Buzzwole Raid Guide – Best Counters, Weakness, CP & Strategy

Raid Boss Overview – Buzzwole

Buzzwole is one of the Ultra Beasts in Pokémon GO, and in raids it stands out because of its huge physical bulk and strong Attack stat. It’s a Bug/Fighting-type that can feel surprisingly tough if you go in without proper counters.

Why Buzzwole is Worth Paying Attention To

Ultra Beast Collection

• Needed if you’re completing your Ultra Beast collection
• Often returns during special events and raid rotations
• Featured during Go Fest–style events and limited raids

In PvE (Raids & Gyms)

• Buzzwole can also be used as a solid Fighting-type attacker
• Works well against:
• Normal-type Pokémon
• Rock-type Pokémon
• Steel-type Pokémon
• Dark-type Pokémon

In PvP

• Has a niche role in Ultra League
• Good mix of bulk and Fighting-type pressure
• Can catch opponents off guard, especially Dark or Normal-heavy teams

Event Importance

• Usually appears during Ultra Beast raid rotations
• Sometimes tied to global events like Pokémon GO Fest

How Hard Are Buzzwole Raids?

Overall difficulty: High (around 3.5–4/5)

Why Buzzwole Feels Tough

High bulk

• Buzzwole can take a lot of damage before going down
• Even strong counters need time to bring it down

Strong damage output

• Its Fighting and Bug moves hit harder than expected
• Unprepared teams can get punished quickly

Limited but important weaknesses

• Flying
• Fire
• Psychic
• Fairy

Difficulty depending on group size

Best Strategy in Simple Terms

If you’re going into this raid, Flying-types are your safest bet. They deal super effective damage and make the fight much easier overall.

• Flying-type attackers are the top priority
• Psychic-types work as a reliable backup
• Fire-types can help depending on your lineup

Some strong examples include top-tier Flying attackers like Rayquaza-style Pokémon and high DPS Psychic attackers.

Buzzwole – Move Analysis (PvP + Raids)

Buzzwole is a Bug/Fighting Ultra Beast that hits hard and doesn’t go down easily. In both PvP and raids, its performance mostly depends on how well you build around its fast energy generation and strong Fighting-type pressure.

• High Attack stat that makes its moves hit noticeably hard
• Good bulk compared to most attackers
• Solid niche in PvP formats like Ultra League
• Reliable Fighting-type option for raids

Fast Moves

Buzzwole’s fast moves are all about energy gain and setting up charged attacks quickly. One move clearly stands out above the rest.

Simple takeaway

• Counter is basically non-negotiable
• It gives the best mix of damage + energy gain
• It also lines up perfectly with Buzzwole’s Fighting charged moves

Charged Moves

This is where Buzzwole actually decides fights. Its charged moves range from raw damage to utility-based pressure depending on how you build it.

Best PvP moveset:

• Counter + Superpower + Lunge

Alternative build:

• Counter + Power-Up Punch (for a more buff-oriented playstyle)

Raid Boss Moves

When you’re facing Buzzwole in raids, its moveset matters a lot because it can punish weak counters pretty quickly if you’re not careful.

Fast Moves to watch out for

Charged moves to respect

Raid Strategy Insight

Buzzwole feels threatening mainly because of a combination of high Attack and strong Fighting-type pressure. If you don’t bring the right counters, it can overwhelm weaker teams.

• Flying-types are your safest and most consistent option
• Fire-types work well as secondary DPS picks
• Psychic-types are usable but depend on moveset

Try to avoid relying on:

• Dark-types that get pressured too hard by Fighting/Bug damage
• Very fragile Ice or Rock attackers that faint too quickly

Buzzwole Performance Guide

Buzzwole is a Bug/Fighting Ultra Beast that looks impressive on paper thanks to its high Attack and solid bulk. In practice, its performance really depends on where you use it — raids, gyms, or PvP all feel very different for this Pokémon.

