Articuno Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips

Articuno is a popular Ice/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,051, Articuno is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Articuno in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Articuno Base Stats & Overview

Articuno (#144) is a Ice/Flying-type Pokemon from Generation 1. As a Legendary Pokemon, Articuno is extremely rare and powerful, typically only available through special raid events or research breakthroughs.

Base Stats
Attack	192
Defense	236
Stamina	207
Total Stats	635
Max CP	3,051
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 192 Attack, 236 Defense, and 207 Stamina, Articuno has a total stat product of 635. Its impressive Defense stat makes it a bulky option that can take hits while dealing consistent damage.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Articuno

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Articuno’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Articuno for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Ice/Flying-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Articuno Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Articuno effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Ice/Flying-type Pokemon, Articuno has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Articuno is weak to: Fire, Rock, Steel, Electric, Ice-type moves. When battling against Articuno, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Fire – Deals increased damage
• Rock – Deals increased damage
• Steel – Deals increased damage
• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Ice – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Articuno resists: Ice, Grass, Fighting, Bug, Ground-type moves. This means Articuno takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Ice – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Ground – Reduced damage

🏆 Articuno PvP Analysis

Articuno can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 3,051, Articuno would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Articuno can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Articuno can hold its own in Master League with proper support, though it may struggle against the top-tier threats like Dialga, Giratina, and Mewtwo.

⚔️ Articuno Raid Guide

Articuno appears as a Tier 5 Legendary raid boss during special events. Here’s what you need to know to defeat and catch it:

Raid Boss Stats

• Tier: 5 (Legendary)
• Recommended Trainers: 4-6 with optimal counters
• Boss CP: ~50,000+
• Catch CP Range: 2,000 – 2,500 (weather boosted: 2,500 – 2,800)

Tips for Defeating Articuno

1. Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Articuno’s weaknesses
2. Dodge charged moves when possible to preserve your Pokemon
3. Coordinate with your raid group for maximum efficiency
4. Use a weather boost when possible for stronger attackers

🎯 Best Counters for Articuno

Whether you’re battling Articuno in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Articuno:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Articuno’s weaknesses to Fire, Rock, Steel, Electric, Ice-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Reshiram	Dragon/Fire	Top Fire attacker with Fire Fang + Overheat
Chandelure	Ghost/Fire	High Fire DPS with Fire Spin + Overheat
Moltres	Fire/Flying	Legendary Fire attacker
Rampardos	Rock	Highest Rock DPS but glass cannon
Rhyperior	Ground/Rock	Bulky Rock attacker with Rock Wrecker
Tyranitar	Rock/Dark	Smack Down + Stone Edge

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Articuno
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Articuno may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Articuno in Pokemon GO

Articuno is a Legendary Pokemon and can be obtained through:

• Tier 5 Raids: Articuno appears in 5-star raids during special events
• GO Battle League: Occasionally available as a reward at Rank 20+
• Special Research: May be featured in special research storylines
• Trading: Trade with friends who have a spare Articuno

Keep an eye on official Pokemon GO announcements for when Articuno will be available!

Articuno Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Articuno

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Articuno’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Articuno with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Articuno, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Articuno works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Ice/Flying type weak to Fire, Rock, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Articuno spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Ice moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Articuno in the Pokemon Franchise

Articuno first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Articuno’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Articuno was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Articuno has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Articuno Compares

Let’s see how Articuno stacks up against other Ice-type Pokemon:

Stat	Articuno	Type Average	Rating
Attack	192	~180	⭐⭐
Defense	236	~160	⭐⭐⭐
Stamina	207	~170	⭐⭐⭐
Max CP	3,051	~2,500	⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Articuno is a powerful Ice/Flying-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,051 and solid base stats (192/236/207), it performs well in Ultra League PvP and can serve as a reliable raid attacker against appropriate targets.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Articuno’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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