Deoxys (Defense) Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Deoxys (Defense) in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Deoxys (Defense)
Deoxys (Defense) is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Psychic typing. The best counter is Mega Gengar (Mega) with Lick and Shadow Ball, dealing 20.800 DPS.
Deoxys (Defense) 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: Deoxys (Defense) is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost -type attacks. Avoid using Fighting, Psychic-type moves as Deoxys (Defense) 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 Deoxys (Defense) is Mega Gengar (20.800 DPS), Mega Absol (18.600 DPS), and Shadow Gengar (18.267 DPS).
Catching Deoxys (Defense): After defeating Deoxys (Defense), the catch encounter will have a CP between 1259 and 1331 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 1566-1656 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Deoxys (Defense) from raids will have exactly 1331 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 Deoxys (Defense)?
The best counter for Deoxys (Defense) is Mega Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball, dealing 20.800 DPS. Other top options include Mega Absol (18.600 DPS) and Shadow Gengar (18.267 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Deoxys (Defense)?
Deoxys (Defense) 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 Deoxys (Defense) weak to?
Deoxys (Defense) is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost-type attacks. It resists Fighting, Psychic-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Deoxys (Defense) be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Deoxys (Defense)'s shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Deoxys (Defense) from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Deoxys (Defense) from raids will have 1331 CP at level 20, or 1656 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1259. If you see 1331 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Deoxys (Defense) worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Deoxys (Defense) 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 Deoxys (Defense)?
For the best moveset for Deoxys (Defense) itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Deoxys (Defense) 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 Deoxys (Defense) without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Deoxys (Defense) can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Blacephalon (17.143 DPS) and Pheromosa (16.625 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 Deoxys (Defense) in raids?
Weather boost information for Deoxys (Defense) 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.