PvE (Raids & Gyms Offense)

Where Buzzwole actually performs well

• Dark-type raid bosses like Tyranitar
• Normal-type raid bosses
• Rock and Steel types (depending on movesets)

Best raid moveset

• Counter + Superpower
• Alternative option: Lunge for utility, but it sacrifices damage output

How it compares in PvE

• A solid Fighting-type attacker overall
• However, it’s usually outclassed by top-tier options like:
• Lucario
• Conkeldurr
• Terrakion

Gyms (Attacking & Defending)

As an attacker

• Works well against Normal and Dark-type defenders
• Can clear gyms quickly with Counter + Superpower
• Still, you need to be careful of Flying-type counters in return

As a defender

• Buzzwole is not a practical gym defender

Reason

• Common weaknesses to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy attacks
• Typing doesn’t hold up defensively in gym meta
• Most attackers can take it down without much effort

PvP (GO Battle League)

In PvP, Buzzwole is more of a niche pick that can perform well in the right matchups, especially when it gets to apply pressure early with Counter and Lunge.

What it does well

• Strong bulky Fighting-type presence
• Consistent pressure with Counter-based fast moves
• Lunge can lower the opponent’s Attack and swing momentum

Where it struggles

• Flying-types are a major problem and often force switches or losses
• Fairy and Psychic cores can outlast it
• Needs smart shield management to perform well

Great League

• Not available due to high CP

Ultra League

• One of its better PvP environments
• Useful against Dark and Steel types
• Can perform well against Pokémon like:
• Giratina
• Obstagoon
• Various Steel-type Pokémon

Recommended moveset:

• Counter + Lunge + Superpower

Master League

• Struggles heavily in the legendary-heavy meta
• Flying Dragons dominate it in most matchups:
• Rayquaza
• Dragonite
• Togekiss

Performance in PvP Cups

Fighting Cups

• Performs noticeably better due to restricted metas
• One of the more reliable bulky Fighting options

Ultra League Premier

• Decent performance, but not always consistent
• Often depends on shield advantage to win key matchups

Limited / Special Cups

• Can become surprisingly strong when Flying-types are restricted
• Performs better in more controlled metas

Buzzwole Raid Strategy Guide

Buzzwole is one of the tougher Ultra Beast raids in Pokémon GO, mainly because of its high bulk and strong Fighting-type damage. If your team isn’t prepared with Flying-types, the raid can feel slower and more punishing than expected.

Raid Difficulty Overview

Best Pokémon Types to Use

How to Approach Buzzwole Raids

The entire raid revolves around one idea — bring strong Flying-types and keep pressure high.

If you’re just starting out, focus on simple high-DPS Flying Pokémon and avoid overthinking mechanics.

• Rayquaza
• Staraptor
• Honchkrow
• Moltres

What usually goes wrong for newer players is bringing Fighting or Dark types, which get punished quickly by Buzzwole’s own Fighting/Bug pressure.

Mid-Level Strategy

Once you’re more comfortable, the goal shifts to maximizing Flying-type damage while staying efficient with relobbies.

• Mega Rayquaza
• Yveltal
• Shadow Moltres
• Mega Pidgeot

At this stage, Mega coordination matters a lot more. If your group stacks Flying-type Megas, the raid becomes noticeably faster.

Advanced Raid Play

Experienced groups usually focus on efficiency rather than survival.

• Rotate between top Flying Megas like Mega Rayquaza and Mega Pidgeot
• Pre-build second teams to avoid downtime
• Re-enter immediately after fainting instead of healing in battle

Windy weather is especially valuable here, since it significantly boosts Flying-type damage and shortens raid time.

Expert-Level Strategy

At the highest level, Buzzwole raids are mostly about speed and optimization.

Ideal conditions include maxed-out Flying attackers, best friend bonuses, and coordinated Mega usage.

Solo & Small Group Reality

Buzzwole is not a practical solo raid unless conditions are extremely boosted and resources are heavily optimized.

Duo raids are possible but require strong coordination, while trio raids are where Buzzwole becomes consistently manageable for skilled players.

• Use Flying Megas on both accounts in duos
• Avoid unnecessary dodging unless you’re using fragile attackers
• Stick to high DPS teams for faster clears

Weather Impact

Key Threat Moves

Buzzwole Raid Counters Guide

Buzzwole is one of those raid bosses where preparation really matters. On paper it has only a few weaknesses, but in practice, Flying-types make this raid much easier and faster compared to anything else.

