For Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Niantic is bringing back each Legendary Raid for just one day. On Sunday, July 18, Kyurem will return to Raids, alongside dozens of other Legenday Pokémon. Luckily, at iMore, we’ve got everything you need to know to win this fight and add Kyurem to your roster. And don’t forget to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon adventure!
Who is Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
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Kyurem and the Tao Trio of the Unova region are a group of Legendary Dragon-type Pokémon and the mascots of the Gen V games. Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black 2, and Pokémon White 2. The Tao Trio is based on the concepts of Yin, Yang and Wuji. Zekrom represents Yin with its Electric type, while Reshiram represents Yang with its Fire type, and Kyurem, with its Ice type, represents Wuji, which is the absence of Yin and Yang.
Kyurem is unique among the Tao Trio in that it is able to merge with the other two to form Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. Although fused together he is noticeably stronger, but on his own Kyurem is the easier of the three raids. Eventually, if given the chance to merge, it will really stand out. It could also be a powerful Ice-type if it has its signature move or any fast Ice-type movement. It has two possible quick moves: Dragon Breath and Steel Wing. Its possible charged moves include Blizzard, Draco Meteor, and Dragon Claw.
What are the best counters for Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
As a Dragon and Ice type, Kyurem is weak on Combat, Rock, Steel, Dragon, and Fairy type moves. It can deal Dragon, Ice, and Steel damage.
Metagrosse
Source: The Pokémon Company
Originally found in the Hoenn region, Metagross is the best counter for Kyurem, just behind Shadow Metagross. He resists all Kyurem movements and it is very common. With a variant of Shadow Pokémon and its own Community Day, most players have at least one or two strong metagrosses. You will want him to know Punch and this is the exclusive movement of Community Day, Meteor puree. If you don’t have one on Community Day, investing an EliteTM in this move is worth it, especially since it will end up getting a Mega Evolution.
Lucario
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Gen IV Lucario is a great choice to take on Kyurem, if you have one. Lucario can only be gained through evolution and his first stage, Riolu is an incredibly rare 10KM Eggs hatch, so many players don’t have one at all. As a Steel and Combat type, he’s also resistant to anything Kyurem can do. If you have a Lucario, To counter and Aura Sphere are the ideal movements.
Conkeldurr
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Timburr’s final evolution, Conkeldurr is a pure Gen V combat type. It’s not very common and doesn’t bring any noticeable resistance to battle, but he’s also not weak in the face of attacks. from Kyruem. It also benefits from Trade Evolution, leaving plenty of extra candy for power-up. If you bring Conkeldurr to this raid, you’ll want him to know To counter and Dynamic punch.
Dialga
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The mascot of Pokémon Diamond and the next one Shiny Diamond Pokémon, Dialga hasn’t seen widespread availability in Pokémon Go, so many players don’t even have one at full power. Still, if you have it, Dialga is resistant to Kyurem’s Steel-type attack and only takes normal damage from her Ice and Dragon-type attacks. Dragon breath is the fast movement you want, and Draco Meteor is the shot loaded with choice.
Rhyperior
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Gen I Rhyhorn’s Sinnoh Stone evolution, Rhyperior is not my first choice for this raid. As a Ground and Rock-type, he takes double damage from Kyurem’s Ice and Steel-type moves, but most players have at least one or two at full strength (if not a whole team.) Rhyhorn has been around since the beginning. start and was featured in a community day. Additionally, Rhyperior is quite durable, even when taking double damage. If you bring Rhyperior to this raid, you’ll want him to know Smack down and Rock demolisher.
Machamp
Source: The Pokémon Company
Gen I Machamp is a pure fighting type with wide availability. With the addition of Trade Evolution, as well as its Community Day, there’s no good excuse not to have a fully fueled Machamp couple on your roster. It is not as strong as Conkeldurr, but with To counter and Dynamic punch, as well as no significant weakness, it will hurt Kyurem.
Mega Gyarados
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While Steel, Fighting, and even Rock type offensives are fairly easy to set up, Mega Gyarados can be a solid addition to a Dragon-based squad. As a Dark and Water type, he won’t provide an extra boost to other dragons in the field, so you won’t need to coordinate with the rest of your raid party. It is resistant to Steel and Ice-type damage and has no weaknesses Kyurem can exploit. If you bring Gyarados to this fight, you’ll want Dragon tail for rapid movement and Contempt for the loaded movement.
