Suicune Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips
Suicune is a popular Water-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 2,983, Suicune 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 Suicune 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 Suicune Base Stats & Overview
Suicune (#245) is a Water-type Pokemon from Generation 2. As a Legendary Pokemon, Suicune is extremely rare and powerful, typically only available through special raid events or research breakthroughs.
| Base Stats | |
|---|---|
| Attack | 180 |
| Defense | 235 |
| Stamina | 225 |
| Total Stats | 640 |
| Max CP | 2,983 |
| Buddy Distance | 3 km |
With 180 Attack, 235 Defense, and 225 Stamina, Suicune has a total stat product of 640. Its impressive Defense stat makes it a bulky option that can take hits while dealing consistent damage.
βοΈ Best Moveset for Suicune
Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Suicune’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Suicune 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%.
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― Suicune Type Effectiveness
Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Suicune effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Water-type Pokemon, Suicune has specific strengths and weaknesses.
β οΈ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)
Suicune is weak to: Electric, Grass-type moves. When battling against Suicune, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.
- Electric – Deals increased damage
- Grass – Deals increased damage
π‘οΈ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)
Suicune resists: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel-type moves. This means Suicune takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.
- Fire – Reduced damage
- Water – Reduced damage
- Ice – Reduced damage
- Steel – Reduced damage
π Suicune PvP Analysis
Suicune 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 2,983, Suicune 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)
Suicune 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)
Suicune is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (2,983). Focus on other leagues instead.
βοΈ Suicune Raid Guide
Suicune 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 Suicune
- Use Pokemon with moves that exploit Suicune’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 Suicune
Whether you’re battling Suicune in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Suicune:
Top Counter Pokemon
The best counters exploit Suicune’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
- Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Suicune
- Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
- Watch for Coverage Moves: Suicune 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 Suicune in Pokemon GO
Suicune is a Legendary Pokemon and can be obtained through:
- Tier 5 Raids: Suicune 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 Suicune
Keep an eye on official Pokemon GO announcements for when Suicune will be available!
Suicune Evolution
Check the PokΓ©dex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suicune good in Pokemon GO?
Suicune is a solid Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a max CP of 2,983, it can perform well in various battle scenarios, especially when its typing provides an advantage.
What is Suicune’s best moveset?
The best moveset for Suicune 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 Suicune’s weaknesses?
Suicune is weak to Electric, Grass-type moves. When battling Suicune, use Pokemon with these attack types for maximum effectiveness.
Can Suicune be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shiny Suicune is available in Pokemon GO. Keep catching Suicune for a chance at the shiny variant!
What is Suicune’s max CP?
Suicune’s maximum CP is 2,983 at level 50 with perfect 15/15/15 IVs. At level 40, the max CP is approximately 2,714.
π‘ Pro Tips for Using Suicune
Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Suicune’s potential in Pokemon GO:
1. IV Optimization
For raids and gym battles, prioritize Suicune 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 Suicune, 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
Suicune 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 Suicune 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 Suicune in the Pokemon Franchise
Suicune first appeared in Generation 2 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Suicune’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.
In Pokemon GO, Suicune was introduced as part of the Generation 2 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 2 Pokemon update.
π How Suicune Compares
Let’s see how Suicune stacks up against other Water-type Pokemon:
| Stat | Suicune | Type Average | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 180 | ~180 | ββ |
| Defense | 235 | ~160 | βββ |
| Stamina | 225 | ~170 | βββ |
| Max CP | 2,983 | ~2,500 | ββ |
π― Conclusion
Suicune is a versatile Water-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 2,983 and solid base stats (180/235/225), 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 Suicune’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.