Lugia is returning to Legendary Raids in Pokémon Go. Beginning September 1, 2021, Trainers will have two weeks to battle and capture it. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Lugia 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 Lugia in Pokémon Go?
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Mascot of Pokémon Silver and Ho-Oh’s polar opposite, Lugia is the Master of the Seas, as well as the Legendary Bird Trio. It is a Psychic and Flying type Legendary Pokémon that is so incredibly powerful, it usually isolates itself to the bottom of the oceans to keep from accidentally inflicting harm. It is incredibly intelligent and can communicate with Pokémon and humans alike through telepathy.
When it comes to Pokémon Go, Lugia is the bulkiest Psychic type out there, and with the addition of its Signature Move, Aeroblast, it’s a fantastic Flying type as well. Because Lugia will have Aeroblast in this run, it’s definitely a Pokémon you want in your roster!
What are the best counters for Lugia in Pokémon Go?
Lugia is capable of dealing Psychic, Flying, Dragon, and Water damage. It takes super effective damage from Rock, Ghost, Electric, Ice, and Dark attacks. It’s greatest strength, however, is its defense. Lugia is bulky and can take a lot of damage, so you’re going to want to focus on heavy hitters to beat the clock. Mega Evolution is definitely going to be your friend here, especially if you can coordinate with the rest of your Raid party.
Mega Gengar
Source: The Pokémon Company
Outperforming every other counter for Lugia, Mega Gengar can deal massive damage to Lugia and boost the other Ghost types on the field. As a Poison and Ghost type, Gengar takes increased damage from Lugia’s Psychic attacks, but with Lick and Shadow Ball it will take a big chunk of Lugia’s HP. If it is possible to safely coordinate with the rest of your Raid party, Mega Gengar is the key to a Ghost based offensive.
Mega Houndoom
Source: The Pokémon Company
Another Mega Pokémon, Mega Houndoom is a Fire and Dark type. It takes double damage from Lugia’s Water type attack, but only quarter damage from its Psychic attacks. Plus, it will boost other Dark types on the field. It’s a little more accessible than Mega Gengar, having been introduced sooner. Snarl and Foul Play is the moveset you’ll want your Mega Houndoom to know.
Mega Manectric
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For an Electric based offensive, Mega Manectric is the ideal choice to lead your team. As a pure Electric type, it takes reduced damage from Flying type attacks and it has no weaknesses that Lugia can exploit. If you’re bringing Mega Manectric to this fight, you’ll want it to know Charge Beam and Wild Charge, and be sure to coordinate with your Raid party to make the most of it’s Electric boost.
Zekrom
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A Legendary Pokémon first discovered in the Unova region of Gen V, Zekrom was introduced to Pokémon Go in the midst of a global pandemic and so has very limited availability. Some players don’t even have one, much less the Candy to power it up. Still, if you can bring this Electric and Dragon type along to fight Lugia, it takes reduced damage from both Water and Flying type attacks, but double damage from Dragon type attacks. You’ll want your Zekrom to know Charge Beam and Wild Charge.
Mega Gyarados
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Although Mega Houndoom is the better choice for leading a Dark type attack on Lugia, Mega Gyarados can fill this role well if you have more Mega Energy for it. As a Water and Dark type, it resists Psychic and Water type damage and has no relevant weaknesses. Bite and Crunch are the moves you’ll want your Mega Gyarados to know and be sure to coordinate with your Raid party if it is safe to do so.
Thundurus (Therian forme)
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One of the Legendary Forces of Nature, Therian forme Thundurus performs very well against Lugia. Although the Therian formes haven’t been available as often, both Therian and Incarnate formes use the same Candy, so most active players have the resources to power it up. As an Electric and Flying type, Thundurus resists Lugia’s Flying type moves and has no weaknesses it can exploit. Volt Switch and Thunderbolt are the moves you’ll want your Thundurus to know in this fight.
Darkrai
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Mythical Dark type Pokémon, Darkrai performs very well against Lugia and, unlike most Mythical Pokémon, it has had widespread availability in Pokémon Go being feature in Legendary Raids for Halloween. As a pure Dark type, it has no weaknesses Lugia can exploit and takes quarter damage from Lugia’s Psychic type attacks. You’ll want Snarl for your Darkrai’s Fast Attack, and either Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse for the Charged Attack. Generally, Shadow Ball does more damage, but if there is a Mega Houndoom or Mega Gyarados on the field, you’ll want Dark Pulse to take advantage of the attack boost.
Rhyperior
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen I’s Rhyhorn, Rhyperior is an easily obtained counter to Lugia. The Ground and Rock type takes half damage from Lugia’s Flying type moves, but quad damage from its Water type attack. If you’re bringing Rhyperior to this Raid, you’ll want it to know Smack Down and the Community Day exclusive move, Rock Wrecker. Stone Edge can also work, but not nearly as well.