Terrace
Source: The Pokémon Company
One of the legendary swords of justice, Terrakion has had fairly widespread availability in raiding and as a reward encounter. As a Rock and Fighting type, he will take double damage from Steel Wing, but normal damage from the rest of Kyurem’s moves. If you bring Terrakion to this raid, you will want Smack down and Landslide for the moveset.
Genesect
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Mythical Steel and Bug type of the Unova region, Genesect performs quite well against Kyurem. It resists all of Kyurem’s attacks and has been much more common than Mythics usually are in Pokémon Go. However, power-up is still quite expensive, so many trainers only have one or two. If you bring Genesect to this raid, you’ll want him to know Metal clamp and Magnetic bomb.
Mega Charizard Y
Source: The Pokémon Company
One of the two Mega Evolutions of the original Fire starter, Mega Charizard Y is of the Fire and Flying type. With access to Dragon-type movements Dragon breath and Dragon claw, Mega Charizard Y is capable of dealing Dragon-type damage, benefiting from the huge stat boost Mega Evolution grants, and taking no super effective damage from any of Kyurem’s moves. However, while it provides the same stat boost as all Mega Evolved Pokémon, it won’t upgrade other dragon types like Mega Charizard X would. There are definitely better options, so I wouldn’t want Mega. Evolve only for this raid, but if you already have a Mega Evolved one, it’s worth bringing it.
Backups?
While most players are able to make a top scorer squad, if you find a gap in your squad there are plenty of substitutes out there who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you dodge and one of the following could be a decent save:
- Excadrill with metal claw and iron head
- Mega Lopunny with Low Kick and Focus Blast
- Gardevoir with charm and dazzling radiance
- Zekrom with Dragon Breath and Outrage
- Cobalion with metal claw and sacred sword
- Hariyama with counter and dynamic punch
- Jirachi with confusion and desire for unhappiness
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Haxorus with dragon tail and dragon claw
- Togekiss with charm and dazzling shine
- Mega Gengar with Shadow Claw and Focus Blast
- Gigalith with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Granbull with charm and rough play
- Mega Charizard X with dragon breath and dragon claw
- Giratina (Origin form) with Dragon Tail and Dragon Pulse
- Reshiram with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
- Palkia with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
- Kyurem with dragon breath and dragon claw
- Latios with dragon breath and dragon claw
- Heracross with Counter and Close Combat
- Sirfetch’d with Counter and Close Combat
Shadow Pokémon?
The rebalancing of the Dark Pokémon saved from Team GO Rocket makes them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats improved, but during special events or with the TM Elite it is possible to modify their movements. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the correct moveset, they will work just fine in this Raid:
- Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Shadow Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Shadow Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Shadow Gardevoir with charm and dazzling shine
- Shadow Chisel with Bullet Punch and Iron Head
- Shadow dragonite with dragon tail and dragon claw
- Shadow Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike
- Shadow Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
- Shadow Aggron with Smack Down and Heavy Slam
- Shadow Ho-Oh with steel wing and brave bird
- Shadow Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
Note: Shadow Metagross outperforms all other Pokémon on the top counter list. Shadow Machamp, Shadow Gardevoir, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Scizor, and Shadow Dragonite also behave on a par with the other top counters.
How many players does it take to beat Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
Kyurem is by far the easiest to beat in the Tao Trio. Lacking a quick Ice-type movement, not to mention his signature Glaciate attack, this should be a fairly easy raid. With the best counters, two high level Trainers can do this Raid alone. Even lower level players or those without the best counters shouldn’t need more than four or five Trainers to take on Kyurem.
Weather conditions won’t play a big part in this raid, with most of them increasing both Kyurem and its counters. However, the following may impact this raid:
- Snow will increase Kyurem’s Ice and Steel-type moves, as well as your Steel-type counters.
- Windy weather will increase Kyurem’s Dragon-type moves, as well as your Dragon-type counters.
- Cloudy weather will increase Fairy and Fighting type counters.
- Partly cloudy weather will increase your Rock type counters.
Questions about Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
Do you have questions on how to face the legendary Pokémon Kyurem? Do you have any advice for your fellow trainers? Drop them off in the comments below, and be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go coverage to prepare for your Pokémon adventure!