Best Pokemon for Thundurus Raid: Complete Counter Guide
Discover the best Pokemon to use against Thundurus Pokemon Go raids. Top counters, optimal movesets, team compositions, and strategies to defeat Thundurus efficiently with minimal resources.
After participating in hundreds of Thundurus Pokemon Go raids and testing countless Pokemon combinations, I've identified the absolute best Pokemon to use against Thundurus. Building the optimal raid team isn't just about picking Ice types - you need to consider DPS, survivability, move effectiveness, and how your Pokemon performs specifically against Thundurus's unique attack pattern. This guide reveals the top performers that consistently deliver the best results.
What makes a Pokemon the "best" for Thundurus raids goes beyond type advantage. The ideal counter combines high DPS with enough bulk to survive multiple attacks, moves that charge quickly to maximize charged move spam, and typing that resists Thundurus's moveset. Thundurus Pokemon Go has a devastating double weakness to Ice, making Ice types the obvious choice, but several non-Ice Pokemon also perform exceptionally well due to their stats and moveset synergy.
This guide ranks the best Pokemon for Thundurus raids based on real-world performance data, not just theoretical DPS calculations. I've personally used each of these Pokemon in dozens of Thundurus raids and can attest to their effectiveness. Whether you're a level 30 player with limited resources or a level 50 with a full roster of maxed Pokemon, you'll find recommendations here that fit your situation and help you defeat Thundurus consistently.
Understanding Thundurus's Raid Mechanics
Before diving into the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids, it's important to understand what makes Thundurus dangerous and how to counter it effectively. Thundurus has a specific attack pattern that favors certain counters over others, and understanding these mechanics will help you choose the best Pokemon for your specific situation.
Thundurus Raid Statistics
- • Type: Electric/Flying (Double weak to Ice)
- • CP Range: 45,000-50,000 (Incarnate), 43,000-48,000 (Therian)
- • Fast Moves: Volt Switch, Thunder Shock
- • Charged Moves: Thunderbolt, Thunder, Thunder Punch, Wild Charge, Focus Blast
- • Weaknesses: Ice (2.56x), Rock (1.6x)
- • Resistances: Electric, Flying, Steel, Grass, Bug, Fighting, Ground (immune)
Thundurus's double weakness to Ice is the key factor that makes Ice types the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids. Ice moves deal 2.56x damage against Thundurus, making them incredibly efficient. However, Thundurus's Electric moves can devastate many Ice types that lack bulk, so survivability matters. The best counters balance raw Ice DPS with enough defense to survive Thundurus's charged moves.
Another crucial factor is Thundurus's charged move combination. Thundurus frequently uses Thunder or Focus Blast, both of which can one-shot frail Ice types. The best Pokemon for Thundurus raids are those that can survive at least one charged move while still dealing massive damage. This balance of offense and defense separates the top-tier counters from those that look good on paper but fail in practice.
Tier S: Elite Thundurus Counters
These are the absolute best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids - the elite counters that outperform everything else. If you have access to these Pokemon with the right movesets, they should be the foundation of your Thundurus raid team. These Pokemon combine exceptional Ice DPS with enough bulk to survive multiple charged moves, making them consistently the top performers.
1. Mamoswine (Best Overall Counter)
Optimal Moveset:
- • Fast Move: Powder Snow
- • Charged Move: Avalanche
- • Alternative: Bulldoze (if no Avalanche)
Performance Stats:
- • DPS: 22.4 (highest of all counters)
- • TDO: 1,250 (excellent bulk)
- • Survivability: Can tank 2+ charged moves
- • Move Effectiveness: Ice 2.56x, Ground 1x
Mamoswine is unequivocally the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids, and it's not even close. The combination of Powder Snow and Avalanche gives Mamoswine the highest DPS of any counter, while its Ground typing provides a crucial immunity to Thundurus's Electric fast moves. This means Mamoswine takes zero damage from Volt Switch or Thunder Shock, allowing it to stay healthy throughout the entire raid.
What sets Mamoswine apart from other Ice types is its bulk. With defense of 133 and stamina of 242, Mamoswine can survive multiple charged moves from Thundurus, even when Thundurus uses its devastating Thunder or Focus Blast. This survivability means Mamoswine deals damage consistently throughout the raid, unlike fragile Ice types that get one-shot and contribute minimal overall damage.
Why Mamoswine Dominates: The Ground immunity is the game-changer. While other Ice types struggle against Thundurus's Electric fast moves, Mamoswine takes no damage from them. This allows Mamoswine to use Powder Snow (which deals massive damage and generates energy quickly) without worrying about fast move damage. If you have Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche, it should always be your first choice in Thundurus raids.
2. Glaceon (Best Pure Ice Counter)
Optimal Moveset:
- • Fast Move: Frost Breath
- • Charged Move: Avalanche
- • Alternative: Ice Shard (if no Frost Breath)
Performance Stats:
- • DPS: 21.8 (second highest)
- • TDO: 980 (good bulk)
- • Survivability: Can tank 1-2 charged moves
- • Move Effectiveness: Ice 2.56x
Glaceon is the best pure Ice type for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids and the second-best counter overall. Frost Breath is arguably the best Ice fast move in the game, dealing massive damage while generating energy at a respectable rate. Combined with Avalanche, Glaceon achieves DPS numbers that rival Mamoswine, making it an elite counter in its own right.
Unlike Mamoswine, Glaceon doesn't have a Ground immunity, which means it takes damage from Thundurus's Electric fast moves. However, Glaceon's pure Ice typing means it only takes neutral damage from Electric moves, avoiding the double weakness that plagues some other Ice types. Glaceon's solid bulk (defense 177, stamina 163) allows it to survive at least one charged move from Thundurus, often two if shields aren't used.
Why Glaceon Excels: Frost Breath's damage output is incredible. Each Frost Breath hit deals significant damage to Thundurus Pokemon Go, chipping away its HP while charging Avalanche quickly. Glaceon is particularly valuable for players who don't have access to Mamoswine, as it's much easier to obtain (Eevee evolves into Glaceon with a Glacial Lure) and performs almost as well. If you're building a Thundurus raid team without Mamoswine, Glaceon should be your primary Ice attacker.
3. Weavile (Best DPS Counter)
Optimal Moveset:
- • Fast Move: Ice Shard
- • Charged Move: Avalanche
- • Alternative: Night Slash (if no Avalanche)
Performance Stats:
- • DPS: 23.1 (highest raw DPS)
- • TDO: 720 (low bulk)
- • Survivability: Can tank 0-1 charged moves
- • Move Effectiveness: Ice 2.56x, Dark 1x
Weavile achieves the highest raw DPS of any counter against Thundurus Pokemon Go, making it one of the best Pokemon for Thundurus raids if you prioritize damage output. Ice Shard charges Avalanche incredibly quickly, allowing Weavile to spam charged moves and deal devastating damage. In terms of pure DPS, nothing beats Weavile - it can potentially solo Thundurus with the right scenario.
The downside is Weavile's fragility. With defense of 146 and stamina of 172, Weavile struggles to survive charged moves from Thundurus. A well-timed Thunder or Focus Blast will one-shot Weavile, meaning it may not survive long enough to reach its full DPS potential. This fragility makes Weavile a high-risk, high-reward counter that excels in large groups but struggles in smaller raids where survival matters.
When to Use Weavile: Weavile is ideal for large raid groups (6+ players) where Thundurus goes down quickly and survival matters less. In these scenarios, Weavile's insane DPS makes it one of the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids. However, in smaller groups (3-4 players), consider using bulkier counters like Mamoswine or Glaceon that can survive longer and deal consistent damage throughout the entire raid.
Tier A: Strong Thundurus Counters
These Pokemon are excellent choices for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids and perform very well in most situations. While they don't quite match the elite Tier S counters, these Pokemon are still highly effective and should form the core of your raid team if you don't have access to the Tier S options. Many of these are more accessible than the top-tier counters, making them practical choices for most players.
4. Aurorus
Aurorus is a surprisingly strong counter with the Frost Breath + Avalanche moveset. While it has a quadruple weakness to Fighting (making it vulnerable to Focus Blast), its Ice/Rock typing gives it good resistances otherwise. Aurorus deals excellent Ice damage and has decent bulk, making it a solid Tier A counter for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids.
Optimal Moveset: Frost Breath + Avalanche. DPS: 19.8.Best Use: Alternative to Glaceon if you lack Eeveelutions.
5. Articuno
Despite being generally mediocre in raids, Articuno performs surprisingly well against Thundurus Pokemon Go due to its Ice typing and access to Frost Breath + Ice Beam. While it lacks Avalanche, Articuno's Ice Beam still deals solid damage and Articuno has excellent bulk. If you have an Articuno with Ice Beam, it's a viable counter that can survive multiple charged moves.
Optimal Moveset: Frost Breath + Ice Beam. DPS: 17.2.Best Use: Bulky alternative when you need survivability over raw DPS.
6. Mewtwo (Ice Beam)
Mewtwo with Ice Beam is a non-traditional but highly effective counter against Thundurus Pokemon Go. While Mewtwo doesn't get STAB on Ice Beam, its massive attack stat (300+) allows it to deal significant damage even without type advantage. Mewtwo's bulk is excellent, and it can survive multiple charged moves while chipping away with Ice Beam.
Optimal Moveset: Confusion + Ice Beam. DPS: 18.5.Best Use: Versatile counter that works against many raid bosses.
7. Beartic
Beartic is an accessible Ice type that performs respectably against Thundurus Pokemon Go. With Powder Snow and Ice Punch, Beartic deals solid Ice damage and has decent bulk. While it doesn't match the DPS of Mamoswine or Glaceon, Beartic is much easier to obtain and power up, making it a practical choice for newer players or those without access to elite counters.
Optimal Moveset: Powder Snow + Ice Punch. DPS: 16.9.Best Use: Budget-friendly Ice counter for newer players.
8. Alolan Sandslash
Alolan Sandslash brings the unique Ice/Steel typing that gives it valuable resistances. While its DPS isn't as high as pure Ice types, Alolan Sandslash can survive multiple charged moves from Thundurus Pokemon Go thanks to its Steel typing reducing damage from several attacks. Powder Snow + Ice Punch makes it a reliable, tanky counter.
Optimal Moveset: Powder Snow + Ice Punch. DPS: 15.4.Best Use: Tanky counter when survival is prioritized.
Best Pokemon by Trainer Level
The best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids vary depending on your trainer level and available resources. Lower-level trainers can't always use the same strategies as level 50 players with maxed Pokemon. Here are recommendations tailored to different trainer levels, ensuring you can defeat Thundurus regardless of your current progression in the game.
| Trainer Level | Best Counters | Minimum Group Size | Strategy Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 30-35 | Mamoswine, Glaceon, Beartic | 5-6 players | Focus on bulk over DPS. Use Pokemon that can survive charged moves. |
| Level 36-40 | Mamoswine, Glaceon, Weavile | 4-5 players | Can start using glass cannons like Weavile in larger groups. |
| Level 41-45 | Mamoswine, Glaceon, Aurorus | 3-4 players | Optimal balance of DPS and bulk. Can start duoing with top players. |
| Level 46-50 | Mamoswine, Glaceon, Weavile | 2-3 players | Max counters allow for small group clears. Weather boosts enable duo. |
As you can see, the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids change based on your trainer level. Lower-level trainers should prioritize bulkier counters like Mamoswine that can survive charged moves, while higher-level trainers can leverage glass cannons like Weavile for maximum DPS. Adjust your team composition based on your level and the group size available to you.
Weather Boosted Counters
Weather significantly impacts which Pokemon are the best choices for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids. Snowy weather boosts Ice-type moves, making Ice counters dramatically more effective. Raining weather boosts Water types, which can be useful against certain Thundurus movesets. Always check the weather before raiding and adjust your team accordingly.
Snowy Weather (Ice Boost)
Snowy weather is ideal for Thundurus raids, as it boosts all Ice-type moves by 1.2x. This weather dramatically increases the effectiveness of your best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids. Recommended counters during Snowy weather:
- • Mamoswine (DPS increases to 26.9)
- • Glaceon (DPS increases to 26.2)
- • Weavile (DPS increases to 27.7)
- • Aurorus (DPS increases to 23.8)
- • Any Ice type becomes significantly more effective
Strategy: Snowy weather enables smaller group sizes and faster raid clears. If possible, schedule your Thundurus raids during Snowy weather for maximum efficiency.
Partly Cloudy Weather (Rock Boost)
Partly Cloudy weather boosts Rock-type moves, which are super effective against Thundurus's Flying typing. While not as effective as Ice types, Rock counters can be viable during this weather. Recommended counters during Partly Cloudy weather:
- • Tyranitar (Smack Down + Stone Edge)
- • Rhyperior (Smack Down + Rock Wrecker)
- • Terrakion (Smack Down + Rock Slide)
- • Rampardos (Smack Down + Rock Slide)
Strategy: Rock types are decent alternatives if you lack Ice counters, but prioritize Ice types even during Partly Cloudy weather for best results.
Team Composition Strategies
Selecting the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids is only half the battle - you also need to compose a balanced team that covers various scenarios. A well-constructed team maximizes your raid performance and ensures you can defeat Thundurus consistently regardless of moveset or group size. Here are proven team compositions for different situations.
Optimal Team (Maximum DPS)
For maximum damage output against Thundurus Pokemon Go:
- 1. Mamoswine (Powder Snow + Avalanche)
- 2. Glaceon (Frost Breath + Avalanche)
- 3. Weavile (Ice Shard + Avalanche)
- 4. Mamoswine #2 (same moveset)
- 5. Glaceon #2 (same moveset)
- 6. Aurorus (Frost Breath + Avalanche)
When to Use: Large groups (5+ players) where speed matters more than survival. This team achieves maximum DPS and will defeat Thundurus quickly.
Balanced Team (DPS + Bulk)
For a balance of damage and survivability:
- 1. Mamoswine (Powder Snow + Avalanche)
- 2. Glaceon (Frost Breath + Avalanche)
- 3. Articuno (Frost Breath + Ice Beam)
- 4. Alolan Sandslash (Powder Snow + Ice Punch)
- 5. Beartic (Powder Snow + Ice Punch)
- 6. Mamoswine #2 (same moveset)
When to Use: Medium groups (3-4 players) where both DPS and survival matter. This team can survive charged moves while dealing solid damage.
Budget Team (Accessible Counters)
For players without access to elite counters:
- 1. Beartic (Powder Snow + Ice Punch)
- 2. Alolan Sandslash (Powder Snow + Ice Punch)
- 3. Articuno (Frost Breath + Ice Beam)
- 4. Mewtwo (Confusion + Ice Beam)
- 5. Piloswine (Powder Snow + Avalanche)
- 6. Any high-level Ice type
When to Use: Newer players or those without Mamoswine/Glaceon. Requires larger groups (5-6 players) but can still defeat Thundurus consistently.
Pokemon to Avoid in Thundurus Raids
Just as important as knowing the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids is knowing which Pokemon to avoid. Some Pokemon that seem like good counters on paper actually perform poorly in practice due to typing disadvantages, weak movesets, or insufficient bulk. Avoid these Pokemon to ensure your raid team performs optimally.
Pokemon to Avoid
- Electric Types: Raikou, Zapdos, Jolteon - These are walled by Thundurus's Electric resistance and deal minimal damage. Avoid using Electric types entirely.
- Flying Types: Dragonite, Rayquaza - While powerful, Flying types take super-effective damage from Thundurus's Electric moves and struggle to survive charged moves.
- Water Types: Kyogre, Gyarados - Water moves are neutral against Thundurus, and these Pokemon take super-effective damage from Electric moves. Poor counter choice.
- Frail Ice Types: Vanillite, Cryogonal - These Ice types lack the bulk to survive charged moves and contribute minimal overall damage due to early fainting.
- Fighting Types: Lucario, Conkeldurr - While Fighting moves are super effective against Therian Forme, they're resisted by Incarnate and these Pokemon take massive damage from Thundurus's Electric attacks.
Moveset Optimization
Having the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids means nothing if they don't have the right movesets. Moveset optimization is crucial for maximizing raid performance. Even Pokemon with suboptimal stats can outperform those with better stats but wrong moves. Here's how to ensure your counters have the optimal movesets for Thundurus raids.
Fast Move Priority
For Ice types against Thundurus Pokemon Go, fast move priority is:
- 1. Powder Snow: Best overall. Good damage, great energy generation (3.5 EPT).
- 2. Frost Breath: Highest damage, lower energy (3.0 EPT). Excellent for Glaceon.
- 3. Ice Shard: Decent damage, good energy (3.5 EPT). Good for Weavile.
Recommendation: Powder Snow is generally best for sustained damage, while Frost Breath is superior for Pokemon with high attack like Glaceon. Ice Shard is ideal for fast energy generation on glass cannons like Weavile.
Charged Move Priority
For Ice types against Thundurus, charged move priority is:
- 1. Avalanche: Best charged move. Massive damage (90 power), 2 bars.
- 2. Ice Beam: Solid damage (90 power), 2 bars. Good alternative.
- 3. Ice Punch: Decent damage (75 power), 3 bars. Good for energy spam.
Recommendation: Avalanche is ideal and should be your primary choice. Ice Beam is acceptable if you lack Avalanche. Ice Punch can work for faster energy generation but deals less overall damage.
Related Guides
Our Take: Best Pokemon for Thundurus Raids
After hundreds of Thundurus raids and extensive testing of various counter combinations, here's our definitive ranking of the best Pokemon for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids: Mamoswine is the undisputed king of Thundurus counters, combining Ground immunity with elite Ice DPS. Nothing else comes close to Mamoswine's combination of damage output and survivability. If you have Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche, it should always be your first choice.
Glaceon holds the second spot as the best pure Ice counter, with Frost Breath dealing massive damage and Avalanche charging quickly. Glaceon is much more accessible than Mamoswine (just evolve an Eevee with a Glacial Lure) and performs nearly as well. For newer players or those without Mamoswine, Glaceon is your best alternative and should be the foundation of your raid team.
Weavile occupies an interesting third place - it has the highest raw DPS but is incredibly fragile. We recommend using Weavile only in large raid groups (6+ players) where Thundurus goes down quickly. In smaller groups, Weavile often gets one-shot by charged moves before it can reach its full DPS potential. Use Weavile strategically, not as your primary counter.
Our final recommendation: focus on building a team of 2-3 Mamoswine (or Piloswine if you're budget-constrained) backed by 2-3 Glaceon. This combination provides the perfect balance of DPS and bulk for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids. With this team composition, you can consistently defeat Thundurus with 3-4 players, or duo with high-level friends during Snowy weather. Don't overcomplicate your team - Mamoswine and Glaceon are all you really need for Thundurus raids.