Raikou Raid Guide – Counters, Strategies & FAQs

Weaknesses & resistances

Category	Details
Weak to	Ground
Resists to	Steel • Flying • Electric

Notes Ground Pokémon like Garchomp, Rhyperior, and Golem can deal maximum damage while staying safe from Raikou’s Electric attacks. Raikou resists Flying and Steel moves, so avoid relying on those Pokémon. Understanding its high-speed, ranged attacks ensures you can plan counters strategically.

Best Raikou Counters

Fighting-type Counters

• Lucario: (Force Palm / Aura Sphere)
• Blaziken: (Aura Sphere)

Ground-type Counters

• Golem: (Mud Slap / Earthquake)
• Mamoswine: (Mud Slap / High Horsepower)
• Rhuyperior: (Mud Slap / Earthquake)

Dragon-type Counters

• Black Kyurem: (Dragon Tail)
• Rayquaza: (Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe)
• Eternatus: (Dynamax Cannon)

Best Mega Evolutions

Recommended Megas to use against Raikou:

• Lucario, Blaziken – Fighting boost
• Sceptile – Bug boost
• Garchomp, Swampert, Sceptile – Ground boost
• Rayquaza – Dragon boost
• Blaziken – Fire boost

Difficulty

While large groups can take it down with ease, smaller teams need precision and timing, choosing Pokémon that maximize Ground damage and survive multiple hits.

Best Team Composition

A strong Raikou raid team should include:

• 3–4 Ground-type attackers for maximum DPS
• Optional Mega or Primal Pokémon for extra damage
• Backup high-DPS Ground-type Pokémon to ensure fast raid completion

Using Mega Garchomp or Primal Groudon significantly reduces the number of trainers needed for a fast clear.

Recommended Team Setups

Best Team (3–5 Trainers)

• Primal Groudon
• Shadow Groudon
• Mega Garchomp
• Landorus (Therian)
• Excadrill

Budget / Accessible Team

• Rhyperior
• Mamoswine
• Donphan
• Golurk
• Landorus (Incarnate)

Even trainers without top legendaries can clear Raikou effectively with strong Ground types.

How Many Trainers Are Needed?

• 2 trainers: Possible with top Ground-type counters and Mega support
• 3 trainers: Comfortable win
• 4+ trainers: Very easy clear

Catch Tips

• Use Golden Razz Berries for best catch chance
• Curve Excellent throws are recommended
• Wait for Raikou’s attack animation before throwing
• Be patient, as it can dodge occasionally

Battle Tips

• Ground-type attackers deal the most consistent damage
• Dodge Wild Charge in smaller raid groups to preserve counters
• Mega Pokémon like Garchomp boost overall raid DPS
• Backup Ground-type Pokémon help speed up the battle

Is Raikou Worth Raiding?

Raikou is valuable for Pokédex completion and provides a strong Electric-type attacker for PvP and raids. Its weakness to Ground-type moves makes it manageable with the right counters.

Rewards

• Chance to catch Raikou (with boosted IVs)
• Rare Candy & XL Candy

Conclusion

Raikou’s Electric typing makes it straightforward: focus on Ground-type counters to exploit its only weakness. With strong Ground attackers like Primal Groudon, Mega Garchomp, and Excadrill, plus weather boosts where possible, you can defeat Raikou consistently and enjoy catching it — including shiny variants.

Related Guides

Looking for more counters? Check out our Mega Garchomp Raid Guide, Mega Swampert Raid Guide, Mega Rayquaza Raid Guide

Summary

• Use strong Ground-type attackers for maximum damage.
• Avoid Flying or Electric Pokémon that will struggle.
• Take advantage of multi-bar charged moves and high DPS rotations.
• Small teams should focus on sustained attacks and shield management, while large groups can use speedy rotations to overwhelm Raikou quickly.