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Can You Solo a Pheromosa? A Deep Dive into Taming the Ultra Beast

The short answer is: yes, a skilled trainer can solo a Pheromosa raid in Pokémon GO, but it’s a challenging feat that requires meticulous planning, optimized Pokémon, and favorable conditions. Pheromosa, with its astronomical Attack stat and glass-cannon Defense, presents a unique solo challenge unlike many other raid bosses. Success hinges on exploiting its double weakness to Flying-type attacks and leveraging top-tier counters.

Understanding the Pheromosa Challenge

Pheromosa, an Ultra Beast hailing from another dimension, boasts a terrifying Attack stat exceeding most raid bosses. However, its Achilles’ heel is its abysmal Defense. This combination makes it a “glass cannon” – capable of dishing out tremendous damage but equally vulnerable to powerful attacks.

Its Bug/Fighting typing bestows a double weakness to Flying-type moves. This is the key to soloing it. While also weak to Fairy, Fire, and Psychic moves, the 4x damage from Flying types dramatically shortens the battle duration, mitigating Pheromosa’s high damage output.

Key Factors for a Successful Solo

Several factors contribute to whether a solo attempt will be successful:

Pokémon Selection: The most important aspect. Your team must consist of maxed-out and best-move-set Flying-type attackers.
Move Sets: Focus on Flying-type Fast and Charged moves to maximize damage output.
Weather Boost: Windy weather will boost your Flying-type attacks, giving a significant advantage.
Friendship Bonus: While not essential, a “Best Friend” friendship level can provide a small but helpful damage bonus.
Trainer Level & Skill: High trainer level allows for higher level Pokémon. Understanding move timings and dodging (when necessary) is also beneficial.
Raid Boss Move Set: While not controllable, some of Pheromosa’s move sets are easier to handle than others.

Top-Tier Counters: Your Flying-Type Arsenal

Building the optimal team revolves around maximizing Flying-type damage. Here are some of the best choices:

Mega Pidgeot: A powerhouse with access to gust and brave bird. If you can mega evolve this pokemon it is an advantage.
Rayquaza: Legendary Dragon/Flying type with access to air slash and hurricane.
Moltres: Fire/Flying with wing attack and sky attack.
Ho-Oh: Fire/Flying with gust and brave bird.
Mega Charizard Y: Fire/Flying with gust and blast burn.
Lugia: Psychic/Flying with Extrasensory and Aeroblast.
Shadow versions of Moltres, Ho-Oh, and even Zapdos can also be extremely potent if you have them leveled up.
Yveltal: Dark/Flying type pokemon with gust and hurricane.

Strategy and Execution: A Battle of Speed

The goal is to defeat Pheromosa before it depletes your Pokémon’s health. This requires relentless attacking and strategic decisions:

Prioritize Damage: Focus on dealing as much damage as possible. Don’t waste time dodging unless absolutely necessary to avoid a one-hit KO.
Revive/Heal Strategically: Have Max Revives and Max Potions ready to heal fainted Pokémon quickly.
Take advantage of Weather: Try and time your raid for windy weather.

The Importance of Pokémon Level and IVs

While specific IVs aren’t always critical, maximizing your Pokémon’s level is essential. Aim for Level 40 or higher (Level 50 with XL Candy) for optimal performance. Good IVs will provide an extra edge, but level is the priority.

Soloing Pheromosa: A Feat of Preparation and Execution

Soloing Pheromosa is a test of skill, preparation, and luck. It requires a deep understanding of Pokémon GO mechanics, strategic team building, and precise execution. While challenging, it’s a rewarding accomplishment for dedicated trainers.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Pheromosa and its solo potential, providing even more information for aspiring solo raiders:

1. What Combat Power (CP) does Pheromosa have in raids?

Pheromosa possesses a Combat Power rating of approximately 40,000 in raids. This high CP, coupled with its high Attack stat, makes it a formidable opponent, despite its low Defense.

2. Is Pheromosa a difficult raid boss to beat?

Yes, due to its high Attack, Pheromosa can be a difficult raid boss. However, its low Defense and double weakness to Flying-type moves make it one of the more manageable Ultra Beasts to solo, provided you have the right counters.

3. How many trainers are typically needed to beat Pheromosa?

While skilled trainers can solo Pheromosa, the Pokebattler Estimator suggests that a single trainer with sufficiently strong Pokémon is enough. However, for most players, having at least 2-3 trainers is recommended for a smoother and more reliable victory.

4. Can I beat Pheromosa in a 3-star raid by myself?

Pheromosa is not a 3-star raid boss; it is classified as a Tier 5 raid boss. While 3-star raids are generally soloable with decent Pokémon, Pheromosa requires a higher level of preparation and stronger counters.

5. What are the best counters for Pheromosa in Pokémon GO?

The best counters for Pheromosa in Pokémon GO are those with strong Flying-type attacks. Top-tier counters include Mega Pidgeot, Moltres, Rayquaza, Ho-Oh, Mega Charizard Y, and Lugia. Shadow versions of these Pokémon can also be excellent choices.

6. What are Pheromosa’s weaknesses?

Pheromosa, being a Bug- and Fighting-type, is doubly weak to Flying-type moves. It is also weak to Fairy, Fire, and Psychic-type moves.

7. Is Pheromosa considered one of the easiest Tier 5 (T5) raid bosses to solo?

Yes, due to its low Defense and significant weakness to Flying-type moves, Pheromosa is often considered one of the easiest T5 raid bosses to solo. This is in comparison to other Legendaries and Ultra Beasts.

8. Why are Flying-type Pokémon so effective against Pheromosa?

Flying-type Pokémon are so effective because Pheromosa’s Bug/Fighting-type combination gives it a major weakness to Flying attacks. Flying-type attacks deal quadruple damage to it, making Flying types the optimal choice for this raid.

9. Is Buzzwole stronger than Pheromosa?

Buzzwole has higher Attack and Defense than Pheromosa. Pheromosa is more of a glass cannon with a high attack, but low defense.

10. What are Pheromosa’s movesets?

Phermosa’s moveset consists of Triple Kick, Lunge, Bug Buzz, Me First. Its ability is Beast Boost.

11. Is Pheromosa a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?

Pheromosa is an Ultra Beast, a special subset of Legendary Pokémon introduced in the Sun and Moon games. Ultra Beasts are powerful beings from other dimensions.

12. How strong is Pheromosa overall?

Pheromosa has extremely high Attack and Speed stats, making it a potent offensive threat. However, its very low Defense and HP leave it vulnerable to being knocked out quickly.

13. Are Ultra Beasts considered evil?

While not inherently evil, most Ultra Beasts are wild and unpredictable, more so than many other Pokémon. Their alien nature and unknown motives make them potentially dangerous.

14. What are the most important things to consider when trying to solo Pheromosa?

The most important considerations are: having high-level, Flying-type Pokémon with optimal move sets; taking advantage of weather boosts (windy weather); and maximizing your trainer level.

15. What are the best movesets for Pheremosa?

Pheremosa has access to the fast moves Bug Bite (Bug) and Low Kick (Fighting). Then, it can use the charged attacks Bug Buzz (Bug), Focus Blast (Fighting), Lunge (Bug), and Close Combat (Fighting).

Can you solo a pheromosa?