Pokémon Go: Deoxys (Normal) guide

The DNA Pokémon, Deoxys is coming back to Legendary raids. A Mythical Pokémon with four different formes, Deoxys can have a wide range of move types and stats depending on its forme. 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.

What really differentiates the Deoxys formes in Pokémon Go 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 specifically for its Normal Forme.

Mega Evolution strategies for Normal 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 Gengar is the best choice for this raid, especially if you're focusing on Ghost types. As a Ghost and Poison type, it will take super effective damage from Deoxys's Psychic type moves, while it resists Normal type damage. If you are bringing a Mega Gengar to this raid, you'll want it to know Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.

If you don't have enough Gengar Mega Energy or you're better equipped for a Dark based offensive, Mega Houndoom is the best of the Dark type Mega Pokémon to bring against Deoxys. As a Dark and Fire type, it resists the Psychic type moves and has no relevant weaknesses. Snarl and Foul Play are the ideal moves for Mega Houndoom here.

Although it doesn't perform quite as well as Mega Houndoom, Mega Gyarados is still a great choice to lead a Dark based offensive. As a Dark and Water type, it will take increased damage from Deoxys's Electric type moves, but resists Psychic type damage. Bite and Crunch are the best moveset for Gyarados to know in this raid.

Although there aren't many Bug types in the top counters, Mega Scizor makes a Bug based offensive viable here. As a Bug and Steel type, it resists Psychic and Normal type damage. Fury Cutter and X-Scissor are the moves you'll want your Mega Scizor to know, and you'll definitely want to coordinate with your raid party to make the most of its Bug type Mega Boost.

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 Dark Pulse
• Mega Blastoise with Bite and Hydro Cannon
• Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor

What are the best counters for Normal Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

Deoxys is a pure Psychic type with access to Psychic, Normal, 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 counter for Normal Deoxys, beat out only by Mega Gengar. As a Dark and Dragon type, Deoxys's Electric and Psychic type attacks will deal reduced damage. The Hydreigon line has been featured in multiple events, including Community Day, so most active players have at least one or two already powered up. Bite and Brutal Swing is the moveset you're looking for in this raid. If you don't have the Legacy move or an Elite TM to spare, Dark Pulse still makes it a top counter, but holds it back considerably.

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 type moves and has no weaknesses Deoxys can exploit. 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 Normal type damage, and it has no weaknesses the DNA Pokémon can exploit. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want your Giratina to know.

Originally encountered in the Unova region of Gen V, Chandelure performs very well against Deoxys. As a Ghost and Fire type, it has no weaknesses relevant to this fight and it resists Normal type damage. The Chandelure line has been featured in several events, so most active players have at least one or two powered up already. Hex and Shadow Ball are the ideal moveset for this raid.

While both formes of the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa perform well here, its Confined forme is slightly better. As a Psychic and Ghost type, it resists Psychic and Normal type damage and takes standard damage from Electric type moves. Unfortunately, Hoopa is limited to one per account and only for players who completed the limited Special Research line, Misunderstood Mischief. Astonish and Shadow Ball are the ideal moves for Hoopa Confined in this raid.

If you already have your Hoopa Unbound and don't want to spend the Stardust and candy changing forme, it is also a great choice for Deoxys. It's a Psychic and Dark type, so it takes reduced damage from Psychic type moves and it has no relevant weaknesses. Unfortunately, it's limited to one per account and requires a whopping 50 Candy and 10,000 Stardust to change formes. However, if you have it, Astonish and Dark Pulse is the ideal moveset for this raid.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Y, Yveltal is another great counter for Deoxys. As a Dark and Flying type, it takes increased damage from Electric type moves, but it resists Psychic type damage. The Destruction Pokémon has only had one run in raids so far, so you might not have the candy necessary 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.

Next up, Johto's pseudo-Legendary Tyranitar performs well against Deoxys. This Dark and Rock type resists Psychic and Normal type damage, while having no weaknesses Deoxys can exploit. Plus, Tyranitar is super obtainable, having been in raids, Community Day, eggs, and tons of events. If you're bringing Tyranitar along, you'll want Bite for the fast move and Crunch for the charged attack.

Gen VIII Mythical, Zarude is an excellent choice for this raid. It's a Dark and Grass type giving it resistances to Electric and Psychic type damage. Unfortunately, it's limited to one per account and only for players who completed a limited Special Research line available during the Secrets of the Jungle event. If you plan on bringing Zarude to this fight, you'll want it to know Bite and Dark Pulse.

Last but not least, Gen I's Mewtwo is our final top counter for this Deoxys. It's a pure Psychic type, so Mewtwo resists Psychic type damage and has no weaknesses relevant to this raid. It's also been available so many times, in multiple ways, that there's really no good reason for active players not to have at least one by now. If you are bringing Mewtwo to this fight, it should know Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball.

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:

• Krookodile with Snarl and Crunch
• Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Trevenant with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Pheromosa with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Bisharp with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Ghost) and Giga Impact
• Incineroar with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Reshiram with Fire Fang and Crunch
• Vikavolt with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Yanmega with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
• Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play

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 Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Shadow Cacturne with Sucker Punch and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Shiftry with Snarl and Foul Play

Note: While all of these Shadow Pokémon perform well, the Mega Pokémon they're paired with will make a big difference. If possible, coordinate to focus on a single type to make the most of the same type Mega Boost.

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

While two top level players can technically handle this forme of Deoxys, lower level players should aim to have at least four players.

Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:

• Wind will boost Deoxys's Psychic type moves
• Partly Cloudy weather will boost its Normal type move
• Rain will boost Deoxys's Electric type move, as well as your Bug type counters
• Fog will boost 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!