Quick facts
Species: Suicune (Legendary)
Types: Water
Primary weaknesses: Grass, Electric
Recommended lobby: 3–7 trainers
Introduction
Suicune is one of the Legendary “Beast Trio” Pokémon in Pokémon GO, known for its high Defense and overall durability. As a Water-type, it is weak to Electric- and Grass-type attacks, making Pokémon like Raikou, Zapdos, and Venusaur ideal counters for this raid.
This guide is designed to help both beginners and experienced trainers defeat Suicune efficiently. You’ll learn which Pokémon are best to use, what moves to expect, optimal team setups, catch CP ranges, and tips to maximize your chances for a shiny encounter.
Related guides: Stakataka | Tapu Bulu
💡 Expert Insight
Suicune is known for its high defensive stats, making it one of the bulkier raid bosses. Although it lacks heavy damage output, its endurance can prolong battles.
Electric and Grass-type attackers are the best choices for maintaining steady damage throughout the fight.
Weaknesses & resistances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
 Grass •
 Electric
|
| Resists to |
 Steel •
 Fire •
 Water •
 Ice
|
Best Suicune Counters
Psychic-type Counters
- Dawn Wings Necrozma : (Psycho Cut)
- Regigigas : (Zen Headbutt)
- Mewtwo: (Psycho Cut)
Grass-type Counters
- Zarude: (Vine Whip / Power Whip)
- Tangrowth: (Vine Whip / Power Whip)
- Venusaur: (Vine Whip / Frenzy Plant)
Electric-type Counters
- Electivire: (Thunder Shock / Wild Charge)
- Raikou: (Thunder Shock / Wild Charge)
- Black Kyurem: (Fusion Bolt)
Best Mega Evolutions
Recommended Megas to use against Suicune:
- Sceptile – Bug boost
- Venusaur, Sceptile – Grass boost
- Manectric, Ampharos – Electric boost
- Rayquaza – Dragon boost
- Rayquaza – Flying boost
Difficulty
Coordination, shield management, and fast-move optimization are critical to avoid wasted attacks. Large groups can overpower it, but strategic counter usage still provides a faster, safer victory.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regieleki | Lock-On / Thunder Shock / Volt Switch | Hyper Beam / Thunder / Zap Cannon | Thunder Cage | Volt Switch (13) and Thunder Cage (220) |
| Kartana | Air Slash / Fury Cutter / Razor Leaf | Sacred Sword / Aerial Ace / X-Scissor / Leaf Blade / Night Slash | - | Razor Leaf (13) and Leaf Blade (70) |
| Xurkitree | Thunder Shock / Spark | Power Whip / Discharge / Thunder / Dazzling Gleam | - | Thunder Shock / Spark (4) and Thunder / Dazzling Gleam (100) |
| Zekrom | Charge Beam / Dragon Breath | Flash Cannon / Wild Charge / Outrage / Crunch | Fusion Bolt | Charge Beam (7) and Fusion Bolt (140) |
| Thundurus | Bite / Volt Switch | Focus Blast / Sludge Wave / Thunder / Thunderbolt | Wildbolt Storm | Volt Switch (13) and Wildbolt Storm (150) |
| Sky Shaymin | Hidden Power / Magical Leaf / Zen Headbutt | Energy Ball / Grass Knot / Solar Beam / Seed Flare | - | Magical Leaf (17) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Zarude | Vine Whip / Bite | Power Whip / Energy Ball / Dark Pulse | - | Vine Whip / Bite (6) and Power Whip / Energy Ball (90) |
| Eternatus | Poison Jab / Dragon Tail | Flamethrower / Dragon Pulse / Sludge Bomb | Dynamax Cannon | Dragon Tail (14) and Dynamax Cannon (215) |
| Black Kyurem | Shadow Claw / Dragon Tail | Stone Edge / Blizzard / Iron Head / Outrage / Fusion Bolt / Freeze Shock | - | Dragon Tail (14) and Freeze Shock (160) |
| Electivire | Low Kick / Thunder Shock | Thunder Punch / Thunder / Ice Punch / Wild Charge | Flamethrower | Low Kick (5) and Thunder (100) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Future Sight / Outrage / Moongeist Beam | - | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw (6) and Moongeist Beam (230) |
