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

Rapidash has been in Pokemon GO since the game's July 2016 launch and is the lone evolution of Ponyta. How does it stack up in PvE and PvP? Is it any good, and what are Rapidash's best movesets for both battle formats? All things considered, while Rapidash is dwarfed by better Fire-type Pokemon in PvE, it can perform in a decent capacity in certain portions of the GO Battle League.

Whatever the case, it doesn't hurt to take a look at Rapidash's best movesets and counters in Pokemon GO as well as examining why exactly it's solid in PvP but doesn't measure up in PvE.

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Pokemon GO Rapidash: Best movesets

Red and his Rapidash in Pokemon Origins (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Depending on whether players are using Rapidash in PvP or PvE, its best potential moveset will look a bit different. However, both of the top movesets for Rapidash can be found below, divided by the battle format:

Rapidash best PvE moveset

• Fast Attack: Fire Spin
• Charged Attack: Fire Blast

Rapidash best PvP moveset

• Fast Attack: Incinerate
• Charged Attacks: Drill Run and Flame Charge

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Is Rapidash good in Pokemon GO PvP and PvE?

Rapidash in PvE

Unfortunately, with relatively lackluster base stats and the fact that it can't learn the Charged Move Overheat, there isn't much that Rapidash can do that other Fire-type Pokemon can't do much better. Rapidash can serve in a middling capacity in PvE regarding attacking and defending gyms in some situations, but it doesn't have the firepower or durability to take on the raid arena in a meta capacity.

Rapidash in PvP

Compared to PvE, Rapidash can perform much better in PvP, specifically the Great and Ultra Leagues. Even though it doesn't have great durability, access to Drill Run gives Rapidash improved type coverage over some contemporary Fire-types. However, using it requires avoidance of the usual Water-type opponents as well as Rock and Ground-types, as they can quickly sink Rapidash's prospects.

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Pokemon GO Rapidash: All moves and stats

Rapidash and Professor Oak in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Fast Attacks

• Low Kick
• Ember
• Fire Spin
• Incinerate

Charged Attacks

• Heat Wave
• Drill Run
• Fire Blast
• Flame Charge
• Scorching Sands

Base Stats

• Attack: 207
• Defense: 162
• Stamina: 163
• Maximum CP: 2,782

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Pokemon GO Rapidash: Strengths and weaknesses

As a Fire-type Pokemon, Rapidash will take super effective damage (160% damage) from the following attack types:

• Ground
• Rock
• Water

Meanwhile, Rapidash will take reduced damage (62.5% damage specifically) from six different attack elements:

• Bug
• Fairy
• Fire
• Grass
• Ice
• Steel

If Rapidash uses its Fire-type attacks that trigger its Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB), then it can deal super effective damage to the following opponent types:

• Bug
• Steel
• Grass
• Ice

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Best counters to Pokemon GO Rapidash

Best Great League counters: Carbink, Kingdra, Alomomola, Gastrodon, Tirtouga, Carracosta, Regirock, Omastar, Azumarill, Feraligatr, Gyarados.

Best Ultra League counters: Kingdra, Carracosta, Kabutops, Omastar, Tyrantrum, Gyarados, Feraligatr, Aerodactyl, Gastrodon, Hisuian Samurott, Politoed, Kyogre, Milotic.

Best Master League counters: Origin Palkia, Rhyperior, Gyarados, Tyranitar, Swampert, Primarina, Carracosta, Kyogre, Garchomp, Samurott, Milotic, Kindra, Tyrantrum, Terrakion.

Best PvE counters

• Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse
• Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
• Garchomp with Mud Shot and Earth Power
• Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon
• Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
• Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker
• Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Therian Landorus with Mud Shot and Sandsear Storm
• Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
• Gyarados with Waterfall and Hydro Pump

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