Max Battle Guide for Dynamax Articuno in Pokémon GO (Max Mondays)

The upcoming Legendary Flight event in Pokémon GO features the debut of Dynamax Articuno as its inaugural 5-star Dynamax raid boss. While this formidable opponent may not quite reach the difficulty level of past 6-star Gigantamax raid bosses like Gigantamax Lapras, this icy avian can easily defeat any unwary Trainer who ventures in without a well-prepared team. To ensure you maximize your gains from these raids and avoid wasting valuable Max Particles, strategizing your Pokémon lineup ahead of time is crucial.

Dynamax Articuno will be accessible for battle in two distinct phases. Firstly, during its launch on Max Monday, it will serve as the exclusive boss at all Power Spots for a one-hour window. Subsequently, it will remain available at various Power Spots throughout the week but will be competing for attention with other Pokémon included in this month’s Max Monday schedule.

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Dynamax Articuno Weaknesses & Resistances In Pokémon GO

Weak To Rock, Steel & More

Custom image by Ben Williams

Dynamax Articuno retains its dual typing as an Ice- and Flying-type Pokémon, resulting in four notable vulnerabilities: Rock-, Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-type attacks. The damage effectiveness can differ slightly between games, but the general mechanic stays consistent with that of the franchise. For instance, Rock-type moves inflict a remarkable 256% damage versus Articuno, while Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types deal 160%.

This variety in attack types gives Trainers flexibility in choosing their counters. Utilizing the STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) mechanic is highly recommended, as it provides an additional 20% damage boost for moves that match the attacking Pokémon’s type. As for resistances, Dynamax Articuno shows discomfort against Bug- and Grass-type attacks, where it only sustains 63% damage, and Ground-type moves, causing merely 39% damage.

Dynamax Articuno Best Counters In Pokémon GO

Get Charizard & Machamp Ready

The most effective counters against Dynamax Articuno in Max Battles are those proficient in using Rock-, Steel-, Fire-, or Electric-type attacks. Key Pokémon include Machamp, Metagross, and Charizard. It’s essential to note that only Dynamax- or Gigantamax-capable Pokémon can participate in these raids, narrowing your selection. However, you still have several viable options, detailed in the following table:

Dynamax Articuno Counter	Type	Fast Attack	Charge Attack
Charizard	Fire Flying	Fire Spin	Blast Burn
Machamp	Fighting	Bullet Punch	Stone Edge
Metagross	Steel Psychic	Bullet Punch	Meteor Mash
Excadrill	Steel Ground	Metal Claw	Rock Slide
Cinderace	Fire	Fire Spin	Flamethrower
Dubwool	Normal	Take Down	Wild Charge
Toxtricity	Electric Poison	Spark	Wild Charge
Charmeleon	Fire	Fire Fang	Flamethrower
Leave.	Fire	Fire Spin	Flamethrower
Blastoise	Water	Water Gun	Flash Cannon
Metang	Steel Psychic	Metal Claw	Gyro Ball

Currently, there are no Rock-type Pokémon capable of Dynamaxing or Gigantamaxing in Pokémon GO. However, several Pokémon have Rock-type moves in their arsenal. While they won’t benefit from the 20% STAB boost, the significant damage multiplier of 2.56x will yield better results than alternatives, such as using an Excadrill with a super-effective Rock Slide against a typically less effective Steel-type move. If you caught a Dynamax Machop in early January, now is the perfect moment to evolve it into Machamp.

For successful encounters with Dynamax Articuno, it is advisable to assemble a minimum party of three Trainers, although forming a group of four is ideal to ensure success.

Date & Time Of Articuno’s Max Battles

A Whole Week In January

Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres in Pokemon GO promotional art for the Legendary Flight event

Dynamax Articuno will kick off its availability in Pokémon GO on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time across all regions. During this inaugural hour, Articuno will take center stage as the Max Battle boss at every Power Spot. After this premiere, Trainers can continue battling Dynamax Articuno throughout Max Battle Week, which lasts until January 27.

Throughout the week, Dynamax Articuno will share Power Spots with other raid bosses, including Charmander, Beldum, and Scorbunny, requiring a bit of exploration and persistence to encounter one. Fortunately, the week-long event affords ample opportunity to find a suitable location. Keep in mind Articuno’s vulnerabilities to Rock-, Electric-, Fire-, and Steel-type moves in Pokémon GO, and you’ll be well on your path to victory in this exciting Legendary Flight event.

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