Articuno Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Articuno in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Articuno
Articuno is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Ice/Flying typing. The best counter is Shadow Rampardos (Shadow) with Smack Down and Rock Slide, dealing 39.333 DPS.
Articuno can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Articuno is weak to Rock (double weak!), Electric, Fire, Steel -type attacks. Avoid using Ground, Bug, Grass-type moves as Articuno resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Articuno is Shadow Rampardos (39.333 DPS), Mega Diancie (39.053 DPS), and Shadow Tyrantrum (37.400 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Articuno: After defeating Articuno, the catch encounter will have a CP between 1707 and 1787 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 2123-2223 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Articuno from raids will have exactly 1787 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Articuno?
The best counter for Articuno is Shadow Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide, dealing 39.333 DPS. Other top options include Mega Diancie (39.053 DPS) and Shadow Tyrantrum (37.400 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Articuno?
Articuno can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Articuno weak to?
Articuno is weak to Rock (double weak), Electric, Fire, Steel-type attacks. It resists Ground, Bug, Grass-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Articuno be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Articuno's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Articuno from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Articuno from raids will have 1787 CP at level 20, or 2223 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1707. If you see 1787 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Articuno worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Articuno is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Articuno?
For the best moveset for Articuno itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Articuno stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Articuno without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Articuno can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Glimmora (33.200 DPS) and Rampardos (32.857 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Articuno in raids?
Weather boost information for Articuno is not currently available. Ice-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.