Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raid guide: Weaknesses and best counters

A Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raid guide is helpful for players who wish to fight this Pocket Monster. The creature returns to 5-star raids at 10 AM local time on Thursday, January 16, and will be part of the raid cycle until 10 AM local time on Friday, January 24, 2025. Both remote and in-person participation is allowed in this period.

Check out this Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raid guide to learn about the creature's weaknesses and best counters.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raid weaknesses

Defense Deoxys' type matchups (Image via Sportskeeda)

What is super-effective against Defense Deoxys in Pokemon GO?

Defense Forme Deoxys is a mono-Psychic-type Pocket Monster and is vulnerable to Ghost-, Dark-, and Bug-type damage. Its elemental typing helps it resist Psychic- and Fighting-type moves

To learn more about type matchups, check out our Pokemon Type Calculator.

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Defense Deoxys' stat distribution and moveset in Pokemon GO

As a 5-star raid boss in Pokemon GO, Defense Deoxys has the following stats:

• Combat Power: 47,836
• Attack: 144
• Defense: 330
• Stamina: 15,000 HP
• Fast Attacks: Counter and Zen Headbutt
• Charged Attacks: Thunderbolt, Psycho Boost, and Rock Slide

You can challenge Defense Forme Deoxys raids alongside 19 other trainers. The battle lasts for 300 seconds, and you must deplete the raid boss' HP bar before the timer runs out to emerge victorious.

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Best counters to Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raids

Defense Deoxys in the anime (Image via TPC)

The best Pocket Monsters to counter 5-star Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raids are Dawn Wings Necrozma, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Scizor with their STAB movesets.

Best Ghost-type counters to Defense Deoxys

• Mega Gengar With Lick and Shadow Ball
• Dawn Wings Necrozma with Shadow Claw and Moongeist Beam
• Mega Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball

Best Dark-type counters to Defense Deoxys

• Mega or Shadow or regular Tyranitar with Bite and Brutal Swing
• Mega Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
• Hydreigon with Bite and Brutal Swing

Best Bug-type counters to Defense Deoxys

• Mega Heracross with Struggle Bug and Megahorn
• Mega or Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Mega or Shadow Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Volcarona with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz

To find the best counters of each of these types in your collection, use the following search strings:

• Dark&@Dark&cp2000-
• Ghost&@Ghost&cp2000-
• Bug&@Bug&cp2000-

Is it possible to solo defeat Defense Deoxys in Pokemon GO?

It is impossible to take down Defense Forme Deoxys in 5-star raids as a solo raider. It is too bulky even for powerful 'mons like Dawn Wings Necrozma to defeat on its own.

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Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raid catch CP and shiny availability

Deoxys Defense Forme shiny comparison (Image via TPC)

When you encounter Defense Deoxys after the raid, its CP will lie in one of the following ranges:

• No weather boost: 1,228 - 1,299 CP at level 20 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)
• Weather boosted (Windy): 1,535 - 1,624 CP at level 25 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)

What are the 100% IV CPs from Pokemon GO Defense Deoxys raids?

Here are the 100% CPs from Defense Deoxys raids:

• No weather boost: 1,299 CP
• Weather boosted (Windy): 1,624 CP

Can Defense Deoxys be shiny in Pokemon GO raids?

It is possible to find Shiny Defense Forme Deoxys in Pokemon GO via 5-star raids. The chances of such an encounter are approximately 1-in-20 or 5%. However, in case you find one, try to land the last ball, and it will be a guaranteed catch — as long as you are not moving too fast.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters