Mega Slowbro is returning to Mega Raids in Pokémon Go. Players will be able to challenge Mega Slowbro from September 1-14, 2021 and we here at iMore have gathered the best counters based on its current stats and movesets so you can prepare. Also be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!
Who is Mega Slowbro in Pokémon Go?
The first evolution of Gen I's Slowpoke, Slowbro would later be joined by Slowking in Gen II and the Regional Variants Galarian Slowbro and Galarian Slowking in Gen VIII. Slowpoke only evolves when bitten by a Shellder, who never lets go and constantly injects venom into the evolved Slowpoke, enhancing its Psychic powers. The two form a symbiotic organism with both benefiting from the arrangement.
While Mega Slowbro is far from the best Water or Psychic type, it is the first Psychic type Mega Evolved Pokémon to come to Pokémon Go. Further, beginning in June 2021, only one Mega Evolved Pokémon will be available at a time, so it could be a while before we get another Psychic type. Given the potential for boosting Mewtwo and Shadow Mewtwo, as well as many other powerful Psychic types, Mega Slowbro could be useful until we get some of the other Psychic type Mega Evolutions.
What are the best counters for Mega Slowbro in Pokémon Go?
A Water and Psychic type, Slowbro currently has access to Water, Psychic, and Ice type moves. It's weaknesses include Bug, Dark, Electric, Ghost, and Grass type attacks. Due to the large number of Mega Evolved Pokémon with type advantage, there are a lot of strategies for beating Mega Slowbro if you can safely coordinate with your fellow Raiders. However, even if you cannot coordinate, this Raid still shouldn't be too difficult.
Mega Gengar
The absolute best counter for Mega Slowbro is Mega Gengar. As a Ghost and Poison type, it takes increased damage from Slowbro's Psychic attacks, but it deals so much damage and boosts other Ghost types that it's definitely worth bringing it. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want your Mega Gengar to know and be sure to keep plenty of Revives and Potions on hand to keep it in the fight.
Mega Manectric
Mega Manectric is the key to an Electric based offensive in this Mega Raid. As a pure Electric type, it brings no notable resistances but it's also not weak to any of Mega Slowbro's attacks. It will also last longer and do more damage than the other Electric type Mega Pokémon, Mega Ampharos. If you're bringing Mega Manectric to this fight, you'll want it to know Snarl and Wild Charge.
Mega Houndoom
Continuing down the line, Mega Houndoom makes a great leader for a Dark based offensive. As a Dark and Fire type, it resists Mega Slowbro's Psychic and Ice attacks, but it takes super effective damage from Water type attacks, so it's best to know the moveset of your Mega Slowbro before bringing Mega Houndoom. Snarl and Foul Play are the moves you'll want Mega Houndoom to know for this Mega Raid.
Mega Gyarados
Although Mega Gyarados doesn't perform quite as well as Mega Houndoom, it's pretty close and a great choice for a Dark based offensive. It's a Water and Dark type, which gives it resistance to all of Mega Slowbro's attacks. If you are bringing Mega Gyarados to this fight you'll want Bite and Crunch for its moveset.
Zekrom
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom performs very well in this Raid, especially when paired with Mega Manectric. As a Dragon and Electric type, it resists Water type attacks, but takes super effective damage from Ice. As Mega Slowbro only has access to the one Ice type attack, there's a good chance Zekrom will be the best non-Mega and non-Shadow Pokémon you can bring. However, it's had very limited availability, having been released durign a global pandemic, so many players still don't have one, much less the Candy to power it up. Still, if you have it, Zekrom should know Charge Beam and Wild Charge to best handle this fight.
Mega Venusaur
Although Grass isn't the most viable counter, Mega Venusaur does make room for a Grass based offensive to Mega Slowbro. As a Grass and Poison type, it takes super effective damage from Ice and Psychic type attacks, while resisting Water, so moveset is really important here. If you are bringing a Mega Venusau) to this Mega Raid, you'll want Vine Whip for the fast attack and Frenzy Plant for the charged.
Darkrai
A Mythical Pokémon originally encountered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Darkrai performs very well in this fight, especially when boosted by Mega Gyarados or Mega Houndoom. As a pure Dark type, it resists Mega Slowbro's Psychic type attacks and has no relevant weaknesses. And, even though Darkrai is a Mythical Pokémon, it was featured in Raids during the Pokémon Go Halloween 2019 event, as well as multiple Raids since, so most players have had their chance to add Darkrai to their roster. Snarl and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want your Darkrai to know, but Dark Pulse is a very close second if you don't have the TM to spare.
Thundurus (Therian forme)
One of the Forces of Nature trio from the Unovan region, Thundurus is a Legendary Pokémon with multiple formes. For this fight, you're going to want the Therian forme of Thundurus. Fortunately, both formes use the same Candy and have been featured in mutiple Raids, as well as a Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter. As an Electric and Flying type, it takes increased damage from Ice type attacks and brings no notable resistances to this fight. If you're bringing Thundurus to this Mega Raid, you'll want Volt Switch and Thunderbolt for its moves.
