A Complete Guide to Dondozo's Weaknesses in Pokémon GO
In the vast and ever-expanding world of Pokémon GO, few creatures command presence quite like Dondozo. This gargantuan catfish Pokémon, inspired by the legendary Japanese Namazu, isn't just a visual spectacle; it's a formidable force in battles. Whether you're facing one in a Gym, a Raid, or the intense PvP arena of the GO Battle League, knowing how to topple this titan is crucial.
This in-depth guide is your ultimate resource. We'll dissect Dondozo's stats, movepool, and, most importantly, its critical weaknesses. We'll provide you with the best counters, strategic insights, and team compositions to ensure you never feel overwhelmed by this aquatic behemoth again.
Understanding the Beast: Dondozo's Stats and Role
Before we target its weaknesses, let's understand what makes Dondozo a threat.
· Type: Water
· Key Stats:
· High HP (Stamina): Dondozo is incredibly bulky, meaning it can absorb a tremendous amount of damage even from super effective hits. This is its defining trait.
· Moderate Attack: Its attack stat isn't elite, but it's more than enough to wear down opponents thanks to its staying power.
· Low Defense: This is the chink in its armor. While its HP is massive, its actual Defense stat is subpar. This means attacks, especially super effective ones, will chunk its health bar significantly.
Role in Battle: Dondozo is a tank and a staller. It wins battles not by dealing explosive damage quickly, but by outlasting its opponents. It slowly whittles them down with its moves while absorbing their attacks like a sponge. It's often used to burn through an opponent's shields or to close out matches where it has a type advantage.
The Golden Key: Dondozo's Weaknesses
As a pure Water-type Pokémon, Dondozo has a very clear and defined set of weaknesses and resistances. This simplicity is your greatest advantage.
Dondozo is weak to:
· Electric (2x Weakness)
· Grass (2x Weakness)
These are the only two types of moves that deal super effective damage to it. Focusing your team exclusively on these two types is non-negotiable for maximum efficiency.
Dondozo resists:
· Steel
· Fire
· Water
· Ice
It is crucial to avoid using Pokémon of these types, as their moves will be inherently less effective, allowing Dondozo to stall for even longer.
Exploiting the Weakness: Best Counters to Dondozo
Your goal is to break through its enormous HP pool as fast as possible. This requires Pokémon with high Attack stats that can leverage Electric or Grass-type moves for super effective damage.
Top-Tier Electric-Type Counters
Electric-types are often the preferred choice due to their typically higher attack stats and powerful movesets.
1. Zekrom
· Fast Move: Charge Beam
· Charged Move: Fusion Bolt (Elite TM) or Wild Charge
· Why it's great: Zekrom possesses a monstrous Attack stat and has access to Wild Charge, one of the hardest-hitting Electric-type moves in the game. It's the premier slayer of Water-types.
2. Xurkitree
· Fast Move: Thunder Shock
· Charged Move: Discharge or Power Whip (to hit Ground-types that might switch in)
· Why it's great: It boasts the highest Attack stat of any non-Mega Electric-type. It's a glass cannon, but against Dondozo's low Defense, it will deal devastating damage very quickly.
3. Thundurus (Therian Forme)
· Fast Move: Volt Switch
· Charged Move: Thunderbolt
· Why it's great: This form has an excellent balance of high Attack and decent bulk. Volt Switch generates energy quickly, allowing it to fire off Thunderbolts relentlessly.
4. Magnezone
· Fast Move: Spark or Charge Beam
· Charged Move: Wild Charge
· Why it's great: Access to Wild Charge and a double resistance to Water-type moves (thanks to its Steel typing) make Magnezone a incredibly safe and reliable counter. It can tank Dondozo's hits all day.
5. Electivire
· Fast Move: Thunder Shock
· Charged Move: Wild Charge
· Why it's great: A classic, accessible powerhouse. Electivire has a very high Attack stat and the ideal moveset to maximize damage output against Dondozo.
