#0232

Donphan

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

Max CP 3,407 Charm + Earthquake Sunny
Donphan Pokemon GO sprite

Donphan is a Ground-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Johto region (#232, Generation 2). With a max CP of 3,407 and base stats of 214/185/207 (Atk/Def/Sta), Donphan has a total stat product of 606.

Donphan is weak to Grass, Ice, Water-type moves. It resists Electric, Poison, Rock-type attacks. Donphan is a 3.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
3,407
Lv.40: 3,013 Lv.50: 3,407
Attack 214
Defense 185
Stamina 207
Total 606
Buddy 3.0 km Gen 2 · Johto 2nd Move: 50,000 Dust · 50 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Fairy
13.3
DPS
20.0 PWR 11 EN 1.5s DUR 7.3 EPS Cloudy
Fighting
13
DPS
13.0 PWR 9 EN 1.0s DUR 9 EPS Cloudy
Ground
Mud Slap STAB
12.7
DPS
19.0 PWR 13 EN 1.5s DUR 8.7 EPS Sunny
Normal
10
DPS
5.0 PWR 5 EN 0.5s DUR 10 EPS Partly Cloudy

Charged Moves

Normal
25
DPS
50.0 PWR 33 EN 2.0s DUR
Ground
Earthquake STAB
40
DPS
140.0 PWR 100 EN 3.5s DUR
Steel
35
DPS
70.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR
Fairy
30
DPS
90.0 PWR 50 EN 3.0s DUR
Grass
Trailblaze Buff
32.5
DPS
65.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Charm (13.3 DPS), while Tackle generates energy the fastest (10 EPS).

Evolution

Raid Guide

Donphan as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Donphan is not currently available as a raid boss. When Donphan returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Donphan from raids would have 1722 CP at level 20, or 2152 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Donphan

Donphan is weak to Grass, Ice, Water-type moves, so counters with these move types will deal the most damage.

How to Get Donphan

Donphan evolves from Phanpy using 50 Candy.

A Shadow version of Donphan is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Donphan knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 3,000 Stardust and 3 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Donphan as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km.

Donphan Catch CP

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

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
76 – 2,604 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
76 – 2,820 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
1,685 – 1,765 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
2,096 – 2,195 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
1,685 – 1,765 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
1,274 – 1,334 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
1,685 – 1,765 CP

A 100% IV Donphan from raids or eggs will show 1,722 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Donphan is a Ground-type Pokemon with a stat total of 606. With its high Attack stat (214), Donphan is best suited for offensive roles in both raids and PvP.

Watch out for Grass, Ice, Water-type moves when using Donphan. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Donphan's performance.

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

Unlocking a second charged move costs 50,000 Stardust and 50 Candy. With 5 charged moves available, a second move gives Donphan much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Donphan?

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
Donphan is a Ground-type Pokemon with base stats of 214/185/207 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 3,407. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Donphan 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 Donphan 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 Donphan in Pokemon GO?
Donphan has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Donphan 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 Donphan's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Donphan is weak to Grass, Ice, Water-type moves. On the other hand, Donphan resists Electric, Poison, Rock-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Donphan 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 Donphan's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Donphan's maximum CP is 3,407 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 3,013 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. Donphan's CP is calculated from its base stats: 214 Attack, 185 Defense, and 207 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 Donphan caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 1,722 CP, or 2,152 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Donphan?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Donphan has the following CP at key levels: 1,291 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 1,722 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 2,152 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 3,407 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Donphan, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Donphan 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 Donphan better than regular?
Shadow Donphan deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Donphan 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 Donphan comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Donphan in Pokemon GO?
Donphan is obtained by evolving its pre-evolution (Phanpy with 50 Candy). Donphan can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Donphan be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Donphan'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 Donphan availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 42 CP
L5 406 CP
L10 861 CP
L15 1,291 CP
L20 1,722 CP
L25 2,152 CP
L30 2,583 CP
L35 2,798 CP
L40 3,013 CP
L50 3,407 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #232
Generation Gen 2
Region Johto
Height 1.09 m
Weight 120.00 kg
Buddy Distance 3.0 km
Tradable Yes
2nd Charged Move 50,000 Dust / 50 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 3,000 Dust / 3 Candy