Slaking Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters

Slaking is a popular Normal-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 4,431, Slaking is one of the most powerful Pokemon in the game, making it an excellent choice for Master League PvP battles and high-level raids.

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

📊 Slaking Base Stats & Overview

Slaking (#289) is a Normal-type Pokemon from Generation 3.

Base Stats
Attack	290
Defense	166
Stamina	284
Total Stats	740
Max CP	4,431
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 290 Attack, 166 Defense, and 284 Stamina, Slaking has a total stat product of 740. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Slaking

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

🎯 Slaking Type Effectiveness

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

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

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

• Fighting – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Slaking resists: Ghost-type moves. This means Slaking takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Ghost – Reduced damage

🏆 Slaking PvP Analysis

Slaking 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 4,431, Slaking 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)

Slaking 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)

Slaking is an excellent choice for Master League! With a max CP of 4,431, it can compete with the best Pokemon in the game. Power it up to level 50 for maximum effectiveness.

⚔️ Slaking Raid Guide

Slaking is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Slaking in Raids

When using Slaking as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Normal-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Slaking

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

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Slaking’s weaknesses to Fighting-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Machamp	Fighting	High DPS with Counter + Dynamic Punch
Lucario	Fighting/Steel	Counter + Aura Sphere deals massive damage
Conkeldurr	Fighting	Excellent attack stat with Fighting moves

Counter Strategy Tips

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

There are several ways to obtain Slaking in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Slaking can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Slaking

Yes, Shiny Slaking is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Slaking Evolution

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Slaking

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

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Slaking 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 Slaking, 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

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

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

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

📚 Slaking in the Pokemon Franchise

Slaking first appeared in Generation 3 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Slaking’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Slaking was introduced as part of the Generation 3 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 3 Pokemon update.

📊 How Slaking Compares

Let’s see how Slaking stacks up against other Normal-type Pokemon:

Stat	Slaking	Type Average	Rating
Attack	290	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	166	~160	⭐⭐
Stamina	284	~170	⭐⭐⭐
Max CP	4,431	~2,500	⭐⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Slaking is a powerful Normal-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 4,431 and solid base stats (290/166/284), it stands as one of the premier options for high-level content including Master League PvP and Legendary raids.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Slaking’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.

← Previous

Pokemon GO Breloom: Ultimate Guide for 2024

Next →

Aggron Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters