Tapu Fini is coming back to raids in Pokémon Go, and now you have a chance at catching a Shiny one! We here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat it and add it to your collection!
Who is Tapu Fini in Pokémon Go?
One of the Legendary Guardian Deities of Alola, Tapu Fini serves alongside Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Bulu to protect the Alolan Islands. Tapu Fini, the guardian deity of Poni island has full control over water and fog. It releases a mystical fog during battle that can send enemies into a self-destructive trance, but it can also create water capable of purifying anything it touches. Although it remains skeptical of humans, it will allow them to attempt to pass through its fog to reach the enchanted water.
In terms of gameplay, Tapu Fini is outpaced by many Water types in raids, but it performs well in the Pokémon Go Battle League. It's also returning with its Shiny variant unlocked, so you won't want to miss this chance. 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 Tapu Fini, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Poison, Grass, and Electric.
Mega Sceptile
Best of the best, Mega Sceptile is the top performing Pokémon against Tapu Fini. This Grass and Dragon type resists Water type damage, but Fairy and Ice type moves hit for super effective damage. Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant are its best moves for this raid, and be sure to coordinate with the rest of your raid party to make the most of its Grass type Mega Boost.
Mega Gengar
Another great option for this raid is Mega Gengar. As a Ghost and Poison type, it resists Fairy and Fighting type damage, while having no weaknesses Tapu Fini can exploit. Poison isn't strongly represented among the top counters, so you'll want to coordinate with the rest of your raid party to get the most out of that Mega Boost. Although Mega Gengar lacks a Poison type fast move, Lick and Sludge Bomb perform really well.
Mega Beedrill
Mega Beedrill is another option for a Poison based offensive. This Poison and Bug type has no relevant weaknesses and it resists Fairy and Fighting type damage. Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb are the moves your Beedrill should know for this fight.
Mega Manectric
If you're mounting an Electric based offensive in this raid, Mega Manectric is the best choice. A pure Electric type, it brings no useful resistances, but also no relevant weaknesses to the fight. Although there are many Electric types among the top counters, you'll still want to coordinate with the rest of your raid party if it is safe to do so, in order to get the most out of the same type Mega Boost. Thunder Fang and Wild Charge are the moves you'll want your Manectric to know.
Mega Venusaur
Although it doesn't perform as well as other Megas, Mega Venusaur can boost two of Tapu Fini's weaknesses. It's a Grass and Poison type, meaning it resists Water, Fighting, and Fairy type damage, but Tapu Fini's Ice type move will hit extra hard. Vine Whip is the fast move you'll want your Venusaur to know and Frenzy Plant is the ideal charged move.
Honorable mentions
While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:
- Mega Gallade with Confusion and Leaf Blade
- Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Solar Beam
- Mega Ampharos with Volt Switch and Zap Cannon
- Mega Latios with Zen Headbutt and Solar Beam
- Mega Alakazam with Confusion and Psychic
Top counters
Tapu Fini is a Fairy and Water type with access to Water, Fairy, Fighting, and Ice type moves. Its weaknesses include Grass, Electric, and Poison leaving room for winning multiple winning strategies.
Kartana
The best standard counter for Tapu Fini is one of the Legendary Ultra Beasts, Kartana. It's a Steel and Grass type, so it resists Fairy and Water type damage, but is weak to Fighting type moves. Kartana has had very limited availability in Pokémon Go so far, so many players haven't even seen one. Still, if you have it, your Kartana should know Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade.
Xurkitree
Another Legendary Ultra Beast, Xurkitree performs very well against Tapu Fini. As a pure Electric type, it brings no useful resistances and no notable weaknesses to the fight. Like Kartana, Xurkitree has seen very little raid time, so you may not have one ready. Thunder Shock and Discharge are its best moves for this fight.
Zekrom
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom is another great counter in this raid. It's a Dragon and Electric type, so it resists Water type damage; however, it takes increased damage from Ice and Fairy type moves. Zekrom has had a few runs in raids now, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt are the ideal moves for countering Tapu Fini.