What Makes Buzzwole Dangerous

Before picking counters, it helps to understand what you’re dealing with:

• Very high Attack stat for a raid boss
• Strong Fighting-type pressure with moves like Counter and Superpower
• Decent bulk that can slow down weaker teams

Best Overall Raid Counters

Top Tier Counters Explained

Mega Rayquaza

• Best overall choice for this raid
• Insane Flying-type damage with Dragon Ascent
• Boosts other Flying attackers in the group

Mega Pidgeot

• Very useful Mega for team-wide Flying boost
• Fast energy gain with Gust
• Helps improve overall raid speed

Shadow Moltres

• One of the strongest pure Flying attackers
• Excellent DPS against Buzzwole
• Needs careful play due to low bulk

Counters by Type

Flying-type (Best Option)

Flying is by far the most effective way to deal with Buzzwole. It hits for 256% super effective damage, which makes raids significantly faster.

In most cases, stacking Flying attackers is the safest and fastest way to complete the raid, even with smaller groups.

Fire-type Counters

Fire-types work because Buzzwole is also Bug-type, but they are generally secondary options compared to Flying.

• Mega Charizard Y
• Reshiram
• Chandelure

Psychic Counters

Psychic attackers can be used, but they don’t perform as consistently as Flying-types in most raid setups.

• Mewtwo
• Mega Alakazam
• Unbound Hoopa

Fairy Counters

Fairy-types help mainly because of Buzzwole’s Fighting typing, but they are still situational picks.

• Mega Gardevoir
• Xerneas
• Togekiss

Raid Move Threats

These are the moves you should be most careful about during the raid:

• Superpower – Heavy Fighting damage that can quickly KO fragile Pokémon
• Lunge – Lowers your damage output and slows the fight
• Power-Up Punch – Can snowball if left unchecked

Simple Team Strategy

For most players, the safest approach is straightforward: build a Flying-heavy team and keep pressure constant.

• Casual players should stick to Flying attackers only
• Advanced players should mix Mega Rayquaza + Shadow Flying attackers for faster clears

Quick Tier Summary

Shiny Comparison – Buzzwole

Buzzwole already has a very unique design in Pokémon GO, but its shiny form changes the color scheme enough that it feels like a completely different aesthetic rather than just a slight variation.

Normal vs Shiny Buzzwole

Normal Buzzwole

• Bright red body with green accents
• Black detailing on limbs
• Very bold, high-contrast design

Overall impression:

• Feels aggressive and “muscle-based”
• Strong insect-like intimidation design
• Classic Ultra Beast visual style

Shiny Buzzwole

• Red shifts into a darker purple / magenta tone
• Green highlights become softer and less saturated
• Overall palette feels more muted and refined

Overall impression:

• More alien-like appearance
• Less aggressive compared to the original form
• Cleaner and more balanced color scheme

Key Visual Differences

Is Shiny Buzzwole Worth It?

It’s worth going for if you are:

• A shiny collector
• Someone who likes Ultra Beast variants
• Focused on collection rather than battle strength

It’s not necessary if you are:

• Only interested in raid performance
• Looking for PvE or PvP advantage

Battle Impact

There is no gameplay difference between shiny and normal Buzzwole.

• Same stats
• Same moveset
• Same raid and PvP performance

The only difference is purely visual, so it comes down to personal preference and collection value.

Buzzwole

Images are used for informational and educational purposes only. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Shiny Buzzwole

Images are used for informational and educational purposes only. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Evolution & Buddy Distance – Buzzwole

Evolution

Buzzwole is an Ultra Beast, which means it stands on its own in the Pokémon GO lineup.

• It does not evolve into any other Pokémon
• It is not obtained through evolution from any other Pokémon

In simple terms, what you catch is the final and only form.

Buddy Distance

Buzzwole requires a long walking distance to earn candy, making it one of the more demanding Pokémon to power up through buddy walking.

What this means in practice

• You’ll need to walk quite a lot to earn even a small number of candies
• It’s one of the longest buddy distances in Pokémon GO

Why it matters

Because of the high candy requirement, powering up Buzzwole can take time unless you’re actively raiding or using Rare Candy.

Practical ways to manage it:

• Use Rare Candy from raids and PvP rewards
• Walk it as a buddy during long sessions if you’re actively playing
• Take advantage of event bonuses when available

Best Mega Pokémon Against Buzzwole

Buzzwole is a Bug/Fighting-type Ultra Beast, which means it has multiple weaknesses—but in raids, Flying-types usually end up being the most efficient way to take it down quickly.

