Legendary Pokemon remain a staple in Pokemon GO like in other games of the franchise. However, befitting their Legendary status, players can only get Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon GO through Legendary Raids. This means players need to bring out their best Pokemon and duke it out with these legendaries, which oftentimes have beefed up stats compared to ordinary Pokemon.

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Thankfully, players can tailor-fit their party to precisely fit fighting Legendary Pokemon. In fact, with the right Pokemon in their raid party, they may just tear through Legendary Raids like they were an ordinary Gym Battle.

The Pre-Legendary Roster

Get these Pokemon before taking on Legendary Raids - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Players who want to get into Legendary Raiding should choose the right kind of Pokemon to include in their basic roster to compete with the lower-tier Raids. That way, players could start investing in acquiring more powerful Pokemon from a proper vantage point. Here are some Pokemon to acquire:

Basic Psychics

Alakazam and Espeon are great Psychic Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Even in classic games, Psychic Type Pokemon always dominated in the early game. When built properly, Psychic Pokemon can withstand the more fearsome (and rarer) Dragon Types, Fairy Types, and even Dark Types. Thankfully, this principle works in the same way in Pokemon GO. Players should get into Legendary Raiding through a team of Psychic Types. Here are some recommended Pokemon:

  • Alakazam: It specializes in Fighting/Poison, with Confusion (Fast Move) that can deter stronger Pokemon. When charged, its Psychic (Charged Move) can eliminate enemies quickly.
  • Espeon: Mechanically, Espeon only boasts better HP compared with Alakazam. However, it does function in the same way in terms of attacks.

Machamp (Fighting)

Machamp is good against Tyranitar - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Despite its rough beginnings in the game, Machamp remains a must-grab for anyone who wants to get into raiding. It remains a powerful offensive tank with harsh Fighting moves that can easily wipe out otherwise stronger opponents. Despite the existence of rarer Fighting Pokemon such as Lucario, Conkeldurr, and Shadow Machamp, the base Machamp remains an ever-reliable raiding companion for newcomers.

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Machamp and other Fighting Types are the only Types that work against Normal and Dark Type bosses. Machamp's ability to counter Steel, Rock, and Ice Types makes it an ideal member of raiding parties. Here are other alternatives:

  • Breloom: Its Counter (Fast Move) and Dynamic Punch (Charged) combo can give a much-needed speedy counter to tougher foes at the beginning of Legendary Raids.
  • Hariyama: Similar to Breloom, Counter (Fast Move) and Dynamic Punch (Charged) remain an ever-reliable one-two-punch combo for most beginner Raids.

Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)

Tyranitar is good for midlevel Raids - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

After acquiring Machamp, players should use this Pokemon or a team with Breloom and Hariyama to take on Tyranitar. At its core, Tyranitar has great base stats and remains a reliable team member for players looking into their first Legendary Raiding experience. Tyranitar already excels as a Dark Type attacker, but acquiring one with Smack Down makes it a Rock Type smasher as well.

Granted, other newcomers such as Darkrai and Rampardos already outclass Tyranitar in terms of performance. However, non-Legendary Pokemon-wise, Tyranitar remains a staple pick for Tier 3 and Tier 4 raid parties.

The Picks For Dominant Raids

Some Pokemon GO characters are great for Dominant Raid Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Once players acquire their first Machamp and Tyranitar, they might very well be ready to bring their fight to much stronger Raids. Players should at least prepare for the most common Types across Tier 4 and Tier 5 Raids in order to slowly build their endgame roster.

Anti-Psychic Picks

Gengar and Weavile are good Anti Psychic Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Players will notice that Psychic Types dominate quite a lot of bosses among the Tier 5 category. They can easily become one of the most annoying bosses to deal with, especially with a basic raiding party. However, players might best them with ease with some ideal anti-Psychic Picks.

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  • Gengar. At base form, Gengar already has access to the best Ghost Type move sets in the game, though many Pokemon already exceed Gengar in terms of base DPS. Gengar's rather squishy self makes it unideal in parties at first glance. However, Gengar's Ghost-heavy move set does make it a good neutral pick for its resistances to other types. If accessing his legacy move set, Gengar can rise to become a powerhouse.
  • Weavile. Albeit not as strong as Gengar, Weavile still boasts great move sets for its typing — it easily becomes one of the best Ice and Dark Attackers in the game. When equipped with the right TMs, Weavile can accommodate the Type-countering equivalent of two Pokemon.
  • Honchkrow. Despite its common rarity, Honchkrow boasts decent DPS. As both a Dark and Flying Attacker, Honchkrow can duke it out with stronger Psychic Pokemon.

Anti-Dragon Picks

Gardevoire and Glaceon are great Anti Dragon Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Aside from Psychic Types, Dragon Types also dominate the Tier 5 boss lists. It doesn't help that Dragon Types most likely are the best options to defeat fellow Dragon Types and they're not so easily acquired. Thankfully, players can have other reliable options against Dragon Types that are far more accessible.

  • Gardevoir. This Pokemon has a lot of potential as Gardevoir is already a solid counter against Fighting Types. However, with Charm, Gardevoir can also take down a lot of foes as one of the strongest Fairy Types in the game. Gardevoir is a decent accessible choice against Dragon Types, Fighting Types, and Dark Types.
  • Mamoswine. Thanks to Mamoswine, Ice Types now became a more formidable type in the raiding scene. Mamoswine is a great counter to Garchomp, Salamence, Dragonite, and even Rayquaza.
  • Glaceon. This Eeveelution can acquire the best Ice Type Moves in the game. Considering Eevee's nature as a common Pokemon, it's very easy to acquire.

