Gigantamax Appletun is a Grass / Dragon-type Max Battle raid boss in Pokémon GO, boasting huge HP and visually impressive G-Max form. This Pokémon looks cute, but its Dragon-type moves pack a punch, and its raid form demands smart counter selection. This guide will walk you through counters, movesets, and strategies to beat this fruity powerhouse.
Table of Contents
Weakness Best Pokemon Best Gigantamax Counters Dynamax & Support Picks Moveset Weather Effects Size Rewards FAQsOverview
Appletun’s Gigantamax form increases its HP significantly and emphasizes its Grass typing while borrowing move coverage from its evolutions. In raid form it behaves like a durable Grass-based boss that can threaten with Dragon- or Fairy-type charged moves depending on the variant. Expect long fights where consistent super-effective damage (Ice, Fire, Dragon, Flying depending on exact moves) and good shield management are keys to success.
Pro tip: Always check the charged-move preview. Appletun often pairs a strong Grass charged move (Frenzy Plant/Leaf Storm) with a Dragon or Fairy charged move — that preview determines whether you prioritize Dragon/Fairy or Ice/Fire counters.
Weakness & Typing
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
Ice •
Flying •
Poison •
Bug •
Dragon •
Fairy
|
| Resists |
Electric •
Grass •
Water •
Ground
|
| Notes | Gigantamax bosses often use Max Moves — these can be powerful, sometimes buffing or changing battlefield conditions. Expect higher HP and potentially team-wide effects. |
Pro tip: Because of the 2× Ice weakness, Ice-type Max Moves deal massive damage and should be prioritized during the Max Phase.
Best Pokemon
Gigantamax-type Counters
- Lapras (Water Gun / G-Max Resonanace)
- Duraludon (Metal Claw / G-Max Depletion)
- Hatterene (Psycho Cut / G-Max Smite)
Dynamax-type Counters
- Glaceon (Ice Shard / Max Hailstrom)
- Eternatus (Poison Jab / Dynamax Cannon
- Articuno (Ice Shard / Max Hailstrom)
- Cryogonal (Ice Shard / Max Hailstrom)
Best Gigantamax Counters for Gigantamax Appletun
Gigantamax Appletun is a pure Grass/Dragon-type raid boss. It is weak to Ice , Dragon , Fairy , Poison , Bug and Flyingmoves. During Max Battles, your goal is to maximize Ice-type Gigantamax damage during the Max Phase.
🥇 Tier 1 — Optimal Gigantamax Counters
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Gigantamax Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigantamax Lapras | Frost Breath, Water Gun, Psywave | G-Max Resonance | Blizzard, Hydro Pump, Surf, Skull Bash, Sparkling Aria | Ice Shard, Ice Beam, Dragon Pulse | Frost Breath(11) and G-Max Resonance(350) |
Expert Verdict: The safest and most reliable counter. |
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🥉 Tier 3 — Situational Picks (Neutral Damage)
The following Gigantamax Pokémon are usable in larger lobbies but do not exploit Appletun weakness. They rely on neutral Max damage and are less efficient in optimized groups:
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Gigantamax Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigantamax Duraludon | Metal Claw, Dragon Tail | G-Max Depletion | Hyper Beam, Flash Cannon, Dragon Claw | - | Dragon Tail(14) and G-Max Depletion(350) |
| Gigantamax Hatterene | Psycho Cut, Confusion, Charm | G-Max Smite | Psyshock, Dazzling Gleam, Psychic, Power Whip | - | Charm(20) and G-Max Smite(350) |
| Gigantamax Alcremie | Tackle, Charm | G-Max Finale | Psyshock, Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball | - | Charm(20) and G-Max Finale(350) |
| Gigantamax Garbodor | Infestation, Take Down | G-Max Malodar | Seed Bomb, Gunk Shot, Body Slam, Acid Spray | - | Infestation(9) and G-Max Malodar(350) |
| Gigantamax Gengar | Sucker Punch, Shadow Claw, Hex | G-Max Terror | Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast, Drain Punch | Lick, Dark Pulse, Shadow Punch, Sludge Wave, Psychic | Hex(8) and G-Max Terror(350) |
| Gigantamax Corviknight | Steel Wing, Air Slash, Sand Attack | G-Max Wind Rage | Sky Attack, Payback | Iron Head, Air Cutter | Steel Wing(14) and G-Max Wind Rage(350) |
| Gigantamax Butterfree | Confusion, Struggle Bug | G-Max Befuddle | Bug Buzz, Signal Beam, Psychic | Bug Bite | Confusion(19) and G-Max Befuddle(350) |
Max Phase Strategy
- Build Max Meter safely with bulky Pokémon.
