghost type will take increased damage from Medicham's Psychic type moves, but it resists Fighting type damage. To deal the most damage, you'll want your Mega Gengar to know Lick and Shadow Ball, and be sure to coordinate with your raid party to get the most out of its Ghost type Mega Boost.

Mega Gardevoir

For a Fairy based offensive, Mega Gardevoir is the best option. A Psychic and Fairy type, it resists Psychic and Fighting type damage. Your Mega Gardevoir should know Charm and Dazzling Gleam for this fight, and be sure to coordinate with your raid party to make the most of its Fairy type Mega Boost.

Mega Banette

Although it doesn't perform quite as well as Mega Gengar, Mega Banette is another great option for a Ghost based offensive. This pure Ghost type resists Fighting type damage and has no weaknesses Mega Medicham can exploit. Your Banette should know Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball for this raid.

Mega Pidgeot

If you're looking to boost Flying types in this raid, Mega Pidgeot is the Mega you'll want to bring. As a Normal and Flying type, it takes increased damage from Ice type moves. You'll want Gust and Brave Bird for the moveset, and be sure to coordinate with your fellow raiders to make the most of its Flying type Mega Boost.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Alakazam with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Mega Charizard Y with Air Slash and Blast Burn
• Mega Blaziken with Fire Spin and Brave Bird
• Mega Gallade with Charm and Psychic

Top counters

Mega Medicham is a Fighting and Psychic type with access to Fighting, Psychic, and Ice type moves. Its weaknesses include Ghost, Fairy, and Flying type leaving room for multiple winning strategies. 

Chandelure

Gen V's Chandelure is the top standard counter for Mega Medicham. This Ghost and Fire type resists Ice and Fighting type damage. The Chandelure line has been available for quite some time and has had the Community Day treatment, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Hex and Shadow Ball are Chandelure's best moves for this raid.

Gengar

Originally encountered in the Kanto region of Gen I, Gengar is a great choice for the raid. A Poison and Ghost type, it takes super effective damage from Psychic type moves, but it resists Fighting type damage. Having been in the game since day one, Gengar is easily the most obtainable Pokémon on this list. If you're bringing it to the fight, your Gengar should know Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.

Moltres

A Legendary from the Kanto region, Moltres performs great in this raid. As a Fire and Flying type, it resists Fighting type moves and has no weaknesses Medicham can exploit. Moltres has been available so many times in so many ways, that nearly all active players have had the chance to add it to their team. Wing Attack and Sky Attack are the best moves for your Moltres to know here.

Giratina (Origin)

Another excellent counter for Mega Medicham is Giratina (Origin). This Ghost and Dragon type takes super effective damage from Ice type moves, but it resists Fighting type damage. Although its Origin forme has not been available as often as its Altered, this Giratina has three runs in raids, so there's a good chance you have at least one. Shadow Claw and Shadow Force is the ideal moveset here, but if you don't have Shadow Force, Shadow Ball still places Giratina in our top counters.

Hoopa (Confined)

A Mythical Pokémon from the Kalos region, Hoopa is another great counter for Medicham. The Psychic and Ghost type Confined forme is the preferred forme for this raid, resisting both Psychic and Fighting type damage. Although originally limited to the Misunderstood Mischief Special Research line, some players have added an extra Hoopa or three to their rosters through Elite Raids. Astonish and Shadow Ball are the moves your Hoopa should know in this fight.

Lunala

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Moon, Lunala is our next top counter. A Psychic and Ghost type, it resists Psychic and Fighting type damage while having no exploitable weaknesses. Unfortunately, Lunala is currently limited to only one per account and only if players completed a limited Timed Research during the Season of Light and selected Lunala instead of Solgaleo. If you happen to have Lunala, it should know Air Slash and Shadow Ball for this raid.

Hoopa (Unbound)

Although its Confined forme performs better, Hoopa (Unbound) is also a top counter for Medicham. It's a Psychic and Dark type, so it only resists Psychic type damage, but Medicham cannot take advantage of any of its weaknesses either. While Hoopa (Unbound) has appeared in Elite Raids, it is still very limited, so you may not have one yet. If you are bringing Hoopa to this fight, it should know Astonish and Shadow Ball.

Mewtwo

A Legendary from Gen I, Mewtwo is another great choice to counter Mega Medicham. As a pure Psychic type, it won't benefit from a relevant Mega Boost, but it does resist both Psychic and Fighting type damage. It's also been available many, many times, so nearly all active players have had the chance to add it to their team. Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball are the moves your Mewtwo should know for this fight. If your Mewtwo knows Psystrike, do not TM this move away, even if you can spare an Elite TM. Psystrike is also an invaluable Legacy move and Mewtwo's best Psychic type charged attack.

Galarian Articuno

Another option for this raid is Galarian Articuno. This regional variant of Gen I's Articuno can only be encountered through Daily Adventure Incense, so many players haven't even seen one. If you're one of the lucky players who has one, this Psychic and Flying type takes super effective damage from Ice type moves but resists Psychic and Fighting type damage. Psycho Cut and Brave Bird are its ideal moveset for this raid.

Ho-Oh

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Gold, Ho-Oh is our next top counter. This Flying and Fire type resists Fighting type damage and has no weaknesses Medicham can exploit. Ho-Oh has been in raids many times and it even has a Shadow variant, so most active players have had the chance to catch it. Ho-Oh's best moves for this fight are Hidden Power (Flying) and Brave Bird.

Back up counters

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:

• Yveltal with Gust and Hurricane
• Xurkitree with Thunder Shock and Dazzling Gleam
• Rayquaza with Air Slash and Hurricane
• Lugia with Extrasensory and Aeroblast++
• Honchkrow with Peck and Sky Attack
• Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) with Snarl and Play Rough
• Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Drill Peck
• Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Staraptor with Gust and Brave Bird
• Braviary with Air Slash and Brave Bird
• Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Darkrai with Snarl and Shadow Ball
• Tornadus (Incarnate) with Air Slash and Hurricane
• Hisuian Braviary with Air Slash and Brave Bird
• Tornadus (Therian) with Gust and Hurricane
• Giratina (Altered) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Force
• Galarian Moltres with Wing Attack and Brave Bird
• Tapu Koko with Volt Switch and Dazzling Gleam
• Unfezant with Air Slash and Sky Attack

Shadow counters

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 Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack
• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Honchkrow with Peck and Sky Attack
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Flying) and Brave Bird
• Shadow Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Drill Peck
• Shadow Staraptor with Gust and Brave Bird
• Shadow Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Lugia with Extrasensory and Aeroblast+
• Shadow Unfezant with Air Slash and Sky Attack
• Shadow Alakazam with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
• Shadow Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball

Note: This is an excellent raid for Shadow Pokémon. Shadow Moltres, Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Honchkrow, Shadow Ho-Oh, and Shadow Gardevoir outperform all standard counters. The rest of our Shadow counters perform on par with top counters.

More details

Under ideal conditions, it is possible for two top level trainers to beat Mega Medicham. However, as this is a Mega Raid, you'll want to prioritize beating it faster over doing the most damage. If you're a lower level player or lacking the best counters, I would aim for a party of four or more.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost Medicham's Fighting type moves, as well as your Fairy type counters
• Windy will boost its Psychic type moves, as well as your Flying type counters
• Snow will boost its Ice type move
• Fog will boost your Ghost type counters

Don’t miss your chance to catch Mega Medicham in Pokémon Go!

Mega Medicham will only be available in raids for a limited time so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

A developer has released a simple yet elegant Pokémon app today (February 9), and we asked them why they decided to create it.

Aether is available for iPhone and iPad as a one-time purchase for $1.99 / £1.79, where you can select two dials to discover how effective Pokémon types are with one another.

For those not aware, Pokémon is a game series that first arrived in 1996 for the original Game Boy, where you could catch up to 151 creatures and fight Gym Leaders to earn badges and become the best Pokémon trainer.

Ben McCarthy previously worked on Obscura 3 alongside his business partner, a camera app for $9.99 / £9.99 on iPhone and iPad. Its latest version, released in early 2022, features a redesigned gallery view, video capture, refined layouts for controlling exposure settings, plus the ability to select the multiple lenses available on your iPhone, alongside controller support.

However, with a fourth version of Obscura in the making, iMore spoke to McCarthy about how Aether came to be, and why they created it in the first place, alongside potential future plans for their camera app.

Using Aether

Aether is a simple affair, where you have two or three dials that you can turn to select the different types of Pokémon, then see how little or big the effectiveness can be when compared to other types.

We asked McCarthy why they created Aether. "I’ve been an avid Pokémon player for almost as long as I can remember. I think I was 6 or 7, when I received my first Game Boy Color with Pokémon Yellow, and instantly got hooked into that world," McCarthy explains. "I stuck with it through the Sapphire and Ruby games. I didn’t own a Nintendo DS when they arrived on the scene, so I stopped playing for a few years until Sun and Moon launched. In the meantime, a new Pokémon type was introduced: Fairy. And I’ve never been able to fully internalize its various strengths and weaknesses."

"I frequently find myself googling Pokémon type matchups, and inevitably spawn a bunch of tabs I forget to close. I realized that an app might be a nicer approach to this, and would save typing out the names of each type every time I need to check its chart."

McCarthy spotted an opportunity when they went to search for anything on the App Store that could help replace their googling.

"I looked on the App Store, and found the available options pretty lackluster, and figured, hey, that seems like something I could build in a weekend (it turned out to be a little more, but not much more)."

McCarthy had mentioned to iMore that Apple had requested that all references to Pokémon be removed before it could be approved for release on the App Store.

However, with it now available, we wondered whether you could use Aether for earlier games in the series, such as Pokémon Gold and Silver, released in 2000 for the Game Boy Color.

"You can use the app for Pokémon games that go as far back as 2013, but for anything earlier, the effectiveness may be skewed," McCarthy clarifies. "Aether uses the current values for each type, which date back to 2013, with the introduction of the Fairy type in Pokémon X and Y. If Aether takes off, and the demand is there, I’d be happy to add support for the legacy balancing of types."

The concept of Aether is simple but effective, and it could be the start of an app that could help a player in any Pokémon game, from Red and Blue to Scarlet and Violet.