Megas matter here not just for damage, but because the right Mega can boost your entire team and significantly speed up the raid.

Best Mega Choices

Mega Rayquaza

• Best overall Mega for this raid
• Extreme Flying-type damage with Dragon Ascent
• Boosts all Flying attackers in the group
• Great for fast and clean raid clears

Mega Pidgeot

• Excellent team support Mega for Flying attackers
• Easy to use in long raids
• Helps improve overall group DPS

Mega Alakazam

• Strong Psychic option against Buzzwole’s Fighting typing
• High burst damage potential
• More of a secondary choice compared to Flying Megas

Mega Gardevoir

• Fairy typing provides solid neutral damage output
• Useful for team support depending on lineup
• Safe Mega option if Flying Megas are already covered

Mega Charizard Y

• Fire typing helps against Bug-type damage
• Strong DPS with Blast Burn
• Situational but still effective

Type Matchup Strategy

Even though Buzzwole has multiple weaknesses, Flying remains the most consistent and fastest option in real raid conditions.

Avoid relying on:

• Bug-types (resisted damage)
• Fighting-types (mirror resistance makes fights slower)

Best Mega Strategy in Raids

The most efficient approach is simple: use one Flying Mega and stack Flying attackers around it.

• Mega Rayquaza as primary Mega boost
• Strong Flying DPS Pokémon like:
• Rayquaza
• Staraptor
• Honchkrow

Group Raid Strategy

In coordinated raids, Mega usage becomes more efficient when only one player runs the Mega while others focus purely on damage.

• One player runs Mega Rayquaza
• Others focus on high DPS Flying attackers
• This setup maximizes total raid speed

How Candy Boost Helps Catching Pokémon – Focus on Buzzwole

Beyond raids and battles, Buzzwole also takes a lot of resources to power up. That’s where candy bonuses become really important, especially if you’re planning to build it for PvP or max-level raids.

Understanding Candy Boost

In Pokémon GO, you can increase the amount of Candy you get from catches using different bonuses. These small boosts add up quickly, especially for rare Pokémon like Buzzwole.

• Pinap and Silver Pinap Berries
• Mega Evolution bonuses
• Event-based candy boosts
• XL Candy chance increases at higher levels

Why Buzzwole Needs Extra Candy

Buzzwole is an Ultra Beast, so every candy matters more than usual. You won’t encounter it often, which makes efficient farming important.

• Limited availability during raid rotations
• High candy cost for powering up
• XL Candy required for endgame PvP builds

Pinap Berry Strategy

Pinap Berries are the simplest way to double your candy from a catch.

• Normal catch → 3 Candy
• With Pinap → 6 Candy

For Buzzwole, this is one of the easiest ways to speed up your progression without relying on extra raids.

Mega Evolution Bonus

Having an active Mega Evolution that matches Buzzwole’s typing (Bug or Fighting) gives you extra candy and better XL chances.

• Increases total candy per catch
• Improves XL Candy drop rate

• Normal catch → 3 Candy
• With Mega boost → 4–6+ Candy

This bonus becomes especially valuable during raid events when you’re catching multiple Buzzwole in a short time.

XL Candy and High-Level Catches

Since raid Pokémon already appear at high levels, Buzzwole naturally has a better chance of giving XL Candy compared to wild Pokémon.

• Raid encounters start at high levels
• Weather boost can increase level further
• Higher level = better XL Candy efficiency

Weather Effects

Cloudy weather can indirectly affect Buzzwole raids by boosting its Fighting-type moves and increasing encounter CP.

• Higher CP encounter makes catches tougher
• Better XL Candy potential per catch
• Slightly lower catch rate pressure

Why Candy Efficiency Matters More Than Catching

For Buzzwole, catching it is only the first step. The real value comes from how quickly you can power it up.

• Level 40–50 upgrades require heavy candy investment
• Second move unlock also consumes candy
• XL Candy is essential for PvP builds

Candy Gain Summary

Weaknesses – Buzzwole

Buzzwole is a Bug/Fighting-type Ultra Beast with impressive Attack and bulk, but its typing leaves it open to a few key weaknesses that are very easy to exploit in raids.

Type Weaknesses

Flying

Flying is the biggest problem for Buzzwole. Most raid teams rely on it because it consistently delivers the fastest clear times.

