Pokebattler’s Comprehensive Suicune Raid Guide!

Event Info

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Welcome to Week 1 of the 2019 Global Challenge Rewards!

 All 3 of the Beasts (Suicune, Entei, and Raikou) will be featured from September 2, 2019, at 1 p.m. to September 9, 2019, at 1 p.m. PDT.

There is no reason to believe they will have increased shiny rates at this time. All 3 of them have already had there shiny forms revealed previously. If they are not given a boost, the shiny rate will be roughly 1/20 chance. If a shiny Legendary Pokemon  is encountered in a raid, it has a 100% catch chance (and thus you can use pinap berries for more candy). Note: rarely glitches occur making it possible to not catch the pokemon even under these circumstances.

This week will be themed on the region of Johto, and will also include:

– 2x Incubator Effectiveness.

– The release of Shiny Sentret and Gligar.

– Unown forms U, L, T, R, A hatching from 10k eggs.

– Other Johto pokemon in Raids.

 

Suicune in the Meta

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Raid Attacker – Extrasensory/Hydro Pump

Sadly, Suicune has extremely defensive stats that don’t lend themselves to raiding. It also lacks a STAB fast move (excluding the legacy hidden power water), so it is extremely low on the Water-Type rankings. Suicune is not a good Water-Type attacker.

Gym Combat

Suicune’s Legendary status means its defensive stats also can’t go in gyms, and its role as an attacker is limited as well. Steelix and Hippowdon are functionally the only good gym defenders that are weak to it, and there are far more important Pokemon to counter, and better Pokemon to do so.

Water-Type Rankings  

 

Raid Advice

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Moveset Advice

• Ice Beam – will obliterate the less tanky grass types. More dangerous in some ways because there is only a 1/4 chance of facing it.
• Bubble Beam – Triple Bar Charge Move.
• Water Pulse – Double Bar Charge Move.
• Hydro Pump – Single Bar Charge Move. Hardest in general since it can KO more Pokemon if you don’t dodge, and is capable of offering a threat to Electrics.

General Type Interactions

Suicune takes 1.6x damage fromGrass /Electric Type attacks .

Grass – is Resistant to Water, but Weak to Ice.

Electric – has no relevant Resistances or Weakness.

Player Count Advice

To trio Suicune with best friend bonus, it’s technically possible with level 25 pokemon. Raikou, Zapdos, Electivire and Magnezone all work good.. but you will have to rejoin and it will be tough. Bubble Beam is the moveset you are hoping for to get through it.

Roserade also does great, but only if you are sure you are not fighting Ice Beam. The Exception is Sunny Weather, where Roserade becomes the best option even if both of Suicune’s Moves are hitting it super effectively!

Weather Advice 

Here is a list of Pokemon that can perform similar or better than the typical #1 option (in this case, Raikou) with weather bonuses: Here is a list of Pokemon that can perform similar or better than the typical #1 option (in this case, Raikou) with weather bonuses:

Weather Table
Pokemon		Weather		Fast Move		Charge Move		Estimator @ L35
	Electivire		RAINY		Thunder Shock		Wild Charge	2.46
	Raikou		RAINY		Thunder Shock		Wild Charge	2.48
	Magnezone		RAINY		Spark		Wild Charge	2.57
	(Legacy) Zapdos		RAINY		Thunder Shock		Thunderbolt	2.57
	Roserade		CLEAR		Razor Leaf		Grass Knot	2.59
	Luxray		RAINY		Spark Fast		Wild Charge	2.62
	(Legacy) Sceptile		CLEAR		Bullet Seed		Frenzy Plant	2.69
	(Legacy) Breloom		CLEAR		Bullet Seed		Grass Knot	2.71
	(Legacy) Venusaur		CLEAR		Vine Whip		Frenzy Plant	2.72
	Exeggutor		CLEAR		Bullet Seed		Solar Beam	2.80
	Leafeon		CLEAR		Razor Leaf		Leaf Blade	2.80
	Tangrowth		CLEAR		Vine Whip		Solar Beam	2.84
	Mewtwo		RAINY		Psycho Cut		Thunderbolt	2.84
	Jolteon		RAINY		Thunder Shock		Thunderbolt	2.84
	Deoxys		RAINY		Charge Beam		Thunderbolt	2.90
	Victreebel		CLEAR		Razor Leaf		Leaf Blade	2.91
	Raikou		NO_WEATHER		Thunder Shock		Wild Charge	2.94
	Shiftry		CLEAR		Razor Leaf		Leaf Blade	2.99

Top Raid Counters

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Raikou

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Raikou was recently available during it’s Raid Day, so it’s actually very likely you are holding onto one right now. That said, it is a legendary pokemon, which are expensive to get candy for.

