Thundurus vs Other Legendary Pokemon: Complete Comparison Guide
Compare Thundurus Pokemon Go with other legendary Pokemon. Discover how Thundurus stacks up against Electric types, Flying legendaries, and raid bosses in competitive battles and raid performance.
After battling through hundreds of legendary raids in Pokemon Go, I've developed a deep appreciation for how Thundurus Pokemon Go compares to other legendary Pokemon. Thundurus occupies a unique niche in the legendary meta - not quite the powerhouse that some Electric types are, but far from the worst option in your roster. Understanding where Thundurus fits among legendary Pokemon helps you make smarter decisions about raid composition, gym defense, and PvP team building.
What makes Thundurus Pokemon Go particularly interesting is its dual typing as Electric/Flying, which gives it both advantages and disadvantages compared to other legendary Pokemon. The Ground immunity is incredibly valuable in certain matchups, but the double weakness to Ice can be devastating against the wrong opponents. This comprehensive comparison breaks down Thundurus's performance against other legendary Pokemon across raid battles, PvP, and overall utility.
Thundurus vs Electric Type Legendaries
When comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to other Electric-type legendary Pokemon, the results are revealing. Thundurus competes directly with Pokemon like Zapdos, Raikou, and the more recent Electric legendaries. Each has distinct advantages that make them better or worse depending on the situation. Let me break down how Thundurus stacks up against its Electric brethren.
Thundurus vs Zapdos
Zapdos has been a staple Electric legendary since Pokemon Go's launch, and it's interesting to compare it to Thundurus Pokemon Go. Zapdos sports a higher attack stat (253 vs Thundurus's 245 for Incarnate, 238 for Therian), which gives it a slight edge in raw damage output. However, Thundurus has significantly more bulk - Zapdos's defense is 185 while Thundurus Incarnate hits 171 and Therian reaches 188. The stamina difference is even more pronounced, with Thundurus boasting 188 compared to Zapdos's 207.
Raid Performance: In my experience, Zapdos generally outperforms Thundurus Pokemon Go in pure raid DPS, especially with the right moveset. Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt is a consistent damage dealer that rarely disappoints. Thundurus can match or exceed this damage output with optimal moves (Volt Switch + Thunder), but it's more dependent on getting the right moveset. The Flying typing gives both Pokemon similar resistances, though Zapdos lacks Thundurus's Ground immunity - which is actually a disadvantage against Ground-type raid bosses.
PvP Performance: This is where Thundurus Pokemon Go really shines compared to Zapdos. Thundurus's access to Focus Blast gives it coverage against Rock and Ice types that would otherwise wall it, while Zapdos struggles with these matchups. In Great League, Therian Thundurus is a legitimate threat with its balanced stats and diverse moveset. Zapdos, while usable, doesn't have the same PvP versatility. If you're looking for a legendary Electric type for PvP, Thundurus is the clear winner.
Thundurus vs Raikou
Raikou is widely considered the best pure Electric type in Pokemon Go, and comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to Raikou reveals some significant gaps. Raikou's attack stat of 241 is slightly lower than Thundurus Incarnate's 245, but Raikou has much better bulk with defense of 210 and stamina of 207. This combination makes Raikou one of the most durable Electric types while still dealing massive damage.
Moveset Advantage: Raikou's greatest advantage is its fast move - Thunder Shock, which is arguably the best Electric fast move in the game. With 4 energy per turn and solid DPS, Thunder Shock lets Raikou spam charged moves incredibly quickly. Thundurus Pokemon Go's best fast move, Volt Switch, deals more damage but generates less energy (3.5 EPT vs 4 EPT). This energy generation difference means Raikou typically gets more charged moves off during a raid, which often results in higher total DPS.
Typing Advantage: Thundurus's Flying typing would normally give it an advantage over pure Electric types, but in practice, the double weakness to Ice often outweighs the Ground immunity. Raikou only takes neutral damage from Ice, making it more reliable against Ice-type raid bosses. However, Thundurus Pokemon Go absolutely demolishes Grass and Fighting types that would give Raikou trouble. If you're facing a Ground-type raid boss, Thundurus is the clear choice - but for most other matchups, Raikou is the superior Electric attacker.
