Dialga Raid Guide: Counters, Moves, And Catch Tips

Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into the world of legendary raids? Today, we're talking about Dialga, the powerful Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon. This bad boy is currently appearing in raids, and you don't want to miss your chance to catch it. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down everything you need to know to successfully battle and catch Dialga. We’ll cover its strengths, weaknesses, best counters, and strategies to ensure you come out on top. So, grab your gear, gather your team, and let's get started!

Understanding Dialga: A Deep Dive

Before we jump into the raid itself, let's take a closer look at what makes Dialga such a formidable opponent. Dialga, known as the Temporal Pokémon, is a Steel/Dragon-type legendary Pokémon. This dual-typing gives it a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that you need to understand to form an effective battle strategy. Firstly, Dialga’s dual-typing grants it resistance to a whopping 10 different types of attacks, including Normal, Grass, Poison, Flying, Steel, Electric, Psychic, Water, and a double resistance to Steel. This makes it a tanky Pokémon that can withstand a lot of punishment. However, it's not invincible. Dialga has weaknesses to Fighting and Ground-type attacks, which are crucial to exploit during the raid.

Dialga boasts impressive stats, making it a tough opponent in raids. Its high Attack stat allows it to deal significant damage, while its Defense and Stamina stats ensure it can take a beating. This combination makes Dialga a long and challenging fight, so you’ll need a well-prepared team to take it down. Knowing these stats helps you anticipate its moves and plan your attacks accordingly. For instance, you'll want Pokémon with high damage output to quickly chip away at its health, but also those that can withstand Dialga's powerful attacks. Remember, understanding your enemy is the first step to victory!

Dialga’s Moveset: What to Expect

Dialga has a variety of moves in its arsenal, both Fast and Charged, that can make the raid challenging. Its Fast Moves include Metal Claw (Steel) and Dragon Breath (Dragon). Dragon Breath is particularly dangerous due to its high damage per second (DPS), making it a move you'll want to watch out for. The Charged Moves Dialga can use are Iron Head (Steel), Thunder (Electric), Draco Meteor (Dragon), and Roar of Time (Dragon). Draco Meteor is a significant threat due to its massive damage output, but it also lowers Dialga's Attack stat after use, giving you a brief window of opportunity to strike back harder. Roar of Time is another powerful Dragon-type move that can quickly decimate your team if you're not careful. Being aware of these moves allows you to anticipate and dodge them, preserving your Pokémon's health and ensuring you stay in the battle longer. Make sure to learn the attack animations so you can dodge effectively and keep your team in the fight!

Assembling Your Dream Team: Best Counters for Dialga

Now that you understand Dialga’s strengths, weaknesses, and moves, let’s talk about building the ultimate raid team. To effectively counter Dialga, you'll want to focus on Pokémon with Fighting and Ground-type attacks. These types exploit Dialga's weaknesses and will help you deal maximum damage. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best counters and why they’re effective:

Top Fighting-Type Counters

1. Lucario: Lucario is a Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon with high Attack stats and access to powerful Fighting-type moves like Counter and Aura Sphere. Its dual-typing provides some additional resistances, making it a solid choice for this raid. Lucario’s ability to deal significant damage quickly makes it a top-tier counter. Plus, it looks super cool while doing it!
2. Conkeldurr: Conkeldurr is another excellent Fighting-type counter with high Attack and Stamina. It can learn moves like Counter and Dynamic Punch, which deal substantial damage to Dialga. Its bulkiness allows it to withstand some of Dialga's attacks, making it a reliable choice for your team. Conkeldurr is like the tank of your Fighting-type squad.
3. Machamp: Machamp is a classic Fighting-type Pokémon that remains a strong choice for raids. With access to moves like Counter and Dynamic Punch, Machamp can dish out significant damage. It’s also relatively easy to obtain and power up, making it an accessible option for many players. Machamp is the OG Fighting-type, and it’s still got the moves!