With Level 35 Raikou, you need 3 players.

Electivire

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Electabuzz is available from “Use a Super Effective Charged attack in 7 Gym battles” quests, and does nest, but hasn’t been featured much in events. You also need a Sinnoh Stone to evolve, which can be acquired at random from trainer battles.

With Level 35 Electivire, you need 3 players.

Magnezone

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Magnezone’s Steel-Typing grants it resistance to Extrasensory and Ice Beam.

Magnezone evolves from the Magnemite family, which is a nesting species that has been in raids in the past. It requires Magneton evolving into Magnezone underneath a Magnetic Lure Modules however- which can be purchased from the shop for 200 coins. These Lure Modules also have a chance to spawn Magnemite if you can’t find any around.
With Level 35 Magnezone, you need 4 players to beat Suicune.

Roserade

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Roserade’s Poison-Typing gives it an additional weakness to Psychic.

Roserade becomes THE number 1 option if you are in Sunny Weather.

Roserade evolves from Roselia, a very accessible pokemon in the most common biomes. Roserade requires a Sinnoh Stone to evolve, which can be aquired (at random) after your first Trainer Battle each day. Roselia candy shouldn’t be too tough to get and they can often be found weather boosted during the common Sunny and Cloudy weathers.
With Level 35 Roserade, you need 4 players to beat Suicune.

Luxray

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Luxray evolves from Shinx, which is a raid exclusive Pokemon; and always acquired at level 20 (or 25 if caught during rain). This makes it quite the pain to evolve. Even if you pinap every Shinx, it will still take 17 raids just to get enough base candy to Evolve it.  Shinx raids have become a staple however and are pretty reliably around, and are Tier 1 raids that anyone can do. Shinx as a Buddy finds a candy every 5km, which is better than legendary Pokemon but still not great.

With Level 35 Luxray, you need 4 players.

Zapdos

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Zapdos’ Flying-Typing punishes it with a weakness to Ice Beam.

Zapdos is a legendary Pokemon so not that easy to acquire, but has been featured as a 7 Day Field Research reward, and has gotten a Legendary Raid Day as well. Thunder Shock however is legacy, from July 2018.
With Level 35 Zapdos, you need 4 players.

Alternate Raid Counters

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Sceptile

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Sceptile’s community day was in March (2019), and like most Grass-Types, it hates Ice Beam.
With Level 35 Sceptile, you need 4 players.

Venusaur

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Venusaur’s Poison-Typing gives it a weakness to Extrasensory.

Venusaurs community day was back in March (…2018), which is quite awhile ago at this point. It also returned in December 2018 for the end of the year community day event.
With Level 35 Venusaur, you need 4 players.

Breloom

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Fighting-Typing gives Breloom a weakness to Extrasensory, but a resistance to Snarl.

Legacy Breloom was only available in January (2019).
With Level 35 Breloom, you need 4 players.

Mewtwo

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐☆☆☆☆

Mewtwo’s Psychic-Typing gives it a weakness to Extrasensory, but a resistance to Snarl.

Mewtwo is pretty inaccessible, as the useful form hasn’t been released recently. Luckily the moveset however isn’t exclusive to it’s EX raid period! Trading for one is probably the most likely way you’d be able to get one of these, and you can use the candy you got from catching Armored Mewtwo to power it up.
With Level 35 Mewtwo, you need 4 players.

Exeggutor

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Exeggutor’s Psychic-Typing gives it a weakness to Extrasensory, but a resistance to Snarl.

Exeggutor is relatively easy to acquire. You can get Exeggcutes from Nests, “Hatch an Egg” quests, and as a common spawn in accessible biomes (possibly with the common Sunny weather boost). Exeggcute also spawn from Mossy Lure Modules. In addition, Exeggutor has been a classical Tier 2 Raid Boss.
With Level 35 Exeggutor, you need 4 players.