Thundurus vs Zekrom
Zekrom represents the modern generation of Electric legendaries, and comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to Zekrom shows how power creep has affected the legendary meta. Zekrom's attack stat of 276 absolutely dwarfs Thundurus's 245 (Incarnate) or 238 (Therian). This massive attack advantage translates to significantly higher raid DPS, making Zekrom one of the most powerful Electric attackers in the game.
Bulk Comparison: Despite Zekrom's high attack, it maintains respectable bulk with defense of 211 and stamina of 205 - both higher than Thundurus Pokemon Go. This combination of high attack and good bulk makes Zekrom a premier raid attacker that outclasses Thundurus in almost every offensive scenario. The only area where Thundurus competes is in Great League PvP, where Zekrom's massive stats actually work against it due to the CP cap.
Moveset Analysis: Both Pokemon can run Wild Charge as a charged move, but Zekrom's access to Outrage gives it devastating Dragon-type coverage that Thundurus lacks. Thundurus's Focus Blast provides nice coverage, but it doesn't hit as hard as Zekrom's Outrage against neutral targets. If you're looking for the best Electric legendary for raids, Zekrom is the clear winner - Thundurus Pokemon Go fills a niche role but can't compete with Zekrom's raw power.
Thundurus vs Flying Type Legendaries
Thundurus's Flying typing makes it natural to compare against other Flying-type legendary Pokemon. This comparison reveals some interesting insights about Thundurus Pokemon Go's place in the meta. Flying legendaries include Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and various others - each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Let's see how Thundurus measures up.
Thundurus vs Articuno
Articuno and Thundurus Pokemon Go represent opposite ends of the legendary spectrum - one is an Ice/Flying type with poor offensive typing, while the other is an Electric/Flying type with strong offensive potential. Articuno's attack stat of 192 is significantly lower than Thundurus's 245, which means Thundurus deals substantially more damage in raids. However, Articuno has better defensive stats with defense of 194 and stamina of 207, making it bulkier overall.
Type Matchup: The most significant difference is their weaknesses. Articuno is doubly weak to Electric and takes neutral damage from Ice, while Thundurus Pokemon Go is doubly weak to Ice but immune to Ground. This makes Articuno completely walled by Electric types, whereas Thundurus can actually be used as an Electric counter in certain situations. In practice, both Pokemon struggle in the current meta due to their double weaknesses, but Thundurus has more offensive utility thanks to its high attack stat.
Raid Viability: Neither Pokemon is a top-tier raid attacker, but Thundurus has more use cases thanks to its Electric typing being super effective against Water and Flying types. Articuno's Ice typing is only situationally useful against Dragon and Grass types, and even then, other Pokemon typically outperform it. If I had to choose between the two for raiding, I'd pick Thundurus Pokemon Go every time - its Electric moveset has more applications than Articuno's Ice moveset.
Thundurus vs Moltres
Moltres and Thundurus Pokemon Go make for an interesting comparison as both are offensive-oriented legendary birds. Moltres sports a higher attack stat of 251 compared to Thundurus's 245, but Thundurus has better defense (171 vs 188 for Therian) and slightly better stamina (188 vs 207). Both Pokemon are glass cannons - they deal high damage but can't take many hits.
Typing Matchups: Moltres's Fire/Flying typing gives it a double weakness to Rock, which is extremely common in raids. This makes Moltres risky to use in many situations. Thundurus Pokemon Go's double weakness to Ice is less common, though still dangerous against certain bosses. Both Pokemon have strong resistances - Moltres resists Grass, Bug, Steel, Fire, and Fairy, while Thundurus resists Electric, Flying, Steel, Grass, Bug, and Fighting. Thundurus's broader resistance profile gives it more survivability in the right matchups.
Offensive Utility: Moltres's Fire typing makes it excellent against Grass, Bug, and Steel types, while Thundurus's Electric typing destroys Water and Flying types. In the current meta, I find myself reaching for Thundurus more often simply because Water-type raid bosses are more common than Steel or Grass types. Both Pokemon are solid attackers in their respective niches, but Thundurus Pokemon Go has the edge in versatility thanks to its Ground immunity opening up additional matchups.