Could Tears of the Kingdom benefit from Aether too?

However, when you look at other 'helper' apps in the App Store, plenty are available. For example, one can help guide players when making food in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so you can make better potions and meals for Link.

We asked McCarthy if this category is an untapped market for developers in helping players with certain moments in games.

"I think the inherent flaw to that category is that game developers/console makers can’t guarantee that a user will have access to a smartphone, especially for games aimed more towards kids," McCarthy elaborates. "And if that’s the case, then any companion content has to be superfluous to the main experience.

The only real success I can think of here is Pokémon Go. It’s not exactly a companion to the games, but it’s a unique smartphone experience that can tie to the games via Pokémon Home, letting you transfer creatures between games."

We followed up here, to ask if McCarthy has considered creating an app to help with Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and its recipes once it arrives in May.

"I really enjoyed Breath of the Wild when it came out, but I never had much connection to the Zelda franchise before that. (I think I played 10 minutes of Twilight Princess on a friend’s Nintendo Wii, and found the motion controls unbearable," McCarthy reveals. "And while the cooking in the game is certainly a useful mechanic, it’s not core to the gameplay in the way the type matchups are in Pokémon."

The future of Obscura and, VR

Having looked at their blog that's mostly behind a paywall, Obscura 4 is already in the making, with the time gap between versions being much smaller than versions 2 and 3.

We asked McCarthy what the reasons were for this, and if there was something that instantly tempted them to improve upon it that made Obscura earn its ‘4.0’ stripes.

"I’ve teased it a little bit here and there, mostly that I’m rebuilding the majority of Obscura in SwiftUI. I don’t plan on talking about it openly before the launch, but I’m going to do some sneak peeks for anyone who supports me via my site’s membership. So go sign up for that if you’re curious!"

Finally, with constant rumors of Apple preparing an AR/VR headset soon, we asked McCarthy what their thoughts were on the category, and if they could see a time when Aether or even Obscura could work with this rumored headset.

"I can’t say I’m all that excited about AR. I love playing a few rounds of Beat Saber, but I think a lot of us have spent the past decade glued to our phones, and the idea of being even more removed from the world just doesn’t seem that appealing, outside of gaming."

McCarthy elaborates on Obscura appearing on the headset. "Even if it turns out that Apple’s headset is equipped with great cameras, Obscura doesn’t seem like a great fit. Having your camera stuck to your face would be pretty limiting in terms of composition, and if this thing is mostly intended for at-home use, mostly on the couch, or at a desk, I don’t see that as being a great opportunity for photo-taking."

As for Aether, sure if it’s easy enough to port over, why not? But it seems unlikely that you’d want to be playing with your Switch in your hands and your Apple headset over your face," McCarthy explains.

"And maybe we’ll reach a point where AR tech is so miniaturized that it fits into a svelte pair of glasses and is natural to wear all day, it still seems like it will be more useful for showing you information than it will be for interacting with or as a creative tool."

McCarthy simply found a desire to suit their needs when playing Pokémon, and the result is something impressive.

Having been a user of Obscura for years, Aether adopts a similar appearance and interface to its Camera app, such as the two circular menus, and it works very well.

While it may be disappointing that there won't be a similar app to help with Breath of the Wild and the soon-to-be-released Tears of the Kingdom, it's only an example of how well iOS developers can see a need, and apply their skills to an app that solves a problem in a couple of steps.

Keldeo has finally made its Pokémon Go debut. The last of the Swords of Justice, this Mythical Pokémon arrived much later than its Legendary brethren. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to catch your very own.

Who is Keldeo in Pokémon Go?

Based on the three Musketeers, the Legendary Swords of Justice, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion made their Pokémon Go debut back in 2019. However, one of their numbers, the Mythical Pokémon Keldeo was missing from the lineup. Even as the original three made their way into raids again and again, saw Shiny releases and the addition of their signature move, Keldeo remained unreleased. Finally, Niantic has changed that and added Keldeo to the game.

Beginning on December 6, players could purchase a limited Special Research line to encounter and catch their very own Keldeo. A Water and Fighting type, Keldeo is currently limited to one per account, and though it has two formes, Ordinary and Resolute, only the Ordinary forme is currently available.

Keldeo isn't quite as strong as Terrakion, but comes close, and has advantageous typing. This is a valuable Fighting type you will want to power up. And be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories while you're at it, so you're fully equipped while searching for your Keldeo!

How do you catch Keldeo in Pokémon Go?

Keldeo can currently only be obtained by completing the paid Special Research story, Something Extraordinary. Introduced during the Mythic Blade event on December 6, 2022, this is a seven page Special Research line that rewards players with lots of Pokémon encounters, Rare Candy, Silver Pinap Berries, and Stardust.

Something Extraordinary page one

• Make three Curveball throws for 500 Stardust
• Catch ten Pokémon for an Oshawott* encounter
• Take a snapshot of a wild Pokémon for ten Great Balls

Completion rewards: Machoke encounter, two Rare Candy, two Silver Pinap Berries

Something Extraordinary page two

• Battle a Team Leader three times for 750 Stardust
• Catch five different species of Pokémon for a Staryu* encounter
• Power up Pokémon five times for a Charged TM

Completion rewards: Breloom encounter, two Rare Candy, two Silver Pinap Berries

Something Extraordinary page three

• Battle in a raid for 1000 Stardust
• Catch five Fighting type Pokémon for a Buizel* encounter
• Evolve five Pokémon for three Incubators

Completion rewards: Scraggy encounter, two Rare Candy, two Silver Pinap Berries

Something Extraordinary page four

• Battle in the GO Battle League five times for 1250 Stardust
• Catch seven different species of Pokémon for a Merill encounter
• Use five berries to help catch Pokémon for two Incense

Completion rewards: Poliwrath encounter, two Rare Candy, two Silver Pinap Berries

Something Extraordinary page five

• Win a raid for 1500 Stardust
• Earn five hearts with your Buddy Pokémon for an Alomomola* encounter
• Feed your Buddy Pokémon three times for a Fast TM

Completion rewards: Keldeo encounter, two Rare Candy, two Silver Pinap Berries

Something Extraordinary page six

• Win in the GO Battle League for 1500 Stardust
• Catch 15 Fighting type Pokémon for a Tympole encounter
• Make three Great Throws in a row for two Super Incubators

Completion rewards: Medicham encounter, two Rare Candy, two Silver Pinap Berries

Something Extraordinary page seven

• Take three snapshots of Keldeo for a Tirtouga encounter
• Take a snapshot of a Grass type Pokémon for 2000 Stardust
• Take a snapshot of a Steel type Pokémon for 2000 Stardust
• Take a snapshot of a Rock type Pokémon for 2000 Stardust

Completion rewards: Keldeo avatar shirt, 20 Keldeo Candy, two Rare Candy

Don't miss your chance to catch Keldeo in Pokémon Go!

Keldeo is an excellent Fighting type and a limited Mythical Pokémon. Niantic is sure to bring it back at some point, but you won't want to miss out on your chance to catch one now! And be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you can become a Pokémon Master!

Strange ways of evolving are just par the course for the Pokémon franchise at this point, but one particular newcomer really takes the cake. 

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, players can catch a new Pokémon called Gimmighoul. This unusual Pokémon doesn't evolve through the usual ways but instead, requires players to go on a treasure hunt. A very, very, very long treasure hunt. If you're lost about what's going on, just follow our guide and you can evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo in no time.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to catch Gimmighoul

Gimmighoul is not a version exclusive for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and can be found in both versions of the game. With that said, you'll find two different versions of Gimmighoul out in the wild, and you can only catch one. One version is the "Roaming Form" that can be found in numerous locations. You won't actually catch this Gimmighoul, but you will get Gimmighoul Coins by interacting with them, which is important. 

The version of Gimmighoul that you can catch in the latest Pokémon games is the "Chest Form" that, appropriately enough, is in a chest. As opposed to having distinct regions and areas where it spawns, this Gimmighoul has set locations. You can find this catchable Gimmighoul in towers and a few other locations which are static, not free-roaming. We've marked these specific locations on the map above. After being defeated or caught, these Gimmighouls will eventually respawn.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo

As opposed to the traditional method of simply leveling up whenever enough EXP is gained, Gimmighoul has one of the more interesting evolutions in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. You'll need to collect Gimmighoul Coins, in fact you'll need to max out your inventory space for them and acquire 999 Gimmighoul Coins, which is the limit of how many coins you can hold. Once you have 999 Gimmighoul Coins, your Ghimmighoul will evolve the next time it levels up and then the Gimmighoul Coins will vanish from your inventory. To evolve another one, you'll need to once more collect this large number of coins. 

As you explore the island and find the innumerable Roaming Form Gimmighouls, you'll get anywhere from one Gimmighoul Coin to six coins from each one you find and interact with. They can be found in out-of-the-way locations such as behind rocks or signs, and you can also hear them, as they make a distinct noise. This process would be excruciatingly slow if that's all you do, but there's another way to make coin collecting go faster.

POKÉMON SCARLET AND VIOLET: Fastest way to collect Gimmighoul Coins

Every time you beat or capture a Chest Form Gimmighoul (which again, you can see marked on the map above), you'll get a random amount of Gimmighoul Coins. This number can vary, but in our experience is usually around 50 to 70 coins. This will greatly speed up the process of gaining 999 coins to evolve your Gimmighoul, so go hunting for these Chest Form versions.

Because 999 coins is the limit, any coins you earn after having your inventory maxed out will be sent to a man in Medali, which is located in West Province, Area 3. You can speak to him when your inventory is empty of coins, and he'll give you whatever excess coins you've collected that were sent to him.

An open world with treasure

Evolving your Gimmighoul is lengthy process even when you know what you're doing, but just pace it while you're doing other things, and it'll make the process far more enjoyable. There's a lot to do in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, from the Tera Raid Battles to becoming the Champion and filling out your Pokédex. 

Take care to save your game and completely exit on a regular basis, which will help to improve your Nintendo Switch performance with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

One of the more unique critters in the latest Pokémon titles is actually different depending on which game you are playing.

Charcadet is a newcomer to the series, having been added with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Not only does this Pokémon have an item evolution, but it's also completely different based on which version of the game you're playing, making it one of the stranger Pokémon Scarlet and Violet version exclusives that we've seen. 

