Rufflet Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Rufflet in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Rufflet
Rufflet is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Normal/Flying typing. The best counter is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) (Shadow) with Volt Switch and Wildbolt Storm, dealing 75.600 DPS.
Rufflet 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: Rufflet is weak to Electric, Ice, Rock -type attacks. Avoid using Ghost, Ground, Bug-type moves as Rufflet 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 Rufflet is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) (75.600 DPS), Regieleki (67.647 DPS), and Thundurus (Therian) (62.900 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Rufflet: After defeating Rufflet, the catch encounter will have a CP between 816 and 873 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 1016-1086 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Rufflet from raids will have exactly 873 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 Rufflet?
The best counter for Rufflet is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) with Volt Switch and Wildbolt Storm, dealing 75.600 DPS. Other top options include Regieleki (67.647 DPS) and Thundurus (Therian) (62.900 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Rufflet?
Rufflet 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 Rufflet weak to?
Rufflet is weak to Electric, Ice, Rock-type attacks. It resists Ghost, Ground, Bug, Grass-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Rufflet be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Rufflet's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Rufflet from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Rufflet from raids will have 873 CP at level 20, or 1086 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 816. If you see 873 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Rufflet worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Rufflet 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 Rufflet?
For the best moveset for Rufflet itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Rufflet 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 Rufflet without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Rufflet can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Regieleki (67.647 DPS) and Thundurus (Therian) (62.900 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 Rufflet in raids?
Weather boost information for Rufflet is not currently available. Normal-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.