Thundurus vs Lugia
Lugia and Thundurus Pokemon Go represent completely different philosophies - Lugia is a tanky defender with low attack, while Thundurus is an offensive glass cannon. Lugia's attack stat of 193 is dramatically lower than Thundurus's 245, but Lugia's defense of 310 and stamina of 235 make it one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the game. These Pokemon aren't really competitors - they serve entirely different purposes.
Gym Defense: Lugia is arguably the best gym defender in Pokemon Go thanks to its massive bulk and good moveset options. Thundurus Pokemon Go, with its double weakness to Ice and relatively low bulk, makes for a poor gym defender. If you're looking to hold gyms, Lugia is the obvious choice. However, Lugia's low attack makes it underwhelming for raiding, which is where Thundurus excels.
Raid Performance: Despite its bulk, Lugia's low attack stat makes it a mediocre raid attacker at best. Thundurus Pokemon Go significantly outperforms Lugia in DPS, making it the better choice for almost any raid where Electric moves are effective. The only situation where Lugia might outperform Thundurus is against Fighting-type raid bosses, where Lugia's Psychic typing gives it an advantage. Overall, these Pokemon fill completely different roles - Lugia for defense, Thundurus for offense.
Thundurus vs Gen 5 Legendary Trio
Thundurus is part of the Forces of Nature trio alongside Tornadus and Landorus. Comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to its trio-mates reveals interesting stat distributions and playstyles. All three Pokemon have Incarnate and Therian Formes, with different stat spreads between forms. Let's see how Thundurus stacks up against its brethren.
Thundurus vs Tornadus
Tornadus is the pure Flying type member of the trio, and comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to Tornadus shows how much the Electric typing matters. Tornadus Incarnate has higher attack (245 vs 245 for Thundurus) but lower defense (165 vs 171) and much lower stamina (172 vs 188). Tornadus Therian has slightly lower attack (238 vs 238 for Thundurus) but similar defense (180 vs 188) and stamina (172 vs 188).
Typing Advantage: Thundurus's Electric typing gives it a massive advantage over Tornadus. Electric is super effective against Water and Flying types, which are very common in raids. Tornadus's pure Flying typing only gives it an advantage against Grass, Fighting, and Bug types - types that are less frequently seen as raid bosses. In my experience, I find many more opportunities to use Thundurus Pokemon Go than Tornadus simply because Electric is a more valuable offensive typing.
Weakness Profile: Both Pokemon are doubly weak to Ice, which is a significant liability. However, Thundurus has additional weaknesses to Rock and takes neutral damage from Electric, while Tornadus is only weak to Ice, Electric, and Rock. Tornadus actually has a better defensive profile overall, but this doesn't matter much when both Pokemon die quickly to Ice-type attacks anyway. If you're looking for a Flying-type legendary for raids, Thundurus Pokemon Go's Electric typing makes it more useful than Tornadus's pure Flying typing.
Thundurus vs Landorus
Landorus is widely considered the best member of the Forces of Nature trio, and comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to Landorus reveals why. Landorus Incarnate has the same attack as Thundurus (245), but better defense (180 vs 171) and stamina (205 vs 188). Landorus Therian has significantly higher attack (289 vs 238) and better defense (179 vs 188) with similar stamina (205 vs 188). Landorus simply has better stats across the board.
Typing Matchup: Landorus's Ground/Flying typing is incredible offensively, with Ground being super effective against Electric, Rock, Poison, Steel, and Fire types. Thundurus's Electric typing is super effective against Water and Flying types. In my experience, Ground is a more valuable offensive typing than Electric because it hits more relevant types. Electric types aren't commonly seen as raid bosses, while Rock, Steel, and Fire types appear regularly.
Raid Performance: Landorus is consistently ranked as a top-tier raid attacker, especially in its Therian Forme which has one of the highest attack stats in the game. Thundurus Pokemon Go, while decent, can't compete with Landorus's raw power and versatility. Landorus's Earth Power is one of the most devastating charged moves in the game, while Thundurus's moveset, though solid, doesn't hit quite as hard. If you can only have one Forces of Nature legendary, Landorus is the clear choice - but Thundurus is still worth adding to your collection.
