Introduction
Azelf is one of the Legendary Pokémon from the Sinnoh region, known as the “Willpower Pokémon.” It is fast, has strong Psychic moves, and can deal significant damage to unprepared teams. Its unique typing makes it weak to Dark, Ghost, and Bug-type attacks, so planning the right counters is essential.
This raid guide will help trainers understand Azelf’s stats, weaknesses, best counters, movesets, and raid strategies. Whether you are a new player or a high-level trainer, this guide ensures you can defeat Azelf efficiently and catch it afterward.
Related guides: Mega Aggron | Mega Aerodactyl
Azelf Overview
Azelf is a pure Psychic-type Pokémon. Because it does not have a dual typing, its weakness profile is simple and easy to understand. However, its strong charged moves can deal heavy damage if not handled carefully.
Stats & Basic Info
| Type | Psychic |
| Max CP | 3629 |
| Weather Boost | Windy |
| Shiny | Yes |
Weaknesses & resistances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
 Bug •
 Dark •
 Ghost
|
| Resists to |
 Flying •
 Psychic
|
Notes: Since Azelf lacks defensive bulk compared to other Legendary bosses, high-DPS counters can defeat it relatively quickly, even in small groups of 2–3 experienced trainers.
Best Azelf Counters
To defeat Azelf quickly, trainers should prioritize Dark and Ghost-type attackers. These types deal super-effective damage and are generally strong in raid scenarios. Bug-types are also effective, but usually deal slightly lower DPS compared to top-tier Dark and Ghost Pokémon.
Mega-type Counters
- Tyranitar: Bite / Brutal Swing
- Gengar: Lick / Shadow Ball
- Absol: Snarl / Brutal Swing
Shadow-type Counters
- Tyranitar: Bite / Brutal Swing
- Hydreigon: Bite / Brutal Swing
- Darkrai: Snarl / Shadow Ball
Regular-type Counters
- Necrozma: Shadow Claw / Moongeist Beam
Dark-Type Counters
Dark-type Pokémon are the safest and most consistent counters against Azelf. They resist Psychic-type attacks while dealing super-effective damage in return. This gives them both survivability and strong damage output.
High-attack Dark-type Pokémon with strong fast and charged moves can eliminate Azelf quickly, especially in Fog weather where Dark-type attacks are boosted.
Ghost-Type Counters
Ghost-type Pokémon also deal super-effective damage to Azelf. However, since Psychic-type moves do neutral damage to Ghost-types, these counters may faint slightly faster compared to Dark-types. Despite this, they remain among the strongest DPS options available.
Bug-Type Counters
Bug-types exploit Azelf’s Psychic weakness, but many Bug Pokémon lack the raw attack power of top-tier Dark or Ghost attackers. They can still be effective backups, especially if you lack optimized Dark or Ghost teams.
Best Mega Evolutions
Recommended Megas to use against Azelf:
- Tyranitar, Houndoom, Absol, Gyarados – Dark boost
- Gengar, Banette, Alakazam – Ghost boost
Difficulty
The main challenge in Azelf raids is not beating the clock, but keeping fragile attackers alive. Azelf’s low bulk means the raid usually ends quickly, but moves like Future Sight or Fire Blast can knock out glassy counters if players are not paying attention.
Best Moveset
- Fast: Confusion, Extrasensory
- Charged: Fire Blast, Swift, Future Sight
Most Dangerous Moveset: Confusion + Fire Blast. This combination can quickly knock out fragile attackers if not dodged.
