Thundurus Weakness & Moveset

Thundurus Pokemon Go presents a unique challenge with its Electric/Flying typing, creating an interesting set of weaknesses and resistances that savvy trainers can exploit. After battling Thundurus in hundreds of raids across both Incarnate and Therian formes, I've learned that understanding these type interactions is the key to victory. This guide will break down everything you need to know about Thundurus's weaknesses, resistances, and movesets to help you build the perfect counter team.

What makes Thundurus particularly fascinating is how its typing creates both a massive vulnerability and significant defensive advantages. The double weakness to Ice-type attacks is your primary weapon, but knowing which types Thundurus resists helps you avoid costly mistakes. I've seen too many trainers waste raid slots on ineffective Pokemon because they didn't understand these type matchups. Let's dive deep into Thundurus's defensive profile and offensive capabilities.

Thundurus Weaknesses: The Complete Breakdown

When preparing for Thundurus Pokemon Go raids, understanding its weaknesses is your most valuable asset. Thundurus has two primary weaknesses, with one being significantly more important than the other. Let me break down each weakness and explain how to exploit it effectively for maximum damage output.

Ice-type attacks (2.56x effective): This is Thundurus's critical weakness and your primary path to victory. As an Electric/Flying type, Thundurus takes 4x damage from Ice-type attacks - this is the highest damage multiplier you can achieve against it. When you combine the 2x super-effective multiplier from Ice being super-effective against Flying with the 2x multiplier from Ice also being super-effective against the Electric component (via Ground-based Ice Pokemon), you get a devastating 4x damage bonus. This is why Ice-type counters like Mamoswine, Glaceon, and Weavile are absolutely essential for Thundurus raids.

In practical terms, this means that an Ice-type Pokemon dealing 100 damage normally would deal 256 damage against Thundurus - more than two and a half times the damage! This massive multiplier is why you should build your entire team around Ice-type attackers. Even a moderately powered Ice-type counter will outdamage a highly optimized non-Ice attacker. When you add STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) of 1.2x for Ice-type Pokemon using Ice moves, you're looking at damage potential exceeding 300% of normal. This is why Ice types dominate Thundurus counters lists.

Rock-type attacks (1.6x effective): Rock moves are super-effective against Thundurus due to its Flying typing, dealing 1.6x damage. While this is useful, it's significantly less powerful than Ice-type attacks. Rock-type counters like Rampardos, Tyranitar, and Rhyperior can be effective secondary options if you don't have enough high-level Ice types. However, I'd only recommend Rock types as backups to your primary Ice team, not as main attackers.

The difference between Ice (2.56x) and Rock (1.6x) is substantial - Ice types deal 60% more damage than Rock types against Thundurus Pokemon Go. This means a team of six Ice types will defeat Thundurus much faster than a team of Rock types, potentially making the difference between victory and defeat when the timer is counting down. If you're short on Ice types, using one or two Rock types is acceptable, but prioritize Ice whenever possible.

Neutral Damage Types: When You Have No Better Options

In a perfect world, you'd always have six maxed-out Ice types for every Thundurus raid. But reality isn't always so accommodating. Sometimes you'll find yourself in a raid with limited options and need to know which Pokemon are "okay" to use even if they're not ideal. These types deal neutral damage to Thundurus Pokemon Go and should only be used when you have no Ice or Rock types available.

Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Poison, Psychic, Bug, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, and Fairy types all deal neutral damage to Thundurus. This means they're neither resisted nor super-effective, dealing standard damage based on their attack power and moves. While these aren't optimal choices, some high-attack Pokemon from these types can still contribute meaningful damage if they have powerful moves and are powered up sufficiently. However, I'd strongly recommend investing stardust in Ice types rather than relying on neutral attackers.

Thundurus Resistances: What to Avoid

Just as important as knowing what hurts Thundurus is understanding what it resists. Using resisted attacks is one of the biggest mistakes trainers make in Thundurus Pokemon Go raids, and I've seen raids fail because half the group brought Pokemon that dealt minimal damage. Let me break down Thundurus's resistances so you can avoid these costly errors.

Electric-type resistance (0.625x damage): As an Electric-type itself, Thundurus resists Electric attacks, dealing only 62.5% of normal damage. This means Electric-type Pokemon like Zekrom, Raikou, Magnezone, and Electivire are terrible choices against Thundurus, despite being powerful attackers in other contexts. I've seen too many trainers bring their high-level Electric attackers only to contribute minimal damage while taking heavy hits from Thundurus's charged moves. Avoid Electric types at all costs in Thundurus raids.

