Pokémon Go: Deoxys (Attack) guide

The DNA Pokémon, Deoxys is coming back to raids in Pokémon Go. One of the oddest Mythical Pokémon out there, Deoxys has four different formes, each requiring a different strategy to beat. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to take on this raid and be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!

Who is Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

One of the most unusual Pokémon, Deoxys was formed by the mutation of an alien virus in space. It takes for different formes: Normal, Attack, Defense, and Speed. Each forme has a different shape and different stats, but they're all the same type and the same basic colors.

Where the formes really differe is their movesets:

• Normal Forme Deoxys can deal out Psychic, Electric, and Normal type damage.
• Attack Forme Deoxys can deal Psychic, Electric, Dark, and Poison type damage.
• Defense Forme Deoxys can deal Psychic, Electric, Fighting, and Rock type damage.
• Speed Forme Deoxys can deal Psychic, Electric, and Normal type damage.

This means you may have to tailor your counter teams a bit depending on the forme you're facing. This guide is focused on the Attack forme.

Mega Evolution strategies for Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Deoxys, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Ghost, Dark, and Bug type.

Best of the best, Mega Houndoom should be your first choice if at all possible for this raid. As a Dark and Fire type, it resist Attack forme Deoxys's Psychic and Dark type attacks, while having no weaknesses it can exploit. Snarl and Foul Play are the ideal moves for Mega Houndoom here.

If you don't have enough Mega Houndoom Energy, Mega Absol performs great in this raid as well. A pure Dark type, it also resists Psychic and Dark type damage and has no weaknesses Deoxys can take advantage of. Snarl and Dark Pulse is the ideal moveset for Mega Absol in this fight.

While Dark is the preferred type for tackling this version of Deoxys, Mega Scizor makes Bug type viable. It's a Bug and Steel type, so it resist Psychic and Poison type damage, while having no weaknesses relevant to this fight. If you're including Mega Scizor on your team, Fury Cutter and X-Scissor are the moves you'll want it to know.

Although we recommend focusing on Dark types when building your counter team, Mega Gengar is necessary for a Ghost based offensive. As a Ghost and Poison type, it will take super effective damage from Deoxys's Dark and Psychic type attacks, but it resists Poison type damage. If you are bringing a Mega Gengar to this raid, you'll want it to know Lick and Shadow Ball.

• Mega Gyarados with Bite and Crunch
• Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Mega Manectric with Snarl and Wild Charge

What are the best counters for Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

Deoxys is a pure Psychic type with access to Psychic, Poison, Dark, and Electric type moves. Its weaknesses include Ghost, Dark, and Bug type, leaving room for multiple winning strategies.

A pseudo-Legendary from the Unova region, Hydreigon is the top non-Shadow counter for this forme of Deoxys. It's been featured in multiple events, including a Community Day, so most active players have at least one or two already powered up. As a Dark and Dragon type, Deoxys's Dark, Electric, and Psychic type attacks will do reduced damage. Bite and Brutal Swing is the moveset you're looking for in this raid. If you don't have the Legacy move, Dark Pulse can work, but really holds it back.

The Mythical Gen IV Pokémon, Darkrai might look like a Ghost, but it's actually a Dark type, and despite being a Mythical Pokémon, it's seen widespread availability. It resists Psychic and Dark type damage. If you're bringing Darkrai to this raid, you'll want it to know Snarl and Dark Pulse.

A Sinnoh region Legendary, Giratina is another great counter for Deoxys, but specifically its Origin Forme. Giratina's Origin forme hasn't been available quite as often as its Altered forme, but they do use the same candy. As a Ghost and Dragon type, it resists Electric and Poison type damage, but it takes super effective damage from Dark type moves. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want your Giratina to know.

Gen II's pseudo-Legendary, Tyranitar is an excellent choice for fighting Deoxys. This Rock and Dark type resists Poison, Dark, and Psychic type damage. Tyranitar is also very obtainable, as it's been featured in raids, events, Community Day, and more. If you're bringing Tyranitar to this fight, you'll want it to know Bite and Crunch.

The Mythical Pokémon, Zarude is another great counter for Deoxys. This Grass and Dark type takes super effective damage from Poison type moves, but it resists all of Deoxys's other attacks. Unfortunately, Zarude is limited to one per account for players who completed a limited Special Research available during the Secrets of the Jungle event. However, if you have one, it will perform well in this fight. Bite and Dark Pulse is the moveset you'll want for your Zarude.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Y, Yveltal is another great counter. As a Dark and Flying type, it takes increased damage from Electric type moves, but it resists Psychic and Dark type damage. The Destruction Pokémon has only had one run in raids so far, so some players might not have the candy to power it up. If you do have Yveltal, Snarl and Dark Pulse are the moves you'll want it to know for this raid.

Another Mythical Pokémon with very limited availability, Hoopa is an excellent counter for Deoxys, but specifically its Unbound forme. As a Psychic and Dark type, it resists Psychic type damage and has no weaknesses Deoxys can exploit. However, Hoopa is limited to one per account for players who completed the limited Special Research line: Misunderstood Mischief. On top of that, it costs a whopping 50 Candy and 10,000 Stardust to change to its Unbound forme. However, if you have Hoopa Unbound, Astonish and Dark Pulse is the ideal moveset for this raid.

Gen V's Krookodile is another great counter. This Ground and Dark type takes reduced damage from all of Deoxys' potential attacks. Unfortunately, however, Krookodile is obtainable via evolution only and its first stage, Sandile, is limited to 12KM Strange Eggs rescued from Team GO Rocket Executives only, so many players don't even have one, much less enough candy to evolve and power it up. If you have Krookodile, you'll want it to know Snarl for its fast move and Crunch for the charged.

A relative newcomer to Pokémon Go, Alola's Vikavolt performs great against Deoxys. It's a Bug and Electric type, giving it resistance to Electric type damage and no relevant weaknesses. Unfortunately it is extremely new to the game and it requires 100 candy and a Magnetic Lure Module to evolve. Still, if you have it already, Bug Bite and X-Scissor are the moves your Vikavolt should know.

Last but not least, Sinnoh Stone evolution Weavile finishes off our list of top counters. This Dark and Ice type Pokémon has no weaknesses Deoxys can exploit and it resists Dark and Psychic type damage. It's also incredibly obtainable, having been featured in a number of event and being the evolution of a relatively common spawn. Snarl and Foul Play

Back ups?

Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:

• Pheromosa with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Incineroar with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Bisharp with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Ghost) and Giga Impact
• Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Yanmega with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Reshiram with Fire Fang and Crunch
• Shiftry with Snarl and Foul Play
• Zekrom with Dragon Breath and Crunch
• Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles) with Snarl and Crunch
• Alolan Muk with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Sharpedo with Bite and Crunch
• Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Pangoro with Snarl and Night Slash

Shadow Pokémon?

The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events, 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 Bite and Crunch
• Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Shadow Shiftry with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Shadow Cacturne with Sucker Punch and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Sharpedo with Bite and Crunch
• Shadow Scyther with Fury Cutter and Bug Buzz

Note: Shadow Tyranitar outperforms every other counter, including the Megas.

How many players does it take to defeat Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

Attack forme Deoxys is the easiest of the formes to beat. In fact, it's technically possible for a single top level player with the best counters to beat it alone. However, if you're lower level or lacking the best counters, you'll want to aim for three or more players.

Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:

• Wind will boost Deoxys's Psychic type moves
• Cloudy Weather will boost Deoxys's Poison type move
• Rain will boost Deoxys's Electric type move, as well as your Bug type counters
• Fog will boost Deoxys's Dark type move, as well as your Dark and Ghost type counters

Questions about Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about taking on the Mythical Psychic type Pokémon Deoxys? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!