Mega Slowbro is returning to Mega Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have gathered the best counters based on its current stats and movesets so you can prepare.
Who is Mega Slowbro in Pokémon Go?
The first evolution of Gen I's Slowpoke, Slowbro would later be joined by Slowking in Gen II and the Regional Variants Galarian Slowbro and Galarian Slowking in Gen VIII. Slowpoke only evolves when bitten by a Shellder, who never lets go and constantly injects venom into the evolved Slowpoke, enhancing its Psychic powers. The two form a symbiotic organism with both benefiting from the arrangement.
While Mega Slowbro was the first and only Psychic Mega Pokémon in Pokémon Go and it remains the most affordable, its stats are very disappointing. If you cannot afford Mega Latios or Mega Latias, it will still provide a same type Mega Boost to other Psychic types on the field, but it won't last very long, so be ready with lots of Potions and Revives if you plan on using it.
Also be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!
Mega counters
There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mega Slowbro, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Ghost, Grass, Electric, Dark, and Bug.
Mega Gengar
The absolute best counter for Mega Slowbro is Mega Gengar. As a Ghost and Poison type, it takes increased damage from Psychic type attacks, but it deals so much damage and boosts other Ghost types that it's definitely worth bringing it. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want your Mega Gengar to know when facing Mega Slowbro.
Mega Sceptile
Another great option for this raid is Mega Sceptile. As a Grass and Bug type, Mega Sceptile can boost two of Slowbro's weaknesses. It resists Water type damage, but has a double weakness to Ice type moves, so you'll want to be aware of the moveset. If you do bring Mega Sceptile along, it should know Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant.
Mega Banette
Mega Banette doesn't deal quite as much damage as Mega Gengar, but still works very well in this raid. As a pure Ghost type, it provides no useful resistances, but it's also not weak to any of Mega Slowbro's moves. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball is the moveset your Banette should know for this fight.
Mega Manectric
Mega Manectric is the key to an Electric based offensive in this Mega Raid. As a pure Electric type, it brings no notable resistances but it's also not weak to any of Mega Slowbro's attacks. If you're bringing Mega Manectric to this fight, you'll want it to know Thunder Fang and Wild Charge.
Mega Houndoom
Mega Houndoom makes a great leader for a Dark based offensive. As a Dark and Fire type, it resists Psychic and Ice type damage, but it takes super effective damage from Water type attacks. Snarl and Foul Play are the moves you'll want Mega Houndoom to know for this Mega Raid.
Mega Gyarados
Although Mega Gyarados doesn't perform quite as well as Mega Houndoom, it's pretty close and a great choice for a Dark based offensive. It's a Water and Dark type, which gives it resistances to all of Mega Slowbro's attacks. If you are bringing Mega Gyarados to this fight you'll want Bite and Crunch for its moveset.
Honorable mentions
While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:
- Mega Ampharos with Volt Switch and Brutal Swing
- Mega Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Mega Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Mega Gardevoir with Charge Beam and Shadow Ball
- Mega Alakazam with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Solar Beam
- Mega Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
Top counters
Mega Slowbro is a Water and Psychic type with access to Water, Psychic, and Ice type moves. Its weaknesses include Ghost, Grass, Electric, Dark, and Bug type leaving room for several winning strategies.
Kartana
One of the Legendary Ultra Beast of Gen VII, Kartana is the best of the standard counters for Mega Slowbro. It's a Grass and Steel type, so it resists Water and Psychic type damage while having no weaknesses relevant to this raid. Unfortunately, Kartana has had very limited availability in Pokémon Go and only appears in the northern hemisphere. Still, if you have it, Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade are the moves your Kartana should know.
Xurkitree
One of the Legendary Ultra Beasts first encountered in Gen VII, Xurkitree is another excellent counter for Mega Slowbro. This pure Electric type brings no notable weaknesses or resistances to the fight. Unfortunately, Xurkitree has had very limited availability, so many players don't even have one, much less the candy to power it up. Still, if you have one Thunder Shock and Discharge are its ideal moves for this raid.
Zekrom
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom performs very well in this raid. As a Dragon and Electric type, it resists Water type damage, but takes super effective damage from Ice type moves. Zekrom has had a few runs in raids at this point, so there's a good chance you already have one powered up. Zekrom should know Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt to best handle this fight.
