Eternatus Counters: Best Pokémon GO Raid Strategy

Hey Pokémon GO trainers! Are you ready to take on one of the most formidable Legendary Pokémon out there? We're talking about Eternatus, the Gigantic Poison/Dragon-type Pokémon that’s been causing a stir in raids. If you're looking to build the best team to take this beast down, you've come to the right place! We'll dive deep into the best counters, strategies, and tips to ensure your success against Eternatus in Pokémon GO. So, grab your Poké Balls, power up those Pokémon, and let's get ready to rumble!

Understanding Eternatus: What Makes It So Tough?

First things first, guys, let's break down why Eternatus is such a challenge. Its typing, Poison and Dragon, gives it a unique set of resistances and weaknesses. It's resistant to Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fire, Water, and Grass-type attacks. That's a lot of common attacking types it shrugs off! However, it's weak to Ground, Psychic, Ice, and Dragon-type attacks. This is where we'll focus our counter-strategy. Eternatus also boasts seriously high stats, particularly in its Attack, meaning it hits HARD. Its movesets can vary, often including powerful Poison-type attacks like Poison Jab and Cross Poison, and Dragon-type attacks such as Dragon Tail and Dragon Pulse. Sometimes, it might even surprise you with a Shadow Ball or Sludge Bomb. Knowing its potential moves is key to picking the right Pokémon and dodging effectively. The sheer power behind Eternatus means you can't just bring any old Pokémon; you need a carefully curated team that can exploit its weaknesses while resisting its devastating blows. Its base stats are incredibly high, making it a tanky opponent that can soak up a lot of damage. The combination of its typing and raw power makes it one of the most anticipated raid bosses, and for good reason. We need to be prepared, and that means understanding every little detail about this legendary creature.

Top-Tier Eternatus Counters: The Heavy Hitters

When it comes to taking down Eternatus, you want Pokémon that not only hit hard with its weak types but also have the bulk to survive its onslaught. Let’s talk about the absolute best of the best, the Pokémon that will make your Eternatus raids a breeze, guys. First up, we have Groudon. This Legendary Ground-type is an absolute beast against Eternatus. Its Ground-typing gives it a double resistance to the Electric-type moves it could potentially have (though not its primary weaknesses) and, more importantly, it's super effective against Eternatus's Dragon-type. With access to moves like Mud Shot and Earthquake, Groudon can absolutely shred through Eternatus. Another fantastic choice is Mamoswine. As an Ice/Ground-type, Mamoswine is a double threat. Its Ice-type attacks are super effective against Dragon, and its Ground-type attacks are also super effective. Imagine that! Plus, Mamoswine has access to powerful moves like Powder Snow and Avalanche, or even Ground-type moves like Mud-Slap and High Horsepower. Its bulk is decent, and its Attack stat is formidable. Rayquaza, the Emerald Dragon itself, is another must-have. As a Dragon/Flying-type, it resists Grass and Fighting-type attacks (which Eternatus doesn't commonly use super effectively against it, but still good to know!). More importantly, its Dragon-type attacks like Dragon Tail and Outrage are super effective against Eternatus. Rayquaza's high Attack stat means it dishes out massive damage. Don't forget about Kyogre, especially its Primal form if you have access to it! As a pure Water-type, Kyogre isn't directly exploiting Eternatus's weaknesses, but its sheer power and bulk, coupled with Water Fall and Origin Pulse, can still make it a solid pick, especially if you need a placeholder or a secondary damage dealer. We're talking about Pokémon that can consistently dish out damage and survive multiple hits. Think about the synergy of your team; having a mix of Ground, Psychic, Ice, and Dragon attackers is ideal. The more Pokémon you have that fit these categories, the better your chances of success. Remember to prioritize Pokémon with STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves that match their type and Eternatus's weaknesses. This is crucial for maximizing your damage output. We want every hit to count, and with these powerhouse Pokémon, they certainly will!

