Is Togekiss Still a Top-Tier Contender in Pokémon GO? A Deep Dive
Togekiss, the Fairy/Flying-type Pokémon, remains a relevant and strategically valuable choice in Pokémon GO, particularly in the Master League and certain raid scenarios. While it might not be the absolute undisputed champion it once was, Togekiss’s access to powerful moves, decent bulk, and crucial Fairy-type coverage against Dragon-types make it a worthwhile investment for serious players. However, its performance is heavily reliant on having the correct moveset, sufficient XL Candy for powering up, and awareness of its significant weaknesses to Steel, Poison, Electric, Ice, and Rock-type attacks. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness in battles.
Togekiss in Pokémon GO: Strengths and Weaknesses
Core Strengths
- Fairy-Type Offense: Togekiss provides valuable Fairy-type damage, crucial for countering the prevalent Dragon-types in the Master League and various raid bosses.
- Bulk and Stamina: With a decent Stamina stat, Togekiss can withstand a reasonable amount of damage, allowing it to stay in the fight longer than some other Fairy-type alternatives.
- Accessibility (Relatively): While requiring significant resources to maximize, Togekiss is more readily accessible than Mythical or Legendary Fairy-types. Evolving Togepi into Togetic and then using a Sinnoh Stone to get Togekiss means it requires more resources than regular evolutions.
- Coverage Moves: Togekiss boasts a diverse movepool that allows it to cover some of its weaknesses, providing some surprise elements in battle.
Key Weaknesses
- Vulnerability to Steel, Poison, Electric, Ice, and Rock: These weaknesses are significant and commonly exploited in competitive play. Steel-types, in particular, are abundant and pose a major threat.
- Slow Energy Generation with Charm: While Charm deals massive damage, its energy generation is very slow, forcing reliance on fast attacks or taking the risk of going down before being able to use the charge attacks.
- Dependence on XL Candy: To reach its full potential in the Master League, Togekiss requires significant investment in XL Candy, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive to acquire.
- Power Creep: Newer Fairy-types, such as Sylveon, and Fairy-type megas, like Mega Gardevoir, offer competitive alternatives, shifting the meta landscape.
Movesets and Battle Strategies
Recommended Movesets
- Fast Move: Charm (Fairy) is generally the preferred fast move due to its high damage output. Air Slash (Flying) is an option but its damage output is significantly lower than charm.
- Charge Moves: Dazzling Gleam (Fairy) is a solid choice for consistent Fairy-type damage. Aura Sphere (Fighting) provides valuable coverage against Steel-types, addressing a major weakness. Flamethrower (Fire) is another coverage option, particularly useful against Steel and Ice.
Battle Strategies
- Master League Dominance: Togekiss truly shines in the Master League, where Dragon-types are commonplace. Its Fairy-type attacks can quickly dismantle them.
- Baiting Shields: With Dazzling Gleam’s relatively low energy cost, you can potentially bait out opponent’s shields.
- Exploiting Opponent Weaknesses: Use Aura Sphere or Flamethrower strategically to exploit coverage weaknesses in your opponent’s team.
- Team Composition: Build your team around Togekiss, ensuring you have counters to Steel, Poison, Electric, Ice, and Rock-type threats.
Alternatives to Togekiss
While Togekiss is a good pick, it’s essential to consider other Fairy-type options. Sylveon offers a competitive alternative with slightly different strengths and weaknesses, and Gardevoir, especially in its Mega evolution, can provide immense offensive pressure. Comparing these options within the context of your existing team and available resources is crucial. A solid grasp of the game is necessary to climb the ranks and resources like those discussed by the Games Learning Society can help people learn those skills.
Togekiss in Raids and Gyms
Togekiss can be situationally useful in raids and gyms, primarily against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type opponents. However, it is not generally considered a top-tier raid attacker due to its reliance on Charm’s slow energy generation. Other Fairy-types might offer superior damage output or bulk.
Conclusion
Togekiss remains a valuable asset in Pokémon GO, particularly in the Master League and against specific raid bosses. While it faces stiff competition from newer Pokémon and has clear weaknesses that must be accounted for, its Fairy-type coverage, decent bulk, and strategic movesets make it a worthwhile investment for serious trainers. Understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal usage is essential for maximizing its effectiveness in battles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Togekiss in Pokémon GO
1. Is Togekiss good in PvP?
Yes, Togekiss is good in PvP, particularly in the Master League. Its Fairy-type damage output, primarily from Charm, is highly effective against Dragon-types. However, its weaknesses and slow energy generation need to be carefully managed.
2. What is the best moveset for Togekiss in PvP?
The best PvP moveset for Togekiss is typically Charm (Fast Move) + Dazzling Gleam (Charge Move) + Aura Sphere (Charge Move). Charm provides high damage, Dazzling Gleam offers reliable Fairy-type damage, and Aura Sphere provides coverage against Steel-types.
3. Why is Togekiss good in Master League?
Togekiss excels in the Master League because Dragon-types are prevalent. Togekiss’s Fairy-type attacks are super effective against Dragon-types, giving it a significant advantage.
4. Is Togekiss better than Sylveon in Pokémon GO?
Whether Togekiss is “better” than Sylveon depends on the specific situation and team composition. Sylveon has a higher Attack stat and a different moveset, making it a viable alternative. Consider your team’s needs and available resources when deciding which Fairy-type to invest in.
5. What are Togekiss’s weaknesses?
Togekiss is weak to Steel, Poison, Electric, Ice, and Rock-type attacks. These weaknesses should be considered when building a team around Togekiss.
6. How do I get Togekiss in Pokémon GO?
To get Togekiss, you need to evolve Togepi into Togetic using 25 Togepi Candy, then evolve Togetic into Togekiss using a Sinnoh Stone and 100 Togepi Candy.
7. How important is XL Candy for Togekiss?
XL Candy is crucial for maximizing Togekiss’s potential in the Master League. Without XL Candy, Togekiss will likely be outmatched by other Pokémon that have been powered up to level 50.
8. Can Togekiss be used in raids?
Yes, Togekiss can be used in raids, particularly against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type raid bosses. However, it’s not generally considered a top-tier raid attacker.
9. What are the best counters to Togekiss in Pokémon GO?
The best counters to Togekiss include Steel-types like Metagross, Dialga, and Melmetal, as well as Pokémon with strong Electric, Poison, Ice, and Rock-type attacks.
10. Is Togekiss a good gym defender?
Togekiss can be a decent gym defender, but its weaknesses make it vulnerable to common attackers. Other Pokémon may offer better defensive capabilities.
11. Is Shiny Togekiss available in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Shiny Togekiss is available in Pokémon GO. You can encounter a Shiny Togepi, Togetic, or Togekiss in the wild or through eggs and research tasks.
12. What is Togekiss’s max CP in Pokémon GO?
Togekiss has a max CP of 3767 in Pokémon GO.
13. Is Togekiss hard to get in Pokémon GO?
Togekiss can be somewhat challenging to obtain due to the need for a Sinnoh Stone and a significant amount of Candy. Togepi is also relatively rare to hatch from eggs, but you can easily find it during community days.
14. What is Togekiss’s role in a team composition?
Togekiss typically serves as a Fairy-type attacker, primarily to counter Dragon-types. It can also provide coverage with its other charge moves. A well-rounded team composition will cover Togekiss’s weaknesses and maximize its strengths.
15. Where can I learn more about Pokemon Go and game strategy?
To learn more about Pokemon Go, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for resources and discussions about gaming strategies and the educational aspects of gaming.