Golduck Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips

Golduck is a popular Water-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 2,450, Golduck 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 Golduck in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Golduck Base Stats & Overview

Golduck (#055) is a Water-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	191
Defense	162
Stamina	190
Total Stats	543
Max CP	2,450
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 191 Attack, 162 Defense, and 190 Stamina, Golduck has a total stat product of 543. While not the highest in any single stat, Golduck’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Golduck

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

🎯 Golduck Type Effectiveness

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

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

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

• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Grass – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

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

• Fire – Reduced damage
• Water – Reduced damage
• Ice – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage

🏆 Golduck PvP Analysis

Golduck 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 2,450, Golduck 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)

Golduck fits well in Ultra League with a max CP of 2,450. It can compete effectively against the meta threats in this league.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Golduck is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (2,450). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Golduck Raid Guide

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

Using Golduck in Raids

When using Golduck as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Water-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 Golduck

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

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Golduck’s weaknesses to Electric, Grass-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Zekrom	Dragon/Electric	Top Electric DPS in the game
Electivire	Electric	Thunder Shock + Wild Charge deals high damage
Raikou	Electric	Consistent Electric damage dealer
Kartana	Grass/Steel	Highest Grass DPS available
Roserade	Grass/Poison	Razor Leaf + Grass Knot hits hard
Venusaur	Grass/Poison	Vine Whip + Frenzy Plant (Community Day)

Counter Strategy Tips

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

There are several ways to obtain Golduck in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Golduck 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 Golduck

Yes, Shiny Golduck 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.

Golduck Evolution

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Golduck

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

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Golduck 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 Golduck, 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

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

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Golduck 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

📚 Golduck in the Pokemon Franchise

Golduck first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Golduck’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Golduck was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Golduck has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Golduck Compares

Let’s see how Golduck stacks up against other Water-type Pokemon:

Stat	Golduck	Type Average	Rating
Attack	191	~180	⭐⭐
Defense	162	~160	⭐⭐
Stamina	190	~170	⭐⭐
Max CP	2,450	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Golduck is a versatile Water-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 2,450 and solid base stats (191/162/190), 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 Golduck’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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