Flying-type resistance (0.625x damage): Thundurus also resists Flying-type attacks, making Flying attackers like Dragonite, Gyarados, and Togekiss poor choices. These Pokemon are typically powerful against other targets but deal reduced damage to Thundurus. What's worse, many Flying types also take super-effective damage from Thundurus's Electric attacks, creating a double disadvantage. Using Flying types against Thundurus is rarely a good idea.

Steel-type resistance (0.625x damage): Steel attacks are resisted by both of Thundurus's types, making Steel attackers like Metagross, Dialga, and Lucario ineffective. While some Steel types have high attack stats, the resistance penalty combined with lack of super-effective damage makes them poor choices. I'd avoid using Steel types unless you have absolutely no other options.

Grass-type resistance (0.625x damage): Thundurus's Electric typing gives it resistance to Grass attacks. Grass types like Zarude, Roserade, and Venusaur are already situational attackers, and their reduced effectiveness against Thundurus makes them even less appealing. Save your Grass types for raids where they can actually shine.

Bug-type resistance (0.625x damage): Bug attacks are also resisted by Thundurus's Electric typing. While Bug types aren't commonly used in raids anyway, it's worth noting that Pokemon like Scizor and Genesect are poor choices against Thundurus. Stick to your Ice types and you won't need to consider Bug options.

Thundurus Immunities: Ground-Type Attacks

One of Thundurus Pokemon Go's most valuable defensive traits is its complete immunity to Ground-type attacks. As a Flying-type Pokemon, Thundurus takes zero damage from Ground moves, making Ground attackers completely useless in raids. This immunity is particularly important because it eliminates some otherwise powerful attackers from consideration.

Ground-type attackers like Garchomp, Excadrill, Landorus, and Rhyperior are typically excellent raid attackers against other targets. However, against Thundurus, they deal zero damage regardless of their attack power or moveset. I've seen trainers mistakenly bring their high-level Garchomps to Thundurus raids only to watch helplessly as their attacks deal no damage. Don't make this mistake - leave your Ground attackers at home when facing Thundurus.

This immunity is particularly notable because it affects some dual-type Pokemon that might seem like good options on paper. For example, Garchomp is Dragon/Ground and might seem appealing due to its high attack stat, but its Ground typing makes it completely ineffective against Thundurus. Always check the full typing of your potential counters to ensure they don't have Ground as one of their types.

Thundurus Fast Moves: What You'll Face

Understanding Thundurus's fast moves helps you anticipate damage patterns and time your dodges effectively. Thundurus Pokemon Go has two possible fast moves, and knowing which one your raid boss is using can help you adjust your strategy. Let me break down both options and what they mean for your battle plan.

Volt Switch (Electric-type): This is Thundurus's most common fast move and the one you'll encounter in the majority of raids. Volt Switch deals moderate damage and generates energy quickly, allowing Thundurus to use charged moves more frequently. The energy generation from Volt Switch means you'll need to dodge more often, but the damage itself isn't overwhelming unless you're using Electric or Flying types (which you shouldn't be anyway). When you see Thundurus using Volt Switch, expect charged moves every 10-15 seconds and be ready to dodge consistently.

From a strategic perspective, Volt Switch's energy generation is actually helpful for your own DPS - you want Thundurus to use charged moves frequently because these are your best opportunities to counter-attack with your own charged moves. Each time you successfully dodge a Thundurus charged move, you should immediately respond with your own charged attack to maximize damage output. The rhythm of dodging and countering becomes easier to establish when Thundurus is using Volt Switch due to its predictable energy gain.

Thunder Shock (Electric-type): Less common than Volt Switch but still possible, Thunder Shock deals slightly less damage but generates energy even faster. This means Thundurus will use charged moves even more frequently, potentially every 8-12 seconds depending on the specific charged move. While more frequent charged moves might seem intimidating, they actually give you more opportunities to dodge and counter with your own charged moves. The damage from Thunder Shock itself is negligible if you're using proper Ice-type counters.

In my experience, the specific fast move Thundurus uses doesn't dramatically alter your strategy - you should be dodging charged moves regardless of how frequently they occur. However, being aware of the energy generation rate helps you anticipate when charged moves are coming. Watch Thundurus's energy bar closely, and when it approaches the halfway point, prepare to dodge. Both fast moves are Electric-type, so your Ice-type counters take neutral damage from them regardless of which move Thundurus uses.

