Volcarona Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters
Volcarona is a popular Bug/Fire-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,632, Volcarona 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 Volcarona 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 Volcarona Base Stats & Overview
Volcarona (#637) is a Bug/Fire-type Pokemon from Generation 5.
| Base Stats | |
|---|---|
| Attack | 264 |
| Defense | 189 |
| Stamina | 198 |
| Total Stats | 651 |
| Max CP | 3,632 |
| Buddy Distance | 3 km |
With 264 Attack, 189 Defense, and 198 Stamina, Volcarona has a total stat product of 651. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.
βοΈ Best Moveset for Volcarona
Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Volcarona’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Volcarona 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 Bug/Fire-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.
β’ Fast Move: Best Bug-type fast move
β’ Charged Move: Best Bug-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― Volcarona Type Effectiveness
Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Volcarona effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Bug/Fire-type Pokemon, Volcarona has specific strengths and weaknesses.
β οΈ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)
Volcarona is weak to: Flying, Rock, Water, Ground-type moves. When battling against Volcarona, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.
- Flying – Deals increased damage
- Rock – Deals increased damage
- Water – Deals increased damage
- Ground – Deals increased damage
π‘οΈ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)
Volcarona resists: Grass, Fighting, Ground, Fire, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy-type moves. This means Volcarona takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.
- Grass – Reduced damage
- Fighting – Reduced damage
- Ground – Reduced damage
- Fire – Reduced damage
- Ice – Reduced damage
- Bug – Reduced damage
- Steel – Reduced damage
- Fairy – Reduced damage
π Volcarona PvP Analysis
Volcarona 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 3,632, Volcarona 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)
Volcarona 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)
Volcarona 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 Volcarona Raid Guide
Volcarona is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:
Using Volcarona in Raids
When using Volcarona as a raid attacker:
- Best against raid bosses weak to Bug-type moves
- Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
- Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS
π― Best Counters for Volcarona
Whether you’re battling Volcarona in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Volcarona:
Top Counter Pokemon
The best counters exploit Volcarona’s weaknesses to Flying, Rock, Water, Ground-type moves:
| Pokemon | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Rayquaza | Dragon/Flying | Air Slash + Hurricane |
| Moltres | Fire/Flying | Wing Attack + Sky Attack |
| Honchkrow | Dark/Flying | Peck + Sky Attack |
| 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
- Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Volcarona
- Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
- Watch for Coverage Moves: Volcarona 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 Volcarona in Pokemon GO
There are several ways to obtain Volcarona in Pokemon GO:
- Wild Encounters: Volcarona 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 Volcarona
Yes, Shiny Volcarona 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.
Volcarona Evolution
Check the PokΓ©dex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Is Volcarona good in Pokemon GO?
Yes! Volcarona is considered a top-tier Pokemon in Pokemon GO with excellent stats and a max CP of 3,632. It’s valuable for both raids and PvP battles.
What is Volcarona’s best moveset?
The best moveset for Volcarona depends on your use case. For raids and gyms, prioritize high DPS Bug-type moves for STAB bonus. For PvP, focus on moves with good energy generation and coverage options.
What are Volcarona’s weaknesses?
Volcarona is weak to Flying, Rock, Water, Ground-type moves. When battling Volcarona, use Pokemon with these attack types for maximum effectiveness.
Can Volcarona be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shiny Volcarona is available in Pokemon GO. Keep catching Volcarona for a chance at the shiny variant!
What is Volcarona’s max CP?
Volcarona’s maximum CP is 3,632 at level 50 with perfect 15/15/15 IVs. At level 40, the max CP is approximately 3,305.
π‘ Pro Tips for Using Volcarona
Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Volcarona’s potential in Pokemon GO:
1. IV Optimization
For raids and gym battles, prioritize Volcarona 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 Volcarona, 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
Volcarona works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Bug/Fire type weak to Flying, Rock, consider adding team members that resist these types.
4. Weather Considerations
Take advantage of weather boosts:
- When catching: Weather-boosted Volcarona spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
- When battling: Weather that boosts Bug moves increases your damage output
- When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather
π Volcarona in the Pokemon Franchise
Volcarona first appeared in Generation 5 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Volcarona’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.
In Pokemon GO, Volcarona was introduced as part of the Generation 5 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 5 Pokemon update.
π How Volcarona Compares
Let’s see how Volcarona stacks up against other Bug-type Pokemon:
| Stat | Volcarona | Type Average | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 264 | ~180 | βββ |
| Defense | 189 | ~160 | ββ |
| Stamina | 198 | ~170 | ββ |
| Max CP | 3,632 | ~2,500 | βββ |
π― Conclusion
Volcarona is a powerful Bug/Fire-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,632 and solid base stats (264/189/198), 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 Volcarona’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.