This weekend, Pokémon GO Fest 2022: Finale will bring the Ultra Beasts that debuted in earlier on location events into raids. This includes the return of Nihilego along with the wide release of Xurkitree, Pheromosa, and Buzzwole. Leading up to Pokémon GO Fest 2022: Finale, Bleeding Cool readers can read raid guides for all of the Ultra Beasts. With this Raid Guide, you can prepare a team to take on and defeat Nihilego and perfect your catching strategy.
Nihilego in Pokémon GO. Credit: Niantic
Top Nihilego Counters
Pokebattler, which calculates all possible combinations of Pokémon and moves, lists the top 10 Nihilego counters as such:
- Excadrill: Mud-Slap, Drill Run
- Garchomp: Mud Shot, Earth Power
- Therian Forme Landorus: Mud Shot, Earthquake
- Rhyperior: Mud-Slap, Earthquake
- Shadow Mewtwo: Psycho Cut, Psystrike
- Shadow Mamoswine: Mud-Slap, Bulldoze
- Incarnate Forme Landorus: Mud Shot, Earth Power
- Groudon: Mud Shot, Earthquake
- Shadow Swampert: Mud Shot, Earthquake
- Golurk: Mud-Slap, Earth Power
It is recommended to power up your counters as much as possible, but creating that amount of strong Shadow Pokémon with their moves unlocked is a tall order for even the most practiced players. Here are ten additional non-Shadow and non-Mega counters that can help take down Nihilego with efficiency.
- Rhydon: Mud-Slap, Earthquake
- Krookodile: Mud-Slap, Earthquake
- Mamoswine: Mud-Slap, Bulldoze
- Donphan: Mud-Slap, Earthquake
- Golem: Mud-Slap, Earthquake
- Mewtwo: Confusion, Psystrike
- Flygon: Mud Shot, Earth Power
- Swampert: Mud Shot, Earthquake
- Hoopa Unbound: Confusion, Psychic
- Alolan Dugtrio: Mud-Slap, Earthquake
How Many Trainers Are Needed?
Nihilego will take three trainers to take it down due to its double weakness to Ground-types as a dual Rock/Poison-type. If you cannot guarantee the top counters with maxed-out CP and the best moves, your best bet is to make sure you have three or more players.
Using the Circle Lock Technique to guarantee Great or Excellent throws, along with Golden Razz Berries, is the best way to catch Pokémon.
Shiny Odds & 100% IVs
Nihilego cannot currently be encountered in its Shiny form.
When looking for a Pokémon with the best stats, the 100% IV Nihilego will have a CP of 2256 in normal weather conditions and 2821 in boosted conditions.
Happy raiding, fellow trainers!