Best Flying counters:

• Rayquaza
• Staraptor
• Moltres
• Honchkrow

Fairy

Fairy-types also perform well here thanks to Buzzwole’s Fighting typing, but they are generally used as secondary options compared to Flying attackers.

Good Fairy counters:

• Gardevoir
• Togekiss
• Sylveon

Psychic

Psychic damage targets Buzzwole’s Fighting typing and can be useful, especially when Flying options are limited or already in use by teammates.

Good Psychic counters:

• Mewtwo
• Metagross
• Espeon

Resistances

Buzzwole also has some useful resistances that make certain matchups awkward for attackers:

• Bug (strong resistance)
• Fighting
• Rock
• Grass (situationally useful in PvP)

Raid Impact

In actual raids, the biggest factor is simple: Flying-type attackers decide how fast the battle ends.

Best approach:

• Focus heavily on Flying-type DPS
• Use Mega boosts when possible, especially:
• Mega Rayquaza
• Mega Pidgeot

Resistance Guide – Buzzwole

Buzzwole is a Bug/Fighting-type Ultra Beast with a very offense-focused design, but it also has a few useful resistances that affect how it performs in PvP and raids.

Type Overview

• Type: Bug / Fighting
• Role: High Attack physical attacker with decent bulk
• Playstyle: Strong counter-pressure but limited defensive flexibility

Buzzwole Resistances

These are the types Buzzwole handles more comfortably due to reduced incoming damage:

What this means in battles

In real gameplay, these resistances let Buzzwole take neutral or reduced damage from certain attackers, especially Fighting and Dark-type Pokémon. This can help it stay on the field slightly longer than expected for an offensive Ultra Beast.

How to use its resistances

Buzzwole isn’t a defensive wall, but its resistances still create some useful situations:

• Can handle Fighting-type pressure better than most attackers
• Can switch into Dark-type moves in PvP when needed
• Occasionally useful against Grass-type raid bosses

PvP Insight

In PvP, Buzzwole’s resistances help it survive neutral matchups, but positioning still matters a lot.

• Works well in extended shield scenarios
• Still vulnerable to Flying and Psychic pressure
• Relies more on offense than bulk to win fights

Conclusion – Buzzwole

Buzzwole isn’t designed to be a universal top-tier pick—it’s more of a specialist that shines when used in the right matchups. When conditions favor it, it performs very well, but in general it sits just below the absolute top meta attackers.

Overall Performance Summary

PvE (Raids & Gyms)

• Strong Fighting-type attacker with solid raid utility
• Performs well against Dark, Normal, Rock, and Steel-type bosses

Its biggest strength comes from raw Attack power and access to solid Fighting moves like Counter and Superpower, which make it effective in many raid scenarios.

However, it is not always the best option when compared to other top Fighting-types that offer higher efficiency or better coverage.

PvP (GO Battle League)

• Viable in selected cups and limited formats
• Can apply consistent pressure with Fighting-type damage

Buzzwole performs best in matchups where it can leverage its bulk and resist common Dark or Normal-type threats.

That said, it struggles heavily in open metas due to its major weaknesses to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type attacks.

Gyms

• Useful as an attacker for clearing defenders quickly
• Rarely used as a defender due to typing weaknesses

Final Verdict

Buzzwole is best described as a high-risk, high-reward Fighting/Bug attacker. It can hit extremely hard in the right matchups, but it requires smart usage and proper team support to shine consistently.

Buzzwole Catch CP Guide

After winning a Buzzwole raid, the CP you see at the catch screen depends mainly on IVs and whether the encounter is weather boosted. This helps you quickly estimate how strong your catch might be.

Raid Catch CP Range

Normal Weather (No Boost)

• CP Range: 1730 – 1801

Weather Boost (Cloudy)

Buzzwole receives a boost in Cloudy weather due to its Fighting typing.

• CP Range: 2162 – 2252

Perfect IV Buzzwole (100%)

If you catch a perfect 15/15/15 Buzzwole, its CP will always fall at the very top of each range:

• No weather boost: 1801 CP
• With weather boost: 2252 CP

How to Spot a Strong Buzzwole

While CP gives a quick idea, it doesn’t guarantee perfect IVs. Still, higher CP catches are usually closer to max stats.

