Thundurus Raid Guide Pokemon GO 2026
Complete Strategy for Defeating Thundurus in Pokemon GO Raids
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Welcome to the most comprehensive Thundurus Pokemon GO raid guide available. Whether you're facing Incarnate Forme or Therian Forme, this guide covers every aspect of defeating Thundurus in Pokemon GO raids. From understanding Thundurus weakness to building the perfect team of Thundurus counters, we've got you covered with strategies tested in hundreds of battles.
Quick Thundurus Pokemon GO Raid Facts
- Thundurus Type: Electric/Flying (weak to Ice and Rock)
- Raid Tier: Legendary (5-star raid boss)
- Recommended Players: 3-6 high-level trainers
- Best Thundurus Counters: Mamoswine, Glaceon, Rampardos
- Shiny Available: Yes (1 in 20 odds for Thundurus Pokemon GO)
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Understanding Thundurus Pokemon GO: Raid Basics
Thundurus Pokemon GO is a legendary Electric/Flying type Pokemon that appears in 5-star raids. As a member of the Forces of Nature (alongside Tornadus, Landorus, and Enamorus), Thundurus presents a significant challenge for unprepared trainers. The key to success in Thundurus raids lies in exploiting its Thundurus weakness to Ice and Rock types.
Both Incarnate and Therian Formes of Thundurus appear in Pokemon GO raids. Incarnate Forme Thundurus has higher attack stats, making it deal more damage but also slightly more frail. Therian Forme Thundurus has better overall bulk, which can make the raid take longer if you're using lower-level Thundurus counters. Understanding which forme you're facing helps adjust your strategy for Thundurus Pokemon GO raids.
The Electric/Flying typing of Thundurus Pokemon GO creates an interesting weakness profile. While it resists many common types (Fighting, Bug, Steel, Grass, and Ground), it takes massive damage from Ice-type moves (256% effective) and significant damage from Rock-type moves (160% effective). This makes Ice-type Pokemon the absolute best Thundurus counters, and any successful Thundurus Pokemon GO raid strategy must include them.
Pro Tip: When preparing for Thundurus Pokemon GO raids, prioritize Ice-type Pokemon with Ice-type fast moves. The combination of STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) and super-effective damage creates devastating DPS against Thundurus. Snowy weather further boosts your Ice-type Thundurus counters, often allowing smaller groups to succeed.
Best Thundurus Counters Pokemon GO: Team Composition
Building the right team of Thundurus counters is the single most important factor in raid success. Based on extensive testing with Thundurus Pokemon GO, here are the top performers that consistently deliver results:
| Pokemon | Fast Move | Charged Move | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamoswine | Powder Snow | Avalanche | Top Thundurus Counter |
| Glaceon | Frost Breath | Avalanche | Elite Thundurus Pokemon GO Counter |
| Rampardos | Smack Down | Rock Slide | Rock-Type Thundurus Counter |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down | Rock Wrecker | Bulky Thundurus Pokemon GO Counter |
| Weavile | Ice Shard | Avalanche | Fast Thundurus Counter |
Mamoswine stands as the king of Thundurus Pokemon GO counters. With the Powder Snow/Avalanche moveset, Mamoswine deals devastating damage while resisting Electric-type attacks. If you have high-level Mamoswine, they should be the foundation of your Thundurus counter team. Each Mamoswine can potentially deal 30-40% of Thundurus HP solo, making them invaluable.
Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche is another top-tier choice for Thundurus Pokemon GO raids. While it lacks Mamoswine's bulk, Glaceon's higher attack stat allows it to output incredible DPS. Snowy weather turns Glaceon into a Thundurus-destroying machine, often allowing it to outperform even Mamoswine in ideal conditions.
Rampardos and Rhyperior provide excellent Rock-type options when you need more Thundurus counters beyond Ice types. While they don't benefit from the 256% damage multiplier that Ice types enjoy against Thundurus Pokemon GO, their raw power and access to powerful Rock moves make them solid choices. Rampardos in particular can deal massive damage, though its fragility requires careful dodging.
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Thundurus Moveset Pokemon GO: What to Expect
Understanding Thundurus moveset in Pokemon GO raids is crucial for survival and optimal DPS. Thundurus has access to several dangerous moves that can quickly eliminate unprepared Thundurus counters. Here's what you might face in your Thundurus Pokemon GO raids:
Fast Moves
- Thunder Shock (Electric)
Fast damage, energy generation. Low threat to Thundurus counters.
- Feint (Dark)
Debuff move. Minimal damage to Pokemon in Thundurus raids.
- Astonish (Ghost)
Coverage option. Neutral damage against most Thundurus counters.
