Groudon is a Ground-type Legendary Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region. Groudon has appeared in mythology as the creator of the land. Legends tell of its many clashes against Kyogre, as each sought to gain the power of nature. Learn which Pokémon will be most effective in Raid Battles against Groudon, how to catch Groudon after winning a Raid Battle, and how best to use the Continent Pokémon after you’ve caught it.

Which Pokémon to Use in a Groudon Raid in Pokémon GO

As a Ground-type Pokémon, Groudon is vulnerable to Water-, Grass-, and Ice-type attacks. When selecting Pokémon for your Groudon Raid Battle lineup, it helps to choose Pokémon that have a Fast Attack and a Charged Attack of one of these types if you want to deal as much damage as possible. It’s not necessary to choose only Water-, Grass-, or Ice-type Pokémon, but a Pokémon that shares a type with these attacks will benefit from a same-type attack bonus, which will allow these attacks to deal an additional 20% damage.

If you have multiple Pokémon that know Water-, Grass-, or Ice-type attacks, choose the Pokémon with the highest CP and best overall stats. Remember that speed of victory affects how many Premier Balls you will receive at the conclusion of a successful Raid Battle, so bring your strongest Pokémon and defeat Groudon as quickly as you can.

• Blastoise / Mega Blastoise (Water)

  • Fast Attack: Water Gun (Water)

  • Charged Attack: Hydro Cannon (Water), Hydro Pump (Water)

• Gyarados / Mega Gyarados / Shadow Gyarados (Water/Flying)

  • Fast Attack: Waterfall (Water)

  • Charged Attack: Aqua Tail (Water), Hydro Pump (Water)

• Feraligatr / Shadow Feraligatr (Water)

  • Fast Attack: Waterfall (Water), Water Gun (Water)

  • Charged Attack: Hydro Cannon (Water), Hydro Pump (Water)

• Swampert / Shadow Swampert (Water/Ground)

  • Fast Attack: Water Gun (Water)

  • Charged Attack: Hydro Cannon (Water), Muddy Water (Water), Surf (Water)

• Kyogre (Water)

  • Fast Attack: Waterfall (Water)

  • Charged Attack: Hydro Pump (Water), Surf (Water), Thunder (Electric)

• Palkia (Water/Dragon)

  • Fast Attack: Dragon Tail (Dragon)

  • Charged Attack: Aqua Tail (Water), Hydro Pump (Water)

• Samurott (Water)

  • Fast Attack: Waterfall (Water)

  • Charged Attack: Hydro Cannon (Water)*, Hydro Pump (Water), Razor Shell (Water)

• Venusaur / Mega Venusaur / Shadow Venusaur (Grass/Poison)

  • Fast Attack: Razor Leaf (Grass), Vine Whip (Grass)

  • Charged Attack: Frenzy Plant (Grass)*, Petal Blizzard (Grass), Solar Beam (Grass)

• Shiftry / Shadow Shiftry (Grass/Dark)

  • Fast Attack: Bullet Seed (Grass)*, Razor Leaf (Grass)

  • Charged Attack: Leaf Blade (Grass), Leaf Tornado (Grass)

• Torterra / Shadow Torterra (Grass/Ground)

  • Fast Attack: Razor Leaf (Grass)

  • Charged Attack: Frenzy Plant (Grass)*, Solar Beam (Grass)

• Abomasnow / Mega Abomasnow (Grass/Ice)

  • Fast Attack: Powder Snow (Ice), Razor Leaf (Grass)

  • Charged Attack: Blizzard (Ice), Energy Ball (Grass), Weather Ball (Ice)

• Tangrowth / Shadow Tangrowth (Grass)

  • Fast Attack: Vine Whip (Grass)

  • Charged Attack: Power Whip (Grass), Solar Beam (Grass)

• Tapu Bulu (Grass/Fairy)

  • Fast Attack: Bullet Seed (Grass)

  • Charged Attack: Grass Knot (Grass), Solar Beam (Grass)

• Zarude (Dark/Grass)

  • Fast Attack: Vine Whip (Grass)

  • Charged Attack: Energy Ball (Grass), Power Whip (Grass)

• Weavile (Dark/Ice)

  • Fast Attack: Ice Shard (Ice)

  • Charged Attack: Avalanche (Ice)

• Mamoswine / Shadow Mamoswine (Ice/Ground)

  • Fast Attack: Powder Snow (Ice)

  • Charged Attack: Avalanche (Ice)

* An Elite Fast TM or an Elite Charged TM is typically required to teach this Pokémon this attack.

Make the Most of Premier Balls and Berries

After a successful Groudon raid, you’ll have a limited number of Premier Balls you can use to catch Groudon, so make each one count. You can earn extra Premier Balls by battling with friends and defeating Groudon more quickly.

In an encounter with Groudon, your chance of catching it is greatest when the target ring is small enough for you to score Excellent Throws. Throwing Curveballs can improve your chances even more. But work within your abilities—if you don’t think you can reliably make Excellent Curveball Throws, aim for Nice Throws or Great Throws rather than risk missing the target ring completely.

Groudon isn’t going to make it easy on you by sitting still while you’re trying to catch it. Don’t waste your Premier Balls by throwing while it’s moving around. Watch Groudon to get a feel for its cycle of movement and the pauses in between the cycles. During one of these pauses, wait for the target ring to reappear, and then throw as it starts to grow smaller to increase your odds of making a Great Throw or an Excellent Throw.

Berries can help you catch Groudon. A Razz Berry will make it easier to catch, and a Golden Razz Berry will make it much easier to catch. If you find yourself failing to land any throws, a Nanab Berry will calm Groudon, making its movements less erratic and allowing you to make precise throws more easily. If you need extra Groudon Candy, using a Silver Pinap Berry will make Groudon easier to catch and grant you extra Candy when you catch it.

Buddy Pokémon with a Buddy Level of Great Buddy or higher have the Catch Assist Perk. If a Pokémon—even a Legendary Pokémon—deflects a Poké Ball, your buddy might bounce it back for a second catch opportunity!

Like all Legendary Pokémon, Groudon is tricky to catch, so don’t be discouraged if it escapes. Get a second wind by stocking up on useful items—like Max Potions, Max Revives, and Golden Razz Berries—and try again.

What to Do with Groudon Once You’ve Caught It

As a Ground-type Pokémon, Groudon has a type advantage against Fire-, Electric-, Poison-, Rock-, and Steel-type Pokémon. This makes it especially useful against many Raid Bosses and a fantastic addition to your Master League lineup. Teaching Groudon a Fire- or Grass-type Charged Attack will surprise opposing Water-, Grass-, or Ice-type Pokémon—the Charged Attack Fire Punch charges quickly and is highly effective against both Grass- and Ice-type Pokémon. The hard-hitting Charged Attack Earthquake is a solid option that also benefits from a same-type attack bonus. Groudon’s Fast Attack Mud Shot rapidly powers up any Charged Attack, setting you up for success no matter your strategy.

If you’re aiming to bring Groudon to the GO Battle League, you should increase its CP and teach it a second Charged Attack. Raising its CP to its maximum requires a lot of Groudon Candy and Stardust, so try to catch as many Groudon as you can to help you get there faster—and don’t forget the Pinap Berries!

Good luck with your next Raid Battle, and remember to check back to Pokemon.co.uk/Strategy for more Pokémon GO, video game, and Pokémon TCG tips.