Ultimate Guide to Lugia Raids in Pokemon GO: Weaknesses and Top Counters

For players eager to tackle Lugia in Pokemon GO, our comprehensive Lugia raid guide is here to help you maximize your chances of success. This iconic creature from Pokemon Silver will be featured as a 5-star raid boss from 10 AM local time on November 4 through 10 AM local time on November 18, 2024. Players who manage to catch Lugia during this period will have the unique opportunity to obtain it with the exclusive move Aeroblast.

This guide will detail Lugia’s weaknesses and the best counters you can utilize in battles against it.

Understanding Lugia’s Weaknesses

Super-Effective Strategies Against Lugia

Lugia, as a Psychic- and Flying-type Pokemon, has specific vulnerabilities that players can exploit. The following types of attacks are super effective against it:

Ghost
Dark
Rock
Ice
Electric

In addition, Lugia has resistance to:

Psychic
Fighting
Grass
Ground

Lugia’s Battle Statistics and Moveset

As a formidable 5-star raid boss, here are Lugia’s notable stats:

Combat Power: 45,925
Attack: 193
Defense: 310
Stamina: 15,000 HP
Fast Attacks: Dragon Tail, Extrasensory
Charged Attacks: Future Sight, Hydro Pump, Sky Attack

Trainers will have 300 seconds to defeat Lugia, and up to 20 players can join this challenge, whether in-person or remotely.

Top Counters for Defeating Lugia

To effectively counter Lugia in raids, consider using Pokemon with Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, or Rock-type moves featuring STAB for maximum impact.

Effective Dark-Type Counters

Mega, Shadow, or regular Tyranitar (Bite, Brutal Swing)
Mega Houndoom (Snarl, Foul Play)
Shadow Weavile (Snarl, Foul Play)
Hydreigon (Bite, Brutal Swing)

To find the best Dark-type counters in your collection, use this search string:

Dark&@Dark&cp2000-

Powerful Electric-Type Counters

Shadow or regular Raikou (Thunder Shock, Wild Charge)
Xurkitree (Thunder Shock, Discharge)
Zekrom (Charge Beam, Fusion Bolt)
Shadow Electivire (Thunder Shock, Wild Charge)
Shadow Zapdos (Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt)

For Electric-type counters, try this search string:

Electric&@Electric&cp2000-

Optimal Ghost-Type Counters

Mega Gengar (Lick, Shadow Ball)
Dawn Wings Necrozma (Shadow Claw, Moongeist Beam)
Mega Banette (Shadow Claw, Shadow Ball)
Shadow Chandelure (Hex, Shadow Ball)

Use the following string to find your top Ghost-type counters:

Ghost&@Ghost&cp2000-

Superior Ice-Type Counters

Shadow Mamoswine (Powder Snow, Avalanche)
Shadow Weavile (Ice Shard, Avalanche)
Kyurem (Dragon Breath, Glaciate)
Galarian Darmanitan (Ice Fang, Avalanche)

Search for Ice-type counters using this string:

Ice&@Ice&cp2000-

Formidable Rock-Type Counters

Shadow Rhyperior (Smack Down, Rock Wrecker)
Shadow or Mega Tyranitar (Smack Down, Stone Edge)
Tyrantrum (Rock Throw, Meteor Beam)
Shadow Rampardos (Smack Down, Rock Slide)

Find your strongest Rock-type counters with this search string:

Rock&@Rock&cp2000-

Catch Rates and Shiny Possibilities for Lugia

The shiny variant can be found after beating Pokemon GO Lugia raids (Image via TPC)

Upon successfully defeating Lugia, the CP of the Pokemon you can catch will vary depending on weather conditions and IVs:

No Weather Boost: 2,028 – 2,115 CP (Level 20 with 10/10/10 – 15/15/15 IVs)
Weather Boosted (Windy): 2,535 – 2,645 CP (Level 25 with 10/10/10 – 15/15/15 IVs)

Max CP for 100% IV Lugia

The following are the max CPs for a perfect Lugia:

No Weather Boost: 2,115 CP
Weather Boosted (Windy): 2,645 CP

Shiny Lugia: A Rare Find

Trainers may encounter shiny versions of Lugia in 5-star raids, with a 1 in 20 chance of this coveted shininess. If you’re fortunate enough to spot one, it will be an automatic capture provided you aren’t exceeding the speed limit and can hit it with the final Pokéball.

Be sure to prepare adequately for your Lugia raid, and may luck be on your side!

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