Pokemon GO Moltres: Ultimate Guide for 2024
Moltres is a popular Fire/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,465, Moltres 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 Moltres 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 Moltres Base Stats & Overview
Moltres (#146) is a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon from Generation 1. As a Legendary Pokemon, Moltres is extremely rare and powerful, typically only available through special raid events or research breakthroughs.
| Base Stats | |
|---|---|
| Attack | 251 |
| Defense | 181 |
| Stamina | 207 |
| Total Stats | 639 |
| Max CP | 3,465 |
| Buddy Distance | 3 km |
With 251 Attack, 181 Defense, and 207 Stamina, Moltres has a total stat product of 639. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.
βοΈ Best Moveset for Moltres
Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Moltres’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Moltres 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/Flying-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.
β’ Fast Move: Best Fire-type fast move
β’ Charged Move: Best Fire-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― Moltres Type Effectiveness
Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Moltres effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon, Moltres has specific strengths and weaknesses.
β οΈ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)
Moltres is weak to: Water, Rock, Electric, Ice-type moves. When battling against Moltres, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.
- Water – Deals increased damage
- Rock – Deals increased damage
- Electric – Deals increased damage
- Ice – Deals increased damage
π‘οΈ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)
Moltres resists: Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy, Fighting, Ground-type moves. This means Moltres 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
- Fighting – Reduced damage
- Ground – Reduced damage
π Moltres PvP Analysis
Moltres 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 3,465, Moltres 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)
Moltres 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)
Moltres 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 Moltres Raid Guide
Moltres 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 Moltres
- Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Moltres’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 Moltres
Whether you’re battling Moltres in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Moltres:
Top Counter Pokemon
The best counters exploit Moltres’s weaknesses to Water, Rock, Electric, Ice-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 |
| 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 Moltres
- Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
- Watch for Coverage Moves: Moltres 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 Moltres in Pokemon GO
Moltres is a Legendary Pokemon and can be obtained through:
- Tier 5 Raids: Moltres 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 Moltres
Keep an eye on official Pokemon GO announcements for when Moltres will be available!
Moltres Evolution
Check the PokΓ©dex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moltres good in Pokemon GO?
Moltres is a solid Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a max CP of 3,465, it can perform well in various battle scenarios, especially when its typing provides an advantage.
What is Moltres’s best moveset?
The best moveset for Moltres depends on your use case. For raids and gyms, prioritize high DPS Fire-type moves for STAB bonus. For PvP, focus on moves with good energy generation and coverage options.
What are Moltres’s weaknesses?
Moltres is weak to Water, Rock, Electric, Ice-type moves. When battling Moltres, use Pokemon with these attack types for maximum effectiveness.
Can Moltres be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shiny Moltres is available in Pokemon GO. Keep catching Moltres for a chance at the shiny variant!
What is Moltres’s max CP?
Moltres’s maximum CP is 3,465 at level 50 with perfect 15/15/15 IVs. At level 40, the max CP is approximately 3,153.
π‘ Pro Tips for Using Moltres
Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Moltres’s potential in Pokemon GO:
1. IV Optimization
For raids and gym battles, prioritize Moltres 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 Moltres, 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
Moltres works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Fire/Flying type weak to Water, Rock, consider adding team members that resist these types.
4. Weather Considerations
Take advantage of weather boosts:
- When catching: Weather-boosted Moltres 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
π Moltres in the Pokemon Franchise
Moltres first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Moltres’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.
In Pokemon GO, Moltres was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Moltres has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.
π How Moltres Compares
Let’s see how Moltres stacks up against other Fire-type Pokemon:
| Stat | Moltres | Type Average | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 251 | ~180 | βββ |
| Defense | 181 | ~160 | ββ |
| Stamina | 207 | ~170 | βββ |
| Max CP | 3,465 | ~2,500 | ββ |
π― Conclusion
Moltres is a powerful Fire/Flying-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,465 and solid base stats (251/181/207), it performs well in Ultra League PvP and can serve as a reliable raid attacker against appropriate targets.
Remember to:
- Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
- Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
- Build a team that covers Moltres’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.