Whichever copy of the the game you have, it's easy to catch and evolve this Fire-type, once you know what you need to do. We'll help you out.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to catch Charcadet

Charcadet can be caught fairly early on in your adventure, regardless of which game you've chosen. While this Pokémon can technically be found across a very wide range, in our testing, the best place to look will be in South Province, Area 3, which is just to the east of Mesagoza.

In order to catch Charcadet, we highly recommend holding a picnic and eating a pickle sandwich. Charcadet naturally has a very low spawn rate in the wild, but with your Encounter Power: Fire boosted, the area will become crawling with Charcadets in no time.

Characadet spawns at a low level in South Province, Area 3, but just in case, it's a good idea to visit a nearby PokéStop and stock up on Poké Balls.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to evolve Charcadet into Armarouge

Now that you've got Charcadet, how do you evolve it? Charcadet only evolves once, into Armarouge or Ceruledge. Charcadet uses an item evolution, meaning that it won't evolve naturally but instead, the Trainer has to use a specific item to induce the evolution. Compounding the difficulty, you can only get one evolution in each game. In Pokémon Scarlet, Charcadet can be evolved into Armarouge. In Pokémon Violet, it'll evolve into Ceruledge.

So, if you're playing Pokémon Scarlet, follow these steps to get an item for evolving Charcadet into Armarouge:

1. Defeat several Bronzor to get Bronzor fragments. Bronzor spawns around ruins such as the ones north of Cortondo.
2. Have at least 10 Bronzor fragments in your inventory. 
3. Head to Zapapico, which is at the western edge of East Province, Area 2, marked on the map above.
4. You'll find a man standing near a fountain asking to trade.
5. Trade the man 10 Bronzor fragments for a set of Auspicious Armor.
6. Go into your inventory and use the Auspicious Armor on Charcadet. 

There are no level restrictions. Once you use the Auspicious Armor on Charcadet, it will immediately evolve into Armarouge. It's worth noting that you can repeat this process and trade for more sets of Auspicious Armor as long as you have enough Bronzor Fragments.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to evolve Charcadet into Ceruledge

If you're playing Pokémon Violet, the process for evolving Charcadet into Ceruledge is very similar to what you'll do in the other game, with some small but key differences:

1. Defeat several Sinistea to earn Sinistea Chips. These Pokémon can be found hovering over the grass at Alfornada during the night.
2. You'll need to gather 10 Sinistea Chips in your inventory. 
3. Make your way to Zapapico at the western edge of East Province, Area 2.
4. Find a woman near a fountain offering to trade something with a dark past.
5. She'll give you Malicious Armor in exchange for the 10 Sinistea Chips.
6. Go to your inventory, and use the Malicious Armor on Charcadet to get Ceruledge.

You'll be able to keep on trading for more Malicious Armor so long as you have additional Sinistea Chips. If you want to get Armarouge or Ceruledge but you don't have access to that game, there's a couple of options. You can simply trade Pokémon with a friend and directly gain the one you are missing. Alternatively, you can exchange for the armor by having a friend give that armor to a Pokémon to hold, then trading said Pokémon, allowing you to gain the version-exclusive armor.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to get both Ceruledge and Armarouge

If you want to have both an Armarouge and a Ceruledge, you'll need to trade with someone who has a different version than you. If you need assistance with this, check out our guide on how to trade in Scarlet and Violet. 

Gotta catch them all

Version exclusives have been a part of Pokémon games for a long time and outside of rare exceptions like with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon. Charcadet is pretty unique in that it's able to be caught in both games, but with different version exclusive evolutions. If you've got friends to trade with, though, that won't stop you from finishing the Paldea Pokédex.

EV Training is a compelling part of the Pokémon franchise, but if you're not familiar with it, it's pretty easy to be confused about what to do. 

In fact, it's very possible to play through Pokémon games without ever knowing what it means to EV Train your squad! Even if you are familiar and you've gone through this process in the past, some things have changed with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and not all of the old methods will work anymore. 

If you're confused, don't worry, we're here to help. Here's the best way to EV train in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: What are EVs?

While all Pokémon have different visible stats, there's also a set of somewhat-hidden numbers called Effort Values, or EVs. Each EV point your Pokémon earns boosts one of its six stats (through some complicated math): HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, or Speed. No Pokémon can have more than 510 EVs, and no stat can have more than 252 EVs. 

EV training refers to making an effort to improve your Pokémon's EV stats. Doing this can make your Pokémon even stronger than before in a particular area or can help cover up weaknesses that would otherwise be present. It opens up new strategies and is a fun way for veterans of the Pokémon to get more out of the games. It is not recommended for beginners unless they are extremely passionate about min-maxing their Pokémon team's potential.

How to check a Pokémon's EV stats

While you can't see the exact numbers, it is possible to see a basic idea of how these points are distributed in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Follow these easy steps:

• Press the X button to open the menu. 
• Select Boxes. 
• Click on a Pokémon whose stats you want to see. 
• Select Check Summary.
• Go over to the Moves and Stats tab by pressing the right button on the D-pad once. 
• Press L.
• Check the yellow chart that replaces the blue one.

Just check this chart like in the image above, and you can see the current rough distribution of EVs for the chosen Pokémon. If a stat gets maxed out, you'll see a small sparkle, indicating you've hit the cap of 252 values. When your Pokémon has reached 510 EVs, the chart will change from yellow to light blue, informing you that EV training is no longer possible and the Pokémon is maxed out. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to EV train

There are a few different things you can do to gain EVs or change your Pokémon's current EVs. Here are the best ways to EV train in Scarlet and Violet. 

1. Battle or catch tons of Pokémon

Your Pokémon will earn EV points by beating other Pokémon. Simply defeat a Pokémon in battle (or catch them) and your entire current team will get anywhere from 1 to 3 EV stats as a reward. Since you can catch wild Pokémon, this means you don't need to stress if you end up facing a Shiny Pokémon. It's important to note that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's brand-new Auto Battles, allow you to earn EXP, but do not reward EVs. So make sure you battle the old-fashioned way with turn-based battles in order to EV train.

The bad news is that each Pokémon gives different EVs when beaten and none of this information is actually recorded anywhere in-game. As such, it's highly recommended you go in on a fresh save following this guide, knowing what you intend to do from the start. 

2. Alter EV stats using berries

You can remove EVs using berries on your established Pokémon to hopefully allow them to gain EVs on other stats when they battle again. Here's the list of berries you can use:

• Pomeg Berry reduces HP EVs
• Kelpsy Berry reduces Attack EVs
• Qualot Berry reduces Defense EVs
• Hondew Berry reduces Sepecial Attack EVs
• Grepa Berry reduces Special Defense EVs
• Tamato Berry reduces Speed EVs.

3. Increase your odds with picnics and sandwiches

Certain Pokémon do increase specific EV values when battled or caught, so it's helpful to go after these specific creatures if they have the stat you want to improve upon. To make this easier, hold a picnic and eat sandwiches to increase the encounter rate of a particular Pokémon or a particular type of Pokémon in an area. We've gathered a quick list of the Pokémon you'll want to fight to earn specific EVs. 

• HP: Chancey and Marill
• Attack: Shinx and Flamigo
• Defense: Scatterbug and Orthworm
• Special Attack: Psyduck and Mareep
• Special Defense: Floette and Gothorita
• Speed: Rookidee and Cyclizar

While there are of course others, these Pokémon are mostly easy to find in the early stages of the game. It will take time, but if you dedicate yourself to going after the right Pokémon you can do a lot towards improving upon its EVs. 

4. Buy items that increase EV gain and stats

There's a variety of items you can buy that'll help your Pokémon grow their EVs more rapidly. Simply head to Delibird Presents in Mesagoza, and go to the "General Goods" area where these items are ₽10,000 each. Each item increases EV gain by +8, so if defeating a Pokémon would normally give 2 EVs, it'll give 10 EVs while your Pokémon are under the influence of the item in question. For extremely obvious reasons, this is highly recommended for quickly EV training your team, and can speed the process up by several hours.

You can also change your Pokémon's stats using mints. Mints can be purchased from Chansey Supply stores and cost ₽20,000 each. 

What about Pokérus?

Another way in which Pokémon Scarlet and Violet shake up the traditional formula is through the removal of Pokérus. This virus used to be a mainstay of the series. Pokérus was even in Sword and Shield. It allowed players to infect their Pokémon and improve the rate at which EVs were earned, speeding up the entire process. Unfortunately, it's not available in Scarlet and Violet.

Check your Pokémon's stats with the IV Checker

Once you make it to a certain point in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it will become possible to check your Pokémon's IV stats, or Individual Values. IVs are essentially a Pokémon's stat genetics, and can be passed on through breeding. IVs determine the range of a Pokémon's strength in a particular stat and the IV Checker can tell you how good your Pokémon's stats are overall. 

Each individual IV stat is somewhere between 0 and 31 points, with higher numbers being better. Here's what the words for each range mean:

• Best — 31
• Fantastic — 30
• Very good — 26 - 29
• Pretty Good — 16 - 25
• Decent — 1 - 15
• No good — 0

If you're curious about what the word summarizing the range of stat points mean, we've got the range of values explained below:

• Amazing stats! — 151 - 186
• Great stats — 121 - 150
• Good stats — 91 - 120
• OK stats — 0 - 90

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet EV training: How to unlock the IV checker

To unlock the IV Checker in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you'll need to follow a few basic steps.

1. Defeat all Titans, Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Team Star Bases to become Champion.
2. Finish the main story.
3. After watching the credits roll, head to a Pokémon center. 
4. Speak with the receptionist, who will grant you the Judge Feature.
5. To use it, press the X button to bring up your menu. 
6. Select Boxes. 
7. Hover over a Pokémon to examine it. The IV Checker will tell you how good your Pokémon's overall stats are. 
8. For detailed numbers, press the + button twice while hovering over a Pokémon. 

You can also get a closer look at these numbers by clicking on a Pokémon, selecting Check Summary, and then tapping the right D-pad button once. Just like that, you can see the IV values for your Pokémon listed on the right side of the screen underneath your Pokémon's stat chart. 

