Hello students! My name is Professor Geekbeak, and today, I wish to draw attention to Moltres. Now, there are definitely stronger fire types than Moltres. But, Moltres is one of the highest non-shadow, non-mega Fire types, if not the highest. So, there is a lot of value in accessibility in Moltres. Grab your notebooks, class is in session. For those who wish to do their research independently, our raw data can be found here. And for those who wish for a simple visual guide, go ahead and take a look at the below visual guide by CaptGoldfish.

Course Schedule

This raid will be taking place from July 1st to July 5th. It will be preceded by Mega Pidgeot, Celesteela, and Kartana, and coincide with Mega Lucario, Articuno, and Zapdos.

I’m surprised I get to say this multiple times in the same raid set, but birds really do not like it when rocks are thrown at them. Especially if they happen to be named Moltres.

Effectiveness	Types
Double Resist (0.4x)	Bug Grass
Resist (0.6x)	Fighting Ground Steel Fire Fairy
Neutral	Normal Flying Poison Ghost Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Super Effective (1.6x)	Water Electric
Double Super Effective (2.6x)	Rock

Moltres’s moveset includes the following charge moves:

• Heat Wave
• Ancient Power
• Fire Blast
• Overheat
• Return
• Fly
• Sky Attack

The Dean’s List consists of the top 5 counters to Moltres. As always, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and the Third Ranked will have their best moveset alternatives in a table with their rankings and a table detailing their defensive prowess against the charge moves listed above.

Mega Diancie A

Best Moveset: Rock Throw / Rock Slide

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Rock Throw	Rock Slide	100%
Rock Throw	Power Gem	97%
Tackle	Rock Slide	70%
Tackle	Power Gem	68%
Rock Throw	Moonblast	66%
Tackle	Moonblast	26%

Shadow Rhyperior A

Best Moveset: Smack Down / Rock Wrecker

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★☆☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Smack Down	Rock Wrecker	100%
Smack Down	Stone Edge	88%
Mud-Slap	Rock Wrecker	76%
Smack Down	Surf	74%
Smack Down	Breaking Swipe	68%
Smack Down	Skull Bash	66%

Shadow Rampardos A

Best Moveset: Smack Down / Rock Slide

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Smack Down	Rock Slide	100%
Zen Headbutt	Rock Slide	73%
Smack Down	Flamethrower	61%
Smack Down	Outrage	58%
Smack Down	Frustration	45%
Zen Headbutt	Outrage	32%

Defensive Grades for Top 3

Boss Move
Overheat	🛡	🛡	🛡
Fire Blast	🛡	🛡	🛡
Fly	🛡	🛡	🛡
Ancient Power	—	🛡	—
Heat Wave	🛡	🛡	🛡

Shadow Tyrantrum A

Best Moveset: Rock Throw / Meteor Beam

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Mega Tyranitar A

Best Moveset: Smack Down / Stone Edge

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Also Noteworthy: A: Shadow Gigalith

We here at Pokebattler Pokémon Research Institute can’t expect you to have the best counters every time. So, here are some of our other best options, most of which will be easier to find than the members of the Dean’s List.

Mega Aerodactyl A

Best Moveset: Rock Throw / Rock Slide

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Tyranitar A

Best Moveset: Smack Down / Stone Edge

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Rampardos A

Best Moveset: Smack Down / Rock Slide

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Rhyperior A

Best Moveset: Smack Down / Rock Wrecker

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Glimmora A

Best Moveset: Rock Throw / Meteor Beam

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Of course, besides our 10 best counters, there are plenty of Pokémon that also work against Moltres. Here are a few star choices, worthy of praise.

A	TyrantrumShadow AggronTerrakionShadow AerodactylShadow AurorusShadow OmastarGigalithTyranitarShadow GolemShadow Alola GolemShadow RegigigasPrimal KyogreShadow LandorusStonjournerMega RayquazaShadow ArcheopsShadow SudowoodoMega BlastoiseMega Aggron

Sometimes, the weather can be your most powerful ally. In certain weather conditions, certain Pokémon on our list excel. The most transformative cases are noted below.

Partly Cloudy

Shadow Gigalith (1.0)Mega Aerodactyl (1.0)Shadow Tyranitar (1.0)

Overall, Moltres is just as simple as its Icy bird companion. Rocks hurt, I think as a bird, I have some experience in this field. Of course, if you wish to do more research on your box’s best Pokémon for the job, Pokebattler.com itself can be a great help! Remember, the best counter is the one you have powered up and ready to go. I grant extra credit to those who use their best friend bonus and the weather to their advantage. Class dismissed!