Thundurus Incarnate vs Therian Forme Comparison
One of the most common questions I get about Thundurus Pokemon Go is which Forme is better - Incarnate or Therian. Both Formes have different stat distributions and exclusive moves, making them suited for different purposes. Let me break down the differences between Thundurus Incarnate and Therian Formes to help you decide which to prioritize.
| Stat | Incarnate | Therian | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 245 | 238 | Incarnate (+7) |
| Defense | 171 | 188 | Therian (+17) |
| Stamina | 188 | 188 | Equal |
| Max CP (Lv 50) | 3,917 | 3,885 | Incarnate (+32) |
| Exclusive Move | Crunch | Sludge Bomb | Context-dependent |
Raid Performance: Incarnate Thundurus Pokemon Go is generally the better choice for raids due to its higher attack stat. The +7 attack advantage translates to better DPS, which is what matters most in raid scenarios. Therian's extra defense doesn't help much when both Formes take similar damage from raid bosses anyway. If you're building a Thundurus specifically for raiding, prioritize Incarnate with the Volt Switch + Thunder moveset.
PvP Performance: Therian Forme Thundurus Pokemon Go is significantly better for PvP, especially in Great League. The extra defense helps Therian survive longer in PvP battles, and the bulk makes it more consistent. Therian's exclusive move, Sludge Bomb, provides nice coverage against Fairy types that would otherwise wall Thundurus. If you're interested in PvP, Therian is the Forme to invest in - it performs well in both Great League and Ultra League.
Gym Defense: Neither Forme makes a particularly good gym defender due to the double weakness to Ice. However, if you had to choose, Therian Forme Thundurus Pokemon Go is slightly better due to the extra defense. The higher defense stat means Therian takes slightly less damage from attackers, potentially allowing it to get off more charged moves before fainting. Realistically, you're better off using dedicated gym defenders like Blissey or Snorlax instead of either Thundurus Forme.
Overall Legendary Power Rankings
After comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to various legendary Pokemon, where does it rank in the overall legendary power hierarchy? Based on raid performance, PvP viability, and overall utility, here's how Thundurus stacks up against other legendary Pokemon. These rankings are subjective but based on extensive raid experience and meta analysis.
Tier S - Elite Legendary Attackers
- • Mewtwo (Psystrike Strike)
- • Rayquaza
- • Zekrom
- • Dialga
- • Palkia
- • Landorus (Therian)
Tier A - Strong Legendary Attackers
- • Raikou
- • Zapdos
- • Thundurus (Incarnate)
- • Terrakion
- • Virizion
- • Cobalion
Tier B - Situational Legendary Attackers
- • Thundurus (Therian)
- • Tornadus
- • Articuno
- • Moltres
- • Entei
- • Suicune
Tier C - Limited Use Cases
- • Lugia
- • Ho-Oh
- • Latios
- • Latias
- • Cresselia
As you can see, Thundurus Pokemon Go sits comfortably in Tier A for its Incarnate Forme and Tier B for its Therian Forme. This places Thundurus among the better legendary attackers but not quite at the elite level. Incarnate Thundurus competes favorably with Raikou and Zapdos as an Electric-type attacker, though it generally falls short of those two in pure raid DPS. Therian Thundurus has more niche uses but performs well in PvP and certain raid scenarios.
The key takeaway is that Thundurus is a solid legendary Pokemon with clear use cases, even if it's not the absolute best in any category. Thundurus Pokemon Go fills an important niche as an Electric- type attacker with Ground immunity, making it valuable against certain raid bosses. It's worth adding to your collection and powering up, but don't expect it to outperform the absolute top-tier legendaries like Mewtwo or Rayquaza.
When to Use Thundurus Over Other Legendaries
Given all these comparisons, when should you specifically choose Thundurus Pokemon Go over other legendary Pokemon? Here are the scenarios where Thundurus is the optimal choice:
1. Against Water/Flying Type Raid Bosses
Pokemon like Gyarados, Mantine, and Pelipper take 4x damage from Electric-type attacks thanks to their dual weakness. Thundurus Pokemon Go demolishes these targets, often outperforming even Raikou and Zapdos due to its high attack stat and Ground immunity allowing it to switch in safely against certain attack combinations.