Top Ground-Type Counters

1. Groudon: Groudon is a Ground-type legendary Pokémon with exceptionally high Attack stats. Its Ground-type moves, such as Mud Shot and Earthquake, deal massive damage to Dialga. Groudon's sheer power makes it a top counter, and it’s a must-have for any serious raider. Groudon is the king of Ground-types, and it’s ready to shake things up!
2. Excadrill: Excadrill is a Ground/Steel-type Pokémon that benefits from a double resistance to Steel-type moves, making it a durable option against Dialga. It can learn Mud-Slap and Drill Run, providing solid Ground-type damage output. Excadrill’s dual-typing gives it an edge in survivability. Think of Excadrill as your sturdy, reliable drill that gets the job done!
3. Landorus (Therian Forme): Landorus in its Therian Forme is a Ground/Flying-type Pokémon with incredible Attack stats. It can learn Mud Shot and Earthquake, making it a powerhouse against Dialga. Its high damage output makes it a top choice for this raid. Landorus is the heavy hitter you want on your team!

Honorable Mentions

• Rhyperior: Rhyperior is a Ground/Rock-type Pokémon that can learn Mud-Slap and Earthquake. It's a bulky Pokémon that can withstand a lot of damage, making it a solid choice for your team.
• Haxorus: Haxorus is a Dragon-type Pokémon, and while Dragon-types are generally not ideal due to Dialga's Dragon-type moves, Haxorus can still deal significant damage with moves like Dragon Claw.
• Garchomp: Garchomp is a Dragon/Ground-type Pokémon that can learn Mud Shot and Earthquake. It's a versatile Pokémon that can deal both Ground and Dragon-type damage.

When selecting your team, consider the movesets of your Pokémon and Dialga. If Dialga has Dragon-type moves, bringing in Dragon-type counters might be risky. Always aim for a balanced team that can deal high damage while also withstanding Dialga's attacks. Remember, it’s all about exploiting those weaknesses and maximizing your damage output!

Raid Strategies: Tips and Tricks for Success

Now that you have your team assembled, let’s discuss some strategies to maximize your chances of victory against Dialga. Raiding effectively involves more than just throwing your strongest Pokémon into the battle; it requires coordination, strategy, and a bit of luck. Here are some tips and tricks to help you succeed:

Form a Strong Team

Raids are significantly easier with a group of trainers. Coordinate with friends or join online communities to form a team. A larger team not only increases your damage output but also provides more opportunities to revive fallen Pokémon and keep the pressure on Dialga. Plus, it’s more fun to raid with friends! Teamwork makes the dream work, guys!

Understand Move Sets and Dodge Effectively

As we discussed earlier, knowing Dialga’s moveset is crucial. Pay attention to the attack animations and learn the timing to dodge effectively. Dodging not only prevents damage but also allows your Pokémon to stay in the battle longer, dealing more damage overall. Dodging is like the secret sauce to raiding success!

Utilize Weather Boosts

Weather conditions in the game can boost certain types of Pokémon. For Dialga, weather boosts can occur in Windy (Dragon-type moves) and Snow (Steel-type moves) weather. If you’re using Fighting or Ground-type Pokémon, you won’t benefit from these boosts, but if you're facing a Dialga with Dragon-type moves in Windy weather, be extra cautious. On the other hand, Clear weather boosts Ground-type moves, giving your Ground-type counters an extra edge. Weather boosts can be a game-changer, so pay attention to the forecast!

Mega Evolve Your Pokémon

Mega Evolution can provide a significant boost to your team’s damage output. If you have access to Mega-Evolved Pokémon, consider using them in the raid. Mega Pokémon not only deal more damage themselves but also boost the attack power of other Pokémon of the same type in the raid. For example, Mega Lopunny can boost Fighting-type attacks, making it an excellent choice for this raid. Mega Evolving is like turning your Pokémon up to 11!

Use Charged Attacks Strategically

Charged Attacks deal the most damage, but they take time to charge up. Use them strategically to maximize their impact. Avoid using Charged Attacks when Dialga is about to use its own Charged Attack, as you might not have time to dodge. Instead, wait for an opportune moment to unleash your powerful moves. Timing is everything when it comes to Charged Attacks!

Revive and Heal Your Pokémon

During the raid, your Pokémon will likely faint. Make sure to have plenty of Revives and Potions on hand to heal them. Reviving and healing your Pokémon quickly allows you to jump back into the battle and continue dealing damage. Don’t let your team get knocked out – keep them in fighting shape!

