The Season of Legends is here and to kick things off, the Gen V Legendary Pokémon, Landorus is returning in his Incarnate forme. Beginning Monday, March 1, 2021, Landorus will take over Five Star Raids for just five days. A lot has changed since the last time we faced off against the Abundance Pokémon, including the introduction of Mega Evolution and lots of new Shadow Pokémon, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat Landorus. And be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped for the battle!
Who is Landorus and what are the Forces of Nature?
Introduced in the Gen V games Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, the Forces of Nature are a Legendary Trio. Fans have also called them the Legendary Genies, the Kami Trio, and the Cloud Trio. They include Tornadus: the Cyclone Pokémon, Thundurus: the Bolt Strike Pokémon, and Landorus: the Abundance Pokémon. Landorus, the strongest of the three, was said to have stopped the other two from wreaking destruction across the Unova Region. In more recent times, the Mythical Pokémon, Meloetta was able to calm all three of the Forces of Nature to save the Unova Region from their destructive powers.
The Forces of Nature are also some of the select few Pokémon with multiple Formes. Normally seen in their Incarnate forms where they resemble genies, they can also take on a Therian forme where they resemble a bird, a dragon, and a large cat. The Therian formes of the Forces of Nature will make their Pokémon Go debut in just a couple weeks. Guides for the other Forces of Nature and the Therian formes can be found here:
- To prep for Tornadus Incarnate forme, check out our Tornadus Incarnate Raid Guide.
- To prep for Thundurus Incarnate forme, check out our Thundurus Incarnate Raid Guide.
- To prep for Tornadus Therian forme, check back soon for our Tornadus Therian Raid Guide.
- To prep for Thundurus Therian forme, check back soon for our Thundurus Therain Raid Guide.
- To prep for Landorus Therian forme, check back soon for our Landorus Therian Raid Guide.
What are the best counters for Landorus?
As a Ground and Flying type, Landorus only has two weaknesses: Ice and Water. However, he has a double weakness to Ice types, so those are what you'll want to focus on for this Raid. It's capable of dealing Ground, Rock, Dragon, and Fighting type damage.
Mega Abomasnow
As expected for a Raid focused on Ice types, Mega Abomasnow is the best non-Shadow counter for Landorus. This Ice and Ground type resists the Abundance Pokémon's Ground type moves, but takes double damage from it's Rock and Fighting type moves. Still, with its boosted stats and the boost it gives to other Ice type attackers, if at all possible, you'll want to have one in your team. Powder Snow and Weather Ball are the moves you'll want your Mega Abomasnow to know for this Raid.
Galarian Darmanitan
One of the only Gen VIII Pokémon in Pokémon Go, Galarian Darmanitan is an excellent counter for Landorus. As a pure Ice type it brings no useful resistances to the fight and takes double damage from Rock and Fighting. Still, most of the best counters will be bringing weaknesses to this fight. Thanks to its first stage, Darumaka being in Eggs often, most players have at least one or two already, and plenty of Candy for powering them up. If you are bringing Galarian Darmanitan to this Raid, you'll want Ice Fang for the fast move and Avalanche for the charged.
Mamoswine
Prevviously the best Pokémon to go up against Landorus, Mamoswine is still the most accessible top counter thanks to Swinub's Community Day. However, you won't want it's Community Day exclusive move, Ancient Power. Instead, you'll want your Mamoswine to know Powder Snow and Avalanche. This Ground and Ice type brings no notable resistances to the fight and takes double damage from Fighting type moves.
Mewtwo
Gen I's Legendary Psychic type, Mewtwo performs very well against Landorus thanks to its ability to learn Ice Beam. It has no weaknesses Landorus can exploit and is one of the few counters who resists Fighting type moves. Thanks to the Kanto Celebration that just wrapped up, most players have had the chance to add Mewtwo to their collection. Psycho Cut and Ice Beam are the moves you'll want for this fight, but if you are going to TM for Ice Beam, make sure you're not getting rid of Shadow Ball or Psystrike, both of which are Legacy moves that are far more useful.
