Pokemon GO Moltres: Best moveset, counters, and is it any good?

Knowing Pokemon GO Moltres' best moveset, counters, and competitive viability is useful for players wishing to use the creature in battles. Moltres made its debut in the game on July 31, and since then, it has received some updates to its movepool. Since its release, its shiny variant as well as Shadow form has been added to the title.

You can capture Moltres from 5-star raids and GO Battle League rewards (GBL rank 20 onwards). In certain events, it can also be found via Research tasks.

This article covers everything you need to know about Moltres' best moveset in Pokemon GO. It also highlights counters to the critter in different scenarios.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the author's opinions.

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Pokemon GO Moltres best moveset

Moltres in the anime (Image via TPC)

Moltres' best moveset in Pokemon GO is based on the format you are using it in. Here is a detailed breakdown:

Pokemon GO Moltres best PvP moveset

• Fast Attack: Wing Attack
• Charged Attacks: Sky Attack (exclusive) and Overheat

Pokemon GO Moltres best PvE moveset

Fire-type attacker

• Fast Attack: Fire Spin
• Charged Attacks: Overheat

Flying-type attacker

• Fast Attack: Wing Attack
• Charged Attacks: Sky Attack (Exclusive)

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Is Moltres good in Pokemon GO PvP?

Moltres in Pokemon GO PvP

Moltres has good offensive and defensive typing. However, it suffers from poor defenses, which makes its double weakness to Rock particularly painful to deal with. To make matters worse, Moltres' Charged Attack options are not energy-efficient. When all these factors are put together, it turns the Fire-type Legendary Bird into an underwhelming PvP pick.

Moltres in Pokemon GO PvE

Regular Moltres is the rank 26 Fire-type attacker and rank 20 Flying-type attacker. While its Shadow form outshines it in all respects, as long as you are raiding with partners, Moltres can hold its ground.

Being a Legendary Pokemon, Moltres is not allowed to defend Gyms. That said, it can be an excellent Pokemon GO Gym attacker.

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Pokemon GO Moltres: All moves and stats

Shiny Moltres (Image via TPC)

Fast Attacks

• Fire Spin
• Wing Attack

Charged Attacks

• Ancient Power
• Fire Blast
• Heat Wave
• Overheat
• Sky Attack (Exclusive move; might require an Elite Charged TM)

Base Stats

• Attack: 251
• Defense: 181
• Stamina: 207
• Max CP: 3,917

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Pokemon GO Moltres strengths and weaknesses

Moltres in Pokemon GO resists the following types:

• Bug (39.1%)
• Grass (39.1%)
• Fighting (62.5%)
• Fire (62.5%)
• Ground (62.5%)
• Steel (62.5%)
• Fairy (62.5%)

Steelix has the following weaknesses:

• Rock (160.0%)
• Electric (160.0%)
• Water (160.0%)

The types that Steelix can hit with STAB super-effective damage are:

• Bug
• Steel
• Grass
• Ice
• Fighting

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Pokemon GO Moltres counters

Great League counters: Shadow Whiscash, Skarmory, Azumarill, Lickitung, Vigoroth

Ultra League counters: Cobalion, Talonflame, Giratina Altered Forme, Swampert, Steelix

Master League counters: Dragonite, Kyogre, Therian Forme Landorus, Giratina Origin Forme, Dialga

PvE counters:

• Mega Diancie with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
• Shadow Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker
• Shadow or Mega Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Primal or Shadow Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse
• Mega Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
• Greninja with Water Shuriken and Hydro Cannon
• Shadow or regular Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
• Xurkitree with Thunder Shock and Discharge
• Zekrom with Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt

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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