Thundurus Charged Moves: The Real Threat

While Thundurus's fast moves set the pace, it's the charged moves that pose the real danger in Thundurus Pokemon Go raids. Thundurus has access to several powerful charged attacks, and knowing which ones your raid boss has can dramatically affect your strategy. Let me break down each possible charged move and how to handle it effectively.

Thunderbolt (Electric-type): Thunderbolt is one of Thundurus's most common charged moves and deals heavy Electric-type damage. As an Electric move, it's super-effective against Flying types and deals significant damage to most other types. However, your Ice-type counters take neutral damage from Thunderbolt, so the threat level is manageable if you've built your team properly. Thunderbolt has a moderate energy cost and animation length, giving you a reasonable window to dodge. When you see Thunder announced, swipe immediately to avoid the damage, then counter with your own charged move.

From a timing perspective, Thunderbolt's animation is telegraphed clearly - you'll see Thundurus charge up electricity before releasing the attack. This visual cue gives you plenty of time to react if you're paying attention. The key is to not get too absorbed in tapping for your fast attack that you miss these visual tells. Keep some attention on Thundurus's animations and energy bar, and you should be able to dodge Thunderbolt consistently.

Thunder (Electric-type): Thunder is similar to Thunderbolt but deals even more damage at the cost of higher energy and slightly less accuracy (though accuracy isn't a factor in Pokemon Go raids). Thunder hits extremely hard and can one-shot even bulky Ice types if they've taken some damage from fast attacks. The animation is similar to Thunderbolt but more dramatic, with Thundurus summoning a massive lightning strike. Like Thunderbolt, your Ice types take neutral damage, but the raw power means failed dodges are more punishing.

When facing Thunder, prioritize dodging above all else. A successfully dodged Thunder deals zero damage, while a failed dodge can cost you a Pokemon. I recommend being more conservative with your charged move timing against Thunder - it's better to delay your charged move slightly to ensure you dodge successfully than to get caught mid-animation. The higher energy cost of Thunder also means Thundurus won't use it as frequently as Thunderbolt, giving you more time between these devastating attacks.

Thunder Punch (Electric-type): Thunder Punch is a faster, less powerful Electric charged move that Thundurus can use. The damage is lower than Thunderbolt or Thunder, but the animation is quicker and the energy cost is lower, meaning Thundurus can use it more frequently. This creates a different rhythm where you're dodging smaller attacks more often rather than massive attacks occasionally. Some trainers actually prefer Thunder Punch because the frequent dodging creates a predictable pattern that's easier to establish.

The key to handling Thunder Punch is maintaining consistent dodging rhythm rather than reacting to individual attacks. Once you establish the pattern of dodge-attack-dodge-attack, Thunder Punch becomes very manageable. Your Ice types should be able to survive several failed dodges against Thunder Punch due to the lower damage, making this move more forgiving than Thunder. However, don't get complacent - multiple failed dodges will still wear down your team.

Wild Charge (Electric-type): Wild Charge is the most powerful Electric charged move in Thundurus's arsenal, dealing massive damage at the cost of recoil damage to Thundurus itself. While the recoil doesn't affect you directly, it's worth noting that Thundurus will hurt itself when using this move, slightly reducing its overall damage output over the course of the raid. Wild Charge hits harder than Thunder and can devastate underprepared teams.

When facing Wild Charge, treat it like Thunder - prioritize dodging above everything else. The animation is distinct with Thundurus surrounding itself in electricity before charging forward. This move has a longer animation than Thunder Punch but shorter than Thunder, requiring quick reflexes. Because of the recoil, you might actually want Thundurus to use Wild Charge frequently since it damages itself in the process. However, this doesn't change your strategy - dodge first, counter-attack second.

Focus Blast (Fighting-type): Focus Blast is the curveball in Thundurus's moveset - a Fighting-type charged move that catches many trainers off guard. Unlike the Electric moves, Focus Blast deals neutral damage to your Ice-type counters, making it less threatening than Thunder or Wild Charge. However, the different typing can surprise trainers who are used to dodging Electric attacks, potentially leading to failed dodges due to unexpected timing.

The presence of Focus Blast actually makes Thundurus slightly easier to defeat, since it's dealing less damage to your Ice types than it would with Electric charged moves. However, the different animation pattern can take some getting used to. Focus Blast has a distinctive charging animation where Thundurus gathers fighting energy before releasing a blast. Once you recognize this animation, dodging Focus Blast becomes straightforward. Treat it as a breather compared to the more dangerous Electric charged moves.