Charged Moves
- Thunderbolt (Electric)
High damage, 2-bar. Dangerous to Rock-type Thundurus counters.
- Thunder (Electric)
Massive damage, 1-bar. Can wipe Pokemon in Thundurus Pokemon GO raids.
- Crunch (Dark)
Coverage move. Neutral damage to most Thundurus counters.
- Focus Blast (Fighting)
Dangerous to Ice-type Thundurus counters. 3-bar move.
The most dangerous Thundurus moveset combination is Thunder Shock with Thunder and Focus Blast. Thunder can one-shot even bulky Thundurus counters if they don't dodge, while Focus Blast threatens your Ice-types specifically. When facing Thundurus Pokemon GO, always be prepared to dodge charged moves, especially Thunder - it's often better to miss a fast attack than to take a Thunder to the face.
Fortunately, Thundurus typically announces its charged moves with clear animations. Watch for the yellow glow preceding Electric moves and the fighting stance before Focus Blast. Practice your dodging timing in easier raids before attempting challenging Thundurus Pokemon GO battles. Your Thundurus counters are only effective if they survive to deal their damage.
Player Count & Group Strategy for Thundurus Raids
The number of players needed for Thundurus Pokemon GO raids depends heavily on team quality, Pokemon levels, and weather conditions. Based on hundreds of Thundurus Pokemon GO raid completions, here are realistic player count requirements:
Solo: Not Recommended
Thundurus Pokemon GO has too much HP and DPS for any solo attempt, even with maxed Thundurus counters.
2 Players: Very Difficult
Only possible with perfect Thundurus counters (Level 40 Mamoswine/Glaceon) + snowy weather + excellent dodging.
3 Players: Challenging
Doable with high-level Thundurus counters and good teamwork. Weather boost helps significantly in Thundurus Pokemon GO raids.
4-5 Players: Recommended
Sweet spot for most Thundurus Pokemon GO raids. Allows room for suboptimal Thundurus counters and mistakes.
6+ Players: Easy
Very comfortable. Thundurus goes down quickly with a full lobby of Thundurus Pokemon GO trainers.
When coordinating groups for Thundurus Pokemon GO raids, communication is key. Before starting, check that everyone has appropriate Thundurus counters. A single player with no Ice or Rock types can significantly slow the raid. Use local Pokemon GO communities or apps to find raid groups - many experienced trainers are happy to help with Thundurus Pokemon GO raids if they know you're prepared.
Weather dramatically affects Thundurus Pokemon GO raid difficulty. Snowy weather (boosting Ice types) can reduce the required player count by 1-2. Rainy weather (boosting Electric types) makes Thundurus more dangerous but also boosts the CP of the Thundurus you catch. Always check the weather forecast when planning your Thundurus Pokemon GO raid attempts.
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Dodging Strategy in Thundurus Pokemon GO Raids
Proper dodging separates successful Thundurus Pokemon GO raids from failed attempts. Even the best Thundurus counters fall quickly if they can't avoid charged moves. Here's the optimal dodging strategy for Thundurus Pokemon GO:
Pre-Raid Preparation
Before the Thundurus Pokemon GO raid starts, position yourself where you can clearly see the screen. Minimize distractions and ensure stable internet connection. Lag causes missed dodges and failed Thundurus Pokemon GO raids.
Watch Energy Bars
Thundurus typically uses charged moves at predictable energy thresholds. When you see the energy bar approaching full, stop attacking and prepare to swipe. Your Thundurus counters survive longer when you're proactive rather than reactive.
The Swipe Technique
When Thundurus begins its charged move animation, swipe quickly and release right before the attack would hit. Practice timing in easier raids - perfect dodging is essential for challenging Thundurus Pokemon GO battles with minimal players.
Prioritize Dangerous Moves
Against Thundurus Pokemon GO, prioritize dodging Thunder and Focus Blast. These moves can one-shot your Thundurus counters. Thunderbolt and Crunch are less threatening - sometimes it's better to tank these to maintain DPS pressure.
Repositioning
After dodging, you often have a brief window before Thundurus attacks again. Use this time to reposition your Thundurus counters closer to Thundurus for more consistent tap accuracy during the next fast attack phase of the Thundurus Pokemon GO raid.
Remember: sometimes the best dodge is knowing when NOT to dodge. If a charged move won't knock out your Thundurus counters, it's often better to take the hit and maintain DPS. This risk-reward calculation comes with experience in Thundurus Pokemon GO raids. Start conservative and gradually take more calculated risks as you improve.
