#0249 Legendary

Lugia

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

Max CP 4,186 Dragon Tail + Aeroblast Windy
Lugia Pokemon GO sprite

Lugia is a Legendary Psychic/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Johto region (#249, Generation 2). With a max CP of 4,186 and base stats of 193/310/235 (Atk/Def/Sta), Lugia has a total stat product of 738.

Lugia is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, Rock-type moves. It resists Fighting, Ground, Grass, Psychic-type attacks. Lugia is a 20.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
4,186
Lv.40: 3,703 Lv.50: 4,186
Attack 193
Defense 310
Stamina 235
Total 738
Buddy 20.0 km Gen 2 · Johto 2nd Move: 100,000 Dust · 100 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Dragon
14
DPS
14.0 PWR 8 EN 1.0s DUR 8 EPS Windy
Psychic
11
DPS
11.0 PWR 11 EN 1.0s DUR 11 EPS Windy

Charged Moves

Flying
Fly STAB
45
DPS
90.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR
Psychic
46
DPS
115.0 PWR 100 EN 2.5s DUR
Water
38.6
DPS
135.0 PWR 100 EN 3.5s DUR
Flying
Sky Attack STAB
40
DPS
80.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR
Flying
Aeroblast STAB Elite Buff
51.4
DPS
180.0 PWR 100 EN 3.5s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Dragon Tail (14 DPS), while Extrasensory generates energy the fastest (11 EPS). Note that Aeroblast is an Elite TM move and cannot be obtained through regular TMs.

Raid Guide

Lugia as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Lugia is not currently available as a raid boss. When Lugia returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Lugia from raids would have 2115 CP at level 20, or 2645 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Lugia

Lugia is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, Rock-type moves, so counters with these move types will deal the most damage.

How to Get Lugia

Lugia can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Lugia is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Lugia 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 Lugia as your buddy earns 1 candy every 20.0 km.

Lugia Catch CP

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

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
95 – 3,200 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
95 – 3,465 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
2,079 – 2,168 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
2,586 – 2,698 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
2,079 – 2,168 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
1,572 – 1,640 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
2,079 – 2,168 CP

A 100% IV Lugia from raids or eggs will show 2,115 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Lugia is a Psychic/Flying-type Pokemon with a stat total of 738. With its bulk spread of 310 Defense and 235 Stamina, Lugia has solid survivability in battles.

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

Lugia'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 5 charged moves available, a second move gives Lugia much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Lugia?

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
Lugia is a Psychic/Flying-type Pokemon with base stats of 193/310/235 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 4,186. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Lugia 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 Lugia 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 Lugia in Pokemon GO?
Lugia has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Lugia 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 Lugia's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Lugia is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, Rock-type moves. On the other hand, Lugia resists Fighting, Ground, Grass, Psychic-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Lugia 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 Lugia's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Lugia's maximum CP is 4,186 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 3,703 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. Lugia's CP is calculated from its base stats: 193 Attack, 310 Defense, and 235 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 Lugia caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 2,115 CP, or 2,645 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Lugia?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Lugia has the following CP at key levels: 1,587 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 2,115 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 2,645 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 4,186 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Lugia, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Lugia 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 Lugia better than regular?
Shadow Lugia deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Lugia 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 Lugia comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Lugia in Pokemon GO?
Lugia can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events. Lugia can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Lugia be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Lugia'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 Lugia availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 52 CP
L5 499 CP
L10 1,058 CP
L15 1,587 CP
L20 2,115 CP
L25 2,645 CP
L30 3,174 CP
L35 3,438 CP
L40 3,703 CP
L50 4,186 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #249
Generation Gen 2
Region Johto
Height 5.21 m
Weight 216.00 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