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Gigantamax Snorlax Raid Guide – Best Counters, Weakness, CP & Strategy

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Gigantamax Snorlax is a Normal-type Pokémon appearing as a Mega Raid boss in Pokémon GO. This massive Pokémon has high stamina and defense, making it a tanky raid opponent. Knowing its weaknesses and counters is key to defeating it efficiently.

This guide covers everything you need to defeat Gigantamax Snorlax, including its best counters, weaknesses, movesets, catch CP ranges, shiny availability, and expert raid strategies for both beginners and experienced trainers.

Raid Boss: Gigantamax Snorlax

Type: Normal

Raid Tier: Mega Raid

Major Weakness: Fighting-type Pokémon

Gigantamax Snorlax Pokémon GO Raid Boss US/UK

Introduction

Gigantamax Snorlax is one of the tankiest Normal-type raid bosses in Pokémon GO. With very high HP and defense, it can absorb a lot of damage, making it challenging for smaller groups. Its moveset includes heavy-hitting Normal attacks, so understanding its counters and weaknesses is essential.

Because Normal-type Pokémon only have one major weakness — Fighting-type moves — high-level Fighting counters like Machamp, Conkeldurr, and Lucario are key to defeating it efficiently. This guide will help trainers build the strongest team, optimize their strategy, and catch a chance at Shiny Snorlax.

Related guides: Gigantamax Sandaconda | Gigantamax Toxtricity

Quick facts

Species: Snorlax (Gigantamax)
Type: Normal
Main weakness: Fighting

Overview

Gigantamax Snorlax is one of the most iconic and massive Pokémon in the Pokémon GO raid rotation. This colossal form doesn’t just sleep — it dominates the battlefield with immense HP, stamina, and its signature G-Max Replenish attack, which restores Berries and deals devastating Normal-type damage.

Defeating this powerhouse requires coordination, strong Fighting-type Pokémon, and careful timing to break through its defenses.

Weakness & Typing

CategoryDetails
Weak to Best Pokémon Counters for Gigantamax Snorlax Raid US/UK Fighting
Resists Best Pokémon Counters for Gigantamax Snorlax Raid US/UK Ghost
Notes Gigantamax Snorlax has an extremely large HP pool and heavy-hitting charged moves (e.g., Hyper Beam, Earthquake, Skull Bash). Expect long fights and bring high-DPS Fighting options or strong tanks to manage Max Moves.

Pro tip: Using strong Fighting Pokémon is essential to bring down Snorlax quickly.

Best Pokemon

Gigantamax-type Counters

  • Machamp (Karate Chop / G-Max Chi Strike)
  • Inteleon (Water Gun / G-Max Hydronsipe)
  • Kingler (Mud Shot / G-Max Foam Burst)

Dynamax-type Counters

  • Hitmonlee (Rock Smash / Max Knuckle)
  • Machamp (Karate Chop / Max Knuckle)
  • Passimian (Rock Smash / Max Knuckle)
  • Eternatus (Poison Jab / Dynamax Cannon)

Best Gigantamax Counters for Gigantamax Snorlax

Gigantamax Snorlax is Normal-type raid boss. It is weak to Fighting moves. During Max Battles, your goal is to maximize Fighting-type Gigantamax damage during the Max Phase.

🥇 Tier 1 — Optimal Fighting Gigantamax Counters

Pokémon Fast Moves Gigantamax Moves Charged Moves Elite Moves Best Moves
Gigantamax Machamp Bullet Punch, Counter G-Max Chi Strike Cross Chop, Rock Slide, Close Combat, Dynamic Punch, Heavy Slam Payback, Submission, Stone Edge, Karate Chop Counter(13) and G-Max Chi Strike(350)
  • Highest Fighting-type Max damage
  • Top overall counter
  • Ideal primary Max attacker
Gigantamax Urshifu Bullet Punch, Counter G-Max Chi Strike Cross Chop, Rock Slide, Close Combat, Dynamic Punch, Heavy Slam Payback, Submission, Stone Edge, Karate Chop Counter(13) and G-Max Chi Strike(350)
  • High burst potential
  • Strong synergy in coordinated groups

🥈 Ghost & Poison Alternatives

Pokémon Fast Moves Gigantamax Moves Charged Moves Elite Moves Best Moves
Gigantamax Inteleon Pound, Water Gun G-Max Hydrosnipe Shadow Ball, Water Pulse, Surf - Pound(6) and G-Max Hydrosnipe(350)
Gigantamax Kingler Metal Claw, Bubble G-Max Foam Burst Vise Grip, X-Scissor, Water Pulse, Crabhammer, Razor Shell Mud Shot Bubble(10) and G-Max Foam Burst(350)
Gigantamax Duraludon Metal Claw, Dragon Tail G-Max Depletion Hyper Beam, Flash Cannon, Dragon Claw - Dragon Tail(14) and G-Max Depletion(350)
Gigantamax Rillaboom Razor Leaf, Scratch G-Max Drum Solo Grass Knot, Energy Ball, Earth Power - Razor Leaf(13) and G-Max Drum Solo(350)
Gigantamax Cinderace Tackle, Fire Spin G-Max Fireball Flamethrower, Flame Charge, Focus Blast - Fire Spin(13) and G-Max Fireball(350)
Gigantamax Hatterene Psycho Cut, Confusion, Charm G-Max Smite Psyshock, Dazzling Gleam, Psychic, Power Whip - Charm(20) and G-Max Smite(350)
Gigantamax Grimmsnarl Bite, Sucker Punch, Low Kick G-Max Snooze Dark Pulse, Play Rough, Foul Play, Power Up Punch - Bite(6) and G-Max Snooze(350)
Gigantamax Copperajah Tackle, Rock Smash G-Max Steelsurge Dig, Iron Head, Play Rough. Heavy Slam - Rock Smash(17) and G-Max Steelsurge(350)
Gigantamax Melmetal Thunder Shock G-Max Meltdown Hyper Beam, Flash Cannon, Rock Slide, Thunderbolt, Superpower Double Iron Bash Thunder Shock(4) and G-Max Meltdown(350)
Gigantamax Toxtricity Spark, Poison Jab, Acid G-Max Stun Shock Acid Spray, Wild Charge, Discharge, Power-Up Punch - Poison Jab(13) and G-Max Stun Shock(350)
Gigantamax Charizard Air Slash, Fire Spin G-Max Wildfire Overheat, Fire Blast, Dragon Claw Dragon Breath, Ember, Wing Attack, Flamethrower, Blast Burn Fire Spin(13) and G-Max Wildfire(350)
Gigantamax Centiskorch Bug Bite, Ember G-Max Centiferno Crunch, Lunge, Heat Wave, Bug Buzz - Ember(10) and G-Max Centiferno(350)
Gigantamax Flapple Dragon Breath, Bullet Seed G-Max Tartness Seed Bomb, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Fly - Bullet Seed(7) and G-Max Tartness(350)
Gigantamax Drednaw Bite, Waterfall G-Max Stonesurge Body Slam, Rock Blast, Crunch, Surf - Waterfall(13) and G-Max Stonesurge(350)
Gigantamax Alcremie Tackle, Charm G-Max Smite Psyshock, Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball - Charm(20) and G-Max Smite(350)

Best Dynamax Counters for Gigantamax Snorlax

🥇 Elite Fighting Attackers

Pokémon Dynamax Moves Fast Moves Charged Moves Elite Moves
Dynamax Urshifu Max Geyser, Max Knuckle Rock Smash, Counter, Waterfall Brick Break, Dynamic Punch, Close Combat, Aqua Jet -
Dynamax Machamp Max Knuckle, Max Steelspike Bullet Punch, Counter Heavy Slam, Dynamic Punch, Close Combat, Rock Slide, Cross Chop Karate Chop, Stone Edge, Submission, Payback
  • Excellent sustained DPS
  • Very reliable option
Dynamax Alakazam Max Mindstorm, Max Knuckle, Max Guard, Max Spirit Confusion, Psycho Cut Focus Blast, Future Sight, Shadow Ball, Fire Punch Dazzling Gleam, Psychic, Counter
Dynamax Gallade Max Mindstorm, Max Knucle, Max Starfall Confusion, Low Kick, Psycho Cut, Charm Close Combat, Psychic, Leaf Blade Synchronoise
Dynamax Hitmonlee Max Knuckle Rock Smash, Low Kick, Double Kick Low Sweep, Stone Edge, Close Combat, Blaze Kick Stomp, Brick Break
  • Strong offensive presence
  • High Fighting burst damage
Dynamax Passimian Max Knuckle, Max Strike Counter, Rock Smash, Take Down Brick Break, Close Combat, Superpower, Brutal Swing, Drain Punch -
  • Legendary-level power
  • Strong coordinated raid option
Dynamax Falinks Max Knuckle Rock Smash, Counter Superpower, Brick Break, Megahorn -
  • Widely available
  • Solid Fighting-type damage
Dynamax Kabutops Max Knuckle, Max Quake, Max Geyser, Max Flutterby Rock Smash, Mud Shot, Waterfall Ancient Power, Stone Edge, Water Pulse Fury Cutter
  • High stamina
  • Good endurance attacker
Dynamax Machoke Max Knuckle Karate Chop, Low Kick Brick Break, Dynamic Punch, Submission, Cross Chop -
Dynamax Hitmontop Max Knuckle Counter , Rock Smash Close Combat, Stone Edge, Gyro Ball, Triple Axel -

