Incarnate forme Tornadus will return to Legendary Raids on March 6, 2021.
Starting Saturday, March 6, 2021, Tornadus is back in Pokémon Go as part of the Season of Legends. A lot has changed since we last faced off against the Cyclone Pokémon, including the introduction of Mega Evolution, as well as many new Shadow Pokémon, , but we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat Tornadus. And be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped for the battle!
Who is Tornadus and what are the Forces of Nature?
Introduced in the Gen V games Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, the Forces of Nature are a Legendary Trio. Fans have also called them the Legendary Genies, the Kami Trio, and the Cloud Trio. They include Tornadus: the Cyclone Pokémon, Thundurus: the Bolt Strike Pokémon, and Landorus: the Abundance Pokémon. Landorus, the strongest of the three, was said to have stopped the other two from wreaking destruction across the Unova Region. In more recent times, the Mythical Pokémon, Meloetta was able to calm all three of the Forces of Nature to save the Unova Region from their destructive powers.
The Forces of Nature are also some of the select few Pokémon with multiple Formes. Normally seen in their Incarnate forms where they resemble genies, they can also take on a Therian forme where they resemble a bird, a dragon, and a large cat. The Therian formes of the Forces of Nature will make their Pokémon Go debut in just a couple weeks. Guides for the other Forces of Nature and the Therian formes can be found here:
- To prep for Incarnate forme Landorus, check out our Landorus Incarnate Raid Guide.
- To prep for Incarnate forme Thundurus, check out our Thundurus Incarnate Raid Guide.
- To prep for Therian forme Tornadus, check back soon for our Tornadus Therian Raid Guide.
- To prep for Therian forme Thundurus, check back soon for our Thundurus Therain Raid Guide.
- To prep for Therian forme Landorus, check back soon for our Landorus Therian Raid Guide.
What are the best counters for Tornadus in Pokémon Go?
As a pure Flying type, Tornadus takes double damage from Rock, Electric, and Flying type attacks. It's capable of dealing Flying, Dark, Grass and Normal type damage.
Zekrom
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom is the best non-Shadow counter for Tornadus. As a Dragon and Electric type, it has no weaknesses the Cyclone Pokémon can exploit and takes reduced damage from Flying and Grass type moves. Unfortunately, Zekrom's only run in Raids was during a global pandemic, so many players don't even have one, much less the candy to power it up. Still, if you have it, you'll want it to know Charge Beam and Wild Charge for this Raid.
Rampardos
A fossil Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, Rampardos is one of the best Rock types in Pokémon Go. It's also super accessible, having only one previous stage, Cranidos which has been commonly found in Eggs. Rampardos takes half damage from Flying and Normal type attacks, but double from Grass. If you're bringing Rampardos to this Raid, you'll want it to know Smack Down and Rock Slide.
Mega Ampharos
If you're able to safely coordinate with your fellow Raiders, Mega Ampharos will be an invaluable part of an Electric based party. As an Electric and Dragon type, it has the same resistances as Zekrom, but also boosts the other Electric type Pokémon on the field. Even if you can't coordinate with the other Trainers, Mega Ampharos will still perform very well in this Raid. You'll want Volt Switch for its fast move and Zap Cannon for its charged attack.
Mega Abomasnow
While an Electric based offensive is ideal, Mega Abomasnow is a great lead for an Ice based party. As a Grass and Ice type, it resists Tornadus' Grass type attack, but takes double damage from Flying, so it won't last as long as Mega Ampharos. However, it will boost other Ice type counters, making it a solid choice if you either don't have Mega Ampharos Energy, or your fellow Raiders have better Ice type counters. Powder Snow and Weather Ball is the moveset you'll want your Mega Abomasnow to know for this Raid.
Magnezone
The final evolution of Gen I's Magnemite, Magnezone performs very well in this Raid and is readily accessible. It'ss resistant to Flying, Grass, and Normal type attacks, meaning only Tornadus' Dark type attacks will do full damage. In this Raid, you'll want Spark and Wild Charge for your Magenzone's moveset.
Electivire
Another readily available Sinnoh Evolution of a Gen I Pokémon, Electivire does great in this Raid. As a pure Electric type, it has no weaknesses that Tornadus can exploit and resists Flying type attacks. It's also readily available, not only because of Gen I Electabuzz and its baby stage, Elekid, but also because it was featured in a Community Day. Thunder Shock and Wild Charge are the moves you'll want your Electivire to know.
Rhyperior
Rhyperior is, yet another Sinnoh Stone evolution of a Gen I Pokémon recommended for this Raid. It has great stats and a great movepool, but like so many other counters for Tornadus, it is weak to Grass type. With a resistance to Flying and Normal type moves, it will still perform very well. It's also had the Community Day treatment, so you probably have a few already. You'll want your Rhyperior to know Smack Down and the Community Day exclusive move, Rock Wrecker for this Raid. However, if you don't have Rock Wrecker or the Elite TM to spare, Stone Edge will also work.
Raikou
One of the Legendary beasts of Johto, Raikou performs great against Tornadus. It's been available in Raids, Research Breakthrough Rewards, and even as a Legendary Shadow Pokémon in Giovanni's lineup, so most players have at least a couple already powered up. As a pure Electric type, it resists Flying and has no relevant weaknesses. You'll want your Raikou to know the fast move, Volt Switch and the charged move, Wild Charge.
Zapdos
One of the Legendary birds of Kanto, Zapdos works well against the Cyclone Pokémon. As an Electric and Flying type, it takes half damage from Flying and Grass type attacks, while having no weaknesses Tornadus can take advantage of. It's also been available many times over in Raids, events, as a Research Breakthrough Reward, and even as a Legendary Shadow Pokémon, so there's no good reason not to have at least one or two powered up already. You'll want Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt for your Zapdos' moveset.
Terrakion
One of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Terrakion is a great counter for Tornadus, especially if you cannot bring in one of the Mega Evolved counters. As Rock and Fighting type, it resists Dark and Normal attacks, but takes double damage from Grass. In addition to three runs in Legendary Raids, Terrakion was also a Legendary Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter, so there's a good chance you already have at least one powered up. Smack Down and Rock Slide are the moves you're looking for.
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:
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
- Alolan Golem with Rock Throw and Wild Charge
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
- Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Arcanine with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge
- Magneton with Spark and Discharge
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 Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Shadow Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
- Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Shadow Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
- Shadow Arcanine with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge
- Shadow Magneton with Spark and Discharge
Note: Shadow Raikou, Shadow Zapdos, and Shadow Magnezone outperform every other Pokémon in the best counters list. Shadow Mamoswine, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Electivire, and Shadow Mewtwo also perform on par with the other best counters. If you are able to safely coordinate the use of Mega Ampharos or Mega Abomasnow, they will boost other Electric or Ice types respectively, making them perform event better.
How many players does it take to beat Tornadus in Pokémon Go?
While it's possible for just two high level players with the best conditions to beat Tornadus, if you're lower level or lacking in the best counters, it may take four or more.
Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:
- Wind will boost Tornadus' Flying type attacks.
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost his Grass type attack.
- Partly Cloudy will boost his Normal type attack, as well as your Rock type counters.
- Fog will boost Tornadus' Dark type attacks.
- Rain will boost your Electric type counters.
- Snow will boost your Ice type counters.
Questions?
Any questions about taking on Incarnate forme Tornadus? Any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below and be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go guides so you too can be a Pokémon Master!