Best Non-Shadow Counters
Regular pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Regular counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin Giratina | Shadow Claw / Dragon Tail | Ominous Wind / Shadow Ball / Dragon Pulse | Shadow Force | Dragon Tail and Shadow Force |
| Chandelure | Hex / Fire Spin / Incinerate | Shadow Ball / Overheat / Flame Charge / Energy Ball | Poltergeist | Incinerate and Overheat |
| Black Kyurem | Shadow Claw / Dragon Tail | Stone Edge / Blizzard / Iron Head / Outrage / Fusion Bolt / Freeze Shock | - | Dragon Tail and Freeze Shock |
| Dragapult | Astonish / Dragon Tail | Shadow Ball / Outrage / Dragon Pulse / Breaking Swipe | - | Dragon Tail and Outrage |
| Blacephalon | Astonish / Incinerate | Mystical Fire / Shadow Ball / Overheat | - | Incinerate and Overheat |
| Tyranitar | Iron Tail / Dragon Breath / Bite | Stone Edge / Fire Blast / Crunch / Brutal Swing | Smack Down | Iron Tail and Fire Blast |
| Hydreigon | Dragon Breath / Bite | Fly / Flash Cannon / Dragon Pulse / Dark Pulse | Brutal Swing | Dragon Breath / Bite and Flash Cannon |
| Darkrai | Snarl / Feint Attack | Focus Blast / Shadow Ball / Dark Pulse | Sludge Bomb | Snarl / Feint Attack and Focus Blast |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Outrage / Future Sight / Moongeist Beam | - | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw and Moongeist Beam |
| Lunala | Air Slash / Shadow Claw / Confusion | Shadow Ball / Psychic / Future Sight / Moonblast | - | Confusion and Moonblast |
Best Shadow Counters
Shadow pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Shadow counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Altered Giratina | Shadow Claw / Dragon Breath | Dragon Claw / Ancient Power / Shadow Sneak | Shadow Force | Shadow Claw / Dragon Breath and Shadow Force |
| Shadow Weavile | Ice Shard / Feint Attack / Snarl | Focus Blast / Avalanche / Triple Axel / Foul Play | - | Feint Attack / Snarl and Focus Blast |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Flamethrower / Thunderbolt / Psychic / Ice Beam | Hyper Beam / Psystrike / Shadow Ball | Confusion and Hyper Beam |
| Shadow Salamence | Fire Fang / Dragon Tail / Bite | Fly / Fire Blast / Hydro Pump / Draco Meteor / Brutal Swing / Crunch | Outrage | Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor |
| Shadow Absol | Psycho Cut / Snarl | Megahorn / Thunder / Dark Pulse / Payback | Brutal Swing | Snarl and Megahorn |
| Shadow Chandelure | Hex / Fire Spin / Incinerate | Shadow Ball / Overheat / Flame Charge / Energy Ball | Poltergeist | Incinerate and Overheat |
| Shadow Tyranitar | Iron Tail / Bite / Dragon Breath | Stone Edge / Fire Blast / Crunch / Brutal Swing | Smack Down | Iron Tail and Fire Blast |
| Shadow Hydreigon | Dragon Breath / Bite | Fly / Flash Cannon / Dragon Pulse / Dark Pulse | Brutal Swing | Dragon Breath / Bite and Flash Cannon |
| Shadow Darkrai | Snarl / Feint Attack | Focus Blast / Shadow Ball / Dark Pulse | Sludge Bomb | Snarl / Feint Attack and Focus Blast |
| Shadow Houndoom | Fire Fang / Snarl | Fire Blast / Flamethrower / Crunch / Foul Play | - | Fire Fang and Fire Blast |
Best Mega Counters
Note: Mega Alakazam provides Psychic damage but does not resist Azelf’s attacks and is less effective than Dark- or Ghost-type Megas.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Alakazam | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Shadow Ball / Fire Punch / Future Sight | Counter / Psychic / Dazzling Gleam | Confusion and Focus Blast |
| Mega Pinsir | Rock Smash / Bug Bite / Fury Cutter | Vise Grip / Close Combat / Superpower / X-Scissor | Submission | Rock Smash and Close Combat |
| Mega Gyarados | Waterfall / Dragon Breath / Bite | Hydro Pump / Outrage / Twister / Crunch | Dragon Tail / Aqua Tail / Dragon Pulse | Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump |
| Mega Salamence | Fire Fang / Dragon Tail / Bite | Fly / Fire Blast / Hydro Pump / Draco Meteor / Brutal Swing / Crunch | Outrage | Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor |
| Mega Banette | Hex / Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball / Thunder / Dazzling Gleam | - | Hex and Shadow Ball / Thunder / Dazzling Gleam |
| Mega Houndoom | Fire Fang / Snarl | Fire Blast / Flamethrower / Crunch / Foul Play | - | Fire Fang and Fire Blast |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash / Dragon Tail | Aerial Ace / Dragon Ascent / Ancient Power / Outrage | Hurricane / Breaking Swipe | Dragon Tail and Dragon Ascent |
| Mega Absol | Psycho Cut / Snarl | Megahorn / Thunder / Dark Pulse / Payback | Brutal Swing | Snarl and Megahorn |
| Mega Gengar | Hex / Shadow Claw / Sucker Punch | Focus Blast / Drain Punch / Sludge Bomb / Shadow Ball | Lick / Sludge Wave / Shadow Punch / Psychic / Dark Pulse | Hex and Focus Blast |
| Mega Tyranitar | Iron Tail / Bite / Dragon Breath | Stone Edge / Fire Blast / Crunch / Brutal Swing | Smack Down | Iron Tail and Fire Blast |
CP Ranges
Understanding CP ranges helps trainers evaluate the strength of Azelf when caught from raids.
- Perfect (L20): 1,752-1,834 CP
- Weather Boost (L25): 2,190-2,293 CP
- Boosted by: Windy
Prepare strong Dark-, Ghost-, or Bug-type counters to defeat Azelf efficiently.