2. In Great League PvP
Therian Forme Thundurus is one of the few legendary Pokemon that performs well in Great League thanks to its balanced stats and diverse moveset. While other Electric legendaries like Raikou and Zekrom have CPs too high for Great League, Thundurus Therian fits perfectly and can be a legitimate threat in the meta.
3. Against Ground-Type Raid Bosses with Electric Attacks
Thundurus's Ground immunity makes it uniquely valuable against certain raid bosses that other Electric types can't safely face. For example, against a Garchomp with Mud Shot, Thundurus Pokemon Go takes no damage from the fast move, while Raikou and Zapdos would take super effective damage. This niche utility makes Thundurus the best Electric counter in these specific matchups.
4. When You Need Focus Blast Coverage
Thundurus is one of the few Electric types with access to Focus Blast, a Fighting-type charged move that provides crucial coverage against Rock, Ice, and Normal types. If you're facing a raid boss where Electric moves are resisted but Fighting moves are effective, Thundurus Pokemon Go becomes more valuable than other Electric legendaries that lack this coverage.
5. When You Want a Ground-Immune Electric Type
Thundurus's Flying typing gives it a complete immunity to Ground-type attacks, which no other Electric legendary can claim. This matters significantly against certain raid bosses and in specific PvP matchups. If you need an Electric attacker that can switch into Ground-type moves safely, Thundurus Pokemon Go is your only option among legendary Electric types.
Final Verdict: Thundurus's Place Among Legendaries
After extensively comparing Thundurus Pokemon Go to other legendary Pokemon, my conclusion is that Thundurus is a solid mid-tier legendary with clear strengths and weaknesses. It's not the absolute best Electric-type attacker (that honor goes to Raikou or Zekrom depending on the scenario), but it has enough unique advantages to make it worth collecting and using. The Ground immunity alone makes Thundurus valuable in specific matchups where other Electric types struggle.
For casual players, Thundurus is absolutely worth adding to your collection - it's a fun legendary with an interesting typing and decent performance. For hardcore players focused on meta optimization, Thundurus Pokemon Go is worth powering up but shouldn't be your highest priority compared to top-tier legendaries like Mewtwo, Rayquaza, or Zekrom. Incarnate Forme is generally better for raids, while Therian Forme shines in PvP - consider collecting both if you have the resources.
The key is understanding Thundurus's niche and using it in situations where its strengths shine. Don't expect it to outperform Raikou in pure Electric DPS, but do recognize its value against Water/Flying types and in scenarios where Ground immunity matters. Thundurus Pokemon Go may not be the best legendary, but it's far from the worst - and that's enough to earn it a place in many players' raid parties.
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Our Take: Thundurus's Legendary Standing
After comparing Thundurus to dozens of other legendary Pokemon, here's our honest assessment: Thundurus Pokemon Go is a perfectly usable legendary that fills specific niches, even if it's not top-tier. We rank Thundurus as a solid Tier A raid attacker in its Incarnate Forme and Tier B in its Therian Forme. This places it above many other legendaries but below the absolute elite attackers like Mewtwo and Rayquaza.
What sets Thundurus apart is its unique typing combination - the Ground immunity is genuinely valuable in certain matchups, and the Electric/Flying coverage profile hits many important raid bosses for super effective damage. We've found ourselves reaching for Thundurus more often than expected, particularly against Water/Flying types like Gyarados and in scenarios where Ground immunity provides a tactical advantage.
For most players, we recommend prioritizing Incarnate Thundurus for raiding due to its higher attack stat. Therian Forme is worth collecting for PvP enthusiasts, especially for Great League where it performs surprisingly well. Both Formes are worth powering up, but don't spend your rarest resources (XL candy, elite TMs) on Thundurus until you've already maxed out top-tier legendaries.
The bottom line: Thundurus may not be the best legendary in Pokemon Go, but it's far from the worst. Its unique typing, solid stats, and diverse moveset make it a valuable addition to any trainer's collection. Use it in the right matchups, and Thundurus Pokemon Go will serve you well. Just don't expect it to replace your Raikous and Zekroms as your primary Electric attackers.