For Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Niantic is bringing back every Legendary Raid for one day only. On Sunday, July 18, Latios and Latias will return to Raids, alongside dozens of other Legenday Pokémon. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Latios and Latias 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 are Latios and Latias in Pokémon Go?
Latias and Latios, also known as the Eon Duo are Legendary Pokemon from the Gen III Hoenn region. These Dragon and Psychic types have shown up in several episodes of the show and movies, almost always together, and are rare among Legendary Pokémon in that they have a gender. Latios are always male and Latias are always female. They are often referred to as twins, but in Pokémon Go, you will be battling them separately, like any other Raid.
As far as how they fare in Pokémon Go? Sadly, not great. Neither has particularly great stats or moves and both are outmatched by other Pokémon of their types, many of which are far more readily available. However, that may all be changing in the not too distant future as both Latios and Latias have Mega Evolution in the core games. Now that Mega Evolution has started popping up in Pokémon Go, we are a little closer to these two being the Legendaries they were always meant to be!
What are the best counters for Latios and Latias in Pokémon Go?
As Dragon and Psychic types, Latios and Latias are weak against six different types: Dragon, Bug, Ice, Fairy, Ghost and Dark. Latios is capable of dealing Psychic, Dragon, and Grass type damage, while Latias is capable of dealing Psychic, Dragon, Fairy, and Electric type damage. Even with the slight move differences, the recommended counters are virtually identical. The biggest different between the two is that their attack and defense stats are swapped. This basically means your Shadow Pokémon are far more viable against Latias than Latios.
Mega Gengar
Mega Gengar is the top choice for either of these Raids, beating out even the best Shadow Pokémon. As a Poison and Ghost type, Mega Gengar takes double damage from Psychic type damage, while it resists Grass and Fairy type damage. Mega Gengar will also boost other Ghost types if you can coordinate with the rest of your Raid party. If you're bringing Mega Gengar to this fight, you'll want it to know Lick or Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.
Mega Houndoom
If you don't have the Mega Gengar Energy to spare or you already have a Houndoom Mega Evolved, Mega Houndoom performs really well in either of these Raids. As a Dark and Fire type, it takes reduced damage from Psychic and Grass, and it has no weaknesses the Eon Duo can exploit. It will also boost other Dark types on the field, so if you can do so safely, coordinate with your Raid party. If you are bringing Mega Houndoom to either of these Raids, you'll want Snarl and Foul Play for the moveset.
Rayquaza
Even with Mega Evolutions and more dragon type Shadow Pokémon, Rayquaza is still one of the best Dragon types you can have in your roster. As a Dragon and Flying type, it is weak to Dragon and Fairy type moves, while it takes reduced damage from Grass. Rayquaza has also had multiple runs in Raids and was featured in a Timed Research, so odds are you already have at least one powered up. The moveset you're looking for is Dragon Tail and Outrage.
Salamence
The final evolution of Bagon, Salamence makes for a great counter to the Eon Duo. It's a Dragon and Flying type, so it brings the same weaknesses and resistances as Rayquaza, but it is much easier to evolve and power up. Thanks to the Bagon Community Day, Salamence is probably already in your roster. You'll want Dragon Tail and Outrage for its moveset.
Dialga
A Legendary Steel and Dragon type, Dialga is a tank with massive defense and HP. It is resistant to Electric and Psychic, and super resistant to Grass. Thanks to its Steel typing, it's a rare Dragon type that takes normal damage from both Dragon and Fairy. Dialga has only been in Raids twice, but if you have it, it is definitely worth the investment. Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor are the moves you'll want your Dialga to know.
Darkrai
A Mythical Pokémon first encountered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Darkrai does great against Latias and Latios. It's also seen a much greater availability in Pokémon Go than other Mythicals, having been featured in Raids during both 2019 and 2020's Halloween events, and as a Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter. As a pure Dark type, it is resistant to Psychic and weak to Fairy. Snarl and either Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse is the moveset you'll want your Darkrai to know.
