Kyurem is coming back to Legendary Raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Kyurem to your roster. And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!
Who is Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
Source: The Pokémon Company
Kyurem and the Tao Trio of the Unova region is a group of Legendary Dragon type Pokémon and the mascots of the Gen V games Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black 2, and Pokémon White 2. The Tao Trio is based on the concepts of Yin, Yang, and Wuji. Zekrom represents Yin with its Electric typing, while Reshiram represents Yang with its Fire typing, and Kyurem, with its Ice typing, represents Wuji, which is the absence of Yin and Yang.
Kyurem is unique among the Tao Trio in that it is capable of fusing with the other two to form Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. While fused, it is significantly stronger, but on its own, Kyurem is the easiest of the three Raids. Eventually, if given the ability to fuse, it will really stand out. It could also be a powerful Ice type if given its signature move or any Ice type fast move. It has two possible Fast Moves: Dragon Breath and Steel Wing. Its possible charged moves include Blizzard, Draco Meteor, and Dragon Claw.
What are the best counters for Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
As a Dragon and Ice type, Kyurem is weak to Fighting, Rock, Steel, Dragon, and Fairy type moves. It can deal Dragon, Ice, and Steel type damage. Although there are excellent options for each of its type weaknesses, this isn’t a raid where Mega Evolution is important yet. Mega Charizard X, Mega Lopunny, Mega Ampharos, or Mega Altaria could be used to boost Dragon, Fighting, or Fairy types, but none of these Pokémon perform particularly well themselves, and none last long enough on the field to make the cost of Mega Evolving worth it for this raid alone.
Metagross
Source: The Pokémon Company
Originally encountered in the Hoenn region, Metagross is the best non-Shadow counter for Kyurem, second only to Shadow Metagross. It’s resistant to all of Kyurem’s moves and it’s super common. With a Shadow Pokémon variant and its own Community Day, most players have at least one or two strong Metagross. You’ll want it to know Bullet Punch and it’s Community Day exclusive move, Meteor Mash. If you don’t have one from Community Day, investing an Elite TM into this move is well worth it, especially considering it will eventually have a Mega Evolution.
Terrakion
Source: The Pokémon Company
Thanks to finally having its signature move, Terrakion is now second only to Metagross for non-Shadow counters. As a Rock and Fighting type, it will take double damage from Steel Wing, but normal damage from the rest of Kyurem’s moves. If you’re bringing Terrakion to this Raid, you’ll want Smack Down and Sacred Sword for the moveset. If you don’t have its Legacy Move or an Elite TM to spare, Rock Slide can also work well in this raid, but Sacred Sword is dramatically better.
Lucario
Source: The Pokémon Company
Gen IV’s Lucario is an excellent choice for facing Kyurem, if you have one that is. Lucario can only be gained by evolution and its first stage, Riolu is an incredibly rare hatch from 10 KM Eggs, so many players don’t have one at all. As a Steel and Fighting type, it’s resistant to everything Kyurem can dish out, so it will last almost as long as Metagross. If you do have a Lucario, Counter and Aura Sphere are the ideal moves.
Conkeldurr
Source: The Pokémon Company
The final evolution of Timburr, Conkeldurr is a pure Fighting type from Gen V. It isn’t super common and it doesn’t bring any notable resistances to the battle, but it’s also not weak to any of Kyruem’s attacks. Timburr is super common and it also benefits from Trade Evolution, leaving plenty of extra Candies for powering up. If you’re bringing Conkeldurr to this Raid, you’ll want it to know Counter and Dynamic Punch.
Dialga
Source: The Pokémon Company
The mascot of Pokémon Diamond and the recently released, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Dialga is another great choice for this fight. As a Steel and Dragon type, it resists Kyurem’s Steel type attack, and only takes normal damage from its Ice and Dragon type attacks. Dialga has also had a few runs in raids now, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster Metal Claw is the fast move you’ll want, and Draco Meteor is the charged move of choice.
Rhyperior
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen I Rhyhorn, Rhyperior isn’t my first choice for this Raid. As a Ground and Rock type, it’s taking increased damage from Kyurem’s Ice and Steel type moves, but most players have at least one or two fully powered up (if not a whole team.) Rhyhorn has been around since the start and was featured in a Community Day. Plus Rhyperior is quite durable, even when taking super effective damage. If you do bring Rhyperior to this Raid, you’ll want it to know Smack Down and Rock Wrecker.