An open world packed with activities

Using EV training, you'll be able to build a powerful team of Pokémon, but it can be difficult. Plan everything out and you'll have a lot more fun, but it's a good idea to take breaks and have fun with any Pokémon that you aren't as concerned with EV training as much as possible. Don't forget to do other things in the game as well, such as partaking in Tera Raid Battles or just exploring. 

EV training can take a long while, so make sure to save often and exit from time to time, which will help improve your Nintendo Switch performance playing Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Mega Glalie is coming to Mega Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this powerful new Mega Pokémon to your roster.

Who is Mega Glalie in Pokémon Go?

Originally encountered in the Hoenn region, Glalie is a pure Ice type Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving. Once Mega Evolved, it can no longer close its massive mouth which pours out endless blizzards and immediately freezes any prey it captures.

When it comes to damage, Mega Glalie is fairly evenly matched with Mega Abomasnow, the only other Ice type Mega Pokémon. However, Mega Abomasnow is also a Grass type, giving it a few more weaknesses, so you're going to want both of these Megas in your roster. This isn't a raid you'll want to miss, so be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you're fully equipped.

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Glalie, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Fire, Fighting, Steel, and Rock type. 

Mega Blaziken

The top performing Pokémon in this raid is Mega Blaziken. This Fire and Fighting type capitalizes on two of Mega Glalie's weaknesses, while resisting Steel and Ice type damage. Counter and Blast Burn are the best moves for your Blaziken to know in this fight.

Mega Charizard Y

If you can't swing Mega Blaziken, the next best option is Mega Charizard Y. It's a Fire and Flying type, so it resists Steel type damage and it has no weaknesses Mega Glalie can exploit. Your Charizard should know Fire Spin and Blast Burn this go round.

Mega Houndoom

Another great choice when facing Mega Glalie is Mega Houndoom. As a Dark and Fire type, it takes reduced damage from Ice, Steel, and Ghost type moves. If you're adding Houndoom to your team, it should know Fire Fang and Flamethrower.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Charizard X with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Mega Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Mega Alakazam with Counter and Focus Blast
• Mega Lopunny with Double Kick and Focus Blast
• Mega Aggron with Iron Tail and Meteor Beam
• Mega Scizor with Bullet Punch and Iron Head

Top counters

Mega Glalie is a pure Ice type with access to Ice, Steel, and Ghost type moves. Its weaknesses include Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel types leaving room for multiple winning strategies. 

Terrakion

The top performing standard Pokémon in this fight is Legendary Sword of Justice, Terrakion. It's a Rock and Fighting type, so Mega Glalie's Steel type move hits for super effective damage. Terrakion has had a few runs in raids now, so most active players have had the chance to catch it. Double Kick and Sacred Sword are the ideal moves for Terrakion in this fight.

Reshiram

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Black, Reshiram is our next top counter. As a Fire and Dragon type, it resists Steel type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Reshiram has only had two full runs in raids, so you might not have enough candy to power it up. If you do have one, your Reshiram should know Fire Fang and Overheat for this fight.

Lucario

Next up is the Sinnoh native, Lucario. Lucario is a Steel and Fighting type, so it resists Ice and Steel type damage. Unfortunately, Lucario is fairly limited in Pokémon Go, as it can only be obtained via evolution and its first stage only shows up in eggs. Still, if you have Lucario, Counter is the fast move it should know and Aura Sphere is its best charged move.

Metagross

A pseudo-Legendary originally encountered in the Hoenn region, Metagross is our next top counter. As a Steel and Psychic type, Metagross resists Ice and Steel type damage, but Ghost type moves hit for super effective damage. Fortunately, the Metagross line has been featured in many events, including Community Day, so most active players have a few. Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash are its ideal moves in this fight.

Darmanitan

Unova native Darmanitan is another great counter for Mega Glalie. It's a pure Fire type, giving it resistances to Ice and Steel type moves. Both Darmanitan lines have been featured in many events and eggs, plus they share candy, so nearly all active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Fire Fang and Overheat is the moveset your Darmanitan should know.

Conkeldurr

Another Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region, Conkeldurr performs well in this fight. It's a pure Fighting type, meaning it takes neutral damage from all of Glalie's attacks. The Conkeldurr line has been feature in several events and raids, so you probably already have at least one. The best moveset for Conkeldurr is Counter and Dynamic Punch.

Chandelure

Also from the Unova region of Gen V, Chandelure is next on our list. This Ghost and Fire type resists Steel and Ice type moves, but takes super effective damage from Ghost type. Chandelure and its line have been featured in many events, including Community Day, so most active players have a few. Your Chandelure should know Fire Spin and Overheat for this fight.

Ho-Oh

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Gold, Ho-Oh is another great counter for Glalie, but specifically Apex Ho-Oh. This special Ho-Oh can only be obtained by completing the Apex Masterwork Research and is limited to one per account. It's a Fire and Flying type, so it resists Steel type damage too. Incinerate and Sacred Fire++ are the necessary moves to make it a top performer. Ho-Oh's next best charged move, Sacred Fire, puts it on par with back ups.

Rampardos

One of the Sinnoh regions fossil Pokémon, Rampardos is another great counter for Glalie. As a pure Rock type, it takes super effective damage from Steel type moves. The Rampardos line is very common, having boosted numbers during Adventure Week, and appearing in eggs often. Smack Down and Rock Slide are the moves your Rampardos should know in this fight.

Heatran

Last but not least is a Legendary from the Sinnoh region, Heatran. Heatran is a Fire and Steel type, so it resists Ice and Steel type damage. It's also had several runs in raids, so most active players have had the chance to catch a couple. If you're including Heatran on your team, it should know Fire Spin and Flamethrower.

Back up counters

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:

• Dialga with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Blaziken with Counter and Blast Burn
• Entei with Fire Fang and Overheat
• Emboar with Ember and Blast Burn
• Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Flareon with Fire Spin and Overheat
• Moltres with Fire Spin and Overheat
• Genesect with Metal Claw and Magnet Bomb
• Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker
• Cobalion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
• Hisuian Arcanine with Fire Fang and Rock Slide
• Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Victini with Quick Attack and V-Create
• Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Typhlosion with Incinerate and Blast Burn
• Buzzwole with Counter and Superpower

Shadow counters

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 Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
• Shadow Entei with Fire Fang and Overheat
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Sacred Fire+
• Shadow Moltres with Fire Spin and Overheat
• Shadow Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Shadow Typhlosion with Incinerate and Blast Burn
• Shadow Magmortar with Fire Spin and Fire Punch
• Shadow Charizard with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Shadow Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Shadow Arcanine with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
• Shadow Houndoom with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
• Shadow Aggron with Iron Tail and Meteor Beam
• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Flamethrower

More details

This should be a fairly easy Mega Raid to complete. It is speculated that just two top level players can beat it with the best conditions; however, it is still a good idea to bring a large raid party to get the most Mega Energy. If you're lower level or lack the best counters, you should aim for at least four players.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Snow will boost Mega Glalie's Ice and Steel type moves
• Fog will boost its Ghost type move, as well as your Steel type counters
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost your Fire type counters
• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost your Rock type counters
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost your Fighting type counters

Don't miss your chance to get Mega Glalie in Pokémon Go!

Mega Glalie will only be available in raids for a limited time so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Mega Sceptile is coming to Mega Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this powerful new Mega Pokémon to your roster.

Who is Mega Sceptile in Pokémon Go?

The Mega Evolution of Gen III's Grass starter, Mega Sceptile is a highly anticipated Mega Pokémon. Sceptile has already been featured in many events, including Community Day, so odds are you already have a few. It's also the last remaining Grass type Mega Pokémon.

In Pokémon Go, Mega Sceptile beats Mega Venusaur for damage per second, but it's not quite as sturdy. It also gains Dragon type, giving it interesting weaknesses and resistances. This is a raid you won't want to miss, so be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you're fully equipped.

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Sceptile, focusing on some of its weaknesses: Flying, Poison, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, and Ice type. However, Ice is a double weakness, so that's going to be your best option.

Mega Abomasnow

Mega Abomasnow is the best option for this raid, as it is currently the only Ice type Mega. As an Ice and Grass type, it resists Grass and Ground type damage, but Bug and Flying type moves hit for super effective damage. Powder Snow and Weather Ball are the moves your Mega Abomasnow should know when facing Mega Sceptile.

Mega Latios

While Ice is the preferred type here, if you cannot swing Mega Abomasnow, Mega Latios is the next best option. As a Psychic and Dragon type, he resists Grass type damage, but Dragon and Bug type moves hit extra hard. Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw are Latios's best moves in this fight.

Honorary mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Pidgeot with Gust and Brave Bird
• Mega Latias with Dragon Breath and Outrage
• Mega Gengar with Lick and Sludge Bomb
• Mega Beedrill with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Mega Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Dragon Claw
• Mega Charizard Y with Air Slash and Dragon Claw

Top counters

Mega Sceptile is a Grass and Dragon type with access to Grass, Dragon, Bug, Flying, and Ground type moves. Its weaknesses include Ice, Fairy, Flying, Dragon, Poison, and Bug type; however, Ice is a double weakness, so that should be your first choice. 

Galarian Darmanitan

A regional variant from Gen VIII, Galarian Darmanitan is the top standard counter for Mega Sceptile. It's a pure Ice type, so it has no useful resistances, but it doesn't take super effective damage from any of Sceptile's attacks either. Both formes of Darmanitan are very common and they share candy, so most active players will have a few ready. Ice Fang and Avalanche are the moves you'll want.

Mamoswine

Sinnoh Stone evolution, Mamoswine is another excellent counter for Mega Sceptile. It's an Ice and Ground type, so it takes super effective damage from Grass type moves. The Mamoswine line has been featured in many events, including Community Day, so odds are you already have a couple at least. If you're bringing Mamoswine to this fight, it should know Powder Snow and Avalanche. 

Glaceon

One of the many "Eeveelutions", Glaceon is another great option here. It's a pure Ice type, so it takes neutral damage from all of Sceptile's attacks. Eevee and its evolutions have been featured in many events and are quite common too, so most active players have a few of each. Frost Breath and Avalanche is the moveset your Glaceon should have.