Exeggutor – Alola

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Exeggutor’s Dragon-Typing doubles the properties it already has as a Grass-Type. Now it’s 2x weak to Ice, but has 2x resistance to Water.

Alolan Exeggutor was very common upon it’s initial release but since then has been more tough to get. Unlike many Alolan Pokemon, he is available in the wild and not Alolan eggs . It is pretty uncommon a spawn however. In Go it does not evolve from Exeggcute, and can only be found evolved. They were at least nice enough to hardcode it to give 5 candies when caught (like other evolution Pokemon). Alolan Exeggutor has been found both as a Tier 2 and Tier 4 Raid Boss in the past.
With Level 35 Exeggutor – Alola, you need 4 players.

Leafeon

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Leafeon evolves from Eevee, which is a nesting species, who has also been featured in community day, AND in many many events. Eevee is also just a decently common Pokemon in general, with even increased spawns in Partly Cloudy weather which is fairly common. If all else fails, you can acquire a shiny Eevee from the “Jump Start” Special Research quest part 4/6. Eevee is also a quest reward for the “Evolve a Pokemon” Field Research quests. “A Ripple in Time” Special Research also rewards a normal Eevee in both part 3 and part 4. After acquiring enough Eevee candy, Leafeon can be acquired in one of two ways: Either, you get a Mossy Lure Module and evolve Eevee while within its boundaries, or you use a ONE TIME USE naming trick, naming your Eevee “Linnea” prior to evolving. Leafeon do not spawn in the wild ever.
With Level 35 Leafeon, you need 4 players.

Jolteon

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Jolteon evolves from Eevee, which is a nesting species, who has also been featured in community day, AND in many many events. Eevee is also just a decently common Pokemon in general, with even increased spawns in Partly Cloudy weather which is fairly common. If all else fails, you can acquire a shiny Eevee from the “Jump Start” Special Research quest part 4/6. Eevee is also a quest reward for the “Evolve a Pokemon” Field Research quests. “A Ripple in Time” Special Research also rewards a normal Eevee in both part 3 and part 4. After acquiring enough Eevee candy, Jolteon can be acquired in one of two ways: Either, you evolve normally and have a 1/3 chance to get a Jolteon, or you use a ONE TIME USE naming trick, naming your Eevee “Sparky” prior to evolving.

With Level 35 Jolteon, you need 4 players.

Tangrowth

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Tangela has been a Tier 3 raid boss, and also spawn from Mossy Lure Modules. Tangela has been available in “Evolve 2 Grass-type Pokemon” quests. Outside of that though, Tangela are not a common wild spawn and do not nest. To Evolve into Tangrowth, you need a Sinnoh Stone, which can be acquired (at random) from your first Trainer Battle each day.
With Level 35 Tangrowth, you need 4 players.

Victreebel

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Victreebel’s Poison-Typing gives it a weakness to Extrasensory.

Victreebel evolves from Bellsprout which is a decently common Pokemon. They also spawn from Mossy Lure Modules, and Victreebel has been a Tier 4 Raid Boss. The “Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokemon” Quest rewards a Weepinbell.
With Level 35 Victreebel, you need 4 players.

Deoxys

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐☆☆☆☆

Deoxys’s Psychic-Typing gives it a weakness to Extrasensory, but a resistance to Snarl.

Deoxys is currently limited to EX Raids, To get invited to an EX raid you need to Raid at EX Gyms (there will be a label in the bottom right corner of the gym screen). Niantic has not been consistent with what day of the weak Invites go out, but generally there are a wave each week., and they come for everyone at the same time. If you know someone going to one of these Raids, they can invite 1 friend if their friendship level is at least “Ultra Friend.” Deoxys forms cannot be traded at this time.
With Level 35 Deoxys, you need 4 players.

Shiftry

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shiftry’s Dark-Typing gives it 2x resistance to Extrasensory, as well as a regular resistance to Snarl.

Shiftry evolves from Seedot, which are common in a variety of areas. Shiftry itself has also existed as a Tier 4 raid boss. It also gets weather boosted from the very common Sunny weather.
With Level 35 Shiftry, you need 4 players.

Magneton

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐☆☆☆☆

Magneton’s Steel-Typing grants it resistance to Extrasensory and Ice Beam.

