Quick facts
Species: Pheromosa (Ultra Beast)
Types: Bug / Fighting
Primary weaknesses: Flying, Fairy, Fire, Psychic
Recommended lobby: 3–7 trainers
Introduction
Pheromosa is a fast and fragile Ultra Beast raid boss that requires careful planning and powerful counters to defeat. Its dual Bug and Fighting typing allows it to hit hard with Fighting moves, but it is extremely weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fire-type attacks.
This guide will help trainers identify the most effective counters, understand Pheromosa's moveset, and provide tips for both small groups and larger raid teams. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trainer, following this guide will maximize your chance to win the Pheromosa raid and catch it afterward.
Related guides: Palkia | Poipole
Weaknesses & resistances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
 Flying •
 Fairy •
 Fire •
 Psychic •
|
| Resists to |
 Bug •
 Fighting •
 Dark •
 Grass •
 Ground
|
| Notes | The most important thing to remember is that Pheromosa has a double weakness to Flying-type moves. Strong Flying attackers will destroy it extremely quickly. |
Best Pheromosa Counters
Flying-type Counters
- Talonflame: (Peck / Fly)
- Zacian: (Air Slash)
- Blaziken: (Brave Bird)
Psychic-type Counters
- Galarian Articuno: (Psycho Cut)
- Lugia: (Extrasensory)
- Ho-Oh: (Extrasensory)
Fire-type Counters
- Blaziken: (Fire Spin)
- Blacephalon: (Incinerate / Mind Blown)
- Salamence: (Fire Fang)
Best Mega Evolutions
Recommended Megas to use against Pheromosa:
- Salamence, Charizard Y, Blaziken – Fire boost
- Rayquaza, Pidgeot, Charizard Y, Blaziken, Salamence – Flying boost
Best Regular 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galarian Articuno | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Ancient Power / Brave Bird / Future Sight / Fly | - | Confusion (19) and Brave Bird (130) |
| Rayquaza | Air Slash / Dragon Tail | Aerial Ace / Dragon Ascent / Ancient Power / Outrage | Hurricane / Breaking Swipe | Dragon Tail (14) and Dragon Ascent (140) |
| Yveltal | Gust / Sucker Punch / Snarl | Hyper Beam / Focus Blast / Hurricane / Psychic / Dark Pulse | Oblivion Wing | Gust (25) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Moltres | Wing Attack / Fire Spin | Ancient Power / Fire Blast / Heat Wave / Overheat | Sky Attack | Fire Spin (13) and Overheat (160) |
| Salamence | Fire Fang / Dragon Tail / Bite | Fly / Fire Blast / Hydro Pump / Draco Meteor / Brutal Swing / Crunch | Outrage | Dragon Tail (14) and Draco Meteor (150) |
| Toucannon | Rock Smash / Peck / Bullet Seed | Drill Peck / Rock Blast / Flash Cannon | Beak Blast | Rock Smash (17) and Beak Blast (125) |
| Zacian | Metal Claw / Air Slash | Play Rough / Close Combat / Giga Impact / Behemoth Blade | - | Air Slash (12) and Giga Impact / Behemoth Blade (200) |
| Incarnate Tornadus | Air Slash / Bite | Hyper Beam / Hurricane / Grass Knot / Dark Pulse | - | Air Slash (12) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Zapdos | Charge Beam | Drill Peck / Ancient Power / Zap Cannon / Thunderbolt / Thunder | Thunder Shock | Charge Beam (7) and Zap Cannon (140) |
| Staraptor | Quick Attack / Wing Attack / Sand Attack | Close Combat / Brave Bird / Fly / Heat Wave | Gust | Quick Attack / Wing Attack (10) and Brave Bird (130) |
| Blacephalon | Astonish / Incinerate | Shadow Ball / Mystical Fire / Overheat | - | Incinerate (32) and Overheat (160) |
| Braviary | Air Slash / Zen Headbutt | Brave Bird / Fly / Ominous Wind / Psychic / Dazzling Gleam | - | Air Slash (12) and Brave Bird (130) |
| Tornadus | Gust / Astonish | Focus Blast / Hurricane / Heat Wave / Psychic | Bleakwind Storm | Gust (25) and Bleakwind Storm (150) |
| Enamorus | Zen Headbutt / Astonish / Fairy Wind | Dazzling Gleam / Grass Knot / Fly | - | Zen Headbutt (11) and Dazzling Gleam (100) |
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 Talonflame | Peck / Fire Spin / Steel Wing | Hurricane / Fly / Brave Bird / Fire Blast /Flame Charge | Incinerate | Incinerate (32) and Fire Blast (140) |
| Shadow Moltres | Wing Attack / Fire Spin | Ancient Power / Fire Blast / Heat Wave / Overheat | Sky Attack | Fire Spin (13) and Overheat (160) |
| Shadow Salamence | Fire Fang / Dragon Tail / Bite | Fly / Fire Blast / Hydro Pump / Draco Meteor / Brutal Swing / Crunch | Outrage | Dragon Tail (14) and Draco Meteor (150) |
| Shadow Zapdos | Charge Beam | Drill Peck / Ancient Power / Zap Cannon / Thunderbolt / Thunder | Thunder Shock | Charge Beam (7) and Zap Cannon (140) |
| Shadow Toucannon | Rock Smash / Peck / Bullet Seed | Drill Peck / Rock Blast / Flash Cannon | Beak Blast | Rock Smash (17) and Beak Blast (125) |
| Shadow Lugia | Extrasensory / Dragon Tail | Sky Attack / Fly / Hydro Pump / Future Sight | Aeroblast | Dragon Tail (14) and Aeroblast (180) |