Zarude
The Mythical Pokémon, Zarude is another excellent counter for Tapu Fini. This Dark and Grass type takes super effective damage from most of Tapu Fini's move types, only resisting the Water type moves, but because that's half of the Guardian's moves, it's a safer choice than it seems at first glance. Unfortunately, Zarude has extremely limited availability: only one per account and only from completing a Timed Research line that is no longer available. Still, if you have one, Vine Whip and Power Whip are the moves you'll want it to know.
Nihilego
Yet another Ultra Beast on the list, Nihilego is our next top counter. This Rock and Poison type resists Fairy type damage, but takes super effective damage from Water type moves. It's also had very limited availability, but if you have one, Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb are the moves you're looking for.
Thundurus (Therian)
One of the Forces of Nature from Unova, Thundurus (Therian) is another great choice for this raid. He's a Flying and Electric type, so Ice type moves will deal super effective damage, while he resists Fighting type damage. Although his Therian forme hasn't been available as often as the Incarnate forme, both share the same Candy, so most active players will have enough to power him up. Volt Switch and Thunderbolt is the moveset you'll want your Thundurus to know when going up against Tapu Fini.
Raikou
Raikou, one of the Legendary Beasts of Johto, performs very well against Tapu Fini. It's a pure Electric type, so offers no relevant resistances or weaknesses, but it's been available so many times in so many different ways, that many active players have entire teams of powered up Raikou. If you're bringing Raikou to this fight, you'll want Thunder Shock and Wild Charge for its moves.
Shaymin (Sky)
The Mythical Pokémon, Shaymin (Sky) is another excellent choice for this raid. As a Grass and Flying type, it resists Fighting and Water type damage, but it has a double weakness to Ice type moves. Shaymin is extremely limited right now, so you might not have one, much less the candy to power it up. If you do have Shaymin, Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot is its best moveset.
Roserade
The Sinnoh Stone Evolution, Roserade is our next top counter. It's a Grass and Poison type, so it resists all of Tapu Fini's moves except for Ice Beam, which deals super effective damage. Roserade has also been featured in multiple events, including Community Day, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. In a vacuum, it's best moves for this fight are Poison Jab and Grass Knot; however, Razor Leaf or Sludge Bomb could work better with the right Mega Boost.
Electivire
Another Sinnoh Stone Evolution, Electivire performs well against Tapu Fini. It's a pure Electric type, so it has no relevant weaknesses or resistances here. With its first stage as a Gen I Pokémon and having a baby stage that has often been featured in eggs, Electivire was common enough even before it got the Community Day treatment, but now, its readily available. Thunder Shock and Wild Charge is the moveset you'll want your Electivire to know for this fight.
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:
- Magneton with Spark and Wild Charge
- Tapu Bulu with Bullet Seed and Grass Knot
- Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Gengar with Lick and Sludge Bomb
- Chesnaught with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Tapu Koko with Volt Switch and Thunderbolt
- Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Vikavolt with Spark and Discharge
- Overqwil with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
- Mewtwo with Confusion and Thunderbolt
- Celebi with Magical Leaf and Leaf Storm
- Toxicroak with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
- Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
- Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant
- Thundurus (Incarnate) with Thunder Shock and Thunder
- Shaymin (Land) with Hidden Power (Grass) and Grass Knot
- Victreebel with Acid and Leaf Blade
- Regigigas with Hidden Power (Poison) and Giga Impact
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 Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Solar Beam
- Shadow Victreebel with Acid and Leaf Blade
- Shadow Vileplume with Acid and Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Zebstrika with Spark and Wild Charge
Note: Shadow Pokémon really shine in this raid. Most of these perform on par with top counters, but you'll want to coordinate with the rest of your raid party to make the most of any Mega Boosts.
More details
With the best counters, three top level trainers can handle Tapu Fini, but if you're lower level or lacking the best counters, you may want four or five.
Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:
- Rain will boost Tapu Fini's Water type attacks, as well as your Electric type counters
- Cloudy/Overcast weather will boost its Fairy and Fighting type moves, as well as your Poison type counters
- Snow will boost its Ice type move
- Sunny/Clear weather will boost your Grass type counters
Don't miss your chance to catch Tapu Fini in Pokémon Go!
Tapu Fini 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!