Zekrom
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom performs very well against Latios and Latias. As a Dragon and Electric type, it takes double damage from Dragon and Fairy, but reduced damage from Grass and Electric. Unfortunately, Zekrom has had extremely limited availability, having been released during a global pandemic, so many players don't even have one, much less the Candy to power it up. Still, if you have Zekrom, you'll want it to know Dragon Breath and Outrage for this Raid.
Mega Gyarados
While Mega Gengar or Mega Houndoom perform better, Mega Gyarados is still one of the top counters for either of the Eon Duo. As a Water and Dark type, it is super resistant to Psychic type attacks, but takes increased damage from Grass, Electric, and Fairy, so moveset is really important here. If' you're bringing Mega Gyarados to either of these Raids, you'll want it to know Bite and Crunch.
Dragonite
Gen I's Dragonite set the standard for pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, and it'll serve you well against the Eon twins. Another Dragon and Flying type, Dragonite doesn't perform quite as well as Salamence or Rayquaza, but has the same weaknesses and strengths. Thanks to the Dratini Community Day and the Special Research that rewards you with a Dragonite, not to mention plenty of other opportunities, you probably have a few already powered up. For its moveset, Dragon Tail and Outrage are best; however Draco Meteor can also work well.
Garchomp
A pseudo-Legendary orginally discovered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Garchomp performs well against the Eon Duo. As a Dragon and Ground type, Garchomp bring a strong resistance to Electric and weaknesses to Dragon and Fairy. Although Gible are relatviely rare spawns, many players have Garchomp thanks to events featuring Gible, including a Community Day. If you're bringing Garchomp to this Raid, the moveset you're looking for is Dragon Tail and Outrage, but if your Garchomp knows the Community Day exclusive move, Earth Power don't TM this move away!! Earth Power is super useful in other Raids and will require an Elite TM to get back.
Palkia
Another Legendary Pokémon, Palkia is the mascot for Pokémon Pearl and the upcoming Pokémon Shining Pearl. Palkia has really high stats but not the best moves and it hasn't seen great availability, making it costly to power up. As a Water and Dragon type, it brings no useful resistances to this Raid, and it's weak against Dragon and Fairy. You'll want your Palkia to know Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor.
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:
- Reshiram with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
- Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
- Giratina (Origin forme) with Shadow Claw or Dragon Tail and Shadow Ball
- Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Mega Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
- Mega Charizard X with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Mega Charizard Y with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Yveltal with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Weavile with Snarl and Avalanche
- Kyurem with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Latias with Dragon Breath and Outrage
- Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Hydreigon with Dragon Breath and Dark Pulse
- Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
- Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
- Glaceon with Frost Breath 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 Salmence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Shadow Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
- Shadow Mewtwo Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Avalanche
- Shadow Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
- Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
- Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Shadow Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Shiftry with Snarl and Foul Play
- Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
Note: Shadow Pokémon perform much better against Latias, due to her lower attack stat and higher defense. You will need a lot more Revives and Potions if you're bringing Shadow Pokémon against Latios.
How many players does it take to beat Latios and Latias in Pokémon Go?
While it is possible under the best conditions for two high level players to beat either of these Raids, if you're lower level, lacking the best counters, you may want four or five players.
Weather conditions that can impact these Raids include:
- Wind will boost Latios and Latias's Dragon and Psychic moves, as well as your Dragon type counters.
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Latios's Grass type move.
- Cloudy Weather will boost Latias's Fairy type move, as well as your Fairy type counters.
- Rain will boost Latias's Electric type move, as well as your Bug type counters.
- Fog will boost your Ghost and Dark type counters.
- Snow will boost your Ice type counters.
Questions about taking on Latios and Latias in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about how to beat Latios and Latias 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 other Pokémon Go guides so you can be the very best like no one ever was!
