How to Beat Gigantamax Butterfree in Pokémon Go: Top Counters, Weaknesses & Battle Tips
Gigantamax Butterfree has just landed in Pokémon Go, and if you’re gearing up for the Max Battle Day on August 3rd from 2 to 5 p.m. local time, here’s everything you need to know to take down this oversized bug. Whether you want to add this unique Gigantamax form to your collection or just crush it in battle, we’ve got the key counters, weaknesses, and tips to help you succeed.
- Overview of Gigantamax Butterfree’s weaknesses and resistances
- Best Pokémon counters and recommended moves
- General strategies for Max Battles
- Tips for team composition and Dynamax usage
- How to spot and catch shiny Butterfree
Understanding Gigantamax Butterfree’s Weaknesses
First things first: Gigantamax Butterfree has a wide range of weaknesses, making it vulnerable to Flying, Rock, Fire, Electric, and Ice type moves. Notably, it has a double weakness against Rock-type attacks, which can be a game-changer in battle. On the flip side, it resists Ground, Fighting, Bug, and Grass moves, so avoid those if you want to maximize your damage output.
Top Counters to Bring
With those weaknesses in mind, here are some of the best Pokémon and moves to use against Gigantamax Butterfree:
- Gigantamax Cinderace with Tackle (G-Max Fireball)
- Gigantamax Toxtricity with Spark (G-Max Stun Shock)
- Gigantamax Charizard with Dragon Breath (G-Max Wildfire)
- Dynamax Darmanitan with Fire Fang (Max Flare)
If you don’t have these Gigantamax versions, Dynamax forms will still do the trick, but expect slightly less damage. For Dynamax Cinderace and Charizard, using Fire Spin as the fast move is better since the max moves inherit the typing from the fast move, making it more effective.
Also, keep an eye out for the ongoing Timed Research that offers a chance to get a Dynamax Darumaka, some Darumaka Candy, and particles—perfect if you’re missing key counters like Toxtricity, Cinderace, or Charizard.
Defensive Allies for Your Team
If you want to support your squad, bring Pokémon with Max Guard or Max Spirit moves to help absorb damage and heal the team:
- Crowned Shield Zamazenta with Metal Claw
- Crowned Sword Zacian with Metal Claw
- Dynamax Corviknight with Sand Attack
- Dynamax Blissey with Pound
These defenders build shields quickly and have the bulk to withstand Butterfree’s attacks, keeping your damage dealers safe.
General Tips for Max Battles
Max Battles demand more strategy than typical raids, so here are some quick tips to keep in mind:
- Gather enough players. While a well-geared team can take down Butterfree with fewer people, having a large group makes the fight much smoother.
- Use Max Guard and Max Spirit wisely. Defensive moves can make or break your team’s survival, so don’t just rely on heavy hitters.
- Swap to super effective moves before Dynamaxing. Since max moves inherit the typing of the fast move, choose your Pokémon accordingly to deal maximum damage.
- Level up your Pokémon as much as possible. You don’t have to hit level 50 on all your Dynamax Pokémon, but stronger Pokémon help the team.
- Bring your strongest Dynamax Pokémon available. Even if it’s not the perfect counter, raw power helps, so don’t hesitate to bring a maxed out Gengar if your Charizard isn’t ready.
Don’t Forget About the Shiny Chance!
After clearing the raid, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a shiny Butterfree. Catching one is guaranteed if you find the shiny variant, so use a Pinap Berry to get extra candy and make the most out of your shiny catch.