| Raikou | Thunder Shock / Volt Switch | Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Thunder / Thunderbolt / Wild Charge | - | Volt Switch (13) and Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Thunder (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 Vikavolt | Mud Slap / Bug Bite / Spark | Fly / X-Scissor / Discharge / Crunch | Volt Switch | Mud Slap (19) and Fly (90) |
| Shadow Regigigas | Hidden Power / Zen Headbutt | Giga Impact / Focus Blast / Thunder | Crush Grip | Hidden Power (15) and Crush Grip (210) |
| Shadow Luxray | Hidden Power / Spark / Snarl | Hyper Beam / Wild Charge / Crunch | Psychic Fangs | Hidden Power (15) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut / Confusion | Focus Blast / Flamethrower / Thunderbolt / Psychic / Ice Beam | Hyper Beam / Shadow Ball / Psystrike | Confusion (19) and Hyper Beam (150) |
| Shadow Magnezone | Metal Sound / Spark / Charge Beam / Volt Switch | Flash Cannon / Mirror Shot / Zap Cannon / Wild Charge | - | Volt Switch (13) and Zap Cannon (140) |
| Shadow Venusaur | Razor Leaf / Vine Whip | Sludge / Sludge Bomb / Petal Blizzard / Solar Beam | Frenzy Plant | Razor Leaf (13) and Soalr Beam (180) |
| Shadow Tangrowth | Infestation / Vine Whip | Sludge Bomb / Ancient Power / Rock Slide / Solar Beam / Power Whip | - | Infestation (9) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Shadow Raikou | Thunder Shock / Volt Switch | Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Thunder / Thunderbolt / Wild Charge | - | Volt Switch (13) and Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Thunder (100) |
| Shadow Electivire | Low Kick / Thunder Shock | Thunder Punch / Thunder / Ice Punch / Wild Charge | Flamethrower | Low Kick (5) and Thunder (100) |
| Shadow Sceptile | Fury Cutter / Bullet Seed | Aerial Ace / Earthquake / Leaf Blade / Dragon Claw / Breaking Swipe | Frenzy Plant | Bullet Seed (7) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Zapdos | Charge Beam | Drill Peck / Ancient Power / Zap Cannon / Thunderbolt / Thunder | Thunder Shock | Charge Beam (7) and Zap Cannon (140) |
| Shadow Thundurus | Bite / Volt Switch | Focus Blast / Sludge Wave / Thunder / Thunderbolt | Wildbolt Storm | Volt Switch (13) and Wildbolt Storm (150) |
| Shadow Chesnaught | Low Kick / Smack Down / Vine Whip | Superpower / Gyro Ball / Energy Ball / Solar Beam / Thunder Punch | Frenzy Plant | Smack Down (13) 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 Sceptile | Fury Cutter / Bullet Seed | Aerial Ace / Earthquake / Leaf Blade / Dragon Claw / Breaking Swipe | Frenzy Plant | Bullet Seed (7) and Earthquake (140) |
| Mega Ampharos | Charge Beam / Volt Switch | Focus Blast / Power Gem / Trailblaze / Zap Cannon / Thunder / Thunder Punch / Brutal Swing | Dragon Pulse | Volt Switch (13) and Focus Blast / Zap Cannon (140) |
| Mega Venusaur | Razor Leaf / Vine Whip | Sludge / Sludge Bomb / Petal Blizzard / Solar Beam | Frenzy Plant | Razor Leaf (13) and Soalr Beam (180) |
| Mega Manectric | Charge Beam / Thunder Fang / Snarl | Flame Burst / Overheat / Thunder / Wild Charge / Psychic Fangs | - | Snarl (11) and Overheat (160) |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash / Dragon Tail | Aerial Ace / Dragon Ascent / Ancient Power / Outrage | Hurricane / Breaking Swipe | Dragon Tail (14) and Dragon Ascent (140) |
Moves & Threats
Suicune common fast moves are Extrasensory or Water Gun or Ice Fang or Snarl. Charged moves include Water Pulse or Scald or Ice Beam or Hydro Pump or Bubble Beam. Elite moves include Hidden Power.