Thundurus Exclusive Moves: Incarnate vs Therian

One of the most interesting aspects of Thundurus Pokemon Go is that its two formes have different exclusive charged moves, adding variety to the raid experience. Incarnate Forme has access to Crunch (Dark-type), while Therian Forme can use Sludge Bomb (Poison-type). These exclusive moves don't dramatically alter the raid difficulty, but they're worth understanding for complete preparation.

Crunch (Dark-type) - Incarnate Forme Exclusive: Crunch is a moderate-power Dark-type charged move that deals neutral damage to Ice types. While Dark moves aren't super-effective against anything you're likely to use, Crunch still deals respectable damage and can wear down your team over time. The animation features Thundurus biting down with dark energy, and the dodge window is similar to Thunder Punch - quick but manageable. Crunch is less threatening than the Electric charged moves, so count it as a win if your Incarnate Thundurus has this move.

Sludge Bomb (Poison-type) - Therian Forme Exclusive: Sludge Bomb is a Poison-type charged move that deals neutral damage to almost all Pokemon, including your Ice counters. Like Crunch, it's less threatening than Electric charged moves and should be considered a favorable outcome if your Therian Thundurus has this move. The animation shows Thundurus launching toxic sludge, and the dodge window is generous compared to faster moves like Thunder Punch. Poison moves aren't particularly effective against common raid attackers, so Sludge Bomb is one of the easier charged moves to handle.

From a strategic perspective, these exclusive moves don't significantly change your approach. You should still focus on Ice-type counters and prioritize dodging Electric charged moves. However, knowing which forme you're facing and which exclusive move it has can help you adjust expectations. If you're facing Incarnate Forme with Crunch, the raid will generally be easier than if it has Thunder or Wild Charge. Similarly, Therian Forme with Sludge Bomb is less threatening than Therian with powerful Electric moves.

Building the Perfect Team Based on Thundurus's Moveset

Now that we've covered Thundurus Pokemon Go's weaknesses and moveset, let's put this knowledge into practice by building optimal teams. The key is to combine your understanding of type matchups with practical team-building principles. Here's my recommended approach based on hundreds of successful raids.

Core Team: 4-6 Ice-type attackers - This should be the foundation of every Thundurus raid team. Mamoswine, Glaceon, Weavile, Aurorus, and other Ice types with Ice-type fast and charged moves form your primary damage dealers. These Pokemon exploit Thundurus's double weakness to Ice and should make up the majority of your team. Ideally, all six of your Pokemon should be Ice types, but having 4-5 is acceptable if your sixth slot is a Rock type.

Secondary Option: 1-2 Rock-type attackers - If you're short on Ice types, Rock attackers like Rampardos, Tyranitar, and Rhyperior can fill the remaining slots. These Pokemon deal super-effective damage with Rock-type moves, though less than Ice types. Use Rock types as backups to your Ice core, not as replacements. The 1.6x damage multiplier from Rock moves is meaningful but pales in comparison to Ice's 2.56x multiplier.

Moveset optimization: Ensure your counters have the right moves. For Ice types, prioritize those with Ice-type fast moves (Powder Snow, Frost Breath, Ice Shard) and Ice-type charged moves (Avalanche, Weather Ball Ice). The combination of STAB from being Ice-type Pokemon using Ice moves, plus the 4x super-effective multiplier, creates devastating damage output. Avoid using counters with non-STAB moves - a Mamoswine with Avalanche deals significantly more damage than a Mamoswine with Bulldoze.

Level and power investment: Your counters should be powered up to at least level 30, ideally level 35-40 for the best performance. The difference in damage output between a level 20 Mamoswine and a level 40 Mamoswine is substantial, especially when multiplied by the 4x weakness bonus. Invest your stardust in a few high-level Ice types rather than spreading resources across many underleveled Pokemon. Quality over quantity wins raids.

Avoid these mistakes: Don't use Electric types (Zekrom, Raikou, Magnezone), Flying types (Dragonite, Gyarados), or Ground types (Garchomp, Landorus) against Thundurus. Electric and Flying types deal reduced damage, while Ground types deal zero damage due to Thundurus's Flying immunity. I've seen too many raids fail because trainers brought these ineffective attackers. Stick to Ice types almost exclusively, with Rock types as backups.