🥈 Ghost & Poison Alternatives

Pokémon Fast Moves Gigantamax Moves Charged Moves Elite Moves Best Moves
Eternatus Dynamax Cannon Dragon Tail, Poison Jab Sludge Bomb, Dragon Pulse, Flamethrower -
Zacian Behemoth Blade Metal Claw, Air Slash Play Rough, Giga Impact, Close Combat -
Dynamax Hitmonchan Max Steelspike Counter , Bullet Puch Close Combat, Power-Up Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch Rock Smash, Brick Break
Dynamax Latios Max Wyrmwind, Max Mindstorm Dragon Breath, Zen Headbutt Psychic, Solar Beam, Dragon Claw, Aura Sphere Luster Purge
Dynamax Darmanitan Max Strike, Max Flare Tackle, Fire Fang, Incinerate Overheat, Focus Blast, Psychic, Rock Slide -

Moves & Threats

Snorlax common fast moves are Lick or Zen Headbutt and Yawn. Charged moves include Heavy Slam or Body Slam or Hyper Beam or Earthquake or Outrage or Skull Bash or Superpower.G-Max Replenish 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.

Threats: Hyper Beam – huge damage, long cooldown. Body Slam – deals consistent damage and can stun.

Tip: Avoid letting Snorlax charge multiple Hyper Beams—use dodges wisely.

Weather Effects & Battle Flow

Sunny/Clear weather: Boosts Grass damage.Windy weather: Boosts Flying attackers.

Battle Flow Tip:

Lead with high DPS counters to burn through Snorlax’s HP quickly, then rotate in bulkier Pokémon if using multiple waves. If your Fighting roster is limited, high-damage Rock or Ghost attackers can sometimes help, but Fighting remains the most efficient choice.

Battle Tips

Why Raid Gigantamax Snorlax?

Reasons include Pokédex entry, strong Normal attacker, shiny chance, and XL Candy farming.

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

  • Rewards typically include Rare Candy, Dynamax resources, and a chance to catch Snorlax (shiny availability depends on event).
  • Use Golden Razz for high-IV or shiny attempts, Pinap when farming candy en masse.
  • Weather-boosted catches (Sunny, etc.) yield higher CP; plan catch attempts accordingly.

When To Avoid

Avoid pure Ghost and Fighting resistors — they will struggle to do meaningful damage. Also be cautious if Snorlax has unique event moves that change its damage profile. Small lobbies with weak counters — Hyper Beam can wipe unprepared teams. Teams lacking high DPS Fighting-types. Overcommitting glassy attackers at the start without shields or backup.

Max Battle Strategy

Shiny Gigantamax Snorlax

Trainers have the chance to encounter a Shiny Snorlax after completing a Gigantamax Snorlax raid. While the Gigantamax form itself cannot be caught, the standard Snorlax reward can be shiny.

Shiny Snorlax features a darker blue-green coloration compared to the regular version, making it a highly sought-after collector’s Pokémon in Pokémon GO.

Participating in multiple raids increases the chance of obtaining a shiny Pokémon, and higher-tier raids generally offer slightly better shiny rates than standard encounters.

FAQ

What is Gigantamax Snorlax type and weakness?

Snorlax is a Normal type. It is weak to Fighting type moves.

What is Gigantamax Snorlax’s exclusive move?

Gigantamax Snorlax uses the special move G-Max Replenish. This Normal-type attack deals heavy damage and restores some of its own HP during the battle, making it very durable in Max Raids.

Can Gigantamax Snorlax be shiny?

Yes, but in certain events.

Is Gigantamax Snorlax catchable after the raid?

Yes — standard raid catch mechanics apply.

Is Gigantamax Snorlax difficult to defeat?

It has extremely high HP and decent defenses. Using Fighting-type counters is the most efficient way to defeat it.

What makes Gigantamax Snorlax unique?

Gigantamax Snorlax’s enormous size and G-Max Replenish ability make it a formidable opponent, capable of enduring long battles while delivering heavy damage.

Conclusion

Gigantamax Snorlax is a mechanically interesting raid boss: its Normal type is predictable, but the G-Max residual damage forces teams to plan for survivability, not just pure DPS. Prioritize Rock and Fighting 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 Snorlax efficiently and maximize your rewards.

Summary

About the Author

Written by Abhishek — Level 50 Pokémon GO Trainer (since 2019). Completed 500+ Mega raids and specializes in raid optimization and counter analysis. Explore more guides like Gigantamax Machamp, Gigantamax Inteleon, Gigantamax Kingler, and Gigantamax Duraludon.