Danger: Ice Beam can be especially dangerous for many Grass counters, so be ready to dodge charged moves when possible.
Hydro Pump is Suicune’s most dangerous charged move and can heavily damage even bulky counters. Ice Beam is also threatening to Grass-type Pokémon, so be ready to dodge if needed.
Best Team Composition
For the best results against Suicune, your team should include:
- 3–4 strong Electric-type attackers
- 1–2 Grass-type attackers for additional DPS
- 1 Mega Pokémon to boost team damage
Using Mega Sceptile, Mega Venusaur, or Mega Manectric will significantly increase your team’s overall damage output.
Weather Boost
Suicune is boosted in Rainy weather, which makes it stronger and harder to defeat.
Your counters are boosted in:
- Rainy weather (Electric)
- Sunny weather (Grass)
How Many Trainers Are Needed?
- 2 trainers: Possible with top Electric/Grass counters and Mega boost
- 3 trainers: Comfortable win
- 4+ trainers: Very easy clear
Recommended Team Setups
Optimal Team (3–5 Trainers)
- Regieleki
- Shadow Raikou
- Zekrom
- Mega Sceptile
- Magnezone
Balanced / Accessible Team
- Electivire
- Zapdos
- Mega Venusaur
- Roserade
- Zarude
Electric counters generally deal the most consistent damage, while Grass counters help balance resistances.
Catch Tips
- Use Golden Razz Berries for best catch chance
- Go for curve Excellent throws
- Wait for Suicune’s attack animation to finish before throwing
- Aim slightly higher because Suicune stands far back
Battle Tips
- Electric types are the safest and most consistent counters
- Grass types deal excellent damage but are weak to Ice Beam
- Dodge Hydro Pump if your team is small
- Always bring at least one Mega Pokémon for damage boost
Is Suicune Worth Raiding?
Suicune is not a top-tier Water-type attacker for raids, but it is very useful for PvP (especially in Ultra League) and is an important Pokémon for Pokédex and shiny collectors.
Can Suicune Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes! Suicune can be encountered as a Shiny Pokémon after defeating it in a Legendary Raid. The shiny variant has a slightly darker blue coloration, making it visually distinct and highly sought after by collectors.
Shiny Pokémon are rare, so you may need to complete multiple raids to encounter one. Participating in raids with a group can increase your chances of receiving raid rewards, including a shiny Suicune.
FAQ
Can Suicune be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes! Shiny Suicune is available in Pokémon GO. It features a beautiful teal-blue color and white mane.
What moves does Suicune use in raids?
Suicune can use moves like Hydro Pump, Bubble Beam, and Ice Beam, dealing powerful Water and Ice-type damage to opponents.
Is Suicune difficult to defeat?
Due to its very high defensive stats, Suicune can take a long time to defeat. Strong Electric or Grass-type attackers help finish the raid faster.
What makes Suicune unique?
Its elegant design, legendary status, and incredible defensive strength make Suicune one of the most iconic Water-type raid bosses in Pokémon GO.
Conclusion
Suicune is a bulky and defensive raid boss, but with strong Electric and Grass-type attackers, it can be defeated without much trouble. Build a team with high DPS counters, use a Mega Pokémon, and you’ll be able to secure this Legendary Beast with ease.
Summary
- Deploy high-level Electric and Grass Pokémon to deal maximum damage.
- Avoid Water-type attackers unless they have super effective charged moves.
- Conserve shields for multi-bar attacks.
- Rotate counters strategically to maintain sustained damage output.
- Adjust your team according to raid group size and weather boosts.