Take Advantage of Party Play

Party Play is a relatively new feature in Pokémon GO that allows you to team up with friends and complete research tasks together. While it may not directly impact raid battles, it’s a fun way to enhance your gameplay experience and coordinate with your raid group. Raiding with friends is always better, and Party Play makes it even more enjoyable!

Catching Dialga: Securing the Victory

Congratulations! You’ve defeated Dialga in the raid. Now comes the crucial part: catching it. Catching a legendary Pokémon is never guaranteed, but with the right techniques and a bit of luck, you can add Dialga to your collection. Here’s how to increase your chances of a successful catch:

Golden Razz Berries

Golden Razz Berries are the best way to increase your catch rate. Feed Dialga a Golden Razz Berry before each throw to maximize your chances. These berries significantly boost the catch rate, making them an essential tool for any serious trainer. Golden Razz Berries are your best friend when it comes to catching legendaries!

Throw Excellent Curveballs

Throwing Excellent Curveballs further increases your catch rate. Practice your throwing technique to consistently hit Excellent throws. While it might take some practice, mastering this technique is well worth the effort. Excellent throws are the key to catching those elusive Pokémon!

Aim for the Circle

Pay attention to the colored circle that appears around Dialga. The smaller the circle, the higher your catch rate. Aim your throw to land inside the circle when it’s at its smallest. This requires precision and timing, but it significantly improves your odds. Patience and precision are key!

Be Patient and Persistent

Catching a legendary Pokémon can take multiple attempts. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t catch Dialga on your first try. Be patient, keep using Golden Razz Berries, and continue throwing Excellent Curveballs. Persistence pays off in the end!

Understand IVs and Appraisal

After catching Dialga, you’ll want to know how good it is. Check its Individual Values (IVs) using the in-game appraisal system or a third-party app. IVs determine a Pokémon's potential in battle, so a Dialga with high IVs is a valuable addition to your team. Knowing your Pokémon’s IVs helps you make informed decisions about which ones to power up and use in battles.

Conclusion: Your Journey to Mastering Dialga Raids

So there you have it – a comprehensive guide to Dialga raids! From understanding Dialga’s strengths and weaknesses to assembling the perfect team and mastering catch techniques, you’re now well-equipped to take on this legendary challenge. Remember to coordinate with your team, dodge effectively, and use those Golden Razz Berries. With the right preparation and strategy, you'll be adding Dialga to your collection in no time. Good luck, trainers, and happy raiding! Remember, the thrill of the battle and the reward of catching a powerful Pokémon make it all worthwhile. Keep practicing, stay persistent, and you’ll become a Dialga raid master in no time!

Stay Updated on Events and Bonuses

Pokémon GO frequently hosts events that can impact raids. Keep an eye out for event announcements that may offer bonuses such as increased raid rewards, more frequent raid spawns, or boosted catch rates. These events can significantly improve your chances of success, so make sure to take advantage of them. Staying informed is part of being a smart trainer!

Use Remote Raid Passes

If you can't physically go to a raid location, Remote Raid Passes are your best friend. These passes allow you to join raids from anywhere in the world, giving you the flexibility to participate in more raids and catch more Pokémon. Remote Raiding is a game-changer for trainers who can’t always raid in person!

Consider Best Friend Bonuses

Raiding with Best Friends in Pokémon GO provides several advantages, including increased damage output and extra Premier Balls for catching the raid boss. If possible, raid with your Best Friends to maximize your chances of success. Friendship is magic, and it can help you conquer even the toughest raids!

Join Local Pokémon GO Communities

Connecting with other trainers in your area can greatly enhance your Pokémon GO experience. Local communities often organize raid groups, share tips and strategies, and provide support and camaraderie. Joining a community can help you stay informed, find raid partners, and make new friends. Raiding is more fun with friends, so get connected!

Practice Makes Perfect

Like any skill, raiding effectively takes practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't succeed on your first few attempts. Keep learning, keep practicing, and you'll gradually improve your skills and become a more confident and successful raider. The journey is just as important as the destination, so enjoy the process!

Have Fun and Be Respectful

Above all, remember that Pokémon GO is a game, and the goal is to have fun. Be respectful to your fellow trainers, share tips and strategies, and celebrate each other's successes. A positive attitude and a sense of sportsmanship make the game more enjoyable for everyone. Let’s keep the community positive and supportive!