• Higher end CP (1750+ or 2200+ boosted) often indicates strong IVs
• You may notice more frequent “Excellent” catch difficulty at higher levels

The only way to confirm IVs is through appraisal after catching.

Catch Difficulty Tips

Buzzwole can be slightly tricky to catch compared to regular Pokémon, but it becomes very manageable with the right approach.

• Use Golden Razz Berries for every throw
• Stick to curveball throws
• Aim for Excellent throws whenever possible
• Wait for its attack animation before throwing

Weather Boost for Buzzwole

Weather conditions in Pokémon GO can noticeably change how Buzzwole performs in raids and how difficult it is to catch. While it doesn’t completely change its role, it does affect damage output and encounter strength.

Weather Boost Types for Buzzwole

Buzzwole benefits from two different weather conditions based on its dual typing:

How Weather Boost Affects Buzzwole

Higher CP Encounters

When Buzzwole is weather boosted in raids, it appears at a higher CP range, which usually indicates stronger stats and makes the catch slightly more challenging.

• Higher CP raid encounter
• Slightly tougher catch rate
• Better overall encounter value

Damage Output Increase

Cloudy Weather has the biggest impact on Buzzwole’s performance.

• Boosts Fighting-type moves like Counter and Superpower
• Improves its effectiveness against Normal, Rock, Steel, and Dark-types
• Makes it noticeably stronger in raid battles

Rainy Weather provides a smaller bonus.

• Boosts Bug-type moves such as Lunge and Fell Stinger
• Less impactful compared to Fighting boost in most raids

Raid Catch Impact

Weather-boosted Buzzwole is more valuable but also slightly harder to catch due to higher CP.

• Always use Golden Razz Berries
• Stick to curveball throws
• Aim for Excellent throws when possible

PvE Impact

In raids, Cloudy weather is the most important condition for Buzzwole.

• Significantly improves Fighting-type damage output
• Makes Buzzwole more competitive as a raid attacker
• Helps it perform better against its usual targets

Rainy weather provides only a minor boost and is generally less relevant in raid scenarios.

PvP Impact

Weather boost doesn’t directly change PvP battle stats, but it can still influence gameplay indirectly.

• Affects CP when caught (relevant for league eligibility)
• Can slightly change IV distribution of catches
• No direct in-battle advantage once used in PvP

Is it worth raiding Buzzwole?

Buzzwole is a bit of a mixed investment in Pokémon GO. It isn’t a top-tier raid attacker, but it has real value in PvP and collection-based gameplay. Whether it’s worth raiding depends on what you actually want from it.

PvE (Raids & Gyms)

Limited raid attacker value

As a PvE attacker, Buzzwole is usable but not a priority pick. Its Bug/Fighting typing doesn’t fully translate into top-tier raid performance.

• Bug-type damage has limited raid relevance
• Fighting attackers generally outperform it in most situations

In most raid scenarios, stronger and more efficient Fighting-types will usually give better results.

Examples of stronger alternatives:

• Lucario
• Conkeldurr
• Terrakion

PvP Value

Buzzwole becomes much more interesting in PvP, where its bulk and typing give it a more defined role.

• Strong Counter user with high pressure potential
• Good matchup coverage against common Dark and Normal types
• Can function as a flexible Ultra League option

However, it still has clear weaknesses that shape its performance:

• Flying-type matchups are very difficult
• Psychic and Fairy pressure can shut it down quickly

Common targets it performs well against:

• Tyranitar
• Obstagoon
• Various Steel and Normal-type Pokémon

Unique Value

Even outside of battle performance, Buzzwole has collector and niche value.

• Ultra Beast Pokédex completion
• Limited-time raid availability
• Occasional shiny hunting opportunities

Its Bug/Fighting typing is also relatively rare, which makes it stand out in certain specialized team setups.

Should you raid Buzzwole?

It’s worth raiding if you want:

• A solid Ultra League PvP option
• Ultra Beast collection progress
• Shiny hunting during events
• A unique niche Fighting/Bug attacker

You can safely skip it if your focus is:

• Top-tier raid attackers
• Fast gym clearing meta teams
• Pure PvE optimization

Personal Raid Experience – Buzzwole Raids

First Impression

When I first went up against Buzzwole in raids, I expected a fairly standard Fighting-type boss. That assumption didn’t last long.

