In Pokémon GO, a major change to attacks has shuffled many good attackers. We show you the 6 big winners of the change.
This is the change: Together with the PvP League, Niantic has announced various changes to the attacks. There are completely new attacks, Pokémon can learn different moves, and even old moves can be relearned.
Not all attacks are actually good for Pokémon, but many moves significantly improve the monsters.
These Pokémon are significantly better with new moves
Lucario with Aura Sphere: This Fighting-type Pokémon is definitely the biggest winner of the change. It now replaces Machamp as the best Fighting attacker.
Aura Sphere is such a strong move that Lucario now deals significantly more damage per second than any other Fighting attacker. Even Meistagriff from Gen 5, which will still appear, can’t compare to Lucario.
Those fighting against Heiteira and Co. in gyms should prefer Lucario over Machamp.
Kyogre with Surf: The charged move Surf makes the previously powerful legendary Pokémon even stronger. Although the change isn’t huge, it’s definitely an improvement. Therefore, anyone wanting the perfect team should change the Hydro Pump of their Kyogre to Surf.
Kyogre doesn’t deal more damage than Kingler. However, it can take much more damage and outlasts Kingler.
All Pokémon with Earthquake or Mud Shot: The Ground-type Pokémon with Earthquake or Mud Shot all receive a boost. Niantic has made the moves stronger and thereby also all Pokémon that learn them.
This includes mainly Stalobor, Groudon, Rihornior, and Knakrack. Especially Stalobor becomes significantly better and should now learn Earthquake instead of the Ground move Drill Run.
This change does not alter the top Ground attackers, but makes them all stronger. Raids where the Ground type is effective can now be completed faster.
Gengar with Dark Claw: Gengar with this fast attack has been available since the early days of Pokémon GO. The attack is significantly better than Curse, so you should teach your Gengar this fast move Dark Claw.
Dark Claw is about as good as Sludge Bomb, which was featured in the Raid Tag. If you still have some copies of it, you do not need to change them.
Snorlax with Body Slam: This is also an attack that Snorlax could use some time ago. Now it’s back. Snorlax with this charged attack is a better defender, as Body Slam is used very often. So if you like to defend gyms effectively, you should go for Body Slam.
Dragonite with Fire Fang and Dragon Claw: These two moves also return after being absent. They don’t make Dragonite better as a raid attacker, but it becomes more interesting in gyms.
Dragon Claw can be charged quickly, and Fire Fang is a fast move. Especially against weak Pokémon in gyms, it is a good all-around attacker. As a defender, it is also not bad, as Dragon Claw charges quickly here too.
These Pokémon should not be forgotten: There are also some monsters that have become better but do not really play a major role in the meta. They are at most alternatives to the best attackers:
- Heatran with Flamethrower
- Better charge move than Fire Storm, but still not one of the best Fire attackers
- Arcanine with Flamethrower
- Similar to Heatran – better than Fire Storm, but still not interesting as a really strong attacker
- Kokowei with Confusion
- A better choice than Zen Headbutt, but plagued by a lot of competition in the Psychic type and therefore more of a backup
- Tangrowth with Leaf Tornado
- Somewhat better than Solar Beam, but Tangrowth is still overshadowed by Roserade or Sceptile
- Geowaz with Ancient Power
- Not really better for raids, but against Team Rocket, Ancient Power can be used faster than Stone Edge
The great Buddy feature in Pokémon GO could be just before release:
