As a formidable 6-Star Raid boss making its debut in *Pokemon GO*, Gigantamax Kingler poses a unique challenge to Trainers during its Max Battle Day on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM local time. This event marks the first Gigantamax boss appearance since Lapras, and taking down this giant Krabby evolution will require a well-coordinated raid party equipped with the perfect movesets.
Gigantamax Kingler Weaknesses & Resistances in Pokemon GO
As a pure Water-type Pokémon, Gigantamax Kingler shares the same weaknesses and resistances as its base form in *Pokemon GO*. It is only vulnerable to Grass- and Electric-type attacks, which deal a whopping 160% super-effective damage. On the flip side, Kingler resists Fire-, Water-, Steel-, and Ice-type moves, taking only 39% damage from them. To maximize your chances of success, steer clear of these resistances when selecting your raid team.
Best Counters Against Gigantamax Kingler in Pokemon GO
Image via Niantic/The Pokemon Company
To conquer Gigantamax Kingler in *Pokemon GO*, you'll need to assemble a team of Electric- and non-pure Grass-type counters. Key players include **Venusaur, Ivysaur, and Zapdos**. Remember, only Pokémon capable of Dynamax or Gigantamax transformations can participate in these battles, limiting your options but not your potential for victory. Here’s a list of reliable counters to consider:
| **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 other Grass-type Pokémon like Rillaboom could be effective, Gigantamax Kingler’s potential moveset, including Bubble, Mud Shot, Metal Claw, Vise Grip, Water Pulse, Crabhammer, Razor Shell, and the Bug-type X-Scissor, complicates matters. X-Scissor deals super-effective damage to pure Grass-types, making Venusaur and Ivysaur's Poison typing advantageous as it neutralizes this threat. Similarly, Zapdos' Flying type protects it from Ground-type attacks like Mud Shot.
Prioritizing counters with Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB) moves, which offer a 20% damage boost, is ideal. However, versatile Pokémon like Greedent, Dubwool, and Cryogonal, capable of learning Grass or Electric moves, serve as excellent backups since they only take neutral damage from Kingler’s attacks. If you’re short on super-effective counters, neutral tanks such as Blastoise or Lapras can act as strong defenders.
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 confirmed by the game’s announcement for its Max Battle Day event. Defeating it gives you a chance to encounter and catch a Shiny version, although the odds are not high. While the exact probability hasn't been disclosed, it's believed to be around 1 in 20, similar to 5-Star Raid bosses.
Don’t Forget Max Mushrooms
If Gigantamax Kingler proves too tough for your raid party, consider using Max Mushrooms, available for purchase in *Pokemon GO*. For 30 seconds, these items double the damage dealt by your Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon, though they come at a steep price of 400 PokeCoins each. Using them strategically can make a significant difference in the battle's outcome.
Now that you're equipped with all the knowledge needed to defeat Gigantamax Kingler with the best counters during its Max Battle Day, don't forget to check out the *Pokemon GO* event schedule for more exciting activities throughout February.
