Pokémon Go: Groudon Raid Guide

Groudon is returning to Legendary raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Groudon to your roster. And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!

Who is Groudon in Pokémon Go?

The mascot of Pokémon Ruby, Groudon is a Legendary Ground type Pokémon and the rival of Kyogre. This Legendary dinosaur-like Pokémon is incredibly powerful, capable of causing droughts and even volcanic eruptions. Like Kyogre, Groudon spends most of its time asleep, hidden far from the reach of people and other Pokémon. When it does come face-to-face with Kyogre, the pair will engage in a devastating battle that can only be stopped by an even more powerful Legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza.

In Pokémon Go, Groudon is one of the top Ground types as is; however, in the core games, it is also capable of Primal Reversion, a state similar to Mega Evolution. Although this hasn't been introduced in Pokémon Go yet, it's only a matter of time, at which point Groudon will be even more of a beast. This is definitely not a raid you'll want to sleep on.

Mega Evolution strategies for Groudon in Pokémon Go?

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Groudon, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Grass, Water, and Ice.

Outperforming every other Pokémon in a vacuum, Mega Blastoise is the ideal lead to counter Groudon. As a pure Water type, it takes increased damage from Solar Beam, but resists Fire Blast. It won't last quite as long as Mega Gyarados, but will do a lot more total damge with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon. Just make sure you've stocked up on Potions and Revives, and that you're coordinating with the rest of your raid party.

If you're looking to build a Grass based offensive, Mega Venusaur should be your first choice when going up against the Continent Pokémon. In the core games, Mega Venusaur's ability, Thick Fat eliminates its Fire and Ice weaknesses, but even without that advantage, Mega Venusaur is still a fantastic choice in this raid. You'll want to coordinate with your fellow Trainers to bring Grass types. Whether Mega, Shadow, or standard, you'll want your Venusaur to know Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant; however, if you don't have the Community Day exclusive move or the Elite TM to spare, Solar Beam can work as well.

Although it doesn't deal quite as much damage as Mega Blastoise, Mega Gyarados will last longer against Groudon, meaning it can be the better pick for some players' playstyle. A Water and Dark type, it resists Ground and Fire, while having no relevant weaknesses. If you are bringing Mega Gyarados along, you'll want Waterfall and Hydro Pump for its moveset.

It's not the right type to provide a same type Mega Boost for the rest of Groudon's top counters, but Mega Latios is still a top performer in this raid. Personally, I would pick one with the right type first, but if you're lacking the Mega Energy for one of the others, Mega Latios will serve you well here. As a Dragon and Psychic type, it will take super effective damage from Dragon type moves, but it resists Fire and Grass type damage. If you're bringing Mega Latios to this fight, Dragon Breath and Solar Beam are the moves you'll want it to know.

Although it doesn't perform as well in a vacuum, Mega Abomasnow might actually be the safer choice for this raid for players who cannot coordinate with their raid party. As a Grass and Ice type, Mega Abomasnow will provide a Mega Boost to both type counters on the field. It also takes reduced damage from Groudon's Ground and Ice type attack, but quad damage from its Fire type attack. With the Grass type attack Razor Leaf and the Ice type Weather Ball,

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 Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball

What are the best counters for Groudon in Pokémon Go?

Groudon is a pure Ground type with access to Ground, Dragon, Grass, and Fire type moves. Its weaknesses include Water, Grass, and Ice leaving room for a number of winning strategies.

The top non-Mega and non-Shadow counter for Groudon is the Mythical Pokémon, Zarude. This Grass and Dark type takes super effective damage from Fire type moves, but resists Ground and Grass type damage. Unfortunately, Zarude is extremely limited in Pokémon Go, with the only opportunity to catch one being a limited Special Research line that is no longer available. Still, if you have one, Vine Whip and Power Whip is the moveset you'll want your Zarude to know.

The Mythical Pokémon, Shaymin is an excellent counter for Groudon, if you're lucky enough to have one. Unfortunately, Shaymin is limited to only one per account and only for players who purchased tickets to Pokémon Go Fest 2022 and completed the Special Research line for the event. Specifically, you're going to want to bring Shaymin in its Sky forme, as this Grass and Sky type is super resistant to Ground type damage, in addition to resisting Grass type damage. It will take increased damage from Fire type moves, but that is true for most of the top counters. If you are bringing Shaymin to this fight, you'll want it to know Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot.

For a Water focused team, Kyogre is the obvious choice to counter the Continent Pokémon. Although Kyogre is a Legendary Pokémon, it's been available numerous times in Legendary raids and as a Research Breakthrough Reward, so odds are you already have at least one or two powered up. As a pure Water type, Kyogre takes half damage from Groudon's Fire type attacks, but double damage from Solar Beam. Waterfall and Surf is the moveset you'll want your Kyogre to know.

Originally discovered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Tangrowth is the evolution of Gen I's Tangela. Although it requires 100 Candies and a Sinnoh Stone to evolve, Tangela has been available since the start and Sinnoh Stones are much more common now than when first introduced, so most players have had plenty of chances to evolve Tangrowth. As a pure Grass type, Tangrowth takes half damage from Grass and Ground type attacks, but double from Fire. If you are bringing Tangrowth to this Raid, you will want it to know Vine Whip and Power Whip.