Zarude
A Mythical Pokémon originally encountered in Gen VIII's Galar region, Zarude is an excellent counter for Mega Slowbro. This Grass and Dark type takes super effective damage from Ice type moves, but resists both Psychic and Water type damage. Unfortunately, like most Mythicals, it is limited to one per account and only for players who completed a limited Timed Research. If you have one, Vine Whip and Power Whip are its best moves for this raid.
Hydreigon
A pseudo-Legendary from Gen V's Unova region, Hydreigon performs very well in this raid. This Dark and Dragon type is weak to Ice type moves, but resists Water and Psychic type damage. Thanks to its Community Day, as well as other events, most active players have at least one already powered up. If you are bringing Hydreigon to fight Mega Slowbro, you'll want it to know Bite and Brutal Swing. If you don't have the Community Day exclusive move or the Elite TM to spare, Dark Pulse can also work, but will lower its performance significantly.
Gholdengo
Fairly new to Pokémon Go, Gholdengo is our next top counter. This Ghost and Steel type resists Ice and Psychic type moves. Gholdengo is a little tricky to evolve, as it requires 999 Gimmighoul coins, but if you have it, it should know Hex and Shadow Ball to deal the most damage to Mega Slowbro.
Darkrai
A Mythical Pokémon originally encountered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Darkrai performs very well in this fight. As a pure Dark type, it resists Psychic type attacks and has no relevant weaknesses. Even though Darkrai is a Mythical Pokémon, it has been featured in raids during Pokémon Go's Halloween events, so most players have had their chance to add Darkrai to their roster. Snarl and Dark Pulse are the moves you'll want your Darkrai to know, but Shadow Ball is an extremely close second if you don't have the TM to spare.
Giratina (Origin)
A Legendary Pokémon from the Sinnoh region, Giratina (Origin) is a great pick for this Mega Raid. This Ghost and Dragon type takes increased damage from Mega Slowbro's Ice type move, but resists Water type damage. Although Giratina's Origin forme hasn't seen as widespread availability as its Altered forme, they share the same candy, so can be easily powered up. If you're putting Giratina on your team, you'll want it to know Shadow Claw and Shadow Force.
Thundurus (Therian)
One of the Legendary Forces of Nature, Thundurus (Therian) is a great counter for Slowbro. As an Electric and Flying type, it takes increased damage from Ice type moves and brings no notable resistances to this fight. Both formes of Thundurus has been in raids several times and share candy, so there's a good chance you already have it powered up. If you're bringing Thundurus to this Mega Raid, you'll want Volt Switch and Thunderbolt for its moves.
Chandelure
Last but not least is Gen V's Chandelure. As a Ghost and Fire type, Chandelure does take super effective damage from Water type moves, but it resists Ice type damage. Fortunately, it's first stage, Litwick, has been featured in a number of events, including Community Day, so most players have had the opportunity to add this haunted chandelier to their roster. Hex is the fast move you'll want your Chandelure to know and Shadow Ball is the ideal charged move.
Back up counters
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:
- Shaymin (Sky) with Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot
- Hoopa (Confined) with Astonish and Shadow Ball
- Hoopa (Unbound) with Astonish and Shadow Ball
- Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Yveltal with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant
- Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
- Guzzlord with Snarl and Brutal Swing
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Vikavolt with Bug Bite and Discharge
- Zoroark with Snarl and Foul Play
- Giratina (Altered) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Force
- Tapu Bulu with Bullet Seed and Grass Knot
- Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) with Snarl and Wild Charge
Shadow counters
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 Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
- Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Shadow Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
- Shadow Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Shadow Shiftry with Snarl and Leaf Blade
Note: Shadow Pokémon perform especially well in this raid. Shadow Raikou all the way through Shadow Houndoom perform on par with top counters. However, because Slowbro has several different weaknesses, you should coordinate with your raid party to focus on one type if possible.
More details
Although many players will need to rely on the back ups list to build their team, this is one of the easiest Mega Raids. In fact, under the right conditions, two top level players can beat it. With Mega Raids, you want to prioritize beating it faster so you get the most Mega Energy when you win, but if you can't find too many other players, you should still be able to swing this one with just a few players.
Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:
- Rain will boost Mega Slowbro's Water type attacks, as well as your Electric and Bug type counters.
- Snow will boost its Ice type attack.
- Windy Weather will boost its Psychic type attacks.
- Fog will boost your Dark and Ghost type counters.
- Sunny/Clear weather will boost your Grass type counters.
Don't miss your chance to catch Mega Slowbro in Pokémon Go!
Mega Slowbro will only be around for a limited time, so you won't want to miss out on your chance to battle it! And be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!