It immediately stood out because of how bulky it feels in battle. Buzzwole isn’t something you delete quickly — it actually holds its ground for a while.

• Very high defensive presence
• Noticeable HP bulk during the fight
• Strong Fighting-type pressure that punishes weak counters

Instead of feeling like a typical raid boss that melts under damage, Buzzwole feels more like a tank that slowly wears your team down.

Battle Experience

Early phase

At the start, the fight feels manageable. Your damage output looks normal, especially if you’re using Flying or Psychic counters. The team usually stays healthy in this stage.

Mid battle

This is where Buzzwole starts to show its strength. Its Fighting-type fast moves begin to punish Steel and Rock attackers, and charged moves start landing harder than expected. You’ll notice glass cannon Pokémon fainting much faster here.

Final phase

By the end of the raid, it often turns into a DPS check. Revives come into play, and keeping consistent damage becomes more important than anything else.

What Makes Buzzwole Raids Unique

What really stands out is that this is not a “burst damage” raid boss — it’s more about endurance and team quality.

Bulk over burst

• Doesn’t go down quickly even with strong counters
• Strongly punishes underpowered or unbalanced teams

Weakness window is important

Buzzwole is mainly vulnerable to Flying, Fairy, and Psychic attacks, and raids become significantly easier when those types are prioritized properly.

Team composition matters more than CP

A well-built team clears this raid smoothly, while random high-CP teams often struggle and burn time.

Best Raid Feeling

The raid feels completely different when the team is properly prepared.

• Mega boosts are active and coordinated
• Flying and Psychic attackers are stacked
• Dodging is used sparingly but effectively

In those conditions, Buzzwole feels much more manageable and even enjoyable to fight.

Common Player Mistakes

• Bringing Steel or Rock Pokémon without realizing how fast they get punished
• Ignoring Flying-type attackers, which are the safest and strongest option
• Not dodging charged moves when survival matters
• Overvaluing CP instead of actual type effectiveness and synergy

Unique Insights – Buzzwole

Ultra Beast that feels more like a fighter than a Bug-type

Even though Buzzwole is a Bug/Fighting-type Ultra Beast, it doesn’t really play like a typical Bug Pokémon in battle.

Instead of relying on quick burst damage, it feels more like a heavyweight brawler that slowly takes control of the fight.

• Plays like a defensive pressure fighter rather than a glass cannon
• Wins by staying on the field and applying constant Counter pressure

PvP strength comes from survival, not raw damage

One common mistake is assuming Buzzwole is just another high-attack Pokémon. In reality, its success in PvP is tied more to how long it can stay alive than how hard it hits.

• It builds advantage through sustained pressure with Counter
• It becomes dangerous once it reaches multiple Charged Moves in a match

It performs well against common PvP cores

Buzzwole tends to match up surprisingly well against several standard team structures in the meta.

• Dark-focused teams
• Steel + Dark defensive cores
• Bulky neutral Pokémon that rely on endurance

This mainly comes from its Fighting typing, which puts steady pressure on Dark and Normal types while forcing shields in many situations.

The “reverse glass cannon” effect

At first glance, Buzzwole looks like a fragile high-damage attacker. But in practice, it often survives much longer than expected.

This creates a strange but useful effect where it feels like a glass cannon, yet behaves more like a bruiser when shields are involved.

Energy advantage is its real win condition

Buzzwole doesn’t usually win because of raw damage output — it wins because it reaches Charged Moves at the right time.

• It pressures shields through fast energy generation
• It often reaches key Charged Moves earlier than opponents expect

Psychological factor in raids and PvP

Because Buzzwole is an Ultra Beast, many players instinctively expect it to hit extremely hard.

That often leads to two reactions:

• Over-preparing against its damage output
• Or underestimating how bulky and persistent it actually is

Best role in battle: mid-fight breaker

Buzzwole doesn’t usually function best as a lead or a safe switch.

Its strongest role is coming in during the mid-game, when it can take advantage of weakened teams and start forcing shield pressure.

• Strong mid-game momentum builder
• Excellent at punishing already-damaged opponents
• Best used in extended, drawn-out fights

FAQ – Buzzwole (Ultra Beast Raid Guide)

What is Buzzwole?