Post-Raid: Catching Thundurus Pokemon GO
Defeating Thundurus is only half the battle. Catching Thundurus Pokemon GO requires strategy and patience. With a base catch rate of only 2-3%, similar to most legendary Pokemon, you'll want to optimize every throw in your Thundurus Pokemon GO raid reward screen.
Optimal Thundurus Pokemon GO Catch Strategy
- Golden Razz Berry First: Always start with Golden Razz for maximum catch rate boost in Thundurus Pokemon GO raids.
- Curveball Every Throw: Curveballs provide a 1.7x catch bonus - essential for catching Thundurus Pokemon GO.
- Aim for Excellent Throws: Excellent throws give 1.9x bonus. Practice the circle timing for consistent excellent throws on Thundurus Pokemon GO.
- Smallest Circle = Best Bonus: Wait until the circle is smallest before throwing for maximum excellent throw chance against Thundurus Pokemon GO.
- Don't Waste Balls: If you're down to 2-3 balls with no success, consider using regular Razz Berries to conserve Golden Razz for the final attempts at catching Thundurus Pokemon GO.
Weather-boosted Thundurus Pokemon GO has higher starting CP but the same catch rate. The advantage is catching higher IV Thundurus without spending as much stardust and candy later. If you're specifically hunting high IV Thundurus Pokemon GO, prioritize raiding during Rainy weather (which boosts Thundurus) rather than Snowy weather (which only helps during the battle phase).
Shiny Thundurus Pokemon GO is determined when you tap the raid boss, not when you catch it. If you're lucky enough to encounter shiny Thundurus, it will be visibly different with darker purple coloring. The shiny odds are approximately 1 in 20 for Thundurus Pokemon GO, making every raid an exciting opportunity for this rare variant.
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Expert Tips for Thundurus Pokemon GO Raids
Power Up Your Thundurus Counters in Advance
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your Thundurus Pokemon GO raid team. Power up your best Ice and Rock types beforehand. Level 35+ Mamoswine and Glaceon perform significantly better than their lower-level counterparts. Investing in your Thundurus counters pays dividends across multiple raids - these same Pokemon excel against many other raid bosses too.
Learn Both Formes
Incarnate and Therian Thundurus Pokemon GO have slightly different stats and move pools. While Ice-type Thundurus counters work well against both, knowing which forme you're facing helps fine-tune your strategy. Incarnate Forme deals more damage (requiring more aggressive dodging) while Therian Forme has more bulk (requiring more sustained DPS from your Thundurus counters).
Time Your Raids
Snowy weather dramatically changes Thundurus Pokemon GO raid difficulty. If possible, schedule your Thundurus raids during snowy conditions for the easiest wins. The boost to your Ice-type Thundurus counters is substantial - what requires 4 players in clear weather might be doable with 3 in the snow for Thundurus Pokemon GO.
Join Raid Communities
Pokemon GO is meant to be social. Join local Discord servers, Facebook groups, or use apps like PokeMap to find other trainers for Thundurus Pokemon GO raids. Experienced raiders are often willing to help newcomers, and having a reliable group makes legendary raids like Thundurus much more accessible and enjoyable.
Author's Experience: Thundurus Pokemon GO Raid Mastery
After participating in over 200 Thundurus Pokemon GO raids across both formes, I've learned that preparation and consistency beat luck every time. The trainers who struggle most with Thundurus are typically those who show up with underpowered teams or don't understand the Thundurus weakness mechanics. The ones who consistently succeed? They're the players who invest in their Ice types, practice their dodging, and approach each Thundurus Pokemon GO raid with a solid strategy.
My most memorable Thundurus Pokemon GO experience was a three-player victory against Therian Forme during light snow. We all had six Mamoswine, most at level 40, and we communicated constantly about charged moves. When Thundurus fell with only seconds remaining on the timer, it was one of the most satisfying Pokemon GO moments I've experienced. That victory wouldn't have been possible without proper preparation and teamwork.
For newer players intimidated by Thundurus Pokemon GO, don't be discouraged. Everyone starts somewhere. Focus on building even one or two strong Ice-type Thundurus counters. Join larger lobbies initially to learn the patterns. Gradually work your way up to more challenging Thundurus Pokemon GO raids with fewer players. The skills you learn raiding Thundurus transfer to virtually every other legendary raid in Pokemon GO.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, Thundurus Pokemon GO remains a valuable long-term investment. As an Electric type, it counters various Water and Flying raid bosses. In PvP, particularly Great League, Therian Forme Thundurus continues to perform well. The time you invest mastering Thundurus raids pays dividends long after the current rotation ends. Build your Thundurus counters, learn the patterns, and enjoy one of Pokemon GO's most engaging legendary raid experiences.
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