Top-Tier Grass-Type Counters
Grass-types offer the added benefit of resisting Water-type moves, making them incredibly durable in this matchup.
1. Kartana
· Fast Move: Razor Leaf
· Charged Move: Leaf Blade
· Why it's great: Kartana has the highest Attack stat in the game. Its Razor Leaf cuts through Dondozo like a hot knife through butter, and Leaf Blade is one of the most energy-efficient charged moves available. A top-tier choice.
2. Zarude
· Fast Move: Vine Whip
· Charged Move: Power Whip
· Why it's great: This Mythical Pokémon is a beast in Master League. It's bulky, has a great stat spread, and its Dark typing gives it additional resistances. It's a consistent and powerful answer to Dondozo.
3. Roserade
· Fast Move: Bullet Seed or Razor Leaf
· Charged Move: Grass Knot
· Why it's great: Roserade is a more accessible option for many players. It has a very high Attack stat and Grass Knot is a devastating charged move. It can be a bit fragile, but its damage output is immense.
4. Tangrowth
· Fast Move: Vine Whip
· Charged Move: Power Whip
· Why it's great: Incredible bulk allows Tangrowth to go toe-to-toe with Dondozo and win the war of attrition. It's a tank fighting a tank, but with a type advantage.
5. Venusaur / Meganium / Sceptile
· These are classic, solid Grass-type choices. Venusaur with Frenzy Plant (Community Day move) is always excellent. They may not be the absolute top-tier, but they will get the job done effectively.
Strategic Battle Tips: Beyond Type Advantage
Knowing the counters is half the battle. Understanding how to use them is the other.
· Bait Their Shields: Dondozo players often rely on its bulk and will use shields to protect it. If you're using a Pokémon with a low-energy Charged Move (like Magnezone's Wild Charge), don't be afraid to fire one off early to burn a shield. This can open up a path for your next Pokémon to land a fight-ending move.
· Beware of Coverage Moves: While rare, some Dondozo run Earthquake. This is a classic coverage move designed to surprise and one-shot unsuspecting Electric-types like Magnezone or Electivire. If you suspect Earthquake, Grass-types become the safer switch-in.
· The Stall Game: Dondozo often uses moves like Body Slam that don't deal heavy damage but generate energy quickly to force you to use shields. Be mindful of your shield economy. Sometimes it's better to take a neutral Body Slam than to waste a shield you'll need later.
· Switch Advantage: In GBL, forcing your opponent to switch first can allow you to bring in your Dondozo counter for free, giving you a significant energy lead and the ability to pressure them immediately.
Sample Battle Teams for GO Battle League
Here’s how you can integrate Dondozo counters into your teams:
· For Ultra League: Venusaur (lead), Giratina (Altered Forme) (safe swap), Magnezone (closer). This team has two solid answers to Dondozo and covers each other's weaknesses well.
· For Master League: Dialga (lead), Kyogre (safe swap), Zekrom (closer). Zekrom handles Kyogre and Dondozo, while Dialga pressures everything else.
· Budget-Friendly Team: Swampert (with Mud Shot/Hydro Cannon), Togekiss (Charm), Tangrowth (Vine Whip/Power Whip). A solid team that doesn't rely on Legendaries but can still handle the meta, including Dondozo.
Taming the Titan
Dondozo is a classic example of a Pokémon that seems intimidating due to its sheer size and health pool, but becomes much more manageable once you understand its precise weaknesses. Its pure Water typing is a double-edged sword—it gives it useful resistances but also makes it uniquely vulnerable to two specific types.
The formula for victory is simple: Exploit its low Defense with powerful Electric and Grass-type attackers. Prioritize Pokémon like Zekrom, Kartana, and Magnezone that can deal massive damage quickly. Be mindful of potential coverage moves like Earthquake, manage your shields wisely, and you will consistently send this leviathan back to the depths.
Now, get out there, trainer, and show that overgrown catfish who's really in charge. Happy battling!