Origin Forme Giratina
Source: The Pokémon Company
Originally encountered in the Sinnoh Region of Gen IV, Origin forme Giratina is another great counter for Lugia thanks to its movepool including Shadow Ball. This Ghost and Dragon type Legendary has been in Raids a couple times now and it shares Candy with Altered forme Giratina, so most players have at least one powered up. It takes half damage from Lugia’s Water type attack, but double damage from it’s Dragon type attack. If you are bringing Giratina to this fight, you’ll want it to know Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.
Mega Ampharos
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Mega Manectric is the better choice, but Mega Ampharos is still a solid lead for an Electric based offensive. As an Electric and Dragon type, it takes increased damage from Lugia’s Dragon type move, but resists both Flying and Water. You’ll want your Mega Ampharos to know Volt Switch and Zap Cannon and be sure to coordinate with your Raid party if it safe to do so.
Weavile
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The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Sneasal, Weavile performs well in this Raid and is very common, so most players have at least one or two. As a Dark and Ice type, it has no relevant weaknesses and takes reduced damage from Lugia’s Psychic type attacks. If you are bringing Weavile along, you’ll want Snarl for it’s Fast Attack and Avalanche for it’s Charged Attack.
Galarian Darmanitan
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Galarian regional variant of Darmanitan works very well in this Raid. Both the Unova version and Galarian version of Darumaka use the same Candy and it only has two stages, leaving lots of Candy left over for powering up. As an Ice type, Galarian Darmanitan has no weaknesses Lugia can exploit. Ice Fang and Avalanche are the moves you’ll want your Galarian Darmanitan to know.
Rampardos
Source: The Pokémon Company
A fossil Pokémon from the Sinnoh region, Rampardos is a solid choice to counter Lugia, especially if you cannot coordinate the use of Mega Pokémon. It’s been boosted in several events, and it only requires 50 Candy to fully evolve, so most active players have the resouces to power it up. As a pure Rock type, it resists Flying type, but Lugia’s Water type move will deal super effective damage. Rampardos comign to fight Lugia should know Smack Down and Rock Slide.
Magnezone
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Sinnoh Stone evolution of the Gen I’s Magnemite, Magnezone is a great counter for Lugia. Magnemite Candy is easy enough to obtain, and even though you can only evolve it when using a Magnetic Lure Mod, one Lure Mod is good for as many Magnezone as you want to evolve. As an Electric and Steel type, it takes reduced damage from Dragon and Psychic attacks, and even less damage from Flying, making it last a long time against Lugia. The moveset you’ll want is Spark and Wild Charge.
Mega Abomasnow
Source: The Pokémon Company
If you want to focus on Ice types when going up against Lugia, Mega Abomasnow should definitely be on your team. As a Grass and Ice type, it resists Water, but takes increased damage from Flying type attacks. If possible to coordinate with your Raid party, it will boost other Ice types on the field. Powder Snow and Weather Ball are the moves you’ll want your Abomasnow to know for this Raid.
Raikou
Source: The Pokémon Company
One of Ho-Oh’s Legendary Beasts, Raikou has been available through Raids, Research Breakthrough Rewards, and even as a Shadow Pokémon forced to fight for the infamous Team GO Rocket’s Giovanni. You probably have a few in your roster so it’s a great option for this Raid. As an Electric type, it has no weaknesses for Lugia to exploit and resists Lugia’s Flying type attack. The fast move Volt Switch and the charged move Wild Charge are the moves you’ll want for your Raikou.
Backups?
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:
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Electivire with Thunder Shock and wild Charge
- Terrakion with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Yveltal with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avanlache
- Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Hydreigon with Bite and Dark Pulse
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Alolan Golem with Rock Throw and Wild Charge
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Zacian (Hero of Many Battles forme) with Snarl and Wild Charge
- Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
- Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Thundurus (Incarnate forme) with Thunder Shock and Thunder
- Deoxys with Charge Beam and Thunderbolt
- Gigalith with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Bisharp with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Jynx with Frost Breath and Avalanche
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 Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Avalanche
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Shadow Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Shadow Magneton with Spark and Discharge
- Shadow Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Manectric with Snarl and Wild Charge
- Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
Note: Shadow Raikou, Shadow Electivire, Shadow Magnezone, Shadow Weavile and Shadow Zapdos outperform everything else except Mega Gengar. Likewise, Shadow Mamoswine, Shadow Tyranitar, and Shadow Mewtwo perform at the same level as the Pokémon in the best counters list.
How many players does it take to beat Lugia in Pokémon Go?
Lugia is a tough Raid because its defense is just so high. Beating the clock is the real challenge here. Even with top level Trainers and the best circumstances, you’ll still need three, but for lower level Trainers or those without Mega or Shadow counters, you’ll want at least four or five.
Weather Conditions that could impact this Raid include:
- Windy Weather will boost Lugia’s Dragon, Psychic, and Flying type moves.
- Rainy Weather will boost Lugia’s Water type move, as well as your Electric type counters.
- Fog will boost your Ghost and Dark type counters
- Snow will boost your Ice type counters
- Partly Cloudy Weather will boost your Rock type counters.
Questions about taking on Lugia in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about taking on Lugia? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop us a comment below and be sure to check out our Best Portable Battery Packs so you can keep your phone charged while you tackle this Raid.