Palkia Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters
Palkia is a popular Water/Dragon-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,991, Palkia 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 Palkia in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.
π Table of Contents
π Palkia Base Stats & Overview
Palkia (#484) is a Water/Dragon-type Pokemon from Generation 4. As a Legendary Pokemon, Palkia is extremely rare and powerful, typically only available through special raid events or research breakthroughs.
| Base Stats | |
|---|---|
| Attack | 280 |
| Defense | 215 |
| Stamina | 189 |
| Total Stats | 684 |
| Max CP | 3,991 |
| Buddy Distance | 3 km |
With 280 Attack, 215 Defense, and 189 Stamina, Palkia has a total stat product of 684. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.
βοΈ Best Moveset for Palkia
Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Palkia’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Palkia 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 Water/Dragon-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.
β’ Fast Move: Best Water-type fast move
β’ Charged Move: Best Water-type charged move
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.
β’ Fast Move: High energy generation move
β’ Charged Move 1: STAB move for consistent damage
β’ Charged Move 2: Coverage move for countering weaknesses
π― Palkia Type Effectiveness
Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Palkia effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Water/Dragon-type Pokemon, Palkia has specific strengths and weaknesses.
β οΈ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)
Palkia is weak to: Ice, Dragon, Fairy-type moves. When battling against Palkia, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.
- Ice – Deals increased damage
- Dragon – Deals increased damage
- Fairy – Deals increased damage
π‘οΈ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)
Palkia resists: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel, Electric, Grass-type moves. This means Palkia takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.
- Fire – Reduced damage
- Water – Reduced damage
- Ice – Reduced damage
- Steel – Reduced damage
- Electric – Reduced damage
- Grass – Reduced damage
π Palkia PvP Analysis
Palkia 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 3,991, Palkia 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)
Palkia 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)
Palkia can hold its own in Master League with proper support, though it may struggle against the top-tier threats like Dialga, Giratina, and Mewtwo.
βοΈ Palkia Raid Guide
Palkia 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 Palkia
- Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Palkia’s weaknesses
- Dodge charged moves when possible to preserve your Pokemon
- Coordinate with your raid group for maximum efficiency
- Use a weather boost when possible for stronger attackers
π― Best Counters for Palkia
Whether you’re battling Palkia in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Palkia:
Top Counter Pokemon
The best counters exploit Palkia’s weaknesses to Ice, Dragon, Fairy-type moves:
| Pokemon | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Mamoswine | Ice/Ground | Best Ice attacker with Powder Snow + Avalanche |
| Glaceon | Ice | Accessible Ice attacker with high damage |
| Weavile | Dark/Ice | Fast Ice damage dealer |
| Rayquaza | Dragon/Flying | Dragon Tail + Outrage |
| Salamence | Dragon/Flying | Dragon Tail + Draco Meteor |
| Dragonite | Dragon/Flying | Accessible Dragon attacker |
Counter Strategy Tips
- Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Palkia
- Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
- Watch for Coverage Moves: Palkia may have moves that counter its own counters
- Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks
π How to Get Palkia in Pokemon GO
Palkia is a Legendary Pokemon and can be obtained through:
- Tier 5 Raids: Palkia 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 Palkia
Keep an eye on official Pokemon GO announcements for when Palkia will be available!
Palkia Evolution
Check the PokΓ©dex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palkia good in Pokemon GO?
Yes! Palkia is considered a top-tier Pokemon in Pokemon GO with excellent stats and a max CP of 3,991. It’s valuable for both raids and PvP battles.
What is Palkia’s best moveset?
The best moveset for Palkia depends on your use case. For raids and gyms, prioritize high DPS Water-type moves for STAB bonus. For PvP, focus on moves with good energy generation and coverage options.
What are Palkia’s weaknesses?
Palkia is weak to Ice, Dragon, Fairy-type moves. When battling Palkia, use Pokemon with these attack types for maximum effectiveness.
Can Palkia be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shiny Palkia is available in Pokemon GO. Keep catching Palkia for a chance at the shiny variant!
What is Palkia’s max CP?
Palkia’s maximum CP is 3,991 at level 50 with perfect 15/15/15 IVs. At level 40, the max CP is approximately 3,631.
π‘ Pro Tips for Using Palkia
Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Palkia’s potential in Pokemon GO:
1. IV Optimization
For raids and gym battles, prioritize Palkia 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 Palkia, 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
Palkia works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Water/Dragon type weak to Ice, Dragon, consider adding team members that resist these types.
4. Weather Considerations
Take advantage of weather boosts:
- When catching: Weather-boosted Palkia spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
- When battling: Weather that boosts Water moves increases your damage output
- When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather
π Palkia in the Pokemon Franchise
Palkia first appeared in Generation 4 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Palkia’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.
In Pokemon GO, Palkia was introduced as part of the Generation 4 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 4 Pokemon update.
π How Palkia Compares
Let’s see how Palkia stacks up against other Water-type Pokemon:
| Stat | Palkia | Type Average | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 280 | ~180 | βββ |
| Defense | 215 | ~160 | βββ |
| Stamina | 189 | ~170 | ββ |
| Max CP | 3,991 | ~2,500 | βββ |
π― Conclusion
Palkia is a powerful Water/Dragon-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,991 and solid base stats (280/215/189), 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 Palkia’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.