The final evolution of Gen III's Water starter, Swampert performs very well against Groudon. It's first stage, Mudkip has been featured in multiple events, including Community Day, and is pretty easy to find, so most players probably already have at least one or two evolved and powered up. As a Water and Ground type, it takes half damage from Fire, but quad damage from Grass. If you're bringing Swampert along, you'll want Water Gun for the fast move and Hydro Cannon for its charged move.

Fairly new to Pokémon Go, Tapu Bulu is one of the Guardian Deities of Alola. This Grass and Fairy type resists Grass, Ground, and Dragon type damage, but Fire type moves hit for super effective damage. Although Tapu Bulu has only had two runs in raids, they were both very recent, so most active players should have had the chance to catch and power up at least one or two. If you're bringing Tapu Bulu to this fight, you'll want Bullet Seed for its fast move and Grass Knot for the charged.

Samurott is the final evolution of Unova's Water starter and another great option for this raid. It's a pure Water type, so Groudon's Grass type move will deal super effective damage, but it resists Fire type damage. As a starter, it's been featured in plenty of events, so most active players have had the chance to catch and evolve Samurott many times over. Fury Cutter and Hydro Cannon are the moves you'll want your Samurott to know going up against Groudon.

The evolution of what is arguably the weakest Pokémon out there, Gyarados requires a lot of work to evolve. However, thanks to the abundance of Magikarp being featured in multiple events, as well as Mega Gyarados Mega Raids, most players have entire teams of Gyarados. As a Water and Flying type, it resists both Ground and Fire type attacks and has no weaknesses Groudon can exploit. If you're bringing Gyarados to this fight, you'll want it to know Waterfall and Hydro Pump.

Another Water starter's final evolution, Feraligatr was originally discovered in the Johto region of Gen II. It's been in Pokémon Go for a long time and has been featured in multiple events, so most players have at least one or two already powered up. As a pure Water type, it takes half damage from Fire, but double from Grass. If you're bringing Feraligatr to this Raid, you'll want it to know Water Gun and Hydro Cannon.

The Mythical Pokémon Celebi is another excellent counter for Groudon. Celebi is a Psychic and Ground type, granting it resistance to Ground and Grass type moves, but Fire type moves will hit for super effective damage. Like most Mythicals in Pokémon Go, Celebi is extremely limited. Players who purchased tickets to two limited events had the chance to catch a standard Celebi and a Shiny Celebi, but otherwise, you're out of luck. Still, if you have a Celebi, you'll want it to know Magical Leaf and Leaf Storm.

The final Evolution of Gen IV's Grass starter, Torterra performs very well against Groudon. Its first stage, Turtwig has been featured in multiple events, including Community Day and otherwise has a pretty high spawn rate, so most players have several Torterra and plenty of Candy for powering up. As a Grass and Ground type, it takes reduced damage from Ground type moves but increased damage from Fire. Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant are the moves you'll want your Torterra to know for this Raid.

Last but not least, the Sinnoh region's Water starter, Empoleon is a great counter for Groudon. It's a Water and Steel type, so it resists Dragon type damage, but Groudon's Ground type moves will hit extra hard. Fortunately, as a starter, most players have had ample opportunities to catch and evolve Empoleon, through events including Community Day. Waterfall and Hydro Cannon is the moveset you'll want your Empoleon to know for 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 Confusion and Ice Beam
• Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
• Palkia with Dragon Tail and Aqua Tail
• Roserade with Razor Leaf and Grass Knot
• Shaymin (Land) with Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot
• Clawitzer with Water Gun and Crab Hammer
• Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant
• Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
• Breloom with Bullet Seed and Grass Knot
• Simisage with Vine Whip and Grass Knot
• Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
• Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
• Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Surf
• Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Water) and Giga Impact
• Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Alolan Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Solar Beam
• Avalugg with Ice Fang and Avalanche

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 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 Hydro Pump
• Shadow Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Feraligatr with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
• Shadow Mewtwo with Confusion and Ice Beam
• Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Water) and Solar Beam
• Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
• Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
• Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump
• Shadow Shiftry with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
• Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Shadow Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Seed Bomb
• Shadow Victreebel with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade

Note: In a vacuum Shadow Gyarados and Shadow Swampert outperform every other non-Mega Pokémon in the best counters list. However, because there are Mega Pokémon with all three of Groudon's type weaknesses, the Mega Pokémon in the Raid will determine your best counters. If it is possible to safely coordinate with your fellow Trainers to bring one type, it will make the Raid go much quicker.

How many players does it take to beat Groudon in Pokémon Go?

Under the best circumstances, it is technically possible for two top level players to take out Groudon. If you cannot coordinate with your fellow Trainers or are a lower level, you may need four or more.

Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:

• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Groudon's Ground and Fire type attacks, as well as both your Grass counters and Groudon's Grass type move.
• Wind will boost Groudon's Dragon type move.
• Rain will boost your Water type counters.
• Snow will boost your Ice type counters.

Questions about taking on Groudon in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary Pokémon Groudon? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex so you can be the very best like no one ever was!