- Switch to Ice Gigantamax Pokémon during Max Phase.
- Prioritize Ice-type Max Moves for consistent super-effective damage.
- Prepare Dragon, Fairy, Bug, Poison or Flying attackers — they deal neutral damage.
Summary: Gigantamax Lapras is the safest and strongest counter, followed closely by Flying-focused Gigantamax options.
Best Dynamax Counters for Gigantamax Appletun
If Gigantamax Ice/Flying Pokémon are unavailable, Dynamax attackers using Ice-type or Flying-type Max Moves provide strong alternatives.
🥇 Elite Ice-Type Dynamax Attackers
| Pokémon | Dynamax Moves | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamax Articuno | Max HailStorm | Frost Breath, Ice Shard | Blizzard, Ice Beam, Icy Wind, Ancient Power, Triple Axel | Hurricane | |
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| Dynamax Cryogonal | Max Hailstorm | Ice Shard, Frost Breath | Aurora Beam, Night Slash, Solar Beam, Water Pulse, Triple Axel | - | |
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| Dynamax Glaceon | Max Hailstorm | Ice Shard, Frost Breath | Avalanche, Icy Wind, Ice Beam | Last Resort, Water Pulse | |
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| Dynamax Lapras | Max Mindstorm, Max Flutterby, Max Steelspike | Zen Headbutt, Bullet Punch, Fury Cutter | Flash Cannon, Psychic, Earthquake | Meteor Mash | |
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| Dynamax Suicune | Max Mindstorm, Max Hailstorm, Max Darkness | Extrasensory, Snarl, Ice Fang, Hidden Power | Hydro Pump, Bubble Beam, Water Pulse, Ice Beam, Scald | - | |
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🥉 Tier 2 - Situational Dynamax Options
| Pokémon | Dynamax Moves | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamax Sylveon | Max Starfall | Quick Attack, Charm | Moonblast, Dazzling Gleam, Draining Kiss | Last Resort, Psyshock |
| Zacian | Behemoth Blade | Metal Claw, Air Slash | Play Rough, Giga Impact, Close Combat | - |
| Dynamax Metagross | Max Mindstorm, Max Flutterby, Max Steelspike | Zen Headbutt, Bullet Punch, Fury Cutter | Flash Cannon, Psychic, Earthquake | Meteor Mash |
| Dynamax Toxtricity | Max Lightning, Max Ooze | Acid, Spark, Poison Jab | Acid Spray, Discharge, Wild Charge, Power-Up Punch | - |
| Dynamax Charizard | Max Flare, Max Airstream, Max Wyrmwind | Fire Spin, Air Slash | Dragon Claw, Fire Blast, Overheat, Air Cutter | Ember, Wing Attack, Dragon Breath, Blast Burn, Flamethrower |
| Dynamax Unfezant | Max Airstream, Max Steelspike | Air Slash, Steel Wing | Heat Wave, Hyper Beam, Sky Attack | - |
| Dynamax Hatterene | Max Starfall, Max MindStorm | Confusion, Charm, Psycho Cut | Psyshock, Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, Power Whip | - |
| Dynamax Latias | Max Wyrmwind, Max Mindstorm, Max Starfall | Dragon Breath, Zen Headbutt, Charm | Psychic, Thunder, Outrage, Aura Sphere | Mist Ball |
| Dynamax Moltres | Max Flare, Max Airstream | Fire Spin, Wing Attack | Fire Blast, Overheat, Heat Wave, Ancient Power | Sky Attack |
| Dynamax Duraludon | Max Wyrmwind, Max Steelspike | Dragon Tail, Metal Claw | Flash Cannon, Dragon Claw, Hyper Beam | - |
| Dynamax Latios | Max Wyrmwind, Max Mindstorm | Dragon Breath, Zen Headbutt | Psychic, Solar Beam, Dragon Claw, Aura Sphere | Luster Purge |
| Eternatus | Dynamax Cannon | Dragon Tail, Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb, Dragon Pulse, Flamethrower | - |
| Dynamax Sealeo | Max Strike, Max Hailstorm, Max Geyser | Water Gun, Powder Snow | Aurora Beam, Body Slam, Water Pulse, Surf | - |
| Dynamax Drampa | Max Mindstorm, Max Wyrmwind | Dragon Breath, Extrasensory | Outrage, Dragon Pulse, Fly, Swift | - |
| Dynamax Gardevoir | Max Mindstorm, Max Starfall, Max Lightning, Max Overgrowth | Confusion, Charge Beam, Charm, Magical Leaf | Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, Shadow Ball, Triple Axel | Synchronoise |
| Dynamax Walrein | Max Geyser, Max Hailstorm | Waterfall, Frost Breath | Blizzard, Earthquake, Water Pulse | Powder Snow, Icicle Spear |
Max Battle Strategy Guide
- Prioritize Ice-type Max Moves during Max Phase.