Weavile

Next up is another Sinnoh Stone evolution, Weavile. This Ice and Dark type takes super effective damage from Bug type moves. The Weavile line has been featured in multiple events and is quite common so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Your Weavile should know Ice Shard and Avalanche for this fight.

Mewtwo

Gen I Legendary, Mewtwo is next on the list. This pure Psychic type takes super effective damage from Bug type moves, but neutral damage from the rest of Sceptile's moveset. Mewtwo has been available many, many times, so most active players have a few. Psycho Cut and Ice Beam are Mewtwo's best moves in this raid.

Avalugg

Originally encountered in the Kalos region, Avalugg is another great choice. It's a pure Ice type, so it takes neutral damage from all of Sceptile's moves. The Avalugg line only has one other stage, so it's relatively obtainable. If you're bringing this iceberg along, it should know Ice Fang and Avalanche.

Beartic

Gen V's Beartic also performs well in this fight. It's another pure Ice type, so no need to worry about moveset, and like Avalugg, it's very obtainable due to only having one other stage. Powder Snow and Ice Punch is the moveset you'll want your Beartic to know.

Articuno

One of the Legendary birds of Kanto, Articuno is the next top counter. As a Flying and Ice type, it resists Grass, Ground, and Bug type damage. Articuno has been available many, many times in multiple different ways, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Articuno should know Frost Breath and Ice Beam for this fight.

Kyurem

One of the Legendary Dragons from Unova, Kyurem performs well here. It's a Dragon and Ice type, so Dragon type moves hit for super effective damage, but it resists Grass type damage. Kyurem has had a few runs in raids, so there's a good chance you have one. If you're adding Kyurem to your team, Dragon Breath and Blizzard are the moves you want.

Vanilluxe

Last but not least is Gen V's Vanilluxe. It's another pure Ice type, so it takes neutral damage from all of Mega Sceptile's moves. The Vanilluxe line has been featured in multiple events, so there's a good chance you have one. For this fight, Vanilluxe should know Frost Breath and Blizzard.

Back up counters

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:

• Genesect (Chill Drive) with Fury Cutter and Ice Beam
• Jynx with Frost Breath and Avalanche
• Aurorus with Frost Breath and Weather Ball
• Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Mr. Rime with Ice Shard and Ice Punch
• Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Walrein with Frost Breath and Icicle Spear
• Porygon-Z with Hidden Power (Ice) and Blizzard
• Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Ice) and Brave Bird
• Cloyster with Frost Breath and Avalanche
• Piloswine with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
• Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Regice with Frost Breath and Blizzard
• Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack
• Palkia with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
• Mew with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
• Alolan Ninetales with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
• Garchomp with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw

Shadow counters

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 Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
• Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Ice Beam
• Shadow Articuno with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
• Shadow Walrein with Frost Breath and Icicle Spear
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Ice) and Brave Bird
• Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
• Shadow Cloyster with Frost Breath and Avalanche
• Shadow Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack
• Shadow Lapras with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
• Shadow Piloswine with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Shadow Porygon-Z with Lock-On and Blizzard
• Shadow Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw

Note: This is an excellent raid for Shadow Pokémon. Shadow Mamoswine, Shadow Weavile, and Shadow Mewtwo outperform all other counters. Shadow Articuno through Shadow Lapras perform on par with other top counters.

More details

Due to its double weakness to Ice and the relatively few counters with relevant weaknesses, this should be a fairly easy Mega Raid. However, it's still best to bring a large group to earn the most Mega Energy. If you're lower level or lacking the best counters, I would aim for at least three players.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Sunny/Clear Weather boosts Sceptile's Grass and Ground type moves
• Wind will boost its Flying and Dragon type moves, as well as your Flying and Dragon counters
• Rain will boost its Bug type moves, as well as your Bug type counters
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost your Poison and Fairy type counters
• Snow will boost your Ice type counters

Don't miss your chance to get Mega Sceptile in Pokémon Go!

Mega Sceptile will only be available in raids for a limited time so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Mega Blaziken is coming to Mega Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add this powerful new Mega Pokémon to your roster.

Who is Mega Blaziken in Pokémon Go?

The Mega Evolution of Gen III's Fire starter, Mega Blaziken is a highly anticipated Mega Pokémon. Blaziken is already a valuable Pokémon that has been featured in many events, including Community Day. As a Fire type, it is capable of dealing even more damage per second than Mega Charizard Y, and as a Fighting type, it comes close to Mega Lucario.

In Pokémon Go, Mega Blaziken also represents the first useful Fight type Mega. Mega Lopunny is cute, for sure, but doesn't last as long nor can it hit as hard. This is a raid you will want to prioritize, so be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you're fully equipped.

Mega counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Blaziken, focusing on some of its weaknesses: Flying, Ground, Water, and Psychic type. 

Mega Latios

Mega Latios is the best performing Mega Pokémon in this raid. As a Dragon and Psychic type, he resists Fire and Fighting type damage and has no weaknesses Mega Blaziken can exploit. If you're adding Mega Latios to your team, he should know Zen Headbutt and Psychic.

Mega Alakazam

If you cannot afford the expensive Mega Legendary, Mega Alakazam is the next best option. It's a pure Psychic type, so Mega Latios cannot take advantage of its weaknesses, and it resists Fighting type damage. Confusion and Psychic are the ideal moveset for Alakazam in this fight.

Mega Blastoise

For a Water based offensive, Mega Blastoise is a great choice. It's a pure Water type, so it resists Fire type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. If you're adding Mega Blastoise to your team, you want it to know Water Gun and Hydro Cannon.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Latias with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Mega Gyarados with Waterfall and Aqua Tail
• Mega Slowbro with Confusion and Psychic
• Mega Gengar with Lick and Psychic
• Mega Pidgeot with Wing Attack and Brave Bird

Top counters

Mega Blaziken is a Fire and Fighting type with access to Fire, Fighting, and Flying type moves. Its weaknesses include Psychic, Water, Ground, and Flying type damage leaving room for several winning strategies. 

Mewtwo

Gen I Legendary, Mewtwo is the top standard counter in this raid. As a pure Psychic type, Mega Blaziken cannot take advantage of its weaknesses and it resists Fighting type damage. Mewtwo has also been available many, many times in multiple ways, so most active players have a couple. For this fight, your Mewtwo should know Confusion and Psystrike. 

Lunala

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Moon, Lunala is another great option in this raid. As a Psychic and Ghost type, it resists Fighting type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Unfortunately, Lunala is very new to Pokémon Go and only players who completed a limited Special Research line have one so far. Still, if you have Lunala, it should know Confusion and Psychic.

Hoopa (Unbound)

Hoopa (Unbound) is our next top counter. It's a Psychic and Dark type, so it has no useful resistances, but it isn't weak against any of Blaziken's moves either. Although both formes of Hoopa have had very limited availability, Hoopa (Unbound) is the current Elite Raid boss, so active players likely have at least one. For this fight, your Hoopa should know Confusion and Psychic.

Moltres

One of the Legendary birds of Kanto, Moltres is another great choice here. It's a Flying and Fire type, so it has no weaknesses Blaziken can exploit and resists Fighting and Fire type damage. Moltres has been available so many times in so many ways that nearly every player has had the chance to encounter it. Wing Attack and Sky Attack are the ideal moves for Moltres in this raid.

Latios

Part of the Eon Duo, Latios is our next top counter. Much like his Mega counterpart, Latios is a Psychic and Dragon type, so he resists Fighting and Fire type damage. Latios has had several runs in raids, as well as a Mega Raid and time as a Shadow Legendary, so odds are you already have a couple. Zen Headbutt and Psychic is the best moveset for Latios here.

Lugia

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Silver, Lugia is next on our list, but specifically Apex Lugia rescued from Team GO Rocket. Once purified, this Lugia can learn Extrasensory and Aeroblast++. Normal Lugia don't have access to Aeroblast++ and so should be left on the bench this fight. As a Psychic and Flying type, Lugia isn't weak against any of Blaziken's moves and it resists Fighting type damage.

Kyogre

Next up is the Legendary mascot of Pokémon Sapphire, Kyogre. A pure Water type, it resists Fire type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Kyogre has had several runs in raids and was featured as a Research Breakthrough Reward encounter, so most active players have it. Your Kyogre should know Waterfall and Surf for this fight.

Galarian Articuno

A Regional Variant of Gen I's Articuno, Galarian Articuno is another excellent counter for Mega Blaziken. This Psychic and Flying type resists Fighting type moves and has no weaknesses Blaziken can exploit. Unfortunately, Galarian Articuno is still fairly new to Go and only available through the Daily Adventure Incense feature, so many players have never even seen one. Still, if you have one, Confusion and Brave Bird. are the moves you're looking for, although Future Sight may perform better with a Psychic type Mega Boost.

Garchomp

A pseudo-Legendary from the Sinnoh region, Garchomp performs well in this raid. It's a Dragon and Ground type, so it takes reduced damage from Fire type moves. The Garchomp line has been featured in many events, including Community Day, so most active players already have it powered up. Mud Shot and Earth Power is the moveset your Garchomp should know in this fight.

Hoopa (Confined)

Although Unbound performs better, Hoopa (Confined) is also a top counter here. As a Psychic and Ghost type, it resists Fighting type damage and has no weaknesses Mega Blaziken can take advantage of. While this forme of Hoopa was only available through limited Special Research, Hoopa can change formes, so players who've completed Unbound raids may have more. Confusion and Psychic are also the best moves for this forme of Hoopa.

Swampert

Last but not least is Gen III's Water starter, Swampert. It's a Water and Ground type, so Mega Blaziken cannot exploit its weaknesses and it resists Fire type damage. The Swampert line has been featured in many events, including Community Day, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. For this fight, Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon is the moveset you want.

