How to take on Giratina’s Altered Forme in Pokémon Go

Altered Forme Giratina is coming back to Legendary Raids for one week only in Pokémon Go! To celebrate the new Remote Raid Passes, you'll be able to challenge this Legendary Ghost and Dragon type from Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 1 pm PST until Tuesday, May 12, at 1 pm. This Raid isn't super hard to beat but can be pretty resource intensive (gotta revive all those Dragons.) Fortunately, we have everything you need to know for taking on Giratina-A in Pokémon Go!

Who is Giratina, and what is its Altered Forme?

Originally from the Pokémon world, Giratina is a Legendary Pokémon who was banished to a reverse dimension known as the Distortion World because of its violent nature. Giratina can still cross dimensions at will, but the gravity of the real world forces it to take on its Altered Forme. Sometimes seen in cemeteries, Giratina is fiercely defensive of the Distortion World and will battle any Pokémon or person across dimensions should they bring harm to its home. While the Altered Forme Giratina isn't quite the powerhouse its Origin Forme is, it's still an incredibly powerful Dragon and Ghost type Pokémon that you will want in your roster.

What are the best counters?

As a Ghost and Dragon type, Giratina has five different weaknesses: Ghost, Ice, Dragon, Dark, and Fairy. Although any Dragon type you bring into battle will also be weak to Giratina's Dragon type moves, some of the strongest Pokémon in the game are Dragon types, so expect to see a lot of them on our recommended list.

Rayquaza

The strongest Dragon type in the game, the Legendary Dragon and Flying type Rayquaza should definitely be on your team for this Raid. It will take double damage should Giratina have its Dragon type moves or the Rock type Ancient Power, but Rayquaza's total damage output more than makes up for it. Unfortunately, Rayquaza has had pretty limited availability, so only hardcore players are going to be able to bring in a whole team of them. Still, if you have it, Dragon Tail and Outrage is the moveset you're looking for.

Salamence

A psuedo-Legendary Dragon and Flying type, Salamence is a fair bit easier to get than Rayquaza and an excellent counter for Giratina. The gen III final evolution of Bagon is also weak to Dragon and Rock type moves, but will be dealing super effective damage with Dragon Tail and Outrage the whole time. Having been the subject of a Community Day, plenty of Trainers have a few they can add to their team for this Raid.

Palkia

Another Legendary Pokémon with limited availability, Palkia is a Water and Dragon type. It will still take super effective damage from Giratina's Dragon type moves, but it only takes normal damage from the Rock or Ghost type moves. You probably can't make a whole team of Palkia, but if you are bringing it along, the ideal moveset is Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor.

Garchomp

A gen IV psuedo-Legendary, Garchomp is the Dragon and Ground type final evolution of Gible. Because of its secondary Ground typing, Garchomp takes reduced damage from Giratina's Ancient Power. Gible can be a little tough to come by, so you might not have a fully powered up Garchomp, but if you do, Dragon Tail and Outrage are the moves you want it to know.

Darkrai

The Mythical Dark type Darkrai has been made available a few times since its introduction during the 2019 Halloween Event. It is a hard hitter as the strongest Dark type in the game and will make quick work of Giratina. It is resistant to Ghost type moves, and takes normal damage from both Dragon and Rock type moves, making it far more durable overall than the Dragon type counters. If you're bringing Darkrai to this Raid, Snarl paired with Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse work well.

Haxorus

A pure Dragon type introduced in gen V, Haxorus, is the final evolution of Axew. It takes double damage from Dragon type moves, but can withstand Ghost, and Rock type moves well enough. Axew aren't super easy to come by, so you probably don't have a ton of this Pokémon, but if you do, it is a solid counter for Giratina. The ideal moveset for this Raid is Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw

Dragonite

Despite its status as a psuedo-Legendary, Dragonite has been made available in a number of ways since the start of Pokémon Go. Most players can build whole teams of this Dragon and Flying type after its Community Day and its Special Research. It takes super effective damage from Rock and Dragon type moves, so don't expect it to last terribly long, but with Dragon Tail and either Outrage or Draco Meteor, it will take a significant chunk out of Giratina's health before it faints.

Latios

Yet another Legendary on the list, Latios is Dragon and Psychic type introduced in gen III. Giratina's Ghost and Dragon type moves will do double damage, but it only takes normal damage from the Rock type Ancient Power. If you're bringing any Latios to the Raid, you'll want it to know Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw.

Mewtwo

The first to be featured in EX-Raids, Legendary Psychic type Mewtwo has been around for a fair bit, and yet some players still only have one. Still, if you happen to have a strong Shadow Ball Mewtwo, you'll be glad you included it in your team. Paired with the fast move Psycho Cut, Mewtwo's Shadow Ball will deal super effective damage to Giratina, and because it is a pure Psychic type, the only moves you really need to worry about are Ghost type.

Giratina Origin Forme

Because Dragon types are weak against other Dragon types and because the Altered forme is the weaker of the two, Giratina's Origin Forme is an excellent counter for this Raid. It will still faint pretty quick against Dragon and Ghost type movesets, but pairing either of its quick moves with Shadow Ball, Giratina-O will take a solid bite out of Giratina-A. Unfortunately, it hasn't seen a ton of availability, so you might not have any fully powered up.

Back ups?

Because so many Dragon types (and their other counters) are Legendary or psuedo-Legendary, a lot of players won't be able to make a full team out of excellent counters. Fortunately, there are some good back ups. If you're still trying to fill out your roster, consider any of the following:

• Gengar with Shadow Claw or Lick and Shadow Ball.
• Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.
• Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball.
• Dialga with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor.
• Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch.
• Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche.
• Hydreigon with Bite and Dark Pulse.
• Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam.
• Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche or Snarl and Foul Play.

Shadow Pokémon

The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events, it's possible to change their moves with TMs. If you happen to have Shadow versions of the following Pokémon, they will work very well in this Raid:

• Shadow Salamence
• Shadow Dragonite
• Shadow Weavile
• Shadow Banette
• Shadow Tyranitar
• Shadow Gardevoir

Keep in mind, these only work if you've spent the Candies and Stardust boosting them, and have been able to change their moves. They will also faint fast, so be ready to use plenty of Revives.

How many players?

With the right Weather Conditions, best counters, and top-level players, it is technically possible for two people to take on an Altered forme Giratina. However, you'll probably want to aim for three to five. If you're Raiding with lower level players, poor weather conditions, or less than ideal counters, you may need as many as eight. Windy weather will boost Giratina's Dragon type moves, as well as the Dragon type moves of many of its counters. Fog will boost both Ghost and Dark type moves. Partly Cloudy weather will boost Giratina's Rock type move, Ancient Power. If you happen to be using Fairy or Ice type moves, you'll want Cloudy weather or Snow, respectively.

Questions?

Do you have any questions about taking on Giratina in its Altered Forme? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, as well as our many Pokémon Go guides so you can be the very best like no one ever was!