This article is a part of directory: Mastering Pokémon GO. The Ultimate Guide to Catching Them All

Legendary Rock/Fighting-type Pokémon from the Unova region (Generation V) Terrakion is the Cavern Pokémon. Terrakion, a member of the Swords of Justice trio, is much sought-after for its extraordinary strength in raids and surprising viability in Master League PvP. Terrakion’s best movesets for both PvE and PvP, ideal counter strategies, insights into its Shadow form, and professional advice to help you maximize its potential in Pokémon GO are all broken out here.

Terrakion Overview

Pokédex Entry & Typing

Terrakion is known for its immense strength, capable of smashing through castle walls with a single blow, according to the Pokédex.

  • Type: Rock / Fighting
  • Weaknesses: Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, Psychic, Fairy (all 1.6x damage)
  • Resistances: Normal, Fire, Poison, Rock, Bug, Dark (0.625x damage)

Base Stats

  • Attack: 260
  • Defense: 192
  • Stamina: 209

Best Roles

Terrakion mostly serves as a top-notch Rock-type attacker on raids. One of the best choices for defeating Flying, Fire, Ice, and Bug-type raid bosses is its great Attack stat and access to strong moves. It also plays a niche role in the Master League, where its special typing and strong moveset let it challenge some of the reigning powers. Its several flaws make it not usually used for Gym defense.

Best Moveset for Terrakion in PvE (Raids & Gym Battles)

Optimal Moveset

  • Fast Move: Smack Down (Rock)
  • Charged Move: Rock Slide (Rock)

DPS & TDO

Comparatively to Terrakion’s other fast move choice, Double Kick, Smack Down, a Rock-type fast move, offers considerably more damage output and energy generation. Consistent damage from a two-bar Rock-type charged move like Rock Slide lets Terrakion launch attacks often. Although Sacred Sword is also a great move, its typing makes it pertinent for Fighting-type damage—for which there are better pokemon.

PvE Moveset Comparison Table

Fast MoveCharged MoveEffectiveness
Smack DownRock SlideBest PvE option
Double KickRock SlideSuboptimal
Smack DownSacred SwordSuboptimal
Double KickSacred SwordSuboptimal

Use Cases

Terrakion excels against Pokémon that are weak to Rock-type attacks, such as:

  • Flying-types: Moltres, Articuno, Zapdos, Ho-Oh, Yveltal
  • Fire-types: Charizard, Entei, Heatran, Moltres
  • Ice-types: Articuno, Regice, Kyurem
  • Bug-types: Scizor, Pinsir, Heracross

Ideal Terrakion Moveset for PvP (GO Battle League)

Great League, Ultra League, & Master League Viability

Terrakion mostly makes sense in the Master League. Its great Attack stat and access to powerful moves help it to challenge some of the best meta threats. Given its high CP and frequency of strong counters in Great League and Ultra League, it is usually not advised for those leagues.

Recommended Moveset

  • Fast Move: Double Kick (Fighting)
  • Charged Moves: Sacred Sword (Fighting) and Rock Slide (Rock)

PvP Moveset Comparison Table

Fast MoveCharged MoveBest For
Double KickSacred Sword & Rock SlideAll-Around/Closer
Double KickRock SlideSafe switch
Double KickSacred SwordLead

Playstyle & Strategy

  • Lead: Terrakion can function as a lead, putting early pressure.
  • Safe Switch: Not recommended as a safe switch due to its many weaknesses.
  • Closer: Terrakion excels as a closer, utilizing its high damage output to finish off weakened opponents.
  • Shield-Baiting: Rock Slide’s relatively low energy cost can be used to bait shields, setting up for a more powerful Sacred Sword.
  • Double Kick is one of the highest energy generating fast moves.

PvP Rankings

PvPoke claims Terrakion has a decent Master League Open meta ranking. Its power resides in its capacity to pose major harm to shared concerns including Dialga, Melmetal, and Togekiss.

Shadow Terrakion: Is It Worth It?

Shadow Bonus

Shadow Terrakion receives a 20% attack boost but takes 20% more damage. This makes it an even more potent raid attacker, capable of dealing incredible damage, though it becomes more fragile.

Best Moveset for Shadow Terrakion

  • Fast Move: Smack Down (Rock)
  • Charged Move: Rock Slide (Rock) (PvE)
    • Double Kick (Fighting) + Sacred Sword (Fighting) and Rock Slide (Rock) (PvP)

Should You Purify?

Absolutely NO. The 20% attack boost is far too valuable for PvE, making Shadow Terrakion one of the best Rock-type attackers in the game. In PvP, the increased fragility is a concern, but the raw power often makes it worth it.

Best Counters to Terrakion

Terrakion’s dual typing leaves it vulnerable to a wide range of attacks.

Top Pokémon to Counter Terrakion in Raids & PvP:

  • Mewtwo (Psychic)
  • Metagross (Steel/Psychic)
  • Kyogre (Water)
  • Groudon (Ground)
  • Swampert (Water/Ground)
  • Conkeldurr (Fighting)
  • Latios (Dragon/Psychic)
  • Lugia (Psychic/Flying)

Counter Moveset Table

Counter PokémonFast MoveCharged Move
MewtwoConfusionPsystrike
MetagrossBullet PunchMeteor Mash
KyogreWaterfallOrigin Pulse
GroudonMud ShotPrecipice Blades
SwampertMud ShotHydro Cannon
ConkeldurrCounterDynamic Punch
LatiosDragon BreathPsychic
LugiaExtrasensoryAeroblast

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How to Get Terrakion in Pokémon GO

  • Raid Availability: Terrakion is primarily obtained through 5-star raids. It has appeared in raids multiple times, often alongside other members of the Swords of Justice. Pay attention to Niantic’s announcements for its next appearance.
  • Research Tasks: Terrakion has not been commonly featured in Research Breakthroughs or Special Research.
  • Trading: Trading with a friend is a good option if you missed previous raid events or want a Terrakion with better IVs.

Conclusion

Terrakion is a powerhouse in Pokémon GO, particularly as a top-tier Rock-type attacker for raids. Its best PvE moveset is Smack Down and Rock Slide. While it has a niche role in Master League PvP with Double Kick, Sacred Sword, and Rock Slide, it truly shines in PvE content.

Final Recommendation: Players should absolutely invest Stardust, TMs, and Rare Candy into a high-IV Terrakion, especially a Shadow one. It’s a valuable asset for tackling challenging raid bosses.