Back up counters

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:

• Rayquaza with Air Slash and Hurricane
• Espeon with Confusion and Psychic
• Samurott with Waterfall and Hydro Cannon
• Ho-Oh with Extrasensory and Brave Bird
• Metagross with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Feraligatr with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Yveltal with Gust and Psychic
• Alakazam with Confusion and Psychic
• Delphox with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Latias with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Gyarados with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
• Victini with Confusion and Psychic
• Gardevoir with Confusion and Psychic
• Palkia with Dragon Tail and Aqua Tail
• Tapu Lele with Confusion and Psyshock
• Clawitzer with Water Gun and Crabhammer
• Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
• Groudon with Mud Shot and Earthquake
• Primarina with Waterfall and Hydro Pump

Shadow counters

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 Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike
• Shadow Latios with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Shadow Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack
• Shadow Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Latias with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Shadow Lugia with Extrasensory and Aeroblast+
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Flying) and Brave Bird
• Shadow Gyarados with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
• Shadow Metagross with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
• Shadow Alakazam with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Feraligatr with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Gardevoir with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Drill Peck
• Shadow Gallade with Confusion and Psychic
• Shadow Honchkrow with Peck and Sky Attack
• Shadow Exeggutor with Confusion and Psychic

Note: This is an excellent raid for Shadow Pokemon. Shadow Mewtwo is the top counter, while Shadow Latios through Shadow Gallade all perform on par with other top counters. Just remember to coordinate with your raid party if possible to make the most of the same type Mega Boost.

More details

Although it is speculated that Mega Blaziken can be beat with just two players, this is a Mega Raid, so you're going to want to aim for a large party to get the most Mega Energy. If you're lower level or lacking the top counters, I would aim for four players minimum.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Mega Blaziken's Fire type moves, as well as your Ground type counters
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost its Fighting type moves
• Wind will boost its Flying type move, as well as your Flying and Psychic type counters
• Rain will boost your Water type counters

Don't miss your chance to get Mega Blaziken in Pokémon Go!

Mega Blaziken will only be available in raids for a limited time so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Eevee is a unique staple of the Pokémon franchise, with numerous possible evolutions depending on the exact circumstances the evolution happens under.

That hasn't changed in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, where Eevee can again be caught and then evolved into a variety of different Pokémon. Unlike some past Pokémon games, Eevee won't be so easy to find this time. Fortunately, we're here to help. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Where to catch Eevee

As opposed to past Pokémon games, where Eevee was sometimes easy to find or even the main star of the title, Eevee isn't very easy to get in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. There are only three small locations where you can find Eevee spawning in the wild, and the rate at which Eevee spawns in these three areas appears to be very low. 

The first place is in Area 3 of the West Province, the second location is Area 2 of the South Province, and the final area is the path that leads to the Pokémon League.

In addition to these tiny spawn locations, you can also sometimes find Eevee in Tera Raid Battles. If you happen to find one of these, beating the Terastallized Eevee provides an excellent opportunity for you to throw a Poké Ball and add the critter to your collection.

If you're playing online with friends, you can also always ask someone who already has Eevee if they'd be willing to trade. If they have a spare Eevee (or don't mind breeding one) this may be faster than waiting to try and catch one in the limited locations available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Trading in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is easy, so consider this option if you're not having any luck with the other two methods.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: List of Eevee evolutions

While most Pokémon evolve simply by leveling up, that's not always the case, and nowhere is this more true than with Eevee. This cute creature has a mind-boggling eight possible evolutions, which all depend on a variety of factors. Fortunately, most of them are pretty simple, but there's a couple of exceptions you should carefully note. We break down what they are and what's required below:

Espeon: In order to evolve Eevee into Espeon, you need to have it evolve with a high friendship level during the day and not knowing a Fairy-type move. Friendship is easy to raise, as you mainly need to level up your Pokémon without letting them faint too often. You can also interact with them at Picnics or have them walk around with you to raise Friendship. 

Flareon: Evolving Eevee into Flareon just involves exposing it to a Fire Stone.

Glaceon: Another simple evolution, turn Eevee into Glaceon with an Ice Stone. 

Jolteon: Again a simple thing to do, you can evolve Eevee into Jolteon with a Thunder Stone.

Leafeon: Just expose Eevee to a Leaf Stone in order to evolve it into a Leafeon.

Sylveon: To get Sylveon, you need to evolve Eevee with a high Friendship level while also having Eevee know a Fairy-type move. Eevee will get opportunities to learn Fairy-type moves as it levels up, and just needs to know one to evolve into Sylveon.

Umbreon: You'll get Umbreon by evolving Eevee with high Friendship, making sure it's nighttime, and not knowing a Fairy-type move.

Vaporeon: In order to evolve Eevee into Vaporeon, you just need to expose it to a Water Stone.

You can find Stones all over Paldea by interacting with sparkling points on the ground or you can purchase them at Delibird Presents shops at Mesagoza or Casscarafa. 

Evolve and explore!

No matter how you choose to evolve your Eevee, you'll have plenty of opportunities for battles across the open world of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Between the new types of battles and the content that becomes available once you finish the campaign means you're not running out of things to do for a long time. Continue hunting down legendaries and have fun!

The latest Pokémon games are here, and with this open-world design, there are plenty of things for players to do.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet include a new feature called Tera Raid Battles, which are yet another way for players to take on Pokémon. Unlike the normal fights, however, this is a four-on-one challenge, where players choose one particular Pokémon that they'll be using in a team to defeat a Terastallized Pokémon.

If you're thinking of taking on these new types of fights in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, we've got you covered with our Tera Raid Battle guide. Here's what you need to know.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: What are Tera Raid Battles?

Tera Raid Battles are a feature that's been introduced with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. When exploring the open world, players will encounter dozens of large crystals. These crystals are easy to see from a distance and are also marked on the player's map, which can be brought up at any time by pressing Y.

Upon interacting with these crystals, players can choose to go it alone — you'll get three AI allies if you're playing by yourself — or they can party up with their online or local friends. Either way, they'll be challenging a Terastallized Pokémon. The computer companions do not battle nearly as well as real-life players tend to, so it's best to team up with people who know what they're doing if you can. This is a crystal-coated Pokémon with enhanced abilities, and it'll take all four Trainers working together to defeat it before the time limit runs out.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Tips and tricks

Tera Raid Battles aren't too difficult early on, but as you find more and more challenging versions, you'll need to be more careful. There are a few things to keep in mind.

Fully prepared: To start off, don't worry about topping off your Pokémon's health or PP before a fight. It'll automatically be refilled before the battle begins, and after you are victorious, it'll be refilled a second time. This is a great way to save on resources if you happen to be far away from a Pokéstop.

Type weaknesses and Star level: You'll also get an outline of the Terastallized Pokémon when you select the crystal. The color of the crystal — and icon on your map — will inform you just what kind of Tera type you're dealing with, and you should plan accordingly. If, for example, you're dealing with a Fire Tera type, maybe don't choose a Grass-type Pokémon. Additionally, this will let you know how difficult the battle will be. The more stars on the raid, the harder the Tera Type opponent. 

Team member roles: Next, it's important to understand that Tera Raid Battles work a little differently than regular battles. If you're fighting in a team of four with your friends, you'll want to consider designating roles, having Pokémon that can deal heavy damage while also having some with positive status effects for the team, or even negative status effects for the boss. 

Use status effects: Poisoning and other damage-over-time effects are naturally highly valuable, but the exact Moves to use will vary depending on exactly what Pokémon you're dealing with. You'll also be on a time limit, and while that doesn't matter too much in the 1 Star and 2 Star Raids, it'll be trickier as things get more difficult with 5 Star through 7 Star raids since these harder Pokémon protect themselves with an extra layer of defense near the end of the battle. Keep hacking at them with their Tera Type weakness using a strong Pokémon and you'll take them down.

Cheer your team on: In addition to telling your Pokémon different moves to use, you can use special "Cheers" during a Tera Raid Battle. You can cheer to boost the damage of the team, the defenses of the team, or have everyone heal up. Try spacing these out, we've found that using three attack moves followed by a cheer tends to be a good ratio. It's also important to keep in mind that Cheers are capped at three uses per battle, so don't just spam them! Instead, think carefully about what the team really needs.

Bring plenty of Balls: Always remember to have some spare Poké Balls with you whenever you go into a Tera Raid Battle, something more substantial like Ultra Balls are preferred for harder raids. If you're successful, at the end of the raid when the crystal coating shatters, you'll have a chance to catch the Pokémon you've been battling. You'll only ever need to use one Poké Ball, so don't worry about having a stockpile on your hands like when you go Shiny hunting

Battle in Tera Raids to help level up: If you are successful, you'll gain a variety of rewards like candies and ingredients, so if you find yourself running low on either, a Tera Raid Battle or two is an excellent way to stock back up.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to unlock 5 Star and 6 Star Raids

Early on, most of your Tera Raid Battles will be one or 2 Star affairs, but this will change as time goes on, with 3 Star and 4 Star battles opening up later in the game. Accessing the extremely difficult (and rewarding) five-star, 6 Star, and rare seven-star battles is fortunately quite straightforward. 

To unlock 5 Star Tera Raid Battles, you just need to finish the main story of the game, and these battles will start to populate the world. The rare 6 Star battles open up after you complete the tournaments that are unlocked post-campaign. It's also worth noting that there will only ever be one 6-star battle available at once.

Five and 6 Star Tera Raid Battles vastly increase the rewards you unlock, including Herba Mystica, a legendary sandwich ingredient. Herba Mystica can be used to create sandwiches that increase certain perks like increasing the chances of catching Shiny Pokémon when combined with the proper ingredients. These only unlock once you beat the game, win the Academy Ace Tournament, and have successfully defeated 15 different 5 Star Tera Raids. 

Extremely rare 7 Star Tera Raid Battles are also available, but these are special events that will be announced by The Pokémon Company, like the Charizard Tera Raid. Needless to say, these are the absolute toughest Tera Raids Scarlet and Violet have to offer, so you'll want to seriously consider type weaknesses and bring your very best Pokémon to the fight.

Challenge yourself in the world

Even though technical issues may keep Pokémon Scarlet and Violet from being in the best Nintendo Switch games of 2022, they are still fun RPGs that help to move the mechanics of the franchise forward. A part of that is in Tera Raid Battles, with these encounters offering great variety that shakes up the usual gameplay. If you're finding the regular fights tedious as you're collecting all 400 Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, get some friends together and look for some crystals across the map!

What is Pokérus in Pokémon?

Throughout the Pokémon franchise, Pokérus has been a virus that Pokémon could catch. This was extremely useful for trainers trying to boost the stats of their Pokémon, as Pokérus improves the Base points (or effort values, as fans often call them) that Pokémon gain by battling, which would improve the stats of Pokémon that are used frequently. As you might expect, it's a combination of the words "Pokémon" and "Virus" but it doesn't have the unfortunate connotations you'd usually expect from catching a virus.

