Articuno

Dynamax Articuno is a Tier 5 Max Battle in Pokémon GO.  Dynamax Articuno can be shiny from Max Battles. Dynamax Articuno can be challenged by up to 4 Trainers. The fight is not soloable, but it is confirmed to be a possible duo.

It costs 800 Max Particles to participate in this Max Battle, which will only be consumed if you defeat Dynamax Articuno successfully. Articuno can be caught with the following CP range: 1665 CP – 1743 CP.

Best Counters for Dynamax Articuno

Dynamax Articuno Battles can be participated in by up to 40 Trainers. Those 40 Trainers are then split up into groups of 4 that work together. In each group of 4 we recommend two Trainers have teams focused on attackers, one tank/defender team, and one healer team.

Recommended Team

• Zamazenta is your best option as a defender for Articuno. Backed up by Blissey as a healer this will serve you well.
• Dynamax Omastar is the clear best attacker for Articuno.

Best Attackers for Dynamax Articuno

The best attackers for defeating Dynamax Articuno are the following Pokémon:

• Your best Dynamax Articuno counter is Dynamax Omastar. Omastar is the strongest Rock-type attacker available at the moment. 
• After Omastar, pick your most powerful options from the list above, and they will serve you well.

Best Defenders for Dynamax Articuno

The best defenders to use against a Dynamax Articuno are the following Pokémon:

• Zamazenta is your top choice, as it is resistant to what Articuno has to offer whilst still charging up the Max Meter as quickly as possible.
• Zacian is also an incredible defender!

Best Healers for Dynamax Articuno

The best healers to use in a Dynamax Articuno Max Battle are the following Pokémon:

Ideally, you want a Blissey. Wailord, Snorlax, or Lapras are great second choices however.

Rewards for defeating Dynamax Articuno

Defeating Dynamax Articuno will give you the following rewards:

What moves can Dynamax Articuno have

(*) Denotes a Legacy Move only available via Elite TM.

Dynamax Articuno has primarily Ice type moves, which will not deal super effective damage against any of your top counters, so are your preferred options for Articuno’s attacks.

• Hurricane Flying will deal super effective damage against Machamp.
• Ancient Power Rock will deal super effective damage against Charizard.

As Articuno has a movepool largely consisting of Ice type moves that your counters will resist, they are what you want to hope for. Because they have a large movepool of Ice type moves, we highly advise against using any Grass types for your defenders or healers as they will be decimated quickly by them.

Dynamax Articuno Duo

Dynamax Articuno can be duoed! Pokémon Master published this video on their Youtube channel proving that Dynamax Articuno is duoable without Max Mushrooms.It remains to be seen if the fight is duoable with no Gigantamax Pokémon.

 

Shiny and Normal Articuno Sprites

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Group Composition

Generally, the best strategy for each subgroup is to have 2 attackers, 1 defender and 1 healer. This will allow your group to stay alive as long as possible, whilst also directing damage towards one specific trainers, and allowing maximum damage to take place.

It is advisable to keep in mind that Trainers are grouped together in the order of joining the lobby, so it may be worth planning to ensure that the most prepared trainers with levelled up Max Spirit and Max Guard are paired with others who are only prepared for attacks.

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How Max Guard works in Pokémon GO

Max Guard can stack up to 3 times, and the damage that a shield can absorb is a set amount based on this Max Move’s level. The protection amount for a single shield is 20, 40 or 60 HP at levels 1, 2 and 3 respectively, which can stack to a total of 60, 120 or 180 HP per level. If you find you are re-entering your Dynamax Phase and you still have two shields left for example, it would be recommended to top back up to 3 shields, then use your Max Attack.

While shields are only applied to the Pokémon using them, it is a hugely important aspect of a Max Battle. Whilst shielded, the Max Battle boss will direct its focused attacks towards the Pokémon that is shielded only!

The defender therefore draws damage away from their 3 active allies, protecting them in this way. Dodging is important, to reduce damage received and keep shields up for longer. We cannot under-estimate how important Max Guard is due to it drawing damage away for your whole group, it is absolutely key to utilise in your strategy.

Only one person in your group of four needs to use Max Guard, so communication is key here.

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How Max Spirit works in Pokémon GO

Max Spirit heals not only Pokémon using it, but also any other active allies remaining in your group of 4. The amount of health restored is a percentage based on the level of Max Spirit and the user’s maximum HP. (The heal amount for a single heal is 8%, 12% or 16% of the user’s maximum HP at levels 1, 2, and 3 respectively).

This means that Pokémon with high stamina / HP are better healers, even if they don’t have optimal attacks for their Max Battle boss.

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How Max Battles work in Pokémon GO

To participate in a Max Battle you can be in-person only, at Power Spots, which are easily identified on the map by the purple marking and large ‘X’ above them.

• You can challenge Max Battles with up to 4 people, including yourself. Each person can bring up to 3 Dynamax Pokémon in their team, but you can fightwith just one Dynamax Pokémon at a time.
• Only Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon can participate in this Max Battle. Existing non-Dynamax Pokemon are not eligible.

Max Battles are turn based, differing from both raiding and GO Battle League. More strategy will need to be implemented for harder Max Bosses.

In a Max Battle, tap the screen to use Fast Attacks, and build up energy to use Charged Attacks as usual. We sometimes advise against using Charged Attacks as they are much slower to use, and only do the same damage as a Fast Attack in these types of battles. Attacking will also fill up the Max Meter at the top of the screen.

When three lines appear above a Pokemon’s head, it means it is being targeted by the Max Battle Boss. You can avoid this by swiping to either the left or the right.

In battle you will see a Max Meter at the top of the screen. When it reaches its maximum, your Pokémon will automatically Dynamax/Gigantamax your Pokémon. You have a 3 second countdown to choose with Pokémon you wish to Dynamax/Gigantamax. Keep an eye on the meter! Once it’s full, your Pokémon will Dynamax for 3 turns!

To Dynamax/Gigantamax, you need to fill up the Max Meter at the top of the screen to its maximum, and the meter fills up by swiping towards the energy icons that appears from time to time, or by using your Fast and Charged Attacks.

Once Dynamaxed you will be given the option to use any of your unlocked Max Moves, if battling harder difficulty bosses as a group, plan your use of your attack, Shield and Spirit moves together.

You can Dynamax more than once in a Max Battle, and will automatically Dynamax once your Max Meter refills.

If all of your Pokémon faint while battling a three-star or higher Power Spot Boss, you can still help your allies by cheering for your them so that their meters fill faster.

The post How to Beat Dynamax Articuno in Pokémon GO: Best Counters and Teams appeared first on Pokémon GO Hub.