Gigantamax Kingler in Pokemon GO: Top Counters and Strategies

As a formidable 6-Star Raid boss making its debut in *Pokemon GO*, Gigantamax Kingler challenges Trainers to assemble a raid party with the perfect movesets to exploit its vulnerabilities. This giant evolution of Krabby, the first Gigantamax boss since Lapras, will test your team's strength during its Max Battle Day on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM local time.

Gigantamax Kingler Weaknesses & Resistances in Pokemon GO

As a pure Water-type, 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 160% super-effective damage. Conversely, Kingler resists Fire-, Water-, Steel-, and Ice-type moves, which only inflict 39% damage. To maximize your chances of victory, steer clear of these types of attacks.

Best Counters Against Gigantamax Kingler in Pokemon GO

To successfully defeat Gigantamax Kingler in *Pokemon GO*, Trainers should deploy Electric- and non-pure Grass-type counters such as **Venusaur, Ivysaur, and Zapdos**. Keep in mind that only Dynamax- or Gigantamax-capable Pokemon can participate in these Max Battles, narrowing your choices but leaving you with several effective options:

**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 counters like the Grass-type Rillaboom are viable, be cautious of Gigantamax Kingler's potential moveset, which includes Bubble, Mud Shot, Metal Claw, Vise Grip, Water Pulse, Crabhammer, Razor Shell, and the Bug-type attack X-Scissor. X-Scissor is super-effective against pure Grass-types, but Venusaur and Ivysaur's Poison typing neutralizes this threat. Similarly, Zapdos' Flying type mitigates the risk from Ground-type moves like Mud Shot, which would otherwise be devastating to Electric-and-Poison types like Toxitricity.

Prioritize counters that benefit from a 20% STAB (same-type attack bonus) for maximum efficiency. However, non-matching types like Greedent, Dubwool, and Cryogonal, which can learn Grass- or Electric-type moves, serve as excellent backups since they can only take neutral damage from Gigantamax Kingler's attacks. If you're low on super-effective counters, consider using neutral tanks like Blastoise or Lapras for their defensive capabilities.

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. After defeating Gigantamax Kingler, there's a chance to encounter and catch a Shiny version with its unique coloration. While the exact odds haven't been disclosed, it's speculated to be around 1 in 20, similar to other 5-Star Raid bosses.

Don’t Forget Max Mushrooms

If your raid party struggles against Gigantamax Kingler, consider using Max Mushrooms, available for purchase in *Pokemon GO*. These items double the damage output of your Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon for 30 seconds, though they come at a steep price of 400 PokeCoins each. When used strategically, Max Mushrooms can significantly boost your chances of success.

Now that you're equipped with the knowledge to defeat Gigantamax Kingler using the best counters during its Max Battle Day, be sure to check out the *Pokemon GO* event schedule for more exciting events throughout February.