Do you have what it takes to beat Dialga?
For Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Niantic is bringing back every Legendary Raid for one day only. On Sunday, July 18, Dialga will return to Raids, alongside dozens of other Legenday Pokémon. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Dialga to your roster. And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!
Who is Dialga in Pokémon Go?
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Diamond, Dialga is a member of the Creaton Trio, alongside Palkia and Giratina. The three were simultaneously created by Arceus and each given a different dimension to control. Palkia controls space in the Spacial World, Dialga controls time in the Temporal World, and Giratina controls antimatter in the Distortion World. Although Giratina was banished to the Distortion World for its violent nature, Dialga and Palkia only remain peaceful until they see each other. Arceus had to create the Lake Trio, Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie, to control and calm them should they battle.
In terms of Pokémon Go, Dialga has incredible stats, but it lacks the moves to make the most of those stats. It's still worth having around, especially as it's a Dragon type that doesn't take increased damage from Dragon type moves, but until Niantic gives it better moves, it's not going to be a top contender.
What are the best counters for Dialga in Pokémon Go?
Dialga is a Steel and Dragon type capable of dealing Dragon, Steel, and Electric damage. Unlike most Dragon types, Dialga isn't weak against Dragon type moves. Instead, it's weak to Fighting and Ground type damage.
Lucario
Originally encountered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Lucario beats out every other counter, including Shadows and Megas. As a Steel and Fighting type, it resists Dialga's Dragon and Steel type moves. Unfortunately, Lucario can only be obtained by evolution and its first stage, Riolu is very hard to come by, only hatching from 10KM Eggs, so many players don't even have one, much less the Candy to power it up. Still, if you have Lucario, you'll want Counter and Aura Sphere for the moveset.
Conkeldurr
Gen V's Conkeldurr comes in behind Lucario, but is still an excellent counter for Dialga. As a pure Fighting type, it brings no relevant resistances or weaknesses to the fight. Its first stage, Timburr has been featured in Raids and Eggs often and it benefits from Trade Evolution, so it's fairly easy to evolve and power up. If you are bringing Conkeldurr to this Raid, you'll want it to know Counter and Dynamic Punch.
Excadrill
Gen V's Excadrill is a great counter for Dialga. A Ground and Steel type, it resists all of Dialga's potential moves, so it will last a long time. It's also quite obtainable; not only have Excadrill been featured in Raids, but it's first stage has been in a number of events, on top of being a relatively common spawn. If you are bringing Excadrill to this fight, you'll want Mud-Slap and Drill Run for its moveset.
Groudon
The mascot of Pokémon Ruby, Groudon performs well against Dialga. As a pure Ground type, it resists Dialga's Electric type attack and has no weaknesses relevant to this battle. Groudon has also had several runs in Raids, been featured twice as a Research Breakthrough reward encounter, and been a Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter, so most players have had a chance to catch several Groudon. Mud Shot and Earthquake are the moves you'll want your Groudon to know going up against Dialga.
Machamp
Originally discovered in the Kanto region of Gen I, Machamp is another excellent choice for this Raid. Having been available since launch day, featured in a number of events, and even the star of a Community Day, there's no good reason not to have at least one or two powered up Machamp at this point. It even benefits from Trade Evolution, leaving tons of Candy leftover for powering up. As a pure Fighting type, it doesn't resist any of Dialga's attacks, but it also has no relevant weaknesses either. Counter and Dynamic Punch are the moves you'll want your Machamp to know.
Landorus (Therian forme)
A Legendary Pokémon with two formes, Landorus Therian forme is better equipped for this Raid, than its Incarnate forme, but not by too much. Both are Ground and Flying type, giving them resistance to Electric type moves, but the Therian forme has better stats. Unfortunately, the Therian forme hasn't had nearly as widespread availability as the Incarnate forme, but as they both share the same Candy, it should still be pretty easy to power up. If you're bringing Landorus to this Raid, you'll want Mud Shot and Earthquake for its moves.
Landorus (Incarnate forme)
The lesser of the two formes, Landorus Incarnate forme is still an excellent choice for this Raid. It resists Dialga's Electric type attack and has no weaknesses relevant to this fight. It's also been available far more often than the Therian forme, so odds are you won't have to invest much in powering yours up. Mud Shot and Earth Power are the best moves Landorus Incarnate forme can know going up against Dialga.
Hariyama
Originally encountered in the Hoenn region of Gen III, Hariyama performs well against Dialga, though not as well as Conkeldurr or even Machamp. This pure Fighting type is readily available, with only two stages, both of which spawn frequently enough. Counter and Dynamic Punch are the moves you'll want your Hariyama to know.
Mega Lopunny
The only Mega Evolved Pokémon to make the top counters list, Mega Lopunny continues to stand as the only Fighting type Mega Pokémon so far. Eventually, Mega Lucario, Mega Blaziken, Mega Gallade, Mega Heracross, Mega Medicham, and Mega Mewtwo X will find their way into Pokémon Go, but for now, Mega Lopunny is it. As a Normal and Fighting type, Mega Lopunny has no resistances or weaknesses of note and will boost other Fighting types on the field. Low Kick and Focus Blast are the ideal moveset for this Raid.
Rhyperior
Last but not least, the Sinnoh Stone evolution of Gen I's Rhydon, Rhyperior is another great counter for Dialga, as long as Dialga doesn't have Steel type moves. As a Ground and Rock type, Rhyperior takes super effective damage from Steel type moves, but resists Electric type moves. Thanks to a number of events, including a Community Day, Rhyperior is very obtainable too. If you're bringing Rhyperior to this fight, you'll want Mud-Slap for its fast move and Earthquake for its charged move.
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:
- Breloom with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Garchomp with Mud Shot and Earth Power
- Regigigas with Hidden Power and Focus Blast
- Rhydon with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
- Krookodile with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
- Heracross with Counter and Close Combat
- Toxicroak with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Sirfetch'd with Counter and Close Combat
- Donphan with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
- Blaziken with Counter and Focus Blast
- Mamoswine with Mud-Slap and Bulldoze
- Swampert with Mud Shot and Earthquake
- Poliwrath with Rock Smash and Dynamic Punch
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Focus Blast
- Flygon with Mud Shot and Earth Power
- Gallade with Low Kick and Close Combat
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 Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Shadow Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Shadow Mamoswine with Mud-Slap and Bulldoze
- Shadow Swampert with Mud Shot and Earthquake
- Shadow Poliwrath with Rock Smash and Dynamic Punch
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Focus Blast
- Shadow Flygon with Mud Shot and Earth Power
- Shadow Gallade with Low Kick and Close Combat
Note: Shadow Machamp and Shadow Hariyama perform on par with the other best counters.
How many players does it take to beat Dialga in Pokémon Go?
With the best counters and moveset, three top level trainers can beat Dialga, but if you're lower level or lacking the best counters, you may need as many as six.
Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:
- Snow will boost Dialga's Steel type moves.
- Wind will boost its Dragon type moves.
- Rain will boost its Electric type move.
- Cloudy/Overcast Weather will boost your Fighting type counters.
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost your Ground type counters.
Questions about taking on Dialga in Pokémon Go?
Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary Pokémon Dialga in Pokémon Go? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, so you can be the very best like no one ever was!
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