The formidable Hoopa Unbound is set to dominate Pokémon Go’s 5-Star Raids during its dedicated Raid Day. Trainers eager to face this powerful Mythical Pokémon should equip themselves with the right strategies to counter it effectively.
In contrast to its Confined Forme, which carries a Psychic/Ghost typing, Hoopa Unbound boasts a Psychic/Dark dual-type classification. This transformation not only alters its typing but also enhances its overall stats, making it a tougher opponent in Niantic’s game.
To successfully add Hoopa Unbound to their collections, players must understand its vulnerabilities and assemble a strong team of counters.
Identifying Hoopa Unbound’s Weaknesses
Hoopa Unbound’s unique Psychic/Dark typing gives it specific weaknesses. It is particularly vulnerable to Fairy-type attacks and has a notable double weakness to Bug-type moves. While this may seem limited, several Pokémon are well-suited to exploit these weaknesses.
When formulating your strategy, keep in mind that using Psychic-type moves should be avoided, as they will yield minimal damage against Hoopa. Additionally, trainers should be cautious about battling during Windy or Foggy weather, which can enhance Hoopa Unbound’s powers.
Top Counters to Hoopa Unbound
Here’s a curated list of effective counters you can utilize when facing Hoopa Unbound in Pokémon Go:
| POKEMON | SPRITE | BEST MOVESET |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Pinsir | Fury Cutter & X-Scissor | |
| Mega Scizor | Fury Cutter & X-Scissor | |
| Mega Heracross | Struggle Bug & Megahorn | |
| Shadow Escavalier | Bug Bite & Megahorn | |
| Shadow Scyther | Fury Cutter & Bug Buzz | |
| Shadow Crustle | Fury Cutter & X-Scissor | |
| Genesect (All Drives) | Fury Cutter & X-Scissor | |
| Volcarona | Bug Bite & Bug Buzz | |
| Beedrill | Bug Bite & X-Scissor | |
| Vikavolt | Bug Bite & X-Scissor |
This diverse array includes Mega Evolutions, Legendaries, Shadows, and commonly available Pokémon, providing options for every trainer. If these counters are unavailable, focus on your strongest Fairy and Bug-type Pokémon. Ensure your team is properly leveled and equipped with the right moves to optimize your chances of victory.
How to Capture Hoopa Unbound
Unlike the majority of Mythical Pokémon, which are accessible solely through Research tasks, players can acquire Hoopa Unbound by defeating it in 5-Star Raids.
To celebrate the concluding weeks of the Dual Destiny season, Hoopa Unbound will return as a Raid Boss on February 15, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time. Trainers will have the opportunity to challenge Hoopa Unbound multiple times during this three-hour event. Successfully defeating it will yield a chance to catch it using Premier Balls. The number of Premier Balls awarded will depend on your battle performance.
Utilizing Golden Razz Berries and executing Excellent Curveball Throws can substantially boost your chances of catching this elusive Pokémon.
Switching Between Hoopa’s Formes
Once you successfully capture Hoopa Unbound, you can change it back to Hoopa Confined using 10 Candy and 2, 000 Stardust. To reverse the process, switching from Hoopa Confined to Hoopa Unbound requires 50 Candy and 10, 000 Stardust.
Recent Changes to Form Switching
Previously, players needed to complete the Mischief Unbound Special Research to toggle between forms. With the upcoming Raid Day, this requirement will be lifted, allowing any player to change forms as long as they possess the necessary Candy and Stardust.
Hoopa Unbound’s Combat Power (CP)
As is common with Raid Bosses, Hoopa Unbound’s CP in battle is different from what it will have once caught. Environmental factors can also modify this CP.
| Raid Boss CP | 66, 170 |
| CP range upon capture | 2197 – 2289 |
| Windy/Fog weather CP range | 2746 – 2862 |
| Max CP at Level 50 | 4530 |
Hoopa Unbound’s Stats and Moves
As a dual Psychic/Dark-type, Hoopa Unbound has commendable stats:
| ATTACK | DEFENSE | STAMINA | MAX CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 311 | 191 | 173 | 4530 |
Fast Moves
- Confusion (Psychic/STAB)
- Astonish (Ghost)
Charged Moves
- Dark Pulse (Dark/STAB)
- Shadow Ball (Ghost)
- Psychic (Psychic/STAB)
Shiny Variant Availability
Currently, Hoopa Unbound does not have a Shiny variant in Pokémon Go. There has yet to be a release of a Shiny version of Hoopa, either in its Confined or Unbound forms, in the mainline games, which means players should not expect its Shiny form to debut in Pokémon Go anytime soon.
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