Pokérus has been part of the franchise ever since the Gen 2 games, being included all the way up through Gen 8. Getting Pokérus in Pokémon Sword and Shield or many other games was extremely sought after, as the condition doesn't last long. This longtime inclusion in the series is what makes the lack of Pokérus in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet so surprising. 

Compounding this shock, the lack of Pokérus wasn't discussed prior to the launch of the game. Instead, everyone found out once the games became available worldwide.

So, if the hunt to get your Pokémon infected — and subsequently, in order to grant them a power boost — is a compelling part of playing Pokémon games, you may want to consider playing through an older game for the time being. Even a more recent title like the 2019 entries, Pokémon Sword and Shield. It's not impossible that future DLC or an expansion could introduce Pokérus into Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but considering that it's not a part of the base game, we find it somewhat unlikely. 

Don't let the lack of Pokérus with these latest games immediately turn you off though. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have new features like Titans, and there's a lot that's been done here to shake up the usual formula and feel of a Pokémon game. If you're someone that has been complaining at how Pokémon games haven't changed enough in the last few years, say goodbye to Pokérus and give Scarlet and Violet a try.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is currently available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. 

The first truly open-world Pokémon game, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, is finally available on Nintendo Switch. Not only is this a new way to play a fan-favorite series, but there are also new Pokémon to discover including three adorable new starters to choose from. As usual, players get to pick from a Grass, Fire, or Water-Type when choosing between Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly. But which one is best? Here are some things to consider when making your decision on which one to bring on your journey.

NOTE: This page has slight spoilers including the typing, details, and images for each starter's final evolution. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Sprigatito evolutions

This adorable cat is described on Nintendo's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet page as a creature that loves its trainer's attention and will get jealous if they pay attention to other Pokémon. A perk to choosing this Grass cat is that whenever its HP is low its Overgrow Ability increases the impact of its Grass moves. However, as a Grass-type Pokémon it also has the least strengths and most weaknesses against other types of the three options in battles. Since this is open-world you do have a little more choice of which gyms and Pokémon to battle first, but this gives you limited options for battles you'll have strength in until you build up your team.

Final evolution spoilers ahead:

Sprigatito evolves into Floragato, and then Meowscarada. This final evolution is a Grass / Dark-type, which puts it in a strange situation since is has just as many strengths as weaknesses. This combination makes it weak against Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Fairy, and Bug. However, it's strong against Water, Electric, Grass, Ground, Psychic, Ghost, and Dark. This is more weaknesses than any other starter's final form in Scarlet and Violet, which means it could be a lot harder to fight through certain gyms or defeat certain opponents using Sprigatito's evolution compared to Quaxly or Fuecoco's final evolution.

Here's the full base stats for Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada:

In the end, Sprigatito is a good choice for anyone who wants a bit more of a challenge, since it is weak to more types than the others. But if you don't want your playthrough to be difficult, Sprigatito isn't the best choice. Of course, if you just love the way Sprigatito looks, then just go for it. After all, part of the fun with Pokémon games is using the team you like. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Fuecoco evolutions

He may be a croc, but he's no Water-Type. No, Fuecoco is definitely a Fire Pokémon! This food-obsessed little pepper is happy and laid back and has Blaze as its Ability, which allows it to power up its Fire moves when HP is low. Of the three Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter options, Fuecoco has the highest number of types he's strong against with only one more weakness than Quaxly and fewer weaknesses than Sprigatito. 

It's also worth noting that very early on, it'll be harder to find Fire types, but you can find Grass and (to a lesser extent) Water types more easily.

Final evolution spoilers ahead: 

Fuecoco evolves into Crocalor, and then into Skeledirge. Its final evolution is a Fire / Ghost-type, making it weak against Water, Ground, Rock, Ghost, and Dark-type, but strong against Fire, Grass, Ice, Poison, Bug, Steel, Fairy, Normal, and Fighting. That gives it a lot of power to work with and should make it easier to take on certain gyms and opponents compared to Sprigatito's final evolution. 

Here's the list of base stats for Fuecoco, Crocalor, and Skeledirge:

Overall, Fuecoco's final evolution should make it relatively easy to fight through many gyms and opponents. That's not to say that some parts won't be challenging, but the overall experience should be easier. If you're looking for a more relaxed playthrough, then Fuecoco is a great choice. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Quaxly evolutions

Last but not least in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter Pokémon round-up is the fabulous Quaxly. This tidy duck has a very chic and put-together essence to its personality. With its Torrent ability, Water moves are powered up when Quaxly has low HP. Although Quaxly doesn't have as many strengths as Fuecoco, players will find that this duck has the least weaknesses of the three options. 

Final evolution spoilers ahead:

Quaxly evolves into Quaxwell and then into Quaquaval. This final evolution is a Water / Fighting-type, which only has five weaknesses and is strong against seven other types. Weaknesses include Electric, Grass, Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. But it is strong against Fire, Water, Ice, Bug, Rock, Dark, and Steel. 

Here's the base stats for Quaxly, Quaxwell, and Quaquaval:

So, if you're looking for a more balanced playthrough on Nintendo Switch where your starter can get a good mix of challenges while breezing past other opponents, Quaxly is a great choice. 

Pick the very best to be the very best

One of the things that makes Scarlet and Violet one of the best Nintendo Switch games is all of the choices it gives you. Although picking the right starter from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet may be decided on by your play style, and maybe even the path you choose in this new open-world format, we know which one we choose. Admittedly the cuteness factor of Sprigatito is hard to beat. Quaxly's low list of weaknesses makes him a solid choice in battle. However, our choice for the best starter Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet is the hot choice, Fuecoco. 

The large list of types the little croc will be strong against makes the one extra weakness compared to Quaxly worth the con. A laid-back personality who loves a good meal is the kind of creature I want to go on a journey with. It's also worth noting that he is a unique choice in Pokémon history as only the second reptile fire starter. 

No matter who you choose to start your Pokémon Scarlet and Violet adventure with on your Nintendo Switch, there are plenty of new and familiar creatures in the latest game to build up your team with, as well as plenty of new activities like the Tera Raid Battles. We're hopeful that this will end up being one of the best games to play on the Switch.

The Legendary Ultra Beast Guzzlord has arrived in Pokémon Go. Capable of eating entire mountains whole, this massive Pokémon is always hungry. Fortunately, with our top counters, beating it is a piece of cake.

Who is Guzzlord in Pokémon Go?

UB-05 Glutton, Guzzlord is the next Ultra Beast, a special class of Legendary Pokémon found only in Ultra Space. Very rarely, Ultra Wormholes will appear in the Alola region, providing people and Pokémon alike with the ability to cross between the Pokémon world and Ultra Space. Now the Ultra Beasts have made their way into Pokémon Go raids.

In terms of gameplay, Guzzlord's stats leave much to be desired and its double weakness to Fairy type really puts it at a disadvantage. However, that does make it pretty easy to beat with the right team of counters. This should be an easy addition to your Pokédex and be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon journey!

Mega counters

While there are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Guzzlord, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Fairy, Fighting, Bug, Ice, and Dragon; its weakness to Fairy is a double weakness, so that should be your first choice.

Mega Alakazam

Until Mega Gardevoir or Mega Mawile are released, Mega Alakazam is the best performing Mega Pokémon in this raid, despite not boosting any of Guzzlord's weaknesses. This pure Psychic type takes super effective damage from Dark type moves, so you'll want to stock up on Revives and Potions to keep it on the field. Counter and Dazzling Gleam are its best moves for this fight.

Mega Latias

Mega Latias is the next best choice for this raid. She's a Dragon and Psychic type, so both Dragon and Dark type moves hit for super effective damage; however, she can boost the rare Dragon type counters and has access to a Fairy type move. Charm and Outrage are the moves your Mega Latias should know when facing Guzzlord.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Banette with Hex and Dazzling Gleam
• Mega Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
• Mega Altaria with Dragon Breath and Dazzling Gleam
• Mega Lopunny with Double Kick and Focus Blast
• Mega Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage

Top counters

As stated previously, Guzzlord is a Dark and Dragon type with access to Dark, Dragon, and Poison-type moves. Its weaknesses include Fairy, Ice, Dragon, Fighting, and Bug types; however, Fairy is a double weakness, so that should be your first choice.

Togekiss

The top standard counter for Guzzlord is the Sinnoh Stone evolution, Togekiss. This Fairy and Flying type resists Dragon and Dark type damage, but Poison type moves hit for super effective damage. Togekiss is quite obtainable, as it appears in raids and its baby stage is often featured in eggs. If you're bringing Togekiss to this fight, it should know Charm and Dazzling Gleam.

Gardevoir

Next up is Hoenn native, Gardevoir. It's a Fairy and Psychic type so it resists Dragon type moves, but is weak against Poison type damage. The Gardevoir line has been featured in many events and raids, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Charm and Dazzling Gleam are the best moves for Gardevoir when facing Guzzlord.

Zacian (Hero of Many Battles)

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Sword, Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) is the next top counter for this raid. It's a pure Fairy type, so it resists Dragon and Dark type damage, but Poison type moves hit for super effective damage. Zacian has only had a couple runs in raids, but one was recent enough that most active players have had the chance to catch it. If you're adding Zacian to your team, Quick Attack and Play Rough are the moves it should know.

Granbull

Gen II's Granbull is another excellent choice for this raid. As a pure Fairy type, it resists Dragon and Dark type damage, but Poison type moves deal super effective damage. Granbull appears in the wild and is inexpensive to fully evolve, so most active players have at least one already powered up. Charm and Play Rough is the moveset your Granbull should know when facing Guzzlord.

Primarina

The final evolution of Gen VII's Water starter, Primarina performs great against Guzzlord. It's a Water and Fairy type, so it resists Dragon and Dark type moves, but is weak against Poison type damage. Primarina is not as common as some of the other top counters, but its line has been featured in several events, so there's a good chance you have one already. If you're bringing one to this fight, your Primarina should know Charm and Moonblast.