Chandelure
Originally discovered in the Unova region of Gen V, Chandelure is a great pick to pair with Mega Gengar. As a Ghost and Fire type, Chandelure does take super effective damage from Water type attacks, but resists Ice type attacks, so moveset is important here. Fortunately, it's first stage, Litwick, has been featured in a number of events, so most players have had the opportunity to add this haunted chandalier to their roster. Hex is the fast move you'll want your Chandelure to know and Shadow Ball is the ideal charged move.
Giratina (Origin forme)
Another Legendary Pokémon with multiple formes, Origin forme Giratina is a great pick for this Mega Raid. This Ghost and Dragon type takes increased damage from Mega Slowbro's Ice type attack, but resists its Water type attacks. Although Giratina's Origin forme hasn't seen as widespread availability as its Altered forme, they share the same Candy, so can be easily powered up. If you're putting Giratina on your team, you'll want it to know Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.
Mega Ampharos
Although it doesn't perform nearly as well as Mega Manectric, if you don't have enough Manectric Mega Energy or already have an Ampharos Mega Evolved, it will still work well for an Electric based offensive. As an Electric and Dragon type, Mega Ampharos takes super effective damage from Ice type attacks while resisting Water. Volt Switch and Zap Cannon are the moves you'll want for this Mega Raid.
Raikou
One of the Legendary Beasts of Johto, Raikou is a great counter for Mega Slowbro, especially when boosted by Mega Manectric or Mega Ampharos. As a pure Electric type, none of Mega Slowbro's attacks can deal super effective damage, and it's one of the most readily available Legendaries in the game, having been featured many times in many different ways. If you are bringing Raikou to this fight, you'll want it to know Thunder Shock and Wild Charge.
Magnezone
The Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen I's Magneton, Magnezone if another great choice to pair with Mega Manectric or Mega Ampharos. It's an Electric and Steel type, giving it resistance to both Psychic and Ice type moves. Better yet, Megneton and Magnemite have been in the game since day one, so most active players have had the chance to add Magnezone to their roster. Spark and Wild Charge is the moveset you'll want your Magnezone to know in this Mega Raid.
Yveltal
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Y, Yveltal is a great choice in this Mega Raid. It's only had one run in Raids outside of Pokémon Go Fest 2021, so you might not have enough Candy to power it up; however, it's a great Dark and an even better Flying type, so worth the investment of Rare Candy. Yveltal takes increased damage from Ice, while resisting Psychic, and when paired with Mega Gyarados or Mega Houndoom, it will deal even more damage. The best moveset for Yveltal is Snarl and Dark Pulse.
Electivire
Easily the most accessible of the best counters for Mega Slowbro, Electivire performs great when paired with Mega Manectric or Mega Ampharos. This pure Electric type has no weaknesses Slowbro can exploit and most players have at least a couple already powered up and ready for this fight. between being featured in multiple events, including Community Day, there's really no good excuse not to have a team of Electivire. Thunder Shock and Wild Charge are the moves you'll want your Electivire to know.
Back ups?
Because so many of the best counters are Mega Evolved Pokémon, you may find you need to pick from the back ups, especially if you are able to coordinate the use of a specific Mega Evolved Pokémon with your fellow Raiders.
- Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
- Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
- Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Hydreigon with Bite and Dark Pulse
- Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Zacian (Hero of Many Battles forme) with Snarl and Wild Charge
- Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Roserade with Razor Leaf and Grass Knot
- Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
- Bisharp with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Deoxys with Charge Beam and Thunderbolt
- Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Escavalier with Bug Bite and Megahorn
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Cacturne with Sucker Punch and Grass Knot
- Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
Shadow Pokémon?
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:
- Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Shadow Tangrowth with Vine Whip and Power Whip
- Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
- Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Shadow Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Shadow Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Shadow Shiftry with Snarl and Leaf Blade
- Shadow Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Solar Beam
- Shadow Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
Note: Shadow Pokémon perform especially well in this Raid. The top ten counters in this Raid are all either Shadow Pokémon or Mega Evolved Pokémon.
How many players does it take to beat Mega Slowbro in Pokémon Go?
Although most players will need to rely on the back ups list to build their team, this is one of the easiest Mega Raids. In fact, with the right moveset, weather, and counters, two top level players can beat it. With Mega Raids, you want to prioritize beating it faster so you get the most Mega Energy when you win, but if you can't find too many other players, you should still be able to swing this one.
Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:
- Rain will boost Mega Slowbro's Water type attacks, as well as your Electric and Bug type counters.
- Snow will boost its Ice type attack.
- Windy Weather will boost its Psychic type attacks.
- Fog will boost your Dark and Ghost type counters.
- Sunny/Clear weather will boost your Grass type counters.
Questions about taking on Mega Slowbro in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about taking on Mega Slowbro in Pokémon Go? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, so you can be the very best like no one ever was!
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