#0488 Legendary

Cresselia

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 3,230 Confusion + Futuresight Windy
Cresselia Pokemon GO sprite

Cresselia is a Legendary Psychic-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Sinnoh region (#488, Generation 4). With a max CP of 3,230 and base stats of 152/258/260 (Atk/Def/Sta), Cresselia has a total stat product of 670.

Cresselia is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost-type moves. It resists Fighting, Psychic-type attacks. Cresselia is a 20.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
3,230
Lv.40: 2,857 Lv.50: 3,230
Attack 152
Defense 258
Stamina 260
Total 670
Buddy 20.0 km Gen 4 · Sinnoh 2nd Move: 100,000 Dust · 100 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Psychic
Confusion STAB
12.7
DPS
19.0 PWR 14 EN 1.5s DUR 9.3 EPS Windy
Psychic
Psycho Cut STAB
8
DPS
4.0 PWR 7 EN 0.5s DUR 14 EPS Windy

Charged Moves

Ice
22.9
DPS
80.0 PWR 50 EN 3.5s DUR
Psychic
46
DPS
115.0 PWR 100 EN 2.5s DUR
Fairy
Moonblast Buff
32.5
DPS
130.0 PWR 100 EN 4.0s DUR
Grass
Grass Knot Elite
36
DPS
90.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Confusion (12.7 DPS), while Psycho Cut generates energy the fastest (14 EPS). Note that Grass Knot is an Elite TM move and cannot be obtained through regular TMs.

Raid Guide

Cresselia as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Cresselia is not currently available as a raid boss. When Cresselia returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Cresselia from raids would have 1633 CP at level 20, or 2041 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Cresselia

Cresselia is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost-type moves, so counters with these move types will deal the most damage.

How to Get Cresselia

Cresselia can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Cresselia is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Cresselia knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Cresselia as your buddy earns 1 candy every 20.0 km.

Cresselia Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Cresselia in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
71 – 2,470 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
71 – 2,674 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
1,594 – 1,673 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
1,983 – 2,082 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
1,594 – 1,673 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
1,205 – 1,265 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
1,594 – 1,673 CP

A 100% IV Cresselia from raids or eggs will show 1,633 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Cresselia is a Psychic-type Pokemon with a stat total of 670. With its bulk spread of 258 Defense and 260 Stamina, Cresselia has solid survivability in battles.

Watch out for Bug, Dark, Ghost-type moves when using Cresselia. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Cresselia's performance.

Cresselia's moves get a damage boost in Windy weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 100,000 Stardust and 100 Candy. With 4 charged moves available, a second move gives Cresselia much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Cresselia?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Collector's Pick
Cresselia is a Psychic-type Pokemon with base stats of 152/258/260 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 3,230. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Cresselia may shine during specific events, in limited-format cups, or when new moves are added in future updates. For now, hold onto a good IV specimen but save your Stardust and Candy for more impactful investments unless you're a dedicated fan of this Pokemon.

Shadow vs Regular: Shadow Cresselia deals 20% more damage but takes ~20% more. For raids, Shadow is generally the better investment. For PvP, evaluate matchups carefully — the bulk loss can be significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Cresselia in Pokemon GO?
Cresselia has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Cresselia for raids, gym battles, or PvP — check the moves section above for a full breakdown of each move's DPS, energy cost, and coverage.
What are Cresselia's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Cresselia is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost-type moves. On the other hand, Cresselia resists Fighting, Psychic-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Cresselia effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Cresselia's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Cresselia's maximum CP is 3,230 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 2,857 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Cresselia's CP is calculated from its base stats: 152 Attack, 258 Defense, and 260 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Cresselia caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 1,633 CP, or 2,041 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Cresselia?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Cresselia has the following CP at key levels: 1,224 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 1,633 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 2,041 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 3,230 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Cresselia, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Cresselia ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
Is Shadow Cresselia better than regular?
Shadow Cresselia deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Cresselia is generally better due to the higher DPS output. For PvP, it depends on the matchup — the extra damage taken can be a significant drawback in extended battles where survivability matters. Shadow Cresselia comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Cresselia in Pokemon GO?
Cresselia can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events. Cresselia can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Cresselia be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Cresselia's availability depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Not all Pokemon have their shiny forms available yet. Check the current events page and Community Day announcements for any updates on shiny Cresselia availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 40 CP
L5 385 CP
L10 816 CP
L15 1,224 CP
L20 1,633 CP
L25 2,041 CP
L30 2,449 CP
L35 2,653 CP
L40 2,857 CP
L50 3,230 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #488
Generation Gen 4
Region Sinnoh
Height 1.50 m
Weight 85.60 kg
Buddy Distance 20.0 km
Tradable Yes
2nd Charged Move 100,000 Dust / 100 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 20,000 Dust / 20 Candy