Sylveon

The Fairy type "Eeveelution", Sylveon is another great counter for Guzzlord. It's a pure Fairy type, so Guzzlord's Poison type move hits for super effective damage, while it resists the rest of its moveset. The Eevee line has been featured so many times, in so many ways that there's really no good reason not to have at least one Sylveon already powered up. Charm and Dazzling Gleam are its best moveset for this raid.

Xurkitree

One of its fellow Ultra Beasts, Xurkitree performs great against Guzzlord. It's a pure Electric type, so Xurkitree brings no notable weaknesses or resistances to this fight and its only been available in limited Pokémon Go Fest 2022 events, so you might not have even seen one. If you are one of the lucky few who has this Ultra Beast, Thunder Shock and Dazzling Gleam are the moves your Xurkitree should know in this raid.

Galarian Rapidash

The Regional Variant of Gen I's Rapidash, Galarian Rapidash performs well in this raid. As a Psychic and Fairy type, it resists Dragon type damage, but is weak against Poison type moves. The Galarian Rapidash line has been featured in many events, eggs, and raids, so most active players have at least one. Fairy Wind and Play Rough are the moves your Rapidash should know in this fight.

Tapu Koko

One of the Guardian Deities of Alola, Tapu Koko is a great counter for Guzzlord. It's an Electric and Fairy type, so like many of the top counters, it resists Dark and Dragon type damage, while being weak to Poison type moves. If Tapu Koko is on your raid team, it should know Quick Attack and Dazzling Gleam.

Florges

Last but not least is the Kalos native, Florges. Another pure Fairy type, it resists Dragon and Dark type damage, but takes super effective damage from Poison type moves. Although the Florges line is technically a regional variant, the only differences across regions are aesthetic, so there's a good chance you have at least one color of this flower Pokémon. Fairy Wind and Moonblast is the ideal moveset for Florges in this raid.

Back up counters

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: 

• Beartic with Charm and Play Rough
• Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
• Tapu Bulu with Bullet Seed and Dazzling Gleam
• Donphan with Charm and Play Rough
• Clefable with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Galarian Weezing with Fairy Wind and Play Rough
• Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
• Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Alakazam with Counter and Dazzling Gleam
• Alolan Ninetales with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Palkia with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
• Wigglytuff with Charm and Play Rough
• Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Slaking with Yawn and Play Rough
• Dialga with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
• Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
• Pheromosa with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz

Shadow counters

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 Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
• Shadow Alakazam with Counter and Dazzling Gleam
• Shadow Ursaring with Counter and Play Rough
• Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Mawile with Fairy Wind and Play Rough
• Shadow Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Shadow Latias with Charm and Outrage
• Shadow Gallade with Charm and Close Combat
• Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
• Shadow Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw

Note: Shadow Gardevoir and Shadow Granbull outperform every counter in this raid, including Mega Alakazam. However, Shadow Alakazam is the only other Shadow that performs on par with top counters.

More details

Guzzlord is the easiest of the Ultra Beasts to beat and it's possible for a top player under the best conditions to solo this raid. If you're lower level or lacking the best counters, you should have three or more players in your party.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Wind will boost Guzzlord's Dragon type moves, as well as your Dragon type counters
• Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost its Poison type moves, as well as your Fairy and Fighting type counters
• Fog will boost its Dark type moves
• Snow will boost any Ice type counters
• Rain will boost any Bug type counters

Don't miss your chance to catch Guzzlord in Pokémon Go!

Guzzlord will only be available in raids for a limited time so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master! 

Hoopa (Unbound) has arrived in new Elite Raids in Pokémon Go. This is one of the most challenging raids yet, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add Hoopa to your team!

Who is Hoopa (Unbound) in Pokémon Go?

Hoopa, the Mischief Pokémon and the Djinn Pokémon is a Mythical Pokémon from Gen VI. Capable of changing formes, its Confined forme is a Psychic and Ghost type, while its Unbound forme is a Psychic and Dark type. While both formes can transport things, Pokémon, and people through its rings, legends say Unbound Hoopa can bend dimensions.

In Pokémon Go, both formes of Hoopa are incredibly useful; however, it was initially limited to one per account and only for players who completed a limited Timed Research line. On top of that, it also cost a lot of candy and Stardust to change formes. Now, Hoopa (Unbound) has come to new Elite Raids, so players can battle and capture more. We have everything you need to know to beat Hoopa (Unbound) and be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for all the Hoopa (Unbound) raids! 

Mega Counters

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Hoopa (Unbound), focusing on both of its weaknesses: Bug and Fairy. However, the vast majority of top counters in this raid are Bug type, so that should be your first choice.

Mega Scizor

The absolute best counter for Hoopa (Unbound) is Mega Scizor. This Bug and Steel type resists Psychic type damage and has no weaknesses Hoopa can exploit. If you're bringing Mega Scizor to this fight, it should know Fury Cutter and X-Scissor and since it's a Bug type, you won't have to worry about coordinating with the rest of your raid party to make the most of its same type Mega Boost.

Mega Beedrill

If you don't have enough Scizor Mega Energy, Mega Beedrill also performs well in this raid. It's a Poison and Bug type, meaning it takes super effective damage from Psychic type moves, so you'll want to have extra Potions and Revives to keep it in the fight. Bug Bite and X-Scissor are the moves you'll want your Mega Beedrill to know when facing Hoopa.

Honorable mentions

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid: 

• Mega Absol with Snarl and Megahorn
• Mega Alakazam with Counter and Dazzling Gleam

Top counters

Hoopa (Unbound) is a Psychic and Dark type with access to Psychic, Dark, and Ghost type moves. Its weaknesses include Bug and Fairy type; however, Bug is a double weakness, so that is what you should focus your team on.

Vikavolt

Relatively new to Pokémon Go, Alolan native Vikavolt is the top standard counter for Hoopa (Unbound). It's an Electric and Bug type, so it has no relevant weaknesses or resistances in this raid. While it's new to the game, the Vikavolt line was boosted in the recent Bug Out! event and is fairly common, so there's a good chance you already have one. The best moveset for Vikavolt is Bug Bite and X-Scissor.

Yanmega

Another great counter for Hoopa is the Sinnoh Stone evolution Yanmega. As a Bug and Flying type, it brings no notable resistances or weaknesses to this fight. Yanmega is very easily obtained, evolving from a common Gen II Pokémon, so most active players already have at least one powered up. If you're bringing Yanmega to this raid, it should know Bug Bite and Bug Buzz.

Genesect

A Mythical fossil Pokémon from the Unova region, Genesect is a great counter for Hoopa (Unbound). It's a Bug and Steel type like Scizor, so it resists Psychic type damage and has no weaknesses relevant to this fight. Unlike some other Mythicals in Pokémon Go, Genesect has had several runs in raids, so most active players have added it to their roster. Fury Cutter and X-Scissor are the moves your Genesect should know.

Pheromosa

Another excellent counter is one of the Legendary Ultra Beasts of Alola, Pheromosa. As a Bug and Fighting type, it resists Dark type damage, but is weak against Psychic type moves. Unfortunately, Pheromosa has been limited to a handful of Pokémon Go Fest 2022 events, so many players have never even seen one. If you're one of the lucky players to have one, it should know Bug Bite and Bug Buzz for this raid.

Pinsir

Originally encountered in the Kanto region of Gen I, Pinsir is our next top counter. It's a pure Bug type so it has no useful resistances here, but it's also not weak to any of Hoopa's attacks. Having been in the game since day one and not needing to be evolved, most players have already caught a few Pinsir. Bug Bite and X-Scissor are its best moves for this raid.

Scizor

While its Mega and Shadow variants perform better, standard Scizor is still a great choice for this raid. It's also a Steel and Bug type, giving it a resistance to Psychic type moves. Scizor is also readily available needing only 50 candy and a Metal Coat to evolve. If you're bringing Scizor to this fight, it should know Fury Cutter and X-Scissor.

Escalavier

Gen V's Escalavier performs great against Hoopa (Unbound). It's also a Bug and Steel type, so it resists Psychic type damage. Although Escavalier initially costs a whopping 200 candy to evolve, it is one of the few Pokémon that benefit from Trade Evolution so powering it up should be easy. Bug Bite and Megahorn are the moves your Escavalier should know in this fight.

Golisopod

Alolan native Golisopod is our next top counter for Hoopa. This Bug and Water type won't take super effective damage from any of the Djinn Pokémon's attacks, but it doesn't resist any of them either. Golisopod is relatively new to Go and it's expensive to evolve, but its line has been featured in eggs, raids, and an event, so there's a good chance you already have one. Fury Cutter is the fast move your Golisopod should know and X-Scissor is the best charged move.

Scyther

While its evolution Scizor is better, Scyther also performs well against Hoopa (Unbound). As a Flying and Bug type, it has no relevant weaknesses or resistances, but it's been in the game since day one, so most players have encountered it many times. Fury Cutter and Bug Buzz are the best moves for Scyther in this raid, but X-Scissor also works if you don't have the legacy move or Elite TM to spare.

Durant

Last but not least is Gen V's Durant. This Bug and Steel type resists Psychic type damage and has no weaknesses Hoopa can take advantage of. Although Durant is a Regional Exclusive Pokémon limited to the Americas and Africa, there have been several events where it was available worldwide, so most active players have had the chance to catch it. Bug Bite and X-Scissor are the moves you want your Durant to know.

Back up counters

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: 

• Accelgor with Infestation and Bug Buzz
• Heracross with Struggle Bug and Megahorn
• Leavanny with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Kartana with Razor Leaf and X-Scissor
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Bug) and Giga Impact
• Galvantula with Fury Cutter and Bug Buzz
• Crustle with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Buzzwole with Counter and Fell Stinger
• Samurott with Fury Cutter and Megahorn
• Bisharp with Snarl and X-Scissor
• Scolipede with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Togekiss with Hidden Power (Bug) and Dazzling Gleam
• Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) with Quick Attack and Play Rough
• Xurkitree with Thunder Shock and Dazzling Gleam
• Xerneas with Tackle and Megahorn
• Vespiqueen with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz

Shadow counters

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 Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Shadow Scyther with Fury Cutter and Bug Buzz
• Shadow Absol with Snarl and Megahorn
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Bug) and Brave Bird
• Shadow Venomoth with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz