Thundurus Pokemon Go FAQ

The best way to counter Thundurus Pokemon Go is by using Ice-type Pokemon, as Thundurus takes double damage from Ice attacks due to its Electric/Flying typing. Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche is widely considered the top counter, dealing massive damage while resisting Thundurus's Electric attacks. Other excellent options include Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche, Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche, and Mammoswine (same as Mamoswine but different spelling). Rock-type Pokemon like Rampardos and Tyranitar also work well due to their super-effective Rock attacks, though they're more vulnerable to Thundurus's moveset. Weather plays a crucial role too - snowy weather boosts your Ice-type attacks, making the raid significantly easier. Aim for at least 6 high-level Ice-type counters in the 30-40+ range for optimal performance.

The number of trainers needed for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids depends on several factors including trainer levels, Pokemon power, weather conditions, and Thundurus's forme. For average trainers with level 30-35 Pokemon, you'll typically need 4-5 trainers for Incarnate Forme and 3-4 for Therian Forme (which has lower CP). High-level trainers with level 40+ optimized counters can sometimes defeat Thundurus with just 2-3 trainers, especially in snowy weather that boosts Ice attacks. In ideal conditions with maxed-out counters and perfect dodging, it's theoretically possible with 2 top-tier trainers, but this requires significant skill and preparation. For newer trainers or those with less powerful Pokemon, I recommend gathering a group of 5-6 to ensure victory. Weather boosts make a significant difference - a 4-person group in snow can easily do what would require 6+ trainers in clear weather.

Thundurus Pokemon Go has two primary weaknesses: Ice-type attacks (256% damage due to double effectiveness) and Rock-type attacks (160% damage). This makes Ice Pokemon your absolute best choice for counters, with Rock types as a solid backup option. It's worth noting that Thundurus resists several attack types: Fighting, Bug, Steel, Grass, and Electric attacks all deal reduced damage, with Electric being only 63% effective. Thundurus is also immune to Ground-type attacks entirely due to its Flying typing, so don't waste your Ground Pokemon in these raids. The double weakness to Ice is what makes Thundurus particularly vulnerable to Ice-type counters, and why Mamoswine and other Ice Pokemon dominate the counter rankings. When building your team, focus exclusively on Ice and Rock types while avoiding the resisted types.

Yes, shiny Thundurus is available in Pokemon Go raids! The shiny version features a distinctive coloration with darker purple tones instead of the regular bright purple, making it a prized catch for collectors. The shiny rate for legendary raids like Thundurus is approximately 1 in 20 (5%), which is significantly better than the standard wild encounter shiny rate of 1 in 500. However, this rate applies to each individual encounter - there's no guarantee of seeing a shiny even after multiple raids. Some trainers report seeing their first shiny Thundurus after just 2-3 raids, while others might do 20+ raids without encountering one. To maximize your chances, raid as frequently as possible during Thundurus's availability period, and consider doing multiple raids in a single session to take advantage of any potential shiny rate mechanics. Remember that you won't know if Thundurus is shiny until after you defeat the raid boss and enter the catch screen.

For Incarnate Forme Thundurus Pokemon Go, the best moveset is Volt Switch as the fast attack combined with Wild Charge or Thunderbolt as charged attacks. Crunch is an exclusive move that Incarnate Thundurus can have, providing Dark-type coverage that can be useful in specific situations. For Therian Forme Thundurus, the optimal moveset is also Volt Switch fast attack, with Thunder Punch or Thunderbolt as charged moves. Therian Forme has access to Sludge Bomb as an exclusive move, which provides Poison-type coverage. When using Thundurus as an attacker against Water and Flying-type raid bosses, Thunderbolt generally provides the best balance of damage and energy generation. Wild Charge hits harder but requires more energy and causes recoil damage to Thundurus, which can be problematic in prolonged battles. For PvP usage in Great and Ultra League, different movesets may be optimal depending on the specific meta and shield scenarios.

The two formes of Thundurus Pokemon Go have significant stat differences that affect their performance. Incarnate Forme has higher Attack stats (365 at level 50) but lower Defense (167) and Stamina (188), making it a glass cannon that deals massive damage but can't withstand many hits. Therian Forme has lower Attack (295 at level 50) but much better Defense (222) and Stamina (188), trading raw damage output for increased survivability. These stat differences make each forme better suited for different purposes: Incarnate Forme excels as a raid attacker where DPS is the primary concern, while Therian Forme performs better in PvP leagues where bulk and survivability are more important. Visually, Incarnate Forme has a more humanoid appearance with flowing purple hair, while Therian Forme takes on a more beast-like appearance. When catching Thundurus, you can encounter either forme depending on the current raid rotation, so check which forme is active before preparing your counters.

Thundurus Pokemon Go has a base catch rate of 2-5%, which is standard for legendary raid bosses. This means each Premier Ball has a small chance of successfully catching Thundurus, with the actual rate affected by several factors. Using Golden Razz Berries increases your catch rate by 2.5x, while curveball throws provide a 1.7x bonus. Excellent throws offer better catch rates than great or nice throws, so aim for precision when throwing your Premier Balls. The number of Premier Balls you receive depends on raid performance: damage dealt (up to 3 balls), gym control (up to 2 balls), and being friends with the raid host (up to 2 balls). With optimal performance and bonuses, you can receive up to 14 Premier Balls per raid. Using a combination of Golden Razz Berries, excellent curveball throws, and all available Premier Balls, your effective catch rate can reach 30-50% per encounter. Patience and persistence are key - even with optimal bonuses, some Thundurus will inevitably break free.

To maximize your Thundurus Pokemon Go catch rate, follow these proven strategies: First, always use Golden Razz Berries on every throw - they provide the biggest catch rate boost at 2.5x. Second, master the curveball technique by spinning the ball before throwing - this gives you a 1.7x bonus and should be used on every throw. Third, aim for excellent throws by timing your release when the target circle is smallest - excellent throws provide significantly better catch rates than great or nice throws. Fourth, maximize your Premier Ball count by dealing maximum damage to Thundurus during the raid phase, ensuring your team controls the gym, and raiding with friends when possible. Fifth, consider using Pinap Berries on your first few throws if you're more interested in candy than catching - you get extra candy even if Thundurus breaks free. Finally, be patient and don't rush your throws - it's better to take your time and land excellent throws than to rush and miss.

The maximum CP for Thundurus Pokemon Go depends on the forme and weather conditions. For Incarnate Forme, the max CP is 47,481 when weather boosted (rainy or windy) and 44,672 without weather boost. For Therian Forme, the max CP is 42,727 when weather boosted and 40,126 without weather boost. These max CP values assume perfect 100% IV stats (15/15/15) and level 50 (the current maximum level in Pokemon Go). If you catch a Thundurus with less than perfect IVs, your maximum CP will be lower - for example, a 0% IV Thundurus will reach approximately 38,000 CP for Incarnate Forme at level 50. To check your specific Thundurus's potential CP, use an IV calculator app or website, which can estimate the CP range based on the stats you catch it at. Remember that powering up to level 50 requires a significant amount of stardust and XL candy, so most trainers stop at level 40 or 45 unless they're building a maximum-power attacker.

Thundurus Pokemon Go raid schedules vary depending on Niantic's current rotation and events. Legendary raids typically last for one week at a time, though special events may extend or shorten this duration. To find the current Thundurus raid schedule, check the in-game raid tab which shows the active raid bosses and how much time remains in the current rotation. You can also check our dedicated raid schedule page for the most up-to-date information on Thundurus availability. Niantic often announces upcoming raid rotations through official Pokemon GO social media channels and news updates, so following those sources can help you plan ahead. Thundurus typically appears in raids during several types of events: standard legendary rotations, thematic events featuring Electric or Weather types, and special Forces of Nature events that include all three members (Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus). When Thundurus is available, make sure to prioritize raids during the first few days when player activity is highest.

Thundurus Pokemon Go can be effective in PvP, particularly in Great League and Ultra League, though its performance depends on the forme and specific meta. Therian Forme Thundurus is generally preferred for PvP due to its better bulk and survivability - its 222 Defense and 188 Stamina allow it to take hits better than the more fragile Incarnate Forme. In Great League (CP cap 1500), Therian Thundurus performs well as an Electric-type attacker with access to Volt Switch fast move and Thunder Punch/Thunderbolt charged moves, plus Sludge Bomb for coverage. In Ultra League (CP cap 2500), it remains viable but faces stiffer competition from other Electric types. Incarnate Forme can work in PvP but its lower bulk makes it more risky - it's better suited for raid attacking where DPS matters more than survivability. For master League (no CP cap), Thundurus struggles against the overwhelming power of other legendary Pokemon, though it can still serve as a niche Electric-type option. Consider your specific league and meta before investing resources in Thundurus for PvP.

The absolute best Pokemon to use against Thundurus Pokemon Go are Ice-types with Ice fast moves and Ice charged moves. Here are the top counters ranked by effectiveness: 1) Mamoswine (Powder Snow/Avalanche) - the king of Thundurus counters with massive DPS and Electric resistance, 2) Glaceon (Frost Breath/Avalanche) - excellent Ice attacker with great energy generation, 3) Weavile (Ice Shard/Avalanche) - fast attacker with high DPS but lower bulk, 4) Mammoswine (same as Mamoswine, alternative name), 5) Aurorus (Frost Breath/Avalanche) - strong but less available, 6) Rampardos (Smack Down/Rock Slide) - best Rock-type option for those lacking Ice counters, 7) Tyranitar (Smack Down/Stone Edge) - classic Rock attacker with good bulk. For trainers without these options, other viable counters include Galarian Darmanitan (Ice Punch/Avalanche), Abomasnow (Powder Snow/Weather Ball), and Gigalith (Smack Down/Rock Slide). Weather boosts significantly impact performance - snowy weather makes Ice types dramatically more effective, while partly cloudy weather can boost Rock types.

Finding Thundurus Pokemon Go raids requires knowing when and where to look. First, check the in-game raid tab to see if Thundurus is currently in the legendary raid rotation - it will appear as one of the five-star raid bosses. Second, use third-party raid tracking apps and websites like Pokemon GO Live Map, PokeMap, or local community Discord servers that track raid spawns in your area. Third, join local Pokemon GO Facebook groups, Discord servers, or WhatsApp groups where players coordinate raids and share locations - many communities organize raid trains specifically for legendary Pokemon. Fourth, visit popular gyms in high-traffic areas like parks, shopping centers, and downtown districts during raid hours (typically 6-7 PM local time on raid days) where legendary raids are most likely to appear. Fifth, check Niantic's official announcements for special raid events featuring Thundurus. Remember that legendary raids are only available for limited time periods, so act quickly when you find one and coordinate with other trainers to ensure you have enough people to defeat it.

Purifying Shadow Thundurus in Pokemon Go involves trade-offs that depend on your intended use. Shadow Pokemon deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage, making them high-risk, high-reward options. When purified, a Pokemon gets +2 to each IV stat (minimum 10/10/10) and costs less stardust/candy to power up, but loses the 20% damage boost. For Thundurus Pokemon Go, the decision comes down to this: if you want maximum raid DPS and can manage the increased fragility, keep Thundurus in its Shadow form - the 20% damage boost makes it an incredibly powerful attacker. However, Shadow Thundurus will also take 20% more damage from Thundurus's super-effective attacks, potentially causing it to faint faster. If you plan to use Thundurus primarily for PvP or want a more balanced attacker, purifying is probably the better choice - you'll get better IVs (potentially reaching perfect stats if the Shadow had decent IVs) and a more survivable Pokemon. Most experienced raiders keep a few high-IV Shadow attackers for pure DPS while purifying others for general use. Consider your stardust budget and playstyle when deciding.

Soloing Thundurus Pokemon Go is theoretically possible but extremely difficult and requires optimal conditions and maxed-out counters. For most trainers, attempting to solo Thundurus is not practical or recommended. Here's what you'd need: a full team of 6 level 40+ Mamoswine or Glaceon with perfect movesets, snowy weather to boost Ice attacks, excellent dodging skills to avoid charged moves, and significant stardust investment in powering up your counters. Even with all these advantages, you'd likely need to be a high-level trainer (level 45+) with multiple maxed-out Ice types. For Therian Forme Thundurus (which has lower CP), soloing might be slightly more achievable but still requires near-perfect execution. In my experience, attempting to solo Thundurus is more frustrating than rewarding - you'll likely spend more on potions and revives than you'd save by not raiding with a group. Instead, I recommend finding at least 2-3 other trainers for a much more manageable and enjoyable raid experience. The social aspect of raiding is part of what makes Pokemon GO fun, and coordinating with others reduces stress while increasing success rates.