Pokémon Go Mega Houndoom counters, weaknesses and best moveset

Mega Houndoom was released worldwide in Pokémon Go during September 2020's Mega Event. It has held its place as the top Dark-type attacker in the game, though it has plummeted down the Fire-type rankings in the years since its release. It's still OK, but there are simply better Fire-type options. Below you'll find the Mega Houndoom counters and weaknesses in Pokémon Go, along with a look at shiny Mega Houndoom.

On this page:

• Mega Houndoom counters
• How to beat Mega Houndoom
• Mega Houndoom CP
• Best Mega Houndoom moveset
• Is shiny Houndoom in Pokémon Go?

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Mega Houndoom counters and weaknesses

Here the Mega Houndoom counters and weaknesses in Pokémon Go:

Mega Houndoom weaknesses

Mega Houndoom types - Dark/Fire

Weak against:

• Fighting
• Ground
• Rock
• Water

Super resistant to:

• Psychic

Resistant to:

• Dark
• Fire
• Ghost
• Grass
• Ice
• Steel

Best Mega Houndoom counters

Mega Houndoom Mega counters

The top picks for Mega counters against Mega Houndoom are Mega Mewtwo X, followed (at some length) by Mega Blaziken and Mega Greninja X. If you don’t have those, your best options are either of the two Primal Pokémon or Mega Lucario.

Mega Houndoom non-Mega counters

Resolute Keldeo with Secret Sword is your top non-Mega counter, followed by Shadow Blaziken (Aura Sphere) and Terrakion (Sacred Sword). After that it's pretty much working down your strongest Shadows in the types Houndoom is weak to.

The Mega Squads event sees the release of Maschiff! Want to know what's happening this month? Then take a look at the September schedule. Don't forget to keep an eye out for both the rarest Pokémon and the best Pokémon in your travels.

How to beat Mega Houndoom

Mega Houndoom is has a reasonable Defence stat, such that it's probably impossible to solo. The addition of a plus move to its move pool is also going to hold you back from killing it quickly.

When it comes to your choice of Mega Evolution, this a rare chance for Mega Mewtwo X to actually be useful shine. Its Dynamic Punch+ is pretty powerful, so if you have it you'll want to use it. Your next-best option is the kickin' chicken, which is fortunately easy to get hold of, as are Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon.

The rest of your team is going to pack significantly less of a punch, especially as the Shadows you'll rely on are sacrificing Defence for Attack. There are plenty of good options here though, so simply pick your strongest and fill out your team.

Aim for three or four other Trainers and you should be able to take down Mega Houndoom without too much difficulty.

Mega Houndoom CP in Pokémon Go

Here's the raid boss CP level for Mega Houndoom, along with the CP ranges to expect when catching a regular Houndoom after successfully defeating its Mega version in Pokémon Go:

Mega Houndoom CP Levels

• Mega Houndoom Raid CP - 41,693 CP
• CP range for catching Houndoom - 1,432 CP to 1,505 C CP
• Weather (Foggy/Sunny) when being caught - 1,790 CP to 1,882 CP

Best Mega Houndoom moveset in Pokémon Go

Best Mega Houndoom Moveset

My recommendation for the best Mega Houndoom moveset is Snarl as a Fast Move and Dark Pulse+ as a Charged Move to make the most of its STAB and position as the top Dark-type attacker. It's far less effective as a Fire-type attacker, but if you're desperate, you want Fire Fang and Flamethrower as your two moves.

Here's Houndoom's full moveset in Pokémon Go:

Fast Moves:

• Fire Fang (Fire)
• Snarl (Dark)

Charged Moves:

• Crunch (Dark)
• Dark Pulse+ (Dark)
• Fire Blast (Fire)
• Flamethrower (Fire)
• Foul Play (Dark)

Is shiny Houndoom in Pokémon Go?

Yes, shiny Houndoom is in Pokémon Go! Shiny Houndoom was released alongside shiny Snubbull, shiny Granbull and shiny Houndour in August 2018 as Field Research.

As you can see, Shiny Houndoom is an inky blue. It looks significantly cooler in black, but the blue isn't terrible. Unfortunately, it's just not a colour that pops. Shame as the original - especially the mega - is metal as hell.

Good luck defeating Mega Houndoom in Pokémon Go!