Kyurem is back in Pokémon Go for December 2020

The Legendary Dragon and Ice type, Kyurem is back in Pokémon Go Raids!

The Last of the Legendary Tao Trio, Kyurem has returned to Pokémon Go! For the entire month of December 2020, the Boundary Pokémon will be the only Legendary Raid boss. Kyurem is the easiest to beat of the Tao Trio, and now even easier thanks to Mega Evolution, so make sure you stock up on Raid Passes. You won't want to miss your chance to add it to your roster!

Who is Kyurem, and what is the Tao Trio?

The Tao Trio of the Unova region is a group of Legendary Dragon type Pokémon and the mascots of the Gen V games Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black 2, and Pokémon White 2. The Tao Trio is based on the concepts of Yin, Yang, and Wuji. Zekrom represents Yin with its Electric typing, while Reshiram represents Yang with its Fire typing, and Kyurem, with its Ice typing, represents Wuji, which is the absence of Yin and Yang.

Kyurem is unique among the Tao Trio in that it is capable of fusing with the other two to form Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. While fused, it is significantly stronger, but on its own, Kyurem is the easiest of the three Raids. Eventually, if given the ability to fuse, it will really stand out. It could also be a powerful Ice type if given its signature move in the future. It has two possible Fast Moves: Dragon Breath and Steel Wing. Its possible charged moves include Blizzard, Draco Meteor, and Dragon Claw.

What are the best counters?

As a Dragon and Ice type, Kyurem is weak to Fighting, Rock, Steel, Dragon, and Fairy type moves. It can deal Dragon, Ice, and Steel type damage.

Metagross

The Steel and Psychic type final evolution of Beldum, Metagross is the best counter for Kyurem. It's resistant to all of Kyurem's moves and can deal double damage with it's own Steel type moves. Beldum has been a Shadow Pokémon and featured in a Community Day, so most players have at least one or two strong Metagross. You'll want it to know Bullet Punch and it's Community Day exclusive, Meteor Mash. If you don't have one from Community Day, investing an Elite TM into this move is well worth it.

Lucario

A Fighting and Steel type from Gen IV, Lucario is also resistant to everything Kyurem can dish out. With Counter or Bullet Punch, and Aura Sphere, it can deal super effective damage as well. Unfortunately, Lucario and it's baby form, Riolu are fairly rare, so you might not have more than one fully powered up. If you do have Lucario, it's second only to Metagross, so well worth the investment of Rare Candies to power up.

Conkeldurr

The final evolution of Timburr, Conkeldurr is a pure Fighting type from Gen V. It isn't super common and it doesn't bring any notable resistances to the battle, but it's also not weak against any of Kyruem's attacks. It also benefits from Trade Evolution, leaving plenty of extra Candies for powering up. With Cloudy weather, it performs very well. If you're bringing Conkeldurr to this Raid, you'll want it to know Counter and Dynamic Punch.

Dialga

A Legendary Steel and Dragon type from Gen IV, Dialga hasn't seen widespread availability in Pokémon Go so many players don't have even one fully powered up. Still, if you have it, Dialga resists Kyurem's Steel type attack, and only takes normal damage from its Ice and Dragon type attacks. Either Metal Claw or Dragon Breath work for the Fast move, and you'll want Draco Meteor for the Charged attack.

Rhyperior

The final evolution of Gen I Rhyhorn, Rhyperior isn't my first choice for this Raid. As a Ground and Rock type, it's taking double damage from Kyurem's Ice and Steel type moves, but most players have at least one or two fully powered up (if not a whole team.) Rhyhorn has been around since the start and was featured in a Community Day. Plus Rhyperior is quite durable, even when taking double damage. If you do bring Rhyperior to this Raid, you'll want it to know Smack Down and Rock Wrecker.

Machamp

Gen I Machamp is a pure Fighting type with widespread availability. With the addition of Trade Evolution, there is no good excuse not to have a couple fully powered up Machamp in your roster. It's not quite as sturdy as Conkeldurr, but with Counter and Dynamic Punch, as well as no significant weaknesses, it will put the hurt on Kyurem.

Terrakion

One of the Legendary Swords of Justice, Terrakion has had fairly widespread availability in Raids and as a reward encounter. As a Rock and Fighting type, it will take double damage from Steel Wing, but normal damage from the rest of Kyurem's moves. If you're bringing Terrkion to this Raid, you'll want Smack Down and Stone Edge for the moveset.

Mega Charizard Y

One of two Mega Evolutions of the original Fire starter, Mega Charizard Y is a Fire and Flying type. With access to the Dragon type moves Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw, Mega Charizard Y is capable of dealing Dragon type damage, benefiting from the huge stat boost that Mega Evolution grants, and not taking super effective damage from any of Kyurem's moves. However, while it will provide the same stat boost all Mega Evolved Pokémon do, it will not boost other Dragon types like Mega Charizard X would. There are definitely better options, so I wouldn't Mega Evolve solely for this Raid, but if you already have one Mega Evolved, it is worth bringing along.

Genesect

The Mythical Steel and Bug type from the Unova Region, Genesect performs quite well against Kyurem. It resists all of Kyurem's attacks and has been far more common than Mythicals usually are in Pokémon Go. However, it's still fairly expensive to power up so plenty of Trainers only have one or two. If you are bringing Genesect to this Raid, you'll want it to know Metal Claw and Magnet Bomb.

Gardevoir

While the Psychic and Fairy type Gardevoir from Gen III's Hoenn region is capable of Mega Evolution, its Mega Evolved forme hasn't been introduced to Pokémon Go yet. Once it is, it will not only perform much better against Kyurem, but will boost other Fairy type attackers. Until then, however, it still performs well enough to earn a place on our list. It resists Dragon type moves, but takes double damage from Steel. Charm and Dazzling Gleam is the moveset you'll want your Gardevoir to know for this Raid.

Back ups?

Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:

• Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Zekrom with Dragon Breath and Outrage
• Cobalion with Metal Claw and Sacred Sword
• Jirachi with Confusion and Doom Desire
• Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
• Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
• Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
• Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Haxorus with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
• Mega Gengar with Shadow Claw and Focus Blast
• Scizor with Bullet Punch and Iron Head
• Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
• Gyarados with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Salamence with Dragon Tail and Outrage
• Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide

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 or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:

• Shadow Metagross
• Shadow Machamp
• Shadow Gardevoir
• Shadow Tyranitar
• Shadow Scizor
• Shadow Dragonite
• Shadow Gyarados
• Shadow Salamence
• Shadow Omastar

Note: Shadow Metagross outperforms every other Pokémon in the best counters list. Shadow Machamp, Shadow Gardevoir, Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Scizor, Shadow Dragonite, and Shadow Gyarados also perform on par with the other best counters.

How many players does it take to beat Kyurem?

Kyurem is by far the easiest of the Tao Trio to beat. Lacking an Ice type Fast move, not to mention its signature attack Glaciate, this should be a fairly easy Raid. With the best counters, two level 30+ Trainers can do this Raid alone. Even lower level players or those who lack the best counters shouldn't need more than five or six Trainers to take on Kyurem.

Weather conditions won't play a big factor in this Raid, with most of them boosting both Kyurem and its counters. However the following can impact this Raid:

• Snow will boost Kyurem's Ice and Steel type moves, as well as your Steel type counters.
• Windy Weather will boost Kyurem's Dragon type moves, as well as your Dragon type counters.
• Cloudy Weather will boost Fairy and Fighting type counters.
• Partly Cloudy Weather will boost your Rock type counters.

Questions about taking on Kyurem?

Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary Pokémon Kyurem? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!