Weather Boost Effects
- Windy weather: boosts Psychic type attackers.
- Rainy: Boosts Bug moves.
- Foggy weather: boosts Ghost and Dark type attackers.
Foggy weather provides the strongest advantage for players, as it increases the power of Dark and Ghost-type counters. Avoid Windy weather when possible, since it strengthens Azelf’s Psychic attacks.
Why These Counters Work
Azelf is a pure Psychic-type Pokémon, which makes it very vulnerable to Dark and Ghost attacks. Dark-type Pokémon like Tyranitar, Darkrai, and Hydreigon resist Psychic moves while dealing super-effective damage. Ghost types like Gengar and Giratina also hit Azelf super effectively and can defeat it very quickly due to Azelf’s low bulk.
Revive & Potion Cost
- Average revives used: 8–14
- Average potions used: 10–18
- Dodging significantly reduces resource usage
- Using Mega Pokémon reduces total relobbies
Common Raid Mistakes
Avoid using fragile Fire or Grass attackers that will faint quickly to Azelf’s strong Fire- and Psychic-type moves. Also be cautious with Ice attackers if Azelf carries Rock coverage.
Team Composition Example
For a balanced and efficient raid team:
- Lead with strongest Dark-type attacker
- Follow with 2–3 additional Dark or Ghost attackers
- Keep one backup Pokémon in case of heavy damage
- Coordinate Mega Evolution with teammates for damage boost
Avoid using Fighting or Psychic Pokémon, as Azelf resists these types and will take reduced damage. Using resisted types significantly increases raid duration.
Recommended Team Compositions
Best 2–3 Trainer Team
- Mega Tyranitar
- Darkrai
- Shadow Tyranitar / Hydreigon
Budget Team
- Tyranitar
- Weavile
- Chandelure
- Gengar
Recommended Group Size
Azelf is considered one of the easier Legendary raids. Here’s a general difficulty estimate:
- 2 Trainers: Possible with strong counters
- 3 Trainers: Comfortable clear
- 4+ Trainers: Very easy
Experienced trainers with optimized Dark teams can duo Azelf, especially with weather boosts and Mega Evolution support.
Raid Strategy
Maximize High DPS
Because Azelf has lower defense compared to many other Legendary Pokémon, the key strategy is maximizing raw damage output. High-DPS teams can defeat Azelf quickly, reducing the need for excessive dodging.
Watch for Charged Moves
Azelf can use powerful Psychic-type charged moves that may hit hard against neutral attackers. If you notice heavy damage, consider dodging charged attacks to keep your top counters alive longer.
Shiny Azelf in Pokémon GO
Yes, Azelf has a shiny form in Pokémon GO. After defeating Azelf in a Legendary Raid, trainers have a chance to encounter the shiny version.
Shiny Azelf has a slightly darker blue body and lighter accents compared to the regular version, making it a rare and desirable Pokémon for collectors.
Shiny rates for Legendary Raids are higher than standard wild encounters, so participating in multiple raids increases your chances of obtaining it.
Buddy Distance
20 km (per Pokémon GO buddy distance)
Shadow & Mega Comparison
Rewards
- Chance to catch Shiny Azelf (with boosted IVs)
- Rare Candy & XL Candy
Is Azelf Worth Raiding?
Azelf is part of the Lake Guardian trio alongside Uxie and Mesprit. It has regional raid availability, making it especially desirable for collectors. While it is not currently among the top-tier PvE attackers, it has niche PvP value and strong collector appeal.
Because it is easier compared to many other Tier 5 bosses, Azelf raids are great for smaller groups and newer players looking to capture Legendary Pokémon.
PvP Relevance
While Azelf isn’t top tier in PvP, it’s a fun spice pick. Azelf shines more in raids and PvE content.
FAQ
Can Azelf be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes! Shiny Azelf is available during certain raid rotations and events.
What is the best moveset of Azelf?
The best moveset for Azelf is Confusion as a Fast Move and Fire Blast as a Charged Move.
How many trainers are needed to defeat Azelf?
2–3 trainers with strong Dark or Ghost-type counters can defeat Azelf efficiently.
Is Azelf a difficult raid boss?
Azelf has high attack but relatively low defense, making it easier to defeat with proper counters.
Conclusion
Azelf raids are straightforward when trainers bring strong Dark or Ghost counters. Its lower defense makes it one of the more manageable Legendary bosses, especially in Fog weather conditions. Focus on maximizing DPS, avoid resisted types, and coordinate Mega boosts for faster clears.
With the right preparation, Azelf can be defeated quickly, allowing you to secure this Legendary Psychic-type Pokémon for your collection.