- Build Max Meter safely using bulky Pokémon.
- Switch to high-DPS Ice attackers when Max activates.
- Avoid Water and Electric attackers — they are resisted.
- Coordinate Max usage in smaller groups to avoid wasted windows.
Because of the double Ice weakness, well-prepared trainers can defeat Gigantamax Appletun efficiently with proper coordination.
Moves & Threats
Appletun common fast moves are Bullet Seed or Astonish. Charged moves include Dragon Pulse or Energy Ball or Outrage and Seed Bomb. G-Max Sweetness not only delivers heavy damage but also leaves a damaging area for a short time — timing your swaps and using at least one bulky support reduces wipe risk.
Threat: Dragon Pulse can hit hard on your non-resisting Pokémon.
Pro tip: Lead with Ice-types like Mamoswine or Weavile to exploit weaknesses.
Weather Effects
Windy weather : boosts Dragon moves. Sunny weather : boosts Grass attackers. Snowy weather : boosts Ice moves. Cloudy weather : boosts Fairy attackers.
Practical Battle Tips
- Avoid Grass-types—they deal minimal damage.
- Dodge Dragon Pulse for maximum efficiency.
- Consider weather boosts for increased effectiveness.
Size
Recommended: 15–20 trainers for comfortable clears with mixed player levels. With many Gigantamax / Dynamax counters, 10–14 can work. Under 8 trainers should be attempted only if all participants are high-level and coordinated with ideal counters and Dynamax/G-Max boosts.
Rewards
Reasons include Pokédex entry, strong Grass / Dragon attacker, shiny chance, and XL Candy farming.
Raid Preparation Tips
- Power up Ice-type attackers first.
- Use Mega or Weather Boost synergy when available.
- Revive high-DPS Pokémon quickly between phases.
- Enter with at least 3–5 strong Ice attackers.
FAQ
What is Gigantamax Appletun type and weakness?
Appletun is a Grass / Dragon type. It is weak to Ice, Flying, Poison, Bug, Dragon, Fairy teams.
What are good counters for G-Max Sweetness?
Strong ice attackers such as Dynamax Glaceon, Gigantamax Lapras, Gigantamax Duraludon, Eternatus, Dynamax Sylveon, Dynamax Articuno.
Can Gigantamax Appletun be shiny?
Yes, but in certain events.
Is Gigantamax Appletun catchable after the raid?
Yes — standard raid catch mechanics apply.
Does weather change move sets?
Sunny weather boosts Grass moves, Windy weather boosts Dragon moves, Snowy weather benefits your Ice counters, Cloudy weather supports Fairy types.
Does Appletun keep G-Max Sweetness?
No — it’s exclusive to Gigantamax raids.
Conclusion
Gigantamax Appletun is a mechanically interesting raid boss: its Grass/Dragon combo is predictable, but the G-Max residual damage forces teams to plan for survivability, not just pure DPS. Prioritize Ice Gigantamax picks, add Dynamax support for sustained windows, and include at least one high-TDO tank if your lobby is smaller. With the counters and tactics above, you’ll clear Appletun efficiently and maximize your rewards.
Related Guides
Looking for more counters? Check out our Gigantamax Lapras Raid Guide, Gigantamax Duraludon Raid Guide, Gigantamax Hatterene Raid Guide
Summary
- Ice, Dragon, and Fairy-types are most effective.
- Avoid using Grass-types as attackers.
- Dodge charged Dragon moves.
- Check weather boosts for maximum damage.
Ice •
Flying •
Poison •
Bug •
Dragon •
Fairy
Electric •
Grass •
Water •
Ground