Magneton evolves from Magnemite which is a nesting species that has been in raids in the past. Magnemite can also be found in Nests. Magnetic Lure Modules also have a chance to spawn Magnemite. Discharge is a legacy move however from years ago.
With Level 35 Magneton, you need 4 players.

Manectric

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Electrike nest and are spawns from Magnetic Lure Modules.
With Level 35 Manectric, you need 4 players.

Carnivine

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐☆☆☆☆

Carnivine is a Region-Exclusive Pokemon. The very definition of inaccessible if you are outside a handful of South-East American states.
With Level 35 Carnivine, you need 4 players.

Torterra

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Torterra’s Ground-Typing doubles it’s weakness to Ice, but negates it’s weakness to Water which is more important.

Turtwigs are decently common Pokemon, and you can also acquire one from the “Jump Start” Special Research, Part 4/6.
With Level 35 Torterra, you need 4 players.

Golem – Alola

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Golem’s Rock-Typing sadly gives it a weakness to Water, with no additional resistance to Ice.

Alolan Geodudes can be found in the wild and in 7k eggs. To get a 7k egg. 7k Eggs are added at random from opening gifts when you have an open Egg Inventory Slot, and when hatched will be marked as the location where the Gift originated from. Alolan Geodudes were incredibly common during the 3rd Anniversary Pokemon Go Event. Alolan Geodudes spawn from Magnetic Lure Modules as well.
With Level 35 Golem – Alola, you need 4 players.

Tangela

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Tangela has been a Tier 3 raid boss, and also spawn from Mossy Lure Modules. Tangela has been available in “Evolve 2 Grass-type Pokemon” quests. Outside of that though, Tangela are not a common wild spawn and do not nest. Power Whip is Legacy.
With Level 35 Tangela, you need 4 players.

Cacturne

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shiftry’s Dark-Typing gives it 2x resistance to Extrasensory, as well as a regular resistance to Snarl.

Cacnea can be found in the common Sunny weather-but is almost non-existent outside of it if you somehow don’t see much sun.
With Level 35 Cacturne, you need 4 players.

Porygon-Z

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐☆☆☆☆

Porygon-Z’s Normal Typing has no interaction with any of Suicune’s moves.

Porygon are very uncommon Pokemon usually, but can be found from “”Win a Raid”” Quests. Even if you collect enough candy though, you need an “”Upgrade”” to evolve it into Porygon2 (which are in a pool of items that drop at random from stops infrequently, and are guaranteed to drop one on each of your 7 day streaks). Even then, to get Porygon-Z you need a Sinnoh stone Sinnoh Stone (which can be acquired from trainer battles at random). And for it to even be this useful, you need to get extremely lucky with a Hidden Power roll!

Note: Hidden Power Type is determined when the Pokemon is caught or traded. It will not change no matter how many Quick TMs you use

With Level 35 Porygon-Z, you need 4 players.

Vileplume

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Vileplume’s Poison-Typing gives it a weakness to Extrasensory.

Oddish are very common pokemon, nest, and spawn in Mossy Lure Modules.
With Level 35 Vileplume, you need 4 players.

Groudon

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Groudon’s Ground-Typing gives it weakness to BOTH Ice and Water! So All of Suicune’s Charge Attacks. But Solar Beam off of it is just that powerful.

Groudon is a Legendary Pokemon and thus can only be gotten in time limited ways, by being featured in Event Raids or Field Research Breakthroughs. He last was available June 2019.
With Level 35 Groudon, you need 4 players.

Raichu

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If nothing else, it’s accessible. Pikachu is certainly featured in events more than possibly any other single Pokemon. If you don’t have a Raichu now, give it a month. Thunder Shock however is Legacy.
With Level 35 Raichu, you need 4 players.

Meganium

• ⚔️ Raw Damage: ⭐☆☆☆☆

• 🛡️ Survival/Bulk: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 📉 Consistency: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

• 🌐 Accessibility: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Chikorita community day was back in September 2018, for the legacy moveset.
With Level 35 Meganium, you need 4 players.

Closing Thoughts

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Suicune is by far the least competitively useful of the trio, and it really isn’t viable as an attacker when cheaper Pokemon like Vaporeon do several times better. It does however have an absolutely stunning Shiny form.

It remains the hardest of the trio to defeat however, so be sure to come prepared! 

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