Hello students! My name is Professor Geekbeak, and today, I wish to draw attention to Shadow Palkia. There is a classic debate if Palkia is stronger in its origin form or base form. The answer is pretty obvious, Origin form has better stats and better moves. However… Shadow Palkia beats out Origin Form, just barely. 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 shall take place from July 1st to August 4th. It will be preceded by Shadow Dialga

The two newer types beat Palkia down, however, note that Dragon Types are paradoxically weak to themselves, so Draco Meteor will hit like… well, a meteor.

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

Shadow Palkia’s moveset includes the following charge moves:

• Aqua Tail
• Fire Blast
• Hydro Pump
• Draco Meteor
• Frustration

The Dean’s List consists of the top 5 counters to Shadow Palkia. 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 Rayquaza A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

3

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Dragon Tail	Breaking Swipe	100%
Dragon Tail	Outrage	83%
Dragon Tail	Dragon Ascent	79%
Air Slash	Breaking Swipe	77%
Dragon Tail	Hurricane	72%
Air Slash	Outrage	65%

Eternatus A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Dynamax Cannon

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

3

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Dragon Tail	Dynamax Cannon	100%
Poison Jab	Dynamax Cannon	83%
Dragon Tail	Dragon Pulse	65%
Dragon Tail	Sludge Bomb	59%
Poison Jab	Dragon Pulse	56%
Poison Jab	Sludge Bomb	47%

Mega Garchomp A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

3

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Dragon Tail	Breaking Swipe	100%
Dragon Tail	Outrage	83%
Mud Shot	Breaking Swipe	81%
Dragon Tail	Return	72%
Dragon Tail	Earthquake	72%
Mud Shot	Outrage	70%

Defensive Grades for Top 3

Boss Move
Draco Meteor	⚔	⚔	⚔
Hydro Pump	🛡	🛡	—
Fire Blast	🛡	🛡	🛡
Aqua Tail	🛡	🛡	—

Shadow Garchomp A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

3

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Rayquaza A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

4

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Also Noteworthy: A: Dialga – Origin

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 Latios A

Best Moveset: Dragon Breath / Dragon Claw

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

4

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Haxorus A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

4

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Palkia A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Draco Meteor

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★☆☆

4

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Dragonite A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Dragon Claw

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

4

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Salamence A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Draco Meteor

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

4

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

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

A	Mega GardevoirBlack KyuremShadow DialgaPalkia - OriginMega SceptileDragapultMega Mewtwo YGarchompMega DragoniteMega SalamenceRegidragoShadow RegigigasShadow LatiosMega Mewtwo XShadow ReshiramDialgaWhite KyuremRegigigasPalkia

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.

Cloudy

Mega Gardevoir (2.8)

Windy

Shadow Palkia (2.7)Shadow Dragonite (2.7)Shadow Salamence (2.8)

Overall, Shadow Palkia will take some doing to beat. Since Dragon types have some kind of self-hatred going on, that Draco Meteor is so dangerous. That, and the high stats Shadow Palkia has, will lead to a really scary encounter. 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!