Pokémon Go: Deoxys (Speed) guide

The DNA Pokémon, Deoxys is coming back to Legendary raids in Pokémon Go. One of the oddest Legendary Pokémon out there, Deoxys has four different formes, each requiring its own 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 only covers the Speed 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 Gengar is a the top counter in this raid. As a Ghost and Poison type, it takes super effective damage from Psychic type moves, but 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 Mega Gengar 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 Psychic type moves and has no weaknesses Deoxys can exploit. Snarl and Foul Play are the ideal moves for Mega Houndoom here.

Another option for a Dark based offensive is Mega Absol. This pure Dark type isn't weak to any of Deoxys's attacks and it resists Psychic type damage. If you're adding Mega Absol to your team, it should know Snarl and Dark Pulse.

Mega Beedrill a great choice Bug type offensive. This Bug and Poison type takes super effective damage from Psychic type attacks, so moveset is important. If you're bringing Mega Beedrill to this fight, you'll want it to know Bug Bite and X-Scissor.

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 Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor

What are the best counters for Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

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

Pseudo-Legendary from the Unova region, Hydreigon is the top non-Mega, non-Shadow counter in this raid. It's been featured in multiple events, including Community Day, so most active players have at least one or two already powered up. As a Dark and Dragon type, Deoxys's 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 or an Elite TM to spare, Dark Pulse is the next best move, but considerably holds Hydreigon 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 Deoxys's Psychic type attacks and has no relevant weaknesses. If you're bringing Darkrai to this Raid, you'll want it to know Snarl and Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse. Shadow Ball does slightly more damage even without the benefit of STAB, but can perform better with a Dark type Mega Boost.

Originally encountered in the Unova region of Gen V, Chandelure performs very well against Deoxys. As a Ghost and Fire type, Chandelure resists Normal type damage and has no weaknesses Deoxys can exploit. Its 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.

The Mythical Pokémon, Hoopa is another great counter for Deoxys. Against the Speed forme, Hoopa Confined performs best. As a Psychic and Ghost type, it resists Normal and Psychic type damage. Unfortunately, Hoopa is limited to one per account and only for players who completed the limited Special Research line: Misunderstood Mischief. Still, if you have one, you'll want Astonish for its fast move and Shadow Ball for the charged move.

Gen I's Gengar is another solid choice for this raid. It's been available for so long and in so many ways that there's just no excuse not to have at least a couple in your roster. On top of that, with Trade Evolution, you can evolve Haunter into Gengar without spending any candy. Like its Mega Evolved version, Gengar is weak to Psychic damage, so make sure you have plenty of Revives and Potions on hand. For the moves, Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball work best.

A Sinnoh region Legendary, Giratina is another great counter for Deoxys, but specifically its Origin Forme. Giratina's Origin forme hasn't been available 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.

While Hoopa's Confined forme performs better, if you already have your Hoopa Unbound, it will still make a great counter for Deoxys. As a Psychic and Dark type, it resists Psychic type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Unfortunately, it's still limited to one per account and changing formes is expensive, but if you're bringing Hoopa Unbound, you'll want Astonish and Shadow Ball for its moveset.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Y, Yveltal is another excellent 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 to power it up. If you do have one, Snarl and Dark Pulse are the moves you'll want Yveltal to know for this raid.

The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen II's Sneasel, Weavile performs great in the raid. This Ice and Dark type resists Psychic type damage and has no weaknesses Deoxys can exploit. Weavile is also very easy to obtain, having been featured in events and being the evolution of a common spawn. If you're bringing Weavile to this fight, you'll want Snarl for the fast move and Foul Play for the charged move.

Last but not least is the Mythical Gen VIII Pokémon, Zarude. This Grass and Dark type resists Psychic and Electric type damage, while having no weaknesses Deoxys can take advantage of. Unfortunately, Zarude is limited to one per account and only for players who completed a limited Special Research during the Secrets of the Jungle event. Still, if you have one, your Zarude should know Bite and Dark Pulse in this raid.

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:

• Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
• Trevenant with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Vikavolt with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Pheromosa with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Bisharp with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Yanmega with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Krookodile with Snarl and Crunch
• Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Ghost) and Giga Impact
• Pinsir with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
• Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Shiftry 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 Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
• Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Shadow Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Shiftry with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Cacturne with Sucker Punch and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Scyther with Fury Cutter and Bug Buzz
• Shadow Salamence with Bite and Draco Meteor

Note: Shadow Weavile, Shadow Mewtwo, and Shadow Tyranitar outperform every non-Mega Pokémon in the best counters list.

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

This is one of the harder Deoxys formes to beat. Under the best conditions, three players can handle it, but if you're lower level or lacking the best counters, you may want to aim for four or five.

Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:

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

Questions about Deoxys in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary 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!