Raids are a fun way to battle and catch Legendary Pokemon!
Through gaming experience and research, I have discovered the best Pokemon to take to a raid based on Combat Power (CP), Damage Per Second (DPS), Offensive combat scores, and Total Damage Output (TDO). This is the list of the best: Absol, Alakazam, Dragonite, Exeggutor, Golem, Machamp, Metagross, Raquaza, Rhydon, and Tyranitar. Read more to find out about these amazing pocket monsters and why to take them to your next raid!
10. Absol
Absol is absolutely fierce!
Starting off this list is Absol, the Gen III pocket monster from the Hoenn region. I use this Dark type Pokemon often in trainer battles and in gyms. This is one of the Pokemon that would be great to use in a raid! Read on to find out more about why Absol is considered as a stellar raid Pokemon!
What Absol Excels In
- Absol’s best movesets are Dark Pulse and Snarl; it has a DPS of 12.60!
- Although not as important as DPS, Absol’s Highest CP is 2526.
- Combat score in Offense is high at 246.
- TDO for Dark Pulse and Snarl is 298.76.
Pokemon Details
- Absol is known as the Disaster Pokemon; the Pokedex states that “every time Absol appears before people, it is followed by a disaster such as an earthquake or a tidal wave.”
- Since Absol is boosted by foggy weather conditions, that would be an ideal time to use it in a raid!
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Absol is listed as #359!
How to get Absol
- Absol is a lone pocket monster; it has no evolutions.
- Spawn locations include gardens and parks.
- This is a rare Pokemon that can be hatched with 7 KM eggs, captured in the wild, or caught in a raid.
9. Alakazam
Wham! Bam! Alakazam!
Alakazam is a powerhouse when it comes to taking down pocket monsters! This Gen 1 psychic type superstar from the Kanto region would be an excellent choice to bring to a raid. Read on to find out why you would be entranced with Alakazam!
What Alakazam Excels In
- Best movesets for Alakazam are Psycho Cut and Psychic; it has a DPS of 18.11!
- Combat score on Offense is 271.
- Highest CP for Alakazam is 3057!
- TDO for Psycho Cut and Psychic is 524.43.
Pokemon details
- According to the Pokedex, "Alakazam's brain continually grows, making its head far too heavy to support with its neck. This Pokémon holds its head up using its psychokinetic power instead."
- Alakazam is boosted by windy weather!
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Alakazam is listed as #65 in the Pokedex.
How to get Alakazam
- Alakazam cannot be hatched, but it can be evolved with 100 Kadabra candy!
- Although very rare, Alakazam can be found in the wild; it is more likely that Alakazam can be found at night.
- Spawn locations include hospitals and residential areas.
8. Dragonite
Watch out for that Dragon Tail!
Dragonite is one of the original Gen 1 Pokemon from the Kanto region! This fervid yet kind pocket monster is a powerful dragon and flying type Pokemon. Read below to find out how and why Dragonite is a terrific choice to take to a raid!
What Dragonite Excels In
- Best moveset for Dragonite is Dragon Breath and Outrage with 17.48 DPS!
- Combat score for Offense is 263.
- Highest CP for Dragonite is 3,792!
- TDO for Dragon Breath and Outrage is 826.18.
Pokemon details
- According to the Pokedex, “it is said that this Pokemon constantly flies over the immense seas and rescues drowning people.”
- Dragonite is boosted by windy weather conditions!
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Dragonite is listed as #149 in the Pokedex.
How to get Dragonite
- Dragonite cannot be hatched, but it can be technically be captured, although this is rare.
- Spawn locations include golf courses and landmarks.
- This pocket monster can be evolved with 100 Dragonair candy!
7. Exeggutor
Over easy or scrambled? Exeggutor is an “eggcellent” opponent for raids!
Exeggutor is a valiant opponent in trainer battles, gyms, and raids! This Gen 1 dual type grass and psychic Pokemon from the Kanto region is a tried-and-true warrior. Read on to find out how and why Exeggutor is an “eggcellent” choice to take on a raid!
What Exeggutor Excels In
- Best movesets for Exeggutor are Extrasensory and Psychic, with a DPS score of 16.06!
- Combat score for Exeggutor is strong with a score of 233 on Offense.
- Highest CP for Exeggutor is 3,014!
- TDO for Extrasensory and Psychic is 601.98.
Pokemon details
- After checking both forms, the original Exeggutor’s overall combat scores are slightly higher than the Alolan Exeggutor.
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Exeggutor is listed as #103 in the Pokedex!
- Weather Boosts for Exeggutor include sun and wind.
How to get Exeggutor
- The easiest way to get Exeggutor is to evolve 50 Exeggcute.
- Exeggutor cannot be hatched, but it can be captured in the wild!
- Spawn locations for Exeggutor include Farms, Gardens, Hospitals, Parks, Residential Areas, and Woodlands. You can also catch them at night!
6. Golem
Golem will Mud-Slap opponents into oblivion!
Golem is literally a rock star as a Gen 1 dual type ground and rock type Pokemon! This pocket monster rolled in from the Kanto region and will dominate in battles, gyms, and raids! Read on
more to find out how and why Golem rocks!
What Golem Excels In
- Best movesets for Golem are Rock Throw and Earthquake with 13.25 DPS!
- Combat score for Golem in Offense with a score of 211.
- Highest CP is 2,949.
- TDO for Rock Throw and Earthquake is 573.24!
Pokemon details
- According to the Pokedex, “it lives in the mountains. If there is a large earthquake, these Pokemon will come rolling down off the mountains en masse to the foothills below.”
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Golem is listed as #76 in the Pokedex.
- Weather boosts for Golem are rain and sun!
How to get Golem
- Golem cannot be hatched, but it can be captured in the wild.