| Shadow Staraptor | Quick Attack / Wing Attack / Sand Attack | Close Combat / Brave Bird / Fly / Heat Wave | Gust | Quick Attack / Wing Attack (10) and Brave Bird (130) |
| Shadow Ho-Oh | Hidden Power / Steel Wing / Incinerate / Extrasensory | Brave Bird / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Earthquake / Sacred Fire | Incinerate (32) and Solar Beam (180) |
Best Mega Counters
Mega pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Mega counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash / Dragon Tail | Aerial Ace / Dragon Ascent / Ancient Power / Outrage | Hurricane / Breaking Swipe | Dragon Tail (14) and Dragon Ascent (140) |
| Mega Salamence | Fire Fang / Dragon Tail / Bite | Fly / Fire Blast / Hydro Pump / Draco Meteor / Brutal Swing / Crunch | Outrage | Dragon Tail (14) and Draco Meteor (150) |
| Mega Pidgeot | Air Slash / Steel Wing | Hurricane / Aerial Ace / Brave Bird / Feather Dance | Wing Attack / Gust / Air Cutter | Gust (25) and Brave Bird (130) |
| Mega Charizard Y | Air Slash / Fire Spin | Dragon Claw / Fire Blast / Air Cutter / Overheat | Dragon Breath / Ember / Wing Attack / Flamethrower / Blast Burn | Fire Spin (13) and Overheat (160) |
| Mega Blaziken | Counter / Fire Spin / Ember | Focus Blast / Aura Sphere / Brave Bird / Overheat / Blaze Kick | Stone Edge / Blast Burn | Counter / Fire Spin (13) and Overheat (160) |
Moves & Threats
Pheromosa common fast moves are Bug Bite or Low Kick. Charged moves include Bug Buzz or Close Combat or Focus Blast and Lunge.
Why Pheromosa Is One of the Easiest Ultra Beast Raids
Despite its scary offensive power, Pheromosa’s terrible bulk means it often faints in record time. In many cases, well-prepared groups can defeat it faster than most Tier 5 raid bosses, sometimes in under a minute.
Weather Effects
- Windy: Boosts Flying-type moves (BEST weather for this raid)
- Sunny: Boosts Fire-type counters
- Cloudy: Boosts Pheromosa’s Fighting-type moves
In Windy weather, Flying-type attackers become even more powerful and Pheromosa will faint extremely quickly. In Cloudy weather, Pheromosa becomes more dangerous, but it still remains very fragile.
Example Teams (By Tier & Weather)
🌬️ Windy Weather – Optimal Team
- Mega Rayquaza
- Rayquaza
- Moltres
- Yveltal
- Staraptor
- Honchkrow
⚔️ General Strong Team (Any Weather)
- Mega Pidgeot
- Tornadus (Therian)
- Ho-Oh
- Braviary
- Staraptor
- Moltres
🧢 Budget / Beginner Team
- Pidgeot
- Unfezant
- Crobat
- Fearow
- Yanmega
- Staraptor
Battle Strategy & Fight Flow
The key to this raid is maximum DPS. Pheromosa will faint quickly, so focus on dealing as much Flying-type damage as possible rather than worrying too much about survivability.
If Pheromosa uses strong Fighting-type moves, some of your Pokémon may faint quickly, but the raid should still end very fast. Just rejoin immediately and continue attacking.
Rewards
Reasons include Pokédex entry, strong Bug / Fighting attacker, shiny chance, and XL Candy farming.
How Many Trainers Are Needed?
- 2 Trainers: Possible with top-tier Flying teams
- 3 Trainers: Very easy and safe
- 4+ Trainers: Guaranteed fast win
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Fighting or Dark Pokémon (they are resisted)
- Not using Flying-type attackers
- Over-focusing on bulky Pokémon instead of DPS
- Not rejoining quickly if your team faints
Can Pheromosa Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, trainers have a chance to encounter a Shiny Pheromosa after completing the Ultra Beast raid. The shiny form has a slightly different color palette compared to the normal version, making it a rare and valuable collectible.
Keep in mind that Shiny Pokémon are rare, so multiple raid attempts may be required to obtain it. Ultra Beast raids generally have higher shiny chances compared to standard wild encounters.
FAQ
Can Pheromosa be shiny?
Yes, Shiny Pheromosa is available during special events.
What moves does Pheromosa use in raids?
Pheromosa can use moves like Lunge, and Bug Buzz, dealing massive Fighting and Bug-type damage to opponents.
Is Pheromosa easier than Buzzwole?
Yes. Pheromosa is much frailer and is one of the easiest Ultra Beast raids in Pokémon GO.
What is the best Mega Pokémon to use?
Mega Rayquaza or Mega Pidgeot are the best choices because they boost Flying-type damage for the entire raid group.
Is Pheromosa difficult to defeat?
With extremely high speed and attack but low bulk, Pheromosa can be challenging. Using type-advantage Pokémon ensures efficient battles.
What makes Pheromosa unique?
Its Bug/Fighting typing, Ultra Beast status, and extreme offensive stats make Pheromosa visually striking and strategically powerful in Max Raid Battles.
Conclusion
Pheromosa is a glass-cannon raid boss that can be defeated extremely quickly with Flying-type attackers. If your team is properly prepared and you take advantage of Windy weather, this will be one of the fastest and easiest Tier 5 raids in Pokémon GO.