Machamp
Source: The Pokémon Company
Gen I’s Machamp is a pure Fighting type with widespread availability. With the addition of Trade Evolution, as well as its Community Day, there is no good excuse not to have a couple fully powered up Machamp in your roster. It’s not quite as sturdy as Conkeldurr, but with Counter and Dynamic Punch, as well as no significant weaknesses, it will put the hurt on Kyurem.
Mega Gyarados
Source: The Pokémon Company
Although Steel, Fighting, and even Rock type offensives are fairly easy to put together, Mega Gyarados can make a solid addition to any counter. As a Dark and Water type, it won’t provide the additional boost to other Dragons on the field, so you won’t need to coordinate with the rest of your Raid party. It resists Steel and Ice type damage and has no weaknesses Kyurem can exploit. If you are bringing Gyarados to this fight, you’ll want Dragon Tail for the fast move and Outrage for the charged move.
Zacian (Hero of Many Battles forme)
Source: The Pokémon Company
The mascot of Pokémon Sword, Zacian makes a great counter for Kyurem. Although Zacian has two formes, only its Hero of Many Battles forme is available in Pokémon Go. As a pure Fairy type, it resists Steel type moves, but takes super effective damage from Dragon type. Its also only had one run in raids so far, so many players might not have the Candy to power it up. Still, if you’re bringing one along, you’ll want it to know Metal Claw and Play Rough.
Genesect
Source: The Pokémon Company
The Mythical Steel and Bug type from the Unova Region, Genesect performs quite well against Kyurem. It resists all of Kyurem’s attacks and it has been far more common than Mythicals usually are in Pokémon Go. However, it’s still fairly expensive to power up so plenty of Trainers only have one or two. If you are bringing Genesect to this Raid, you’ll want it to know Metal Claw and Magnet Bomb.
Mega Charizard Y
Source: The Pokémon Company
One of two Mega Evolutions of the original Fire starter, Mega Charizard Y is a Fire and Flying type. With access to the Dragon type moves Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw, Mega Charizard Y is capable of dealing Dragon type damage, benefiting from the huge stat boost that Mega Evolution grants, and not taking super effective damage from any of Kyurem’s moves. However, while it will provide the same stat boost all Mega Evolved Pokémon do, it will not boost other Dragon types like Mega Charizard X would. There are definitely better options, so I wouldn’t Mega Evolve solely for this Raid, but if you already have one Mega Evolved, it is worth bringing along.
Back ups?
Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you’re finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you’re dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:
- Zekrom with Dragon Breath and Outrage
- Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
- Mega Lopunny with Low Kick and Focus Blast
- Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
- Cobalion with Metal Claw and Sacred Sword
- Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Jirachi with Confusion and Doom Desire
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Palkia with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
- Mega Gengar with Shadow Claw and Focus Blast
- Reshiram with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
- Mega Charizard X with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Kyurem with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Gigalith with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Giratina (Origin forme) with Dragon Tail and Dragon Pulse
- Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
- Garchomp with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
Shadow Pokémon?
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it’s possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:
- Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Shadow Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Shadow Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Shadow Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
- Shadow Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Shadow Scizor with Bullet Punch and Iron Head
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike
- Shadow Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Shadow Aggron with Smack Down and Heavy Slam
- Shadow Granbull with Charm and Play Rough
Note: Shadow Metagross outperforms every other Pokémon in the best counters list. While unlikely, if someone is bringing along Mega Charizard X or another Dragon type Mega Pokémon, it will boost the Dragon types, making them even more competitive. Likewise, Mega Lopunny, Mega Ampharos, or Mega Altaria will boost Fighting, Dragon, or Dragon and Fairy types respectively.
How many players does it take to beat Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
Kyurem is by far the easiest of the Tao Trio to beat. Lacking an Ice type Fast move, not to mention its signature attack Glaciate, this should be a fairly easy Raid. With the best counters, two high level Trainers can do this Raid alone. Even lower level players or those who lack the best counters shouldn’t need more than four or five Trainers to take on Kyurem.
Weather conditions won’t play a big factor in this Raid, with most of them boosting both Kyurem and its counters. However the following can impact this Raid:
- Snow will boost Kyurem’s Ice and Steel type moves, as well as your Steel type counters.
- Windy Weather will boost Kyurem’s Dragon type moves, as well as your Dragon type counters.
- Cloudy Weather will boost Fairy and Fighting type counters.
- Partly Cloudy Weather will boost your Rock type counters.
Questions about taking on Kyurem in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary Pokémon Kyurem? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go coverage to prep for your Pokémon Journey!
