How to Annihilate Guzzlord: A Comprehensive Guide to Defeating the Dark/Dragon Ultra Beast
Guzzlord, the Dark/Dragon-type Ultra Beast, might look intimidating with its monstrous maw and gluttonous appetite, but don’t let its appearance fool you. This behemoth has glaring weaknesses that seasoned trainers can exploit. The key to defeating Guzzlord lies in understanding its type matchups and assembling a team of powerful counters, focusing specifically on Fairy-type attacks due to its double weakness. By leveraging these advantages, you can bring down this seemingly insurmountable foe, even solo in the right conditions. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to conquer Guzzlord raids and add this unique Pokémon to your collection.
Understanding Guzzlord’s Weaknesses and Strengths
Before diving into specific strategies, let’s break down what makes Guzzlord tick. Its Dark/Dragon typing gives it a unique set of vulnerabilities and resistances:
- Weaknesses: Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Fighting, and Ice-type attacks.
- Double Weakness: Fairy-type attacks deal quadruple damage.
- Resistances: Electric, Fire, Ghost, Grass, Psychic, and Water-type attacks.
- Immunity: Psychic-type attacks are completely ineffective.
The key takeaway here is the quadruple weakness to Fairy-type attacks. This is your primary weapon against Guzzlord.
Building Your Guzzlord-Slaying Team
Your team composition is crucial. Prioritize Pokémon with high attack stats and Fairy-type movesets. Here are some top contenders:
- Gardevoir: A premier Fairy-type attacker with access to moves like Charm and Dazzling Gleam.
- Togekiss: Another excellent Fairy-type option with Charm and Dazzling Gleam.
- Granbull: A powerful Fairy-type with Charm and Play Rough.
- Sylveon: A strong choice with access to Fairy Wind and Moonblast.
- Primarina: A Water/Fairy-type, providing some coverage against potential Fire-type moves in other raids.
- Mega Gardevoir/Mega Altaria: If you have the resources, Mega Evolving Gardevoir or Altaria significantly boosts their Fairy-type damage output and provides a buff to all other trainers using Fairy-type attackers.
Shadow Pokémon, such as Shadow Gardevoir, can further amplify your damage output. However, these are not strictly necessary, especially if you have a well-coordinated team.
Mastering the Raid Mechanics
Understanding the raid mechanics is essential for maximizing your effectiveness.
- Dodging: While Guzzlord’s Attack stat isn’t the highest, dodging charged attacks is still advisable to preserve your Pokémon and maximize damage output.
- Charged Moves: Unleash your charged moves strategically. Aim to use them when Guzzlord is vulnerable to maximize their impact.
- Teamwork: If you’re raiding with a group, coordinate your attacks to ensure consistent Fairy-type damage.
- Weather Boost: Cloudy weather boosts Fairy-type attacks, providing a significant advantage.
- Friendship Bonus: Higher friendship levels with your fellow raiders provide attack bonuses.
Soloing Guzzlord: Is It Possible?
Yes, soloing Guzzlord is possible, but it requires a specific set of circumstances:
- High-Level Pokémon: You’ll need a team of maxed-out (level 40+) Pokémon with perfect or near-perfect IVs.
- Optimal Movesets: Your Pokémon must have the best possible Fairy-type movesets.
- Weather Boost: Cloudy weather is highly recommended.
- Dodge Expert: You’ll need to be proficient at dodging Guzzlord’s charged attacks.
- Guzzlord Moveset: Ideally, Guzzlord should not have Sludge Bomb, as it’s a Poison-type move that can quickly decimate Fairy-type Pokémon.
Soloing Guzzlord is a challenging feat, but with the right preparation and execution, it is achievable.
Guzzlord’s Movesets: What to Watch Out For
Knowing Guzzlord’s movesets is crucial for anticipating its attacks and dodging effectively. Guzzlord can have the following moves:
Fast Moves:
- Bite (Dark)
- Dragon Tail (Dragon)
Charged Moves:
- Dragon Claw (Dragon)
- Dark Pulse (Dark)
- Sludge Bomb (Poison)
- Crunch (Dark)
Sludge Bomb is the most dangerous move for Fairy-type Pokémon, as it deals super effective damage. If Guzzlord has Sludge Bomb, prioritize dodging to avoid getting your team wiped out quickly.