The Overlapping Picks

Some Pokemon GO have Overlapping Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Players who have more time to pick their Pokemon against very specific Legendary Raids might look into the best typing combinations for their parties. Players will want to look into specific Types and capitalize on their innate resistances and advantages when whipping them out in play.

Grass Is The Neutralizer

Roserade and Exeggutor are good Grass Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Despite the commonality of Grass Types, they actually remain formidable Pokemon to get for a raiding party despite not as strong in the DPS department. However, their potency against common Ground, Rock, and Water Types in raids make them must-haves in parties.

  • Roserade. Its small stature hides a behemoth underneath. Roserade serves as the best Grass and Poison Type attacker in the game, short of Mega Evolved Types. Its unique typing and access to Weather Ball Fire (Fire) and Sludge Bomb (Poison) make it a potent choice in raids.
  • Leafeon. Compared to other Grass Types, Leafeon isn't hard to get due to its nature as an Eeveelution. Once accessed, Leafeon offers great offensive options.
  • Exeggutor. Despite being outclassed by other Grass Types, Exeggutor remains an accessible choice for a decent Grass and Psychic Attacker. A large enough ATK can make Exeggutor dominate easily with Confusion (Fast Attack) and Seed Bomb (Charged Attack).

Water Kills Fire

Kingler and Gyarados are good Water Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Given the natural strength of Fire, Ground, and Rock Types in raids, it helps for players to pick Water Types to even out their equation. Water Types excel against foes at their base forms with no weather boosts to increase their stats.

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  • Kingler. Befitting its royal status, Kingler boasts large ATK numbers. However, its weak HP does make Kingler a bit of a glass cannon. A Kingler with a high-enough dodge stat can dominate the raiding game with its Bubble (Fast Move) and Crabhammer (Charge) combo.
  • Gyarados. Players who patiently care for their Magikarp will get a Gyarados that is a behemoth in terms of ATK and DEF. Despite being outclassed by other more potent Water Types, Gyarados still dominates courtesy of its Flying Typing. It's not as strong as Kingler but remains a solid option against Fire, Ground, and Rock Types.
  • Crawdaunt. Albeit also another glass cannon, Crawdaunt boasts a high enough ATK to make it viable for raids against Fire, Ground, and Rock Types. Its nature as both a Water and Dark Type Attacker makes Crawdaunt a more potent choice versus the likes of Swampert.

Rock Is The Smasher

Rhyperior and Rampardos are good Rock Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

Rock Types boast a huge advantage against Fire, Flying, Ice, and Bug Types which can all be quite pesky opponents in raids if faced unprepared. There are a ton of decent Rock Type options out there but some picks just outclass the rest.

  • Rhyperior. At its core, Rhyperior already has decent stats. Its Rock-focused move set can match that of a Tyranitar with legacy moves. Rock Wrecker (Charge Attack) can make Rhyperior one of the best Rock Attackers in the game.
  • Rampardos. Albeit rare, acquiring a Rampardos will give players a Pokemon with quite decent stats. Its ATK values almost match that of Mewtwo's. Its low HP and DEF make Rampardos a bit of a glass cannon though. With the right move set, Rock Slide (Charge Attack) and Smack Down (Fast Attack) can make Rampardos a menace in any team.

Electric Strikes Flying

Magnezone and Electivire are good Electric Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

With a number of Flying Types amongst Legendary Raid bosses, it makes sense for players to want an Electric Type to counter them. With lightning on their side, an Electric Type can easily ground a pesky Flying Pokemon.

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  • Magnezone. Boasting 12 resistances, Magnezone easily tops the defense game most of the time. With the right opponents, Magnezone can easily dish out enough DPS to eliminate its foes.
  • Electivire. Another decent choice for an Electric Type, Electivire has reliable Thunder Shock (Fast Attack) and Wild Charge (Charge Attack) as go-to combos against most enemies. Its alternate Ice Punch (Charge Attack) and Thunder Punch (Charge Attack) can become great substitutes in a pinch.

Fire Is The Cleanser

Charizard and Blaziken are good Fire Types - Pokemon GO Best Pokemon For Legendary Raids

When it comes to facing Grass, Ice, Steel, and Bug Types, it's Fire Types that dominate the competition. Granted, the aforementioned types aren't always in popular raid groups. However, anyone with a decent Fire Type can light up a firestorm on the battlefield.

  • Charizard. Befitting its iconic status, Charizard still lives up to the hype as a must-have Pokemon. Granted, it's not as potent with other Fire Type Attackers out there. However, Charizard can still dominate fights with Fire Spin (Fast Attack), and Blast Burn (Charged Attack).
  • Blaziken. Anyone who wants a chicken that does martial arts can look no further than Blaziken. It's one of the best Fire Types in the game that isn't a Mega Evolution or a Shadow Type. Using Blaziken with Blast Burn (Charge Attack) will give it a massive DPS boost and Blaze Kick (Charge Attack) is a quick-enough substitute to rake in damage points.
  • Flareon. Thanks to the commonality of Eevee, Flareon isn't extremely difficult to acquire. Its base stats already make it one of the best Fire Type attackers out there. Its only disadvantage is the fact that there aren't a lot of Raid options where its flame attacks are extremely viable. Regardless, Fire Spin (Fast Attack) is a great companion attack for Flamethrower (Charge Attack).

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