Azelf Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Azelf in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Azelf
Azelf is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Psychic typing. The best counter is Mega Gengar (Mega) with Lick and Shadow Ball, dealing 44.000 DPS.
Azelf 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: Azelf is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost -type attacks. Avoid using Fighting, Psychic-type moves as Azelf 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 Azelf is Mega Gengar (44.000 DPS), Shadow Darkrai (39.714 DPS), and Shadow Chandelure (39.286 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Azelf: After defeating Azelf, the catch encounter will have a CP between 1796 and 1880 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 2234-2339 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Azelf from raids will have exactly 1880 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 Azelf?
The best counter for Azelf is Mega Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball, dealing 44.000 DPS. Other top options include Shadow Darkrai (39.714 DPS) and Shadow Chandelure (39.286 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Azelf?
Azelf 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 Azelf weak to?
Azelf is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost-type attacks. It resists Fighting, Psychic-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Azelf be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Azelf's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Azelf from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Azelf from raids will have 1880 CP at level 20, or 2339 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1796. If you see 1880 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Azelf worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Azelf 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 Azelf?
For the best moveset for Azelf itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Azelf 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 Azelf without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Azelf can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Blacephalon (37.286 DPS) and Pheromosa (36.250 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 Azelf in raids?
Weather boost information for Azelf is not currently available. Psychic-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.