Excellent Alternative Counters: Your Reliable Options

While the legendaries are great, not everyone has them readily available or powered up. So, let's talk about some excellent alternative counters that are more accessible but still pack a serious punch against Eternatus, guys. Excadrill is a prime example. This Ground/Steel-type Pokémon is fantastic because it’s immune to Poison-type attacks, which Eternatus is known for, and its Ground-type attacks like Mud-Slap and Drill Run are super effective. Its Steel-typing also gives it resistances to Dragon-type moves, making it surprisingly tanky in this matchup. Garchomp is another top-tier choice. As a Dragon/Ground-type, Garchomp is another Pokémon that hits Eternatus with super-effective STAB moves from both its types. Its moveset can include Dragon Tail or Mud-Slap for fast attacks, and Earth Power or Dragon Claw for charged attacks. Its high attack and decent bulk make it a consistent damage dealer. Rhyperior is a powerhouse Ground/Rock-type. While its Rock-typing gives it a weakness to Dragon, its Ground-type attacks like Mud-Slap and Earthquake are devastatingly effective against Eternatus. Its sheer bulk and high attack stat make it a viable option, especially if you can dodge its most powerful attacks. Darmanitan (especially its Zen Mode, though that's less relevant here, the standard form's Fire-typing doesn't help, but its Ground-type coverage via moves like Bulldoze can be useful, although other Pokémon excel more). Let's focus on its standard form or Galarian Darmanitan with Ground-type moves. Weavile, an Ice/Dark-type, can be a great option for its Ice-type attacks like Ice Shard and Avalanche, which are super effective against Dragon. Its Dark-typing doesn't offer much advantage here, but its high attack power makes it a worthy consideration. Even Alakazam or Espeon, powerful Psychic-types, can be good choices, especially if they have the right movesets like Confusion and Future Sight. Psychic types are super effective against Poison-types, which Eternatus is. Their fragility is their main drawback, so careful dodging is paramount. Having a variety of these Pokémon means you can build a strong team even without relying solely on the rarest legendaries. Think about the movesets these Pokémon have. A Pokémon with a super-effective fast move and a super-effective charged move will do significantly more damage than one that only has one or the other. Prioritize Pokémon that can hit hard and fast, while also having enough defense to withstand a few hits. These accessible options are your bread and butter for consistent raid success!

Key Movesets and How to Counter Them

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty, guys: Eternatus's movesets. Knowing what attacks it might throw at you is crucial for selecting your team and deciding when to dodge. Eternatus typically has access to Poison-type fast moves like Poison Jab, which can deal significant damage to your Fairy and Grass-types (though you shouldn't be bringing those anyway!). Its Dragon-type fast move is Dragon Tail, which is a staple for Dragon-types and hits hard. For charged moves, it can have Dragon Pulse or Hyper Beam (Dragon-type), Sludge Bomb (Poison-type), and sometimes even Shadow Ball (Ghost-type). Its signature move, Eternabeam, is a Dragon-type charge move that is devastating. When facing Poison Jab, you want Pokémon that resist Poison, which Ground and Psychic types do. For Dragon Tail, you want Pokémon that resist Dragon or are of the Dragon type themselves (which means you'll take neutral damage, but your super-effective counters will still win). Against Dragon Pulse, Hyper Beam, or Eternabeam, resisting Dragon-type Pokémon are your best bet. Sludge Bomb is resisted by Poison types (which you shouldn't use against Eternatus anyway) but also by Steel and Ground types. Shadow Ball is resisted by Dark and Ghost types. Your ideal counters, like Groudon, Mamoswine, and Rayquaza, naturally resist Dragon-type attacks, which are Eternatus's strongest offensive typing. This means they can stay in the battle longer and deal more damage. Focus on Pokémon with moves like Earthquake, Avalanche, Dragon Tail, Outrage, Future Sight, and Psychic. These moves directly counter Eternatus's typing. For example, a Ground-type move like Earthquake will deal double super-effective damage against Eternatus if it were only Dragon-type, but since it's Poison/Dragon, it still deals super-effective damage. Similarly, Ice and Dragon moves will hit its Dragon side hard. Psychic moves will hit its Poison side hard. The key is to maximize STAB bonus on your super-effective attacks. If your Pokémon has a super-effective move that matches its own type, the damage output increases significantly. Always check the moveset of your Eternatus raid boss if possible, and adjust your team accordingly. For instance, if it seems to be favoring Dragon-type attacks, stack your team with Dragon-resistant Pokémon. If it's leaning towards Poison, ensure your Ground or Psychic types are ready. Understanding these matchups is half the battle, guys!

Team Building Strategy: Maximize Your Success

Alright, guys, let's talk strategy. Building the perfect team for Eternatus isn't just about picking the strongest Pokémon; it's about synergy and covering all your bases. You'll typically want to bring six Pokémon to a raid battle, and ideally, you want a mix of attackers that exploit Eternatus’s weaknesses: Ground, Psychic, Ice, and Dragon. Start with your absolute best counters. If you have a powered-up Groudon with Earthquake, that’s your lead. Pair it with other heavy hitters like Mamoswine and Rayquaza. Then, fill in the gaps with your best alternative counters like Excadrill, Garchomp, or Rhyperior. Consider movesets carefully. A Pokémon with a super-effective fast move and a super-effective charged move is gold. For example, having a Garchomp with Dragon Tail (Dragon) and then Earth Power (Ground) is fantastic because it can hit hard with both Dragon and Ground super-effective attacks. Don't be afraid to use Pokémon that resist Eternatus's common attacks too. While your primary goal is to deal damage, staying alive longer means you can deal more damage overall. Pokémon with Ground or Dragon resistance can be valuable in absorbing hits, especially if they also have a super-effective attack. If you're playing with a group, communicate! Coordinate your teams so you don't all bring the same type of attacker. Having someone focus on Ground-type damage while another focuses on Ice-type ensures you're hitting all of Eternatus's weaknesses effectively. Having at least two or three Pokémon that can hit hard with Ground-type attacks is highly recommended, as Ground is a strong offensive type against Eternatus. Similarly, having strong Ice or Dragon attackers is crucial. Psychic attackers are also great, especially against its Poison typing, but ensure they have enough bulk or rely on quick dodges. Remember that raid battles are timed, so maximizing damage output per second (DPS) is key. This means using Pokémon with fast charging charged moves and high attack stats. Prioritize Pokémon that can survive at least a few hits while dishing out consistent damage. Don't forget about Mega Evolutions! If you have a Mega Gengar (Ghost/Poison) or Mega Charizard X (Dragon/Fire), they can provide significant boosts to your team's damage output, especially if they have super-effective moves. However, remember Mega Gengar is weak to Dragon, so use it wisely. A Mega Abomasnow (Grass/Ice) could also be a good option if it has Ice-type moves, boosting your Ice damage. The goal is to create a balanced team that can sustain damage, deal maximum super-effective damage, and adapt to Eternatus's potential movesets.

Essential Tips for Victory

To wrap things up, guys, here are some crucial tips to ensure your victory against Eternatus. Dodging is key. Eternatus hits incredibly hard, so mastering the dodge mechanic is essential. Try to dodge its charged attacks whenever possible. Pay attention to the animations to anticipate when it's about to unleash a powerful move. Use Potions and Revives strategically. Keep your Pokémon healthy between raids. If a Pokémon faints, swap it out quickly and bring in your next attacker. Don't waste Revives during the battle unless absolutely necessary; save them for after the raid. Weather Boosts matter. Fire, Ground, and Dragon-type moves get a boost in sunny, windy, or cloudy/foggy weather, respectively. Try to raid when the weather favors your attackers. For example, if it's windy, your Dragon-type attackers will hit harder. If it's sunny, your Ground-types will benefit. Coordinate with your raid group. If you're raiding with others, communicate your team compositions. Having a diverse range of counters ensures everyone contributes effectively. Power Up your Pokémon. The higher the level of your Pokémon, the higher their stats will be, making them more effective in battle. Invest those Stardust and Candy! Don't forget about Shadow Pokémon. Shadow Pokémon often have a higher Attack stat, making them excellent choices if they have the right typing and moveset. For example, a Shadow Mamoswine or Shadow Groudon can be even more potent than their regular counterparts. Check your Pokémon's IVs. While not always the deciding factor, high IVs contribute to a Pokémon's overall strength. Use the appraisal system in Pokémon GO to identify your best potential counters. Finally, be patient and persistent. Eternatus is a tough raid boss, and it might take a few tries. Don't get discouraged! Learn from each attempt, refine your team, and keep trying. With the right preparation and a solid strategy, you'll be celebrating victory in no time. Good luck out there, trainers!