Swablu Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Swablu in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Swablu
Swablu 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 55.700 DPS.
Swablu 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: Swablu is weak to Electric, Ice, Rock -type attacks. Avoid using Ghost, Ground, Bug-type moves as Swablu 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 Swablu is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) (55.700 DPS), Regieleki (49.529 DPS), and Thundurus (Therian) (46.200 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Swablu: After defeating Swablu, the catch encounter will have a CP between 440 and 482 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 547-600 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Swablu from raids will have exactly 482 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 Swablu?
The best counter for Swablu is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) with Volt Switch and Wildbolt Storm, dealing 55.700 DPS. Other top options include Regieleki (49.529 DPS) and Thundurus (Therian) (46.200 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Swablu?
Swablu 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 Swablu weak to?
Swablu is weak to Electric, Ice, Rock-type attacks. It resists Ghost, Ground, Bug, Grass-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Swablu be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Swablu's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Swablu from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Swablu from raids will have 482 CP at level 20, or 600 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 440. If you see 482 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Swablu worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Swablu 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 Swablu?
For the best moveset for Swablu itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Swablu 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 Swablu without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Swablu can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Regieleki (49.529 DPS) and Thundurus (Therian) (46.200 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 Swablu in raids?
Weather boost information for Swablu 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.