Cyndaquil Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters

Cyndaquil is a popular Fire-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 980, Cyndaquil is a viable option for Great League PvP battles where its unique typing and moveset can shine.

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

📊 Cyndaquil Base Stats & Overview

Cyndaquil (#155) is a Fire-type Pokemon from Generation 2.

Base Stats
Attack	116
Defense	93
Stamina	118
Total Stats	327
Max CP	980
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 116 Attack, 93 Defense, and 118 Stamina, Cyndaquil has a total stat product of 327. While not the highest in any single stat, Cyndaquil’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Cyndaquil

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

🎯 Cyndaquil Type Effectiveness

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

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

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

• Water – Deals increased damage
• Ground – Deals increased damage
• Rock – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Cyndaquil resists: Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy-type moves. This means Cyndaquil takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Fire – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Ice – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage
• Fairy – Reduced damage

🏆 Cyndaquil PvP Analysis

Cyndaquil 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)

Cyndaquil can reach its full potential in Great League since its max CP (980) is at or below the 1500 CP limit. This makes it a viable option if its typing and moveset align with the current meta.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 980, Cyndaquil may struggle in Ultra League against bulkier opponents with higher stat products.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Cyndaquil is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (980). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Cyndaquil Raid Guide

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

Using Cyndaquil in Raids

When using Cyndaquil as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Fire-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 Cyndaquil

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

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Cyndaquil’s weaknesses to Water, Ground, Rock-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Kyogre	Water	Best Water attacker with Waterfall + Hydro Pump
Swampert	Water/Ground	Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon is devastating
Gyarados	Water/Flying	Accessible and powerful Water attacker
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 Cyndaquil
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Cyndaquil 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 Cyndaquil in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Cyndaquil in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Cyndaquil 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 Cyndaquil

Yes, Shiny Cyndaquil 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.

Cyndaquil Evolution

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Cyndaquil

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

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Cyndaquil 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 Cyndaquil, 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

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

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

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

📚 Cyndaquil in the Pokemon Franchise

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

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

📊 How Cyndaquil Compares

Let’s see how Cyndaquil stacks up against other Fire-type Pokemon:

Stat	Cyndaquil	Type Average	Rating
Attack	116	~180	⭐
Defense	93	~160	⭐
Stamina	118	~170	⭐
Max CP	980	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Cyndaquil is a versatile Fire-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 980 and solid base stats (116/93/118), it can shine in Great League PvP where its unique typing and moveset options provide interesting strategic possibilities.

Remember to:

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