Pokémon Go: Reshiram Guide

Reshiram is coming back to Legendary Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Reshiram 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 Reshiram in Pokémon Go?

One of the Tao Trio of the Unova region, Reshiram is a Dragon and Fire type Legendary Pokémon. The Tao Trio is based on the concepts of Yin, Yang, and Wuji. Reshiram represents Yang with its Fire typing, while Zekrom represents Yin with its Electric typing, and Kyurem represents Wuji, which is the absence of Yin and Yang, with its Ice typing. Reshiram is also the mascot for Pokémon Black.

Reshiram has a massive CP cap — we're talking over 53k in Raids! It's attack stat is particularly impressive and it has great Fire type moves. Outside of Shadow Pokémon and Mega Pokémon, it's the best Fire type in the game. Plus, it's only had one full run in Raids and that was during a global pandemic, so odds are you will want to add at least one or two to your roster this go round. If that wasn't enough, Shiny Reshiram has now been unlocked.

What are the best counters for Reshiram in Pokémon Go?

Reshiram is a Fire and Dragon type capable of dealing Fire, Dragon, Rock, and Dark type damage. It takes increased damage from Dragon, Ground, and Rock type moves, leaving a couple potential strategies. While there are a few Mega Pokémon that do well in this raid, it is not important to focus on a single type this time.

Beat out only by Shadow Pokémon, the Legendary mascot of Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza is an excellent choice for this raid. As a Dragon and Flying type, it takes increased damage from Reshiram's Rock and Dragon moves, while it resists Fire type damage. Rayquaza has had several runs in raids and was featured in Special Research, so most active players have at least one or two in their roster. You'll want your Rayquaza to know Dragon Tail and Outrage going up against Reshiram.

The Sinnoh Stone Evolution of Gen I's Rhyhorn, Rhyperior is an excellent counter for Reshiram. As a Ground and Rock type, Rhyperior resists Fire and Rock type attacks, and it has no relevant weaknesses. Thanks to its Community Day, as well as being featured in other events, most players already have at least one or two in their roster. If you are bringing Mud Slap and Rock Wrecker are the moves you'll want your Rhyperior to know, but if you don't have the Community Day exclusive move or the TM to spare, Earthquake is the next best charged move.

A fossil Pokémon from Gen IV's Sinnoh region, Rampardos makes for a great counter in this Raid. A pure Rock type, it has no weaknesses that Reshiram can exploit, and it's resistant to Fire type damage. Its first stage, Cranidos has been featured in events and is a relatively common egg hatch so most players have at least one or two at this point. Smack Down, and Rock Slide is the moveset you'll want your Rampardos to know.

Originally encountered in the Unova region of Gen V, Haxorus performs well in this Raid. As a pure Dragon type, it's weak against Dragon type moves and resistant to Fire. Its first stage, Axew is pretty rare, so not many players have enough Candy to evolve and power up Haxorus, but if you do, it will serve you well against Reshiram. You'll want your Haxorus to know Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Diamond, Dialga is a an excellent counter for Reshiram. As a Steel and Dragon type, it's the only Dragon type in Pokémon Go that isn't weak against Dragon type moves and it resists Rock type damage. Dialga has had a few runs in raids now, so most players have had the chance to add it to their roster. If you do have Dialga, you'll want it to know Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor for this raid.

A pseudo-Legendary from Gen III, Salamence performs well against Reshiram. It had a Community Day and has been available for a while so most players have at least one strong one already powered up. As a Dragon and Flying type, it's weak to Dragon and Rock type damage, while resistant to Fire type attacks. You'll want Dragon Tail for its fast move, and Outrage for the charged attack.

The only Mega Evolved Pokémon* in the top counters list, Mega Gyarados has the advantage of a great set of Dragon type moves, while not being a Dragon type itself. As a Water and Dark type, it resists Fire and Dark type damage and has no weaknesses Reshiram can exploit. On the one hand, this means it won't be providing the same type Mega boost to the rest of the Dragon types on the field, but it also means it can withstand Reshiram's Dragon type attacks. If you're bringing Mega Gyarados to this fight, you'll want Dragon Tail and Outrage as its moveset.

A pseudo-Legendary from Gen IV, Garchomp is another great counter for Reshiram. It's a Ground and Dragon type, so while it does take super effective damage from Dragon type moves, it resists Rock and Fire. Plus, it was featured in a Community Day, so most active players have a couple already powered up. Dragon Tail and Outrage are the ideal moves for this Raid. However, its Community Day exclusive move, Earth Power works well too, so I wouldn't TM that away for this Raid.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom performs well in this Raid. As an Electric and Dragon type, it takes reduced damage from Fire type attacks, but increased damage from Dragon type. While Zekrom has had relatively limited availability, it is currently being rerun alongside Reshiram, so players who don't have one yet can easily add it to their roster right now. If you are bringing Zekrom, you'll want it to know Dragon Breath and Outrage for this fight.

One of the Swords of Justice, Gen V's Terrakion is a solid counter for Reshiram. As a Rock and Fighting type, it's resists Rock, Fire, and Dark type attacks and is one of the few counters that isn't weak to Dragon type damage. Terrakion has also had a few runs in Raids and was a Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter, so most active players have at least one or two in their roster. Smack Down and Rock Slide are the best moves Terrakion can bring to this raid.

Note: While Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, or Mega Ampharos will boost other Dragon types on the field, none of them last long enough to make our top counters. If you have an abundance of any of their Mega Energy and can safely coordinate with the rest of your Raid party, they may still be worth bringing along, but be prepared to use a lot of Potions and Revives.

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:

• Palkia with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
• Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Mega Charizard X with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
• Groudon with Dragon Tail and Earthquake
• Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge.
• Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw.
• Reshiram with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor.
• Mega Charizard Y with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
• Landorus (Incarnate forme) with Rock Throw and Earth Power
• Landorus (Therian forme) with Mud Shot and Earthquake
• Excadrill with Mud-Slap and Drill Run
• Kyurem with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
• Giratina (Origin forme) with Dragon Tail and Dragon Pulse
• Gigalith with Smack Down and Rock Slide
• Rhydon with Mud Slap and Earthquake
• Latias with Dragon Breath and Outrage.
• Hydreigon with Dragon Breath and Dragon Pulse.
• Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Golem with Rock Throw and Earthquake
• Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage

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 Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Shadow Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Shadow Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Shadow Flygon with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
• Shadow Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Shadow Aggron with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Shadow Mamoswine with Mud-Slap and Bulldoze
• Shadow Swampert with Mud Shot and Earthquake

Note: Shadow Salamence, Shadow Dragonite, and Shadow Tyranitar all outperform every other Pokémon in the best counters list.

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

While it is technically possible for two players with the best conditions to take out Reshiram, you're likely going to need at least three even for higher level players. If you're lower level or lacking the best counters, I'd aim for five or more.

Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:

• Wind will boost Reshiram's Dragon type moves, as well as your Dragon type counters
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost its Fire type moves, as well as your Ground type counters
• Partly Cloudy weather will boost its Rock type move, and your Rock type counters
• Fog will boost Reshiram's Dark type move

Questions about taking on Reshiram in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments 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!