Raikou Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips

Raikou is a popular Electric-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,452, Raikou 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 Raikou in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Raikou Base Stats & Overview

Raikou (#243) is a Electric-type Pokemon from Generation 2. As a Legendary Pokemon, Raikou is extremely rare and powerful, typically only available through special raid events or research breakthroughs.

Base Stats
Attack	241
Defense	195
Stamina	207
Total Stats	643
Max CP	3,452
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 241 Attack, 195 Defense, and 207 Stamina, Raikou has a total stat product of 643. Its high Stamina gives it excellent staying power in prolonged battles.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Raikou

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Raikou’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Raikou 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 Electric-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.

🎯 Raikou Type Effectiveness

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

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Raikou is weak to: Ground-type moves. When battling against Raikou, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Ground – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Raikou resists: Electric, Flying, Steel-type moves. This means Raikou takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Electric – Reduced damage
• Flying – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage

🏆 Raikou PvP Analysis

Raikou 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 3,452, Raikou 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)

Raikou 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)

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

⚔️ Raikou Raid Guide

Raikou 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 Raikou

1. Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Raikou’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 Raikou

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

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Raikou’s weaknesses to Ground-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Garchomp	Dragon/Ground	Mud Shot + Earth Power deals massive damage
Groudon	Ground	Legendary with Precipice Blades
Excadrill	Ground/Steel	High Ground DPS

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Raikou
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Raikou 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 Raikou in Pokemon GO

Raikou is a Legendary Pokemon and can be obtained through:

• Tier 5 Raids: Raikou 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 Raikou

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

Raikou Evolution

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Raikou

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

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Raikou 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 Raikou, 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

Raikou works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Electric type weak to Ground, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

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

📚 Raikou in the Pokemon Franchise

Raikou first appeared in Generation 2 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Raikou’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Raikou was introduced as part of the Generation 2 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 2 Pokemon update.

📊 How Raikou Compares

Let’s see how Raikou stacks up against other Electric-type Pokemon:

Stat	Raikou	Type Average	Rating
Attack	241	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	195	~160	⭐⭐
Stamina	207	~170	⭐⭐⭐
Max CP	3,452	~2,500	⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Raikou is a powerful Electric-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,452 and solid base stats (241/195/207), 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 Raikou’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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