Buzzwole is an Ultra Beast Pokémon introduced from the Ultra Space dimension. It is a Bug/Fighting-type Pokémon known for its extreme physical power and muscular appearance.

• Type: Bug / Fighting
• Role: High Attack raid boss + PvP niche pick
• Category: Ultra Beast

Is Buzzwole strong in Pokémon GO?

Strengths:

• Very high Attack stat
• Strong Fighting-type damage output
• Useful in PvP Ultra League formats

Weaknesses:

• Double weak to Flying-type attacks (major flaw)
• Limited PvE usage compared to top fighters

What are the best counters for Buzzwole?

Since it is Bug/Fighting, it is weak to:

• Flying
• Fire
• Electric
• Ice
• Psychic

Top counters include:

• Flying-type attackers (highest priority)
• Strong Psychic attackers

What is Buzzwole used for?

PvE (Raids)

• Niche Fighting attacker
• Not top-tier compared to Meta Fighters

PvP

• Can be used in Ultra League
• Bulky enough to survive longer fights

Is Buzzwole good in PvP?

Ultra League:

• Strong anti-meta pick
• Good vs Dark, Steel, Normal types

Weak vs:

• Flying types (very dangerous)
• Psychic pressure teams

What is the best moveset for Buzzwole?

PvP / PvE Best Moves:

• Fast Move: Counter
• Charged Moves: Superpower + Lunge

Why this works:

• Counter = fast Fighting damage
• Superpower = heavy burst
• Lunge = lowers opponent Attack

Is Buzzwole worth powering up?

Yes if:

• You need a strong Fighting-type
• You play Ultra League PvP
• You want Ultra Beast collection

No if:

• You already have top Fighters like Lucario or Terrakion
• You only focus on raid DPS meta

Common mistakes with Buzzwole

• Using it vs Flying-type Pokémon
• Ignoring its 4× weakness
• Using it as a top raid attacker
• Not using Lunge in PvP

Simple Summary

Buzzwole is:

• A high Attack Ultra Beast
• Strong but situational Fighter
• Extremely weak to Flying-type counters

Pokédex Entry – Buzzwole

Basic Information

• Pokédex Number: #794
• Category: Swollen Pokémon (Ultra Beast)
• Type: Bug / Fighting
• Generation: Gen 7 (Alola)
• Ultra Beast Code: UB-02 Absorption

Pokédex Description

Buzzwole is an Ultra Beast that originates from Ultra Space, a mysterious dimension beyond the Pokémon world.

What immediately makes it stand out is its extremely muscular, almost exaggerated physique. It doesn’t just fight — it performs, flexes, and dominates the battlefield in a very visual way.

According to reports, Buzzwole appears to absorb energy from its surroundings and convert it into raw physical strength, which explains its overwhelming bodybuilder-like appearance.

Appearance

• A massive insect-like body with a heavily muscular structure
• Red and black exoskeleton with high contrast design
• Oversized arms built for striking and posing
• Constant flexing behavior that feels almost intentional and intimidating

Battle Characteristics

Buzzwole is built almost entirely around physical dominance. It doesn’t rely on speed or tricks — instead, it wins through raw strength and pressure.

Strengths

• Extremely strong physical Attack
• High physical bulk for an attacker
• Excellent Fighting-type pressure in battle

Weaknesses

• Flying-type attacks (major threat)
• Psychic damage
• Fairy-type pressure
• Fire-type coverage in raids

Battle Style

Buzzwole fights like a close-range brawler. It thrives in direct combat where it can repeatedly apply pressure with Counter and force opponents to respond quickly.

• Pure physical attacker with no reliance on speed control
• Excels in sustained, face-to-face engagements
• Rewards aggressive, pressure-based playstyles

Behavior Notes

In the wild and in battle simulations, Buzzwole is often described as unusually expressive compared to other Ultra Beasts.

• Frequently poses during encounters as a display of strength
• Appears to “show off” as part of its intimidation behavior
• Rarely disengages once it enters combat

Battle Role

• Raid Attacker: Reliable Fighting-type option, but not top meta
• PvP: Niche but effective in specific Ultra League or limited formats
• Best Use: Fighting-focused matchups such as Dark, Normal, Ice, and Steel Pokémon

Recommended Moveset

• Fast Move: Counter
• Charged Moves: Superpower + Lunge / Power-Up Punch