These delightful little dragons are no joke in a battle, so make sure you come prepared!
Pokémon Go is bringing back Latios and Latias to Five Star Raids. From Tuesday, February 9 through Saturday, February 20, you can battle and catch the Eon Duo. A lot has changed since the last time we faced off against this pair, including the introduction of Mega Evolution, but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat them both! And be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!
Who are Latios and Latias in Pokémon Go?
Latias and Latios, also known as the Eon Duo are Legendary Pokemon from the Gen III Hoenn region. These Dragon and Psychic types have shown up in several episodes of the show and movies, almost always together, and are rare among Legendary Pokémon in that they have a gender. Latios are always male and Latias are always female. They are often referred to as twins, but in Pokémon Go, you will be battling them separately, like any other Raid.
As far as how they fare in Pokémon Go? Sadly, not great. Neither has particularly great stats or moves and both are outmatched by other Pokémon, many of which are far more readily available. However, that may all be changing in the not too distant future as both Latios and Latias have Mega Evolution in the core games. Now that Mega Evolution has started popping up in Pokémon Go, we are a little closer to these two being the Legendaries they were always meant to be!
What are the best Counters?
As Dragon and Psychic types, Latios and Latias are weak against six different types: Dragon, Bug, Ice, Fairy, Ghost and Dark. Latios is capable of dealing Psychic, Dragon, and Grass type damage, while Latias is capable of dealing Psychic, Dragon, Fairy, and Electric type damage. Even with the slight move differences, the recommended counters are virtually identical. The biggest different between the two is that their attack and defense stats are swapped. This basically means your Shadow Pokémon are far more viable against Latias than Latios.
Mega Gengar
Mega Gengar is the top choice for either of these Raids. As a Poison and Ghost type, Mega Gengar takes double damage from Psychic type damage, but the boost it gets from Mega Evolution still puts it at the top of the list. It resists Latios' Grass type move and Latias' Fairy type move, while taking normal damage from Dragon and Electric attacks. Mega Gengar will also boost other Ghost types if you can coordinate with your fellow Trainers. If you're bringing Mega Gengar to this fight, you'll want it to know Shadow Claw or Lick and Shadow Ball.
Mega Houndoom
If you don't have the Mega Gengar Energy to spare or you already have a Houndoom Mega Evolved, Mega Houndoom performs really well in either of these Raids. As a Dark and Fire type, it takes reduced damage from Psychic and Grass, and it has no weaknesses the Eon Duo can exploit. It will also boost other Dark types on the field, so if you can do so safely, coordinate with your Raid party. If you are bringing Mega Houndoom to either of these Raids, you'll want Snarl and Foul Play for the moveset.
Rayquaza
Even with Mega Evolutions and more dragon type Shadow Pokémon, Rayquaza is still one of the best Dragon types you can have in your roster. As a Dragon and Flying type, it is weak to Dragon type moves and Latias' Fairy type move, neither are significant enough to pose a serious threat and it takes reduced damage from Latios' Solar Beam. Rayquaza has also had four runs in Raids and was featured in a Timed Research, so odds are you already have at least one powered up. The moveset you're looking for is Dragon Tail and Outrage.
Salamence
The final evolution of Bagon, Salamence makes for a great counter to the Eon Duo. It's a Dragon and Flying type, so it brings the same weaknesses and resistances as Rayquaza, but it is much easier to evolve and power up. Thanks to the Bagon Community Day, Salamence is probably already in your roster. You'll want Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor for its moveset. Outrage also works well for the Charged move.
Dialga
A Legendary Steel and Dragon type, Dialga is a tank with massive defense and HP. It is resistant to Electric and Psychic, and super resistant to Grass. Thanks to its Steel typing, it's a rare Dragon type that takes normal damage from both Dragon and Fairy. Although it hasn't seen wide availability, if you have it, it is definitely worth the investment. Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor are the moves you'll want your Dialga to know.