Weavile
Another excellent counter for Landorus is Weavile. This Ice and Dark type takes double damage from Rock and quad damage from Fighting, but is fortunately very obtainable. Its first stage, Sneasal is super common and has been featured in events, so you likely have at least a couple to throw at Landorus. if you are bringing Weavile to the fight, you'll want them to know Ice Shard and Avalanche.
Jynx
Jynx will work well against Landorus. As a Psychic and Ice type is weak against Rock type moves, but can handle the rest of Landorus's movesets well. She's also a Gen I Pokémon who has been available in events and her baby form, Smoochum has been available from Eggs often, so you likely have more than enough Candies to power her up. You'll want your Jynx to know Frost Breath and Avalanche.
Glaceon
The Ice type Eeveelution, Glaceon makes a great counter for Landorus. Although Glaceon can only be evolved with a Glacial Lure Mod, given Eevee's abundance, as well as having been featured in multiple Community Days and events, you likely have more than enough Candy to fully power up this Pokémon. Glaceon takes double damage from Rock and Fighting type moves and brings no notable resistances to this fight. You'll want your Glaceon to know Frost Breath and Avalanche.
Mega Blastoise
The Mega Evolution of Gen I's Blastoise, Mega Blastoise performs well against Landorus. As a pure Water type, it doesn't resist any of Landorus' attacks, but it's also not weak against any of them either, and the stat boosts it gets from Mega Evolution mean it will last a long time. If you're bringing Blastoise to this fight, you'll want it to know Water Gun and Ice Beam.
Articuno
One of the Legendary birds of Kanto, Articuno performs well against Landorus. As an Ice and Flying type, it resists Ground type attacks, but takes quad damage from Rock. Although it is a Legendary, Articuno has been featured in Raids, events, and even as a Legendary Shadow Pokémon in Giovanni's roster, so most players have at least a couple already powered up. Frost Breath and Ice Beam are the ideal moveset for Articuno in this fight.
Kyogre
The Legendary Mascot of Pokémon Sapphire, Kyogre is a great choice for this Raid. As a pure Water type, it brings no notable resistances or weaknesses to the fight. Kyogre has been available multiple times in Raids and as a Research Breakthrough Reward so most players have at least one or two in their roster. If you're bringing Kyogre with you, you'll want Waterfall for the fast move and Blizzard for the charged move.
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:
- Mr. Rime with Ice Shard and Ice Punch
- Alolan Ninetales with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
- Mew with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
- Mega Gyarados with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
- Beartic with Powder Snow and Ice Punch
- Walrein with Frost Breath and Blizzard
- Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
- Regice with Frost Breath and Blizzard
- Lapras with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
- Porygon-Z with Lock-On and Blizzard
- Piloswine with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Cloyster with Frost Breath and Avalanche
- Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
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 Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Ice Beam
- Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Shadow Articuno with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
- Shadow Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
- Shadow Porygon-Z with Lock-On and Blizzard
- Shadow Piloswine with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Shadow Cloyster with Frost Breath and Avalanche
- Shadow Lapras with Frost Breath and Ice Beam
- Shadow Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
- Shadow Walrein with Frost Breath and Blizzard
- Shadow Gyarados with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
Note: Shadow Mamoswine and Shadow Mewtwo outperforms every other Pokémon in the best counters list, even Mega Abomasnow. Shadow Weavile, Shadow Articuno, Shadow Abomasnow, Shadow Porygon-Z, Shadow Piloswine, Shadow Cloyster, and Shadow Lapras also perform on par with the other best counters.
How many players does it take to beat Landorus in Pokémon Go?
With the best conditions, it is possible for two Trainers to beat Landorus. However, if you're lower level or lacking the best counters, you may want four or more.
Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Landorus' Ground type moves.
- Wind will boost Landorus' Dragon type move.
- Partly Cloudy Weather will boost Landorus' Rock type moves.
- Cloudy Weather will boost Landorus' Fighting type move.
- Snow will boost your Ice type counters.
- Rain will boost your Water type counters.
Questions about Landorus in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions on how to beat Landorus Incarnate forme in Pokémon Go? Any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop us a comment below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, as well as our many Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!