- Evolving 100 Graveler candy is the best way to get Golem!
- Spawn locations include buildings, farmland, hiking trails, nature preserves, and quarries.
5. Machamp
Machamp has four times the power to defeat opponents!
Four arms are better than two, especially when it comes to combat, gyms, and raids! Machamp, an original Gen 1 fighting type pocket monster from the Kanto region, is a powerhouse Pokemon! Read on to find out how and why Machamp makes this list of stellar raid Pokemon!
What Machamp Excels In
- Best movesets for Machamp are Counter and Dynamic Punch with 16.20 DPS!
- Highest CP for Machamp is 3,056.
- Offense is high with a score of 234!
- TDO for Counter and Dynamic Punch is 619.44.
Pokemon details
- According to the Pokedex, “it has the power to hurl anything aside. However, trying to do any work requiring care and dexterity causes its arms to get tangled. This Pokemon tends to leap into action before it thinks.”
- For Pokemon collectors, Machamp is listed as #68 in the Pokedex!
- Machamp is boosted by cloudy weather.
How to get Machamp
- The easiest way to get Machamp is to evolve 100 Machoke candy.
- Machamp cannot be hatched, but it can be captured in the wild (rare).
- Spawn locations include recreation areas and stadiums!
4. Metagross
Metagross has all the brain power to outsmart its opponents!
This steely pocket monster will blow your mind in raids! Also known as the Iron Leg Pokemon, Metagross is a Gen 3 dual type psychic and steel Pokemon from the Hoenn region that will both psyche out and strike out its opponents. Read on to discover more about the mighty Metagross!
What Metagross Excels In
- Best movesets are Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash with 16.92 DPS!
- Highest CP for Metagross is 3,791.
- Offense score is 257.
- TDO for Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash is 835.17!
Pokemon details
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Metagross is listed as #376 in the Pokedex.
- Metagross is boosted by snowy or windy weather conditions!
- The Pokedex states that “Metagross has four brains in total. Combined, the four brains can breeze through difficult calculations faster than a supercomputer. This Pokemon can float in the air by tucking in its four legs.”
How to get Metagross
- Metagross can be evolved with 100 Metang candy.
- Spawn locations for Metagross include cities and hospitals!
- This Pokemon cannot be hatched but can be captured in the wild (rare).
3. Rayquaza
Rayquaza’s moves in battle are outrageous!
This Legendary Pokemon would be a dream to take to a raid! Rayquaza is a Gen 3 dragon and flying dual type Pokemon that flew in from the Hoenn region! The Pokedex states that “it has said to have lived for hundreds of millions of years.” Read on to find out more about Rayquaza and why to take it to a raid!
What Rayquaza Excels In
- Best movesets include Dragon Tail and Outrage with a DPS of 18.81.
- Maximum CP for Rayquaza is 4,354!
- Offensive combat score for Rayquaza is 284.
- TDO for Dragon Tail and Outrage is 785.61!
Pokemon details
- According to the Pokedex, “It flies forever through the ozone layer, consuming meteoroids for sustenance. The many meteoroids in its body provide the energy it needs to Mega Evolve.”
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Rayquaza is listed as #384 in the Pokedex.
- Rayquaza s boosted by windy weather conditions!
How to get Rayquaza
- Since Rayquaza is a Legendary Pokemon, it cannot be hatched or captured in the wild.
- It can only be captured after defeat in a raid battle.
2. Rhydon
Heads or tails? Rhydon’s horn and tail can cut and sweep away its enemies!
Rhydon is a rough and tumble ground and rock dual Pokemon that would be excellent to take to raids! Also known as the Drill Pokemon, this Gen 1 beast from the Kanto region will horn in and take over its opponents! Read on to find out more about how and why Rhydon is a great pick for raids!
What Rhydon Excels In
- Best movesets for Rhydon include Mudslap and Earthquake with a 13.82 DPS.
- Maximum CP for Rhydon is an impressive 3,179!
- Offensive stats are high with a score of 222.
- TDO for Mudslap and Earthquake is 631.13.
Pokemon details
- According to the Pokedex, “Rhydon’s horn can crush even uncut diamonds. One sweeping blow of its tail can topple a building. This Pokemon’s hide is extremely tough. Even direct cannon hits don’t leave a scratch.”
- For Pokemon collectors, Rhydon is listed as #112 in the Pokedex.
- Rhydon likes and is boosted by party cloudy and sunny weather conditions!
How to get Rhydon
- Rhydon cannot be hatched but can be captured in the wild.
- Spawn locations include buildings, cities, farmland, golf courses, nature preserves, and quarries.
- This Pokemon can be evolved with 50 Rhyhorn candy.
1.Tyranitar
Prepare for the smack down from Tyranitar!
Ending this list is Tyranitar! The Gen 2 pocket monster from the Johto region is a dual type Dark and Rock Pokemon. The Pokedex states that “its body cannot be harmed by any sort of attack, so it is very eager to make challenges against enemies.” Read on to find out why and how this fearless pocket monster excels in raids!
What Tyranitar Excels In
- Best movesets are Smack Down and Stone Edge with 14.95 DPS.
- Maximum CP for Tyranitar is 3,834, which is great!
- Offensive combat score is 251.
- TDO for Smack Down and Stone Edge is 789.65!
Pokemon details
- For Pokemon GO collectors, Tyranitar is listed as #248 in the Pokedex.
- This pocket monster is known as the Armor Pokemon!
- Tyranitar is boosted by partly cloudy and foggy weather conditions!
How to get Tyranitar
- Spawn locations for Tyranitar include buildings, farmland, hiking places, nature preserves, and places of interest.
- This Pokemon can be evolved with 100 Pupitar candy!
- Tyranitar cannot be hatched, it can only be captured in the wild (rare).
