Pokemon GO Gigantamax Kingler Best Counters, Tips, and Tricks

Get ready, Trainers! The formidable 6-Star Raid boss, Gigantamax Kingler, is making its grand entrance into *Pokemon GO*. As the first Gigantamax boss since Lapras, this colossal evolution of Krabby demands a well-prepared raid party to conquer it during its Max Battle Day on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM local time.

Gigantamax Kingler Weaknesses & Resistances in Pokemon GO

As a pure Water-type, Gigantamax Kingler shares the same weaknesses as its base form in *Pokemon GO*. It is vulnerable only to Grass- and Electric-type attacks, which deal a whopping 160% super-effective damage. Conversely, Kingler boasts resistances against Fire-, Water-, Steel-, and Ice-type moves, reducing the damage from these to just 39%. To maximize your effectiveness, steer clear of these types entirely.

Best Counters Against Gigantamax Kingler in Pokemon GO

To successfully defeat Gigantamax Kingler, you'll need to deploy Electric- and non-pure Grass-type counters such as **Venusaur, Ivysaur, and Zapdos**. Remember, only Dynamax- or Gigantamax-capable Pokemon can participate in these battles, narrowing your choices but still leaving you with several strong options. Check out the table below for the best counters and their optimal movesets:

Gigantamax Kingler Counter	Type	Fast Attack	Charged Attack
Venusaur	Grass & Poison	Vine Whip	Frenzy Plant
Ivysaur	Grass & Poison	Vine Whip	Power Whip
Zapdos	Electric & Flying	Thunder Shock	Thunder
Greedent	Normal	Bullet Seed	Trailblaze
Dubwool	Normal	Tackle	Wild Charge
Cryogonal	Ice	Frost Breath	Solar Beam

While Grass-type Pokemon like Rillaboom are viable, be cautious. Gigantamax Kingler can use X-Scissor, a Bug-type move that's super-effective against pure Grass-types. Fortunately, Venusaur and Ivysaur, with their Poison typing, neutralize the impact of X-Scissor. Similarly, Zapdos's Flying type protects it from Ground-type moves like Mud Shot, which would otherwise be devastating to pure Electric types.

For maximum damage, prioritize counters that benefit from a 20% STAB (same-type attack bonus). However, versatile Pokemon like Greedent, Dubwool, and Cryogonal, which can learn Grass- or Electric-type moves despite their primary types, serve as excellent backups since they take only neutral damage from Kingler's arsenal. If you're low on super-effective counters, consider using neutral tanks such as Blastoise or Lapras for their defensive prowess.

Related: Pokémon GO Shadow Regirock Raid Guide: Best Counters, Tips, and Tricks

Can Gigantamax Kingler be Shiny?

Yes, Gigantamax Kingler can appear in its Shiny form in *Pokemon GO*, as announced in the game’s event post for its Max Battle Day. After defeating it, you might encounter a Shiny variant with a different color scheme. Although the exact odds haven't been disclosed, they're likely around 1 in 20, similar to other 5-Star Raid bosses.

Don’t Forget Max Mushrooms

If Gigantamax Kingler proves too challenging, consider using Max Mushrooms, available for purchase in *Pokemon GO*. These items double the damage your Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon deal for 30 seconds, though they come at a steep price of 400 PokeCoins each. When used strategically with your team, Max Mushrooms can be a game-changer.

Now armed with all the knowledge needed to tackle Gigantamax Kingler during its Max Battle Day, don't forget to check out the *Pokemon GO* event schedule for other exciting events happening throughout February.