Gigantamax Kingler Raid Guide: Best Counters and Strategies for Pokémon GO

Debuting as a 6-Star Raid boss in Pokémon GO, Gigantamax Kingler demands precise counters to exploit its limited weaknesses. As the first Gigantamax boss since Lapras, this colossal Krabby evolution requires a robust raid team to defeat during its Max Battle Day on February 1, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time.

Gigantamax Kingler Weaknesses and Resistances in Pokémon GO

As a pure Water-type in Pokémon GO, Gigantamax Kingler is vulnerable only to Grass- and Electric-type moves, which deal 160% super-effective damage.

It resists Fire-, Water-, Steel-, and Ice-type attacks, which inflict just 39% damage, so steer clear of these move types entirely.

Top Counters for Gigantamax Kingler in Pokémon GO

To defeat Gigantamax Kingler in Pokémon GO, Trainers should deploy Electric- and non-pure Grass-type Pokémon like Venusaur, Ivysaur, and Zapdos. Max Battles restrict you to Dynamax- or Gigantamax-capable Pokémon, limiting options compared to standard raids, but the following counters remain highly effective:

Other viable counters like Rillaboom (Grass-type) exist, but Gigantamax Kingler’s potential moveset—including Bubble, Mud Shot, Metal Claw, Vise Grip, Water Pulse, Crabhammer, and Razor Shell—features X-Scissor, a Bug-type move super-effective against pure Grass-types.

Fortunately, Venusaur and Ivysaur’s part-Poison typing neutralizes X-Scissor’s damage.

Similarly, Mud Shot, a Ground-type move, would counter Electric-and-Poison Toxtricity, but Zapdos’ part-Flying typing protects its Electric moves from vulnerability.

Prioritize counters with same-type moves for a 20% STAB (same-type attack bonus). Non-matching types like Greedent, Dubwool, and Cryogonal, which can use Grass- or Electric-type moves, serve as excellent backups, taking only neutral damage from Kingler’s attacks.

If super-effective counters are scarce, neutral tanks like Blastoise or Lapras can act as sturdy defenders.

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

Is Shiny Gigantamax Kingler Available?

Yes, Shiny Gigantamax Kingler is available in Pokémon GO, as confirmed by the Max Battle Day event announcement.

Defeating Gigantamax Kingler in a raid offers a chance to encounter and catch its Shiny variant with a unique color palette. While exact odds remain unconfirmed, the Shiny encounter rate is likely 1 in 20, consistent with 5-Star Raid bosses.

Max Mushrooms: A Game-Changer

Struggling against Gigantamax Kingler? Use Max Mushrooms, available for purchase in Pokémon GO, to boost your raid performance.

Max Mushrooms double the damage of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon for 30 seconds, though they cost 400 PokéCoins each. When used strategically, they can shift the battle in your favor.

Armed with the best counters and strategies for Gigantamax Kingler’s Max Battle Day, explore the Pokémon GO event schedule to discover more February activities.