Whirlipede Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Whirlipede in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Whirlipede
Whirlipede is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Bug/Poison typing. The best counter is Shadow Mewtwo (Shadow) with Confusion and Psystrike, dealing 40.235 DPS.
Whirlipede 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: Whirlipede is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock -type attacks. Avoid using Fighting, Grass, Bug-type moves as Whirlipede 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 Whirlipede is Shadow Mewtwo (40.235 DPS), Mega Alakazam (38.889 DPS), and Mega Blaziken (38.316 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Whirlipede: After defeating Whirlipede, the catch encounter will have a CP between 620 and 670 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 772-833 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Whirlipede from raids will have exactly 670 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 Whirlipede?
The best counter for Whirlipede is Shadow Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike, dealing 40.235 DPS. Other top options include Mega Alakazam (38.889 DPS) and Mega Blaziken (38.316 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Whirlipede?
Whirlipede 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 Whirlipede weak to?
Whirlipede is weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, Rock-type attacks. It resists Fighting, Grass, Bug, Fairy, Poison-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Whirlipede be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Whirlipede's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Whirlipede from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Whirlipede from raids will have 670 CP at level 20, or 833 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 620. If you see 670 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Whirlipede worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Whirlipede 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 Whirlipede?
For the best moveset for Whirlipede itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Whirlipede 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 Whirlipede without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Whirlipede can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Blacephalon (37.778 DPS) and Mewtwo (33.765 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 Whirlipede in raids?
Weather boost information for Whirlipede is not currently available. Bug-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.