Zekrom
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom performs very well against Latios and Latias. As a Dragon and Electric type, it takes double damage from Dragon and Fairy, but reduced damage from Grass and Electric. Unfortunately, Zekrom has had extremely limited availability, having been released during a global pandemic, so many players don't even have one, much less the Candy to power it up. Still, if you have Zekrom, you'll want it to know Dragon Breath and Outrage for this Raid.
Darkrai
A Mythical Pokémon first encountered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Darkrai does great against Latias and Latios. It's also seen a much greater availability in Pokémon Go than other Mythicals, having been featured in Raids during both 2019 and 2020's Halloween events, and as a Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter. As a pure Dark type, it is resistant to Psychic and weak to Fairy. Snarl and Dark Pulse is the moveset you'll want your Darkrai to know.
Garchomp
A pseudo-Legendary orginally discovered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Garchomp performs well against the Eon Duo. As a Dragon and Ground type, Garchomp bring a strong resistance to Electric and weaknesses to Dragon and Fairy. Although Gible are relatviely rare spawns, many players have Garchomp thanks to events featuring Gible, including a Community Day. If you're bringing Garchomp to this Raid, the moveset you're looking for is Dragon Tail and Outrage.
Dragonite
The original Dragon, Dragonite set the standard for pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, and it'll serve you well against the Eon twins. Another Dragon and Flying type, Dragonite doesn't perform quite as well as Salamence or Rayquaza, but has the same weaknesses and strengths. Thanks to the Dratini Community Day and the Special Research that rewards you with a Dragonite, not to mention plenty of other opportunities, you probably have a few already powered up. For its moveset, Dragon Tail and Outrage are ideal, but Dragon Breath, Draco Meteor, and Dragon Claw can all work if you don't have the TMs to spare.
Palkia
Another Legendary Pokémon, Palkia was the mascot for Pokémon Pearl. Palkia has really high stats but not the best moves and it hasn't seen great availability, making it costly to power up. As a Water and Dragon type, it brings no useful resistances to this Raid, and it's weak against Dragon and Fairy. Still, its niche is fighting other Dragon types, so it will work well against Latias and Latios if you have it. You'll want your Palkia to know Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor, but in a pinch, Dragon Breath can work as well.
Back ups?
Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:
- Reshiram with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
- Giratina (Origin Forme) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Latios with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
- Mega Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
- Mega Charizard X with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Mega Charizard Y with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Weavile with Snarl and Avalanche
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
- Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Shiftry with Snarl and Foul Play
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
Shadow Pokémon
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:
- Shadow Salmence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
- Shadow Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor
- Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Avalanche
- Shadow Mewtwo Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
- Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
- Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
- Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Shadow Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Shiftry with Snarl and Foul Play
Note: Shadow Salamence and Shadow Dragonite outperform every non-Mega Pokémon in the best counters list. Shadow Weavile and Shadow Mewtwo also perform on par with the other best counters. If it is safe to coordinate the use of a Mega Evolved Pokémon, it will boost Pokémon of the same types making them perform even better.
How many players does it take to beat Latios and Latias in Pokémon Go?
While it is possible under the best conditions for two high level players to beat either of these Raids, if you're lower level, lacking the best counters, or cannot coordinate the use of Mega Pokémon with your fellow Trainers, you may want four or five players.
Weather conditions that can impact these Raids include:
- Wind will boost Latios and Latias' Dragon and Psychic moves, as well as your Dragon type counters.
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Latios' Grass type move.
- Cloudy Weather will boost Latias' Fairy type move, as well as your Fairy type counters.
- Rain will boost Latias' Electric type move, as well as your Bug type counters.
- Fog will boost your Ghost and Dark type counters.
- Snow will boost your Ice type counters.
Questions about taking on Latios and Latias in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about how to beat Latios and Latias? Any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop us a comment below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, as well as our many other Pokémon Go guides so you can be the very best like no one ever was!
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