Is Guzzlord Worth the Effort?
While Guzzlord might not be the absolute top-tier attacker in Pokémon GO, it’s still a valuable addition to your collection.
- Unique Typing: Its Dark/Dragon typing provides coverage against certain Pokémon.
- High Stamina: Guzzlord boasts an incredibly high Stamina stat, making it a bulky attacker.
- Collection Value: As an Ultra Beast, Guzzlord is a rare and sought-after Pokémon.
Furthermore, the knowledge gained from mastering the Guzzlord raid can be applied to other challenging battles in Pokémon GO. Consider researching further through resources like the Games Learning Society to deepen your understanding of game mechanics and strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What types of Pokémon are best to use against Guzzlord?
Fairy-type Pokémon are the most effective due to Guzzlord’s quadruple weakness. However, Bug, Dragon, Fighting, and Ice-type Pokémon can also be used as secondary options.
2. Is Guzzlord a legendary or mythical Pokémon?
Guzzlord is an Ultra Beast, a distinct category of Pokémon from another dimension. It is neither legendary nor mythical.
3. How many people are needed to defeat Guzzlord in a raid?
With optimal counters and weather conditions, 2-4 trainers might be enough. In normal conditions, 4-5 trainers are recommended. Soloing is possible for highly skilled trainers with maxed-out teams.
4. What level should my Pokémon be to battle Guzzlord?
Ideally, your Pokémon should be as close to level 40 as possible. A level of 30 or higher is recommended for a decent chance of success with a team of multiple trainers.
5. What are the best movesets for Fairy-type Pokémon against Guzzlord?
For Gardevoir and Togekiss: Charm (Fast Move) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged Move). For Granbull: Charm (Fast Move) and Play Rough (Charged Move). For Sylveon: Charm (Fast Move) and Moonblast (Charged Move).
6. Does weather affect the Guzzlord raid?
Yes! Cloudy weather boosts Fairy-type attacks, significantly increasing your damage output. Windy weather boosts Dragon-type attacks, which Guzzlord might use.
7. Can Guzzlord be shiny?
Yes, Shiny Guzzlord is available in Pokémon GO. It has a different color palette, making it a highly desirable catch.
8. What is Guzzlord’s CP in a raid?
Guzzlord’s CP in a raid is approximately 48,579.
9. What CP will Guzzlord be when caught?
Guzzlord’s CP when caught typically ranges from 1448 to 1537. With a weather boost (Cloudy), it can range from 1810 to 1922.
10. Is Mega Evolution helpful in the Guzzlord raid?
Absolutely! Mega Evolving Gardevoir or Altaria provides a substantial boost to Fairy-type damage, benefiting both your Pokémon and other Fairy-type attackers in the raid.
11. What if I don’t have Fairy-type Pokémon?
If you lack strong Fairy-types, consider using Bug, Dragon, Fighting, or Ice-type Pokémon with high attack stats. However, Fairy-types are significantly more effective.
12. What is Guzzlord’s weakness in the core series games?
Like in Pokémon GO, Guzzlord’s weaknesses are the same in the core series games: Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Fighting, and Ice.
13. Where does Guzzlord come from?
Guzzlord is an Ultra Beast from another dimension, accessible through Ultra Wormholes.
14. Is Guzzlord the worst Ultra Beast?
Some consider Guzzlord to be one of the less powerful Ultra Beasts due to its poor defensive stats. However, its high Stamina and unique typing still make it a valuable addition to your collection.
15. How does Guzzlord’s ability, Beast Boost, work?
Guzzlord’s Beast Boost ability raises its highest stat by one stage each time it defeats a Pokémon in battle. In Pokémon GO, this effect is not directly implemented.
By mastering these strategies and understanding Guzzlord’s weaknesses, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer this formidable Ultra Beast and add it to your Pokédex. Happy raiding! Don’t forget to check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more gaming insights.