Mega Swampert 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 Swampert in Pokémon Go?
The Mega Evolution of Gen III's Water starter, Mega Swampert is a highly anticipated Mega Pokémon. Swampert is already a valuable Pokémon that has been featured in many events, including Community Day. It's a Water and Ground type, meaning it's a rare Water type that resists Electric type moves.
In Pokémon Go, Swampert will beat out Mega Blastoise for the best Water type Mega Pokémon and it will come close to Mega Garchomp as far as Ground type Mega's go. It's also the first useful Ground type Mega available. 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 really only a few options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Swampert, as it only has one weakness: Grass.
Mega Venusaur
The best option for Mega Pokémon in this fight is Mega Venusaur. A Poison and Grass type, it has no weaknesses Mega Swampert can exploit and it resists Water type damage. Given Grass is Swampert's only weakness, Mega Venusaur also requires no coordination with the raid party to make the most of its same type Mega Boost. Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant are the ideal moves for Mega Venusaur to know in this raid.
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 Solar Beam
- Mega Abomasnow with Razor Leaf and Energy Ball
Top counters
Mega Swampert is a Water and Ground type capable of dealing Water, Ground, and Poison type damage. Its only weakness is Grass type damage, but it's a double weakness, making this one of the easier Mega Raids.
Kartana
The top counter for Mega Swampert is the Ultra Beast, Kartana. This Grass and Steel type has no weaknesses Swampert can exploit and it resists Water and Poison type moves. Kartana has had relatively limited availability, so some players haven't even encountered one yet, much less earned enough candy to power it up. Still, if you have one, Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade are its best moves here.
Shaymin (Sky)
Next up is a Mythical Pokémon from the Sinnoh region, Shaymin (Sky). A Grass and Flying type, Shaymin resists Ground and Water type damage, but takes super effective damage from Poison type moves. Unfortunately, Shaymin has only bee available at limited Pokémon Go Fest 2022 events, so you may not even have one, much less the candy to power it up. If you do have Shaymin, Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot is its best moveset for this raid.
Zarude
A Mythical Pokémon originally encountered in the Galar region of Gen VIII, Zarude performs very well against Mega Swampert. It's a Dark and Grass type, so Ground and Water type moves deal less damage, but it's weak against Poison type damage. Zarude, like many Mythical Pokémon, is limited to one per account and was only available to players who completed Timed Research during the Secrets of the Jungle event. However, if you have a Zarude powered up, Vine Whip and Power Whip are the moves it should know.
Roserade
The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen III's Roselia, Roserade is a great option for this fight. A Poison and Grass type, it resists Water type damage and has no weaknesses Mega Swampert can exploit. Even better, Roserade and its line are very obtainable, having been featured in events like Community Day. Your Roserade should know Razor Leaf and Grass Knot for this particular raid.
Tangrowth
The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen I's Tangela, Tangrowth performs well against Mega Swampert. It's a pure Grass type, so it resists Water and Ground type damage, but Poison type moves hit extra hard. Tangrowth is also incredibly common, thanks to evolving from a Gen I Pokémon that has been in available since day one, only having two stages, and having a Shadow variant. Vine Whip and Power Whip is the ideal moveset for Tangrowth.
Celebi
Originally encountered in the Johto region of Gen II, Celebi is another Mythical Pokémon that does a great job against Mega Swampert. Celebi is a Grass and Psychic type, giving it resistances to Water and Ground type moves, but a weakness to Poison type damage. Although it is a limited Mythical Pokémon, Celebi has been available twice in Pokémon Go, with its Shiny variant being released separately. If you have Celebi, Magical Leaf and Leaf Storm are its ideal moves for this raid.
Torterra
The final evolution of the Sinnoh region's Grass starter, Torterra performs very well against Mega Swampert. As a Ground and Grass type, Torterra resists Ground type damage and has no weaknesses Swampert can exploit. It's had the Community Day treatment, as well as been featured in other events, so most active players have at least one or two Torterra already powered up. Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant is the ideal moveset for Torterra to know in this raid.
Venusaur
The final evolution of Gen I's Grass starter, Venusaur is an excellent counter for Mega Swampert. It's a Grass and Poison type, so it resists Water type moves and has no relevant weaknesses. Venusaur is also very common, having been in the game since day one and featured in countless events, raids, and even as a Shadow Pokémon. If you're bringing any Venusaur to this fight, it should know Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant.
Leafeon
The Grass type "Eeveelution", Leafeon is a great choice for this raid. It's a pure Grass type, so Mega Swampert's Poison type move is the only one it needs to be worried about. Although Leafeon requires a Mossy Lure Module to evolve, Eevee has been in Pokémon Go since the start, featured in countless events, and is very common, so most active players have all of its evolutions by now. Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade are the moves Leafeon should know when facing Mega Swampert.
Shaymin (Land)
Although its Sky form does much better in this raid, Shaymin (Land) is also an excellent counter for Mega Swampert. It's a pure Grass type, so it resists Water and Ground type damage, but takes increased damage from Poison type moves. Unfortunately, as is often the case for Mythical Pokémon, Shaymin (Land) is limited to one per account and was only available to player who purchased tickets to Pokémon Go Fest 2022 and completed the limited Special Research. However, if you have one, it should know Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot for this fight.
Tapu Bulu
One of the Guardian Deities of Alola, Tapu Bulu is another great counter for Mega Swampert. A Grass and Fairy type, it resists Water and Ground type damage, but has a double weakness to Poison type moves. Tapu Bulu has only had a couple runs in raids, so you might not have the candy to fully power it up. Still, if you have Tapu Bulu, it should know Bullet Seed and Grass Knot 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:
- Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Solar Beam
- Xurkitree with Spark and Power Whip
- Alolan Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Solar Beam
- Chesnaught with Vine Whip and Solar Beam
- Breloom with Bullet Seed and Grass Knot
- Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant
- Leavanny with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Simisage with Vine Whip and Grass Knot
- Meganium with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Victreebel with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Vileplume with Razor Leaf and Solar Beam
- Shiftry with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Serperior with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Carnivine with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Decidueye with Razor Leaf and Energy Ball
- Virizion with Double Kick and Leaf Blade
- Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Grass) and Solar Beam
- Tangela with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Porygon-Z with Lock-On and Solar Beam
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 Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Victreebel with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Shadow Shiftry with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Shadow Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Seed Bomb
- Shadow Alolan Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Seed Bomb
- Shadow Tangela with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Grass) and Solar Beam
- Shadow Meganium with Vine Whip and Solar Beam
- Shadow Vileplume with Razor Leaf and Solar Beam
- Shadow Latios with Dragon Breath and Solar Beam
Note: This is an excellent raid for Shadow Pokémon. Shadow Tangrowth outperforms every other counter, except Kartana. Shadow Torterra, Shadow Venusaur, Shadow Victreebel, Shadow Shiftry, Shadow Exeggutor, and Shadow Alolan Exeggutor also perform on par with the other best counters.
More details
Because Mega Swampert has only one double weakness, it should be one of the easier Mega Raids to complete. While it is speculated that with the right conditions top players will be able to duo this one, you should still aim for larger parties when possible to maximize the amount of Mega Energy you earn.
Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:
- Sunny/Clear weather will boost Mega Swampert's Ground type moves, as well as your Grass type counters
- Rain will boost its Water type moves
- Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost its Poison type move
Don't miss your chance to get Mega Swampert in Pokémon Go!
Mega Swampert 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!
