Quick facts
Species: Poipole (Ultra Beast)
Types: Poison
Primary weaknesses: Ground, Psychic
Recommended lobby: 3–7 trainers
Introduction
Poipole is an Ultra Beast introduced in Pokémon GO as a Poison-type special raid encounter. With its unique typing, it resists Grass-type attacks but is highly vulnerable to Psychic and Ground moves.
Trainers need to understand Poipole’s strengths and weaknesses to defeat it efficiently. This guide will cover Poipole’s moveset, recommended counters, CP range, shiny chances, and strategies for both solo and group encounters.
Related guides: Pheromosa | Raikou
What Is Poipole?
Poipole is a Poison-type Ultra Beast originally introduced in the Alola region. In Pokémon GO, Poipole is usually distributed through Special Research or limited-time events rather than appearing in raids or in the wild.
Poipole is more like a mythical-style reward Pokémon: it is rare, unique, and mostly valuable because it evolves into Naganadel.
Weaknesses & resistances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
 Ground •
 Psychic
|
| Resists to |
 Bug •
 Fairy •
 Fighting •
 Grass •
 Poison
|
| Notes | Because Poipole is only a single Poison type, its weakness profile is simple and easy to understand. However, its low stats mean it is not meant to be used in serious battles. |
Best Poipole Counters
Psychic-type Counters
- Hoopa: (Confusion / Psychic)
- Lunala: (Confusion / Psychic)
- Gengar: (Psychic)
Ground-type Counters
- Rhyperior: (Mud Slap / Earthquake)
- Groudon: (Mud Shot / Precipice Blades)
- Mamoswine: (Mud Slap / High Horsepower)
Best Mega Evolutions
Recommended Megas to use against Poipole:
- Garchomp – Ground boost
- Rayquaza – Flying boost
- Rayquaza – Dragon boost
- Gengar – Ghost boost
- Metagross, Gardevoir, Gallade, Alakazam, Latios, Latias, Gengar – Psychic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoopa | Astonish / Confusion | Psybeam / Shadow Ball / Psychic | - | Confusion (19) and Shadow Ball (100) |
| Regigigas | Hidden Power / Zen Headbutt | Giga Impact / Focus Blast / Thunder | Crush Grip | Hidden Power (15) and Crush Grip (210) |
| Lunala | Air Slash / Shadow Claw / Confusion | Shadow Ball / Psychic / Future Sight / Moonblast | - | Confusion (19) and Moonblast (130) |
| Hoopa Unbound | Astonish / Confusion | Shadow Ball / Psychic / Dark Pulse | - | Confusion (19) and Shadow Ball (100) |
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Flamethrower / Thunderbolt / Psychic / Ice Beam | Hyper Beam / Shadow Ball / Psystrike | Confusion (19) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Landorus | Mud Shot / Extrasensory | Superpower / Earthquake / Bulldoze / Stone Edge | Sandsear Storm | Extrasensory (11) and Sandsear Storm (150) |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Future Sight / Outrage / Sunsteel Strike | - | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw (6) and Sunsteel Strike (230) |
| Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Dragon Tail (14) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Outrage / Future Sight / Moongeist Beam | - | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw (6) and Moongeist Beam (230) |
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Dragon Tail (14) and Solar Beam (180) |
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 Regigigas | Hidden Power / Zen Headbutt | Giga Impact / Focus Blast / Thunder | Crush Grip | Hidden Power (15) and Crush Grip (210) |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Flamethrower / Thunderbolt / Psychic / Ice Beam | Hyper Beam / Shadow Ball / Psystrike | Confusion (19) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Shadow Mamoswine | Mud Slap / Powder Snow | Bulldoze / High Horsepower / Stone Edge / Avalanche / Icicle Spear | Ancient Power | Mud Slap (19) and High Horsepower / Stone Edge (105) |
| Shadow Excadrill | Mud Slap / Mud Shot / Metal Claw | Earthquake / Drill Run / Scorching Sands / Rock Slide / Iron Head | - | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Gallade | Low Kick / Confusion / Psycho Cut / Charm | Close Combat / Leaf Blade / Psychic | Synchronoise | Charm (20) and Close Combat (105) |
| Shadow Latios | Zen Headbutt / Dragon Breath | Aura Sphere / Solar Beam / Psychic / Dragon Claw | Luster Purge | Zen Headbutt (11) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Shadow Metagross | Fury Cutter / Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt | Earthquake / Flash Cannon / Psychic | Shadow Claw / Meteor Mash | Zen Headbutt (11) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Alakazam | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Shadow Ball / Fire Punch / Future Sight | Counter / Psychic / Dazzling Gleam | Confusion (19) and Focus Blast (140) |
| Shadow Garchomp | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Fire Blast / Outrage / Breaking Swipe | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Fire Blast / Earthquake(140) |
| Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Dragon Tail (14) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Shadow Rhyperior | Mud Slap / Smack Down | Skull Bash / Superpower / Earthquake / Stone Edge / Surf / Breaking Swipe | Rock Wrecker | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
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 Gallade | Low Kick / Confusion / Psycho Cut / Charm | Close Combat / Leaf Blade / Psychic | Synchronoise | Charm (20) and Close Combat (105) |
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Fire Blast / Outrage / Breaking Swipe | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Fire Blast / Earthquake(140) |
| Mega Metagross | Fury Cutter / Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt | Earthquake / Flash Cannon / Psychic | Shadow Claw / Meteor Mash | Zen Headbutt (11) and Earthquake (140) |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash / Dragon Tail | Aerial Ace / Dragon Ascent / Ancient Power / Outrage | Hurricane / Breaking Swipe | Dragon Tail (14) and Dragon Ascent (140) |
| Mega Latias | Zen Headbutt / Dragon Breath / Charm | Aura Sphere / Thunder / Psychic / Outrage | Mist Ball | Charm (20) and Outrage (110) |
| Mega Gengar | Hex / Shadow Claw / Sucker Punch | Focus Blast / Drain Punch / Sludge Bomb / Shadow Ball | Lick / Sludge Wave / Shadow Punch / Psychic / Dark Pulse | Hex (8) and Focus Blast (140) |
| Mega Latios | Zen Headbutt / Dragon Breath | Aura Sphere / Solar Beam / Psychic / Dragon Claw | Luster Purge | Zen Headbutt (11) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Mega Gardevoir | Magical Leaf / Charge Beam / Confusion / Charm | Shadow Ball / Psychic / Triple Axel / Dazzling Gleam | Synchronoise | Charm (20) and Shadow Ball / Dazzling Gleam (180) |
| Mega Alakazam | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Shadow Ball / Fire Punch / Future Sight | Counter / Psychic / Dazzling Gleam | Confusion (19) and Focus Blast (140) |
Moves & Threats
Poipole common fast moves are Peck or Poison Jab. Charged moves include Sludge Bomb or Sludge Wave or Fell Stinger.
Is Poipole Useful in Raids or PvP?
Realistically, Poipole itself is not useful in raids, gyms, or PvP leagues. Its stats are very low, its moveset is limited, and it is completely outclassed by almost every other Poison-type Pokémon.
Poipole’s true value is in its evolution.
How to Evolve Poipole into Naganadel
Poipole evolves into Naganadel, which is a Poison/Dragon-type Pokémon and a much stronger battler.
- Evolution cost: Candy + special task requirement (depending on event)
- Method: Usually requires setting Poipole as your buddy and completing a task such as catching Dragon-type Pokémon
Once evolved, Naganadel becomes a very strong Poison- and Dragon-type attacker, especially useful in raids.
Why You Should Definitely Get Poipole
- Required to obtain Naganadel
- Part of Ultra Beast Pokédex completion
- Usually very rare and event-exclusive
- May be needed for future research tasks
Best Use of Poipole Candy
Do not waste Poipole candy on powering up Poipole. Save all candy to evolve and power up Naganadel instead.
Naganadel – Why the Evolution Is Worth It
Naganadel is one of the best Poison-type attackers in Pokémon GO and also works as a strong Dragon-type raid attacker. It has high Attack and excellent DPS, making Poipole evolution extremely valuable.
Shiny Poipole in Pokémon GO
Yes, trainers can encounter a Shiny Poipole after completing its raid. Shiny Poipole is visually different, featuring a more vivid purple color compared to the regular version.
Shiny Poipole is rare, so multiple raid attempts may be required to get one. Its uniqueness makes it highly sought after by collectors in Pokémon GO.
FAQ
What moves does Poipole use in raids?
Poipole can use moves like Poison Jab, Draco Meteor, and Acid Spray, dealing massive Poison and Dragon-type damage to opponents.
Is Poipole rare?
Yes. It is usually only available through Special Research or limited-time events.
Is Poipole a Legendary Pokémon?
No. Poipole is an Ultra Beast, which is a special category separate from Legendaries and Mythicals.
Should I power up Poipole?
No. Save your resources for Naganadel.
Is Poipole difficult to defeat?
With high special attack and speed but low bulk, Poipole can be challenging. Using type-advantage Pokémon ensures efficient battles.
What makes Poipole unique?
Its Poison typing, Ultra Beast status, and strong offensive stats make Poipole visually striking and strategically valuable in Max Raid Battles.
Conclusion
Poipole is not a battle Pokémon — it is a progression Pokémon. Its real purpose is to evolve into Naganadel, which is one of the best Poison-type attackers in Pokémon GO.
Every trainer should obtain Poipole when it is available and evolve it as soon as possible.