Get ready, Trainers! As a formidable 6-Star Raid boss making its debut in *Pokémon GO*, Gigantamax Kingler is set to challenge players during its Max Battle Day on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM local time. This giant Krabby evolution, the first Gigantamax boss since Lapras, demands a well-coordinated raid party to conquer. Let's dive into how you can prepare to tackle this aquatic titan.

Gigantamax Kingler Weaknesses & Resistances in Pokémon GO

As a pure Water-type, Gigantamax Kingler shares the same vulnerabilities as its base form. It is solely weak against Grass- and Electric-type attacks, which deal 160% super-effective damage. However, Kingler boasts resistances to Fire-, Water-, Steel-, and Ice-type moves, reducing their effectiveness to just 39%. Avoid these types of moves to maximize your damage output.

Best Counters Against Gigantamax Kingler in Pokémon GO

Image via Niantic/The Pokémon Company

To stand a chance against Gigantamax Kingler, Trainers must deploy Electric- and non-pure Grass-type counters. Due to the raid's rules, only Dynamax- or Gigantamax-capable Pokémon can be used, narrowing your choices but still offering effective options. Here are some of the best counters to consider:

While other Grass-types like Rillaboom are viable, be wary of Gigantamax Kingler’s potential moveset, which includes Bubble, Mud Shot, Metal Claw, Vise Grip, Water Pulse, Crabhammer, Razor Shell, and the Bug-type X-Scissor. X-Scissor is super-effective against pure Grass-types, but Venusaur and Ivysaur, being part-Poison, can mitigate this threat.

Similarly, Mud Shot could be detrimental to Electric-and-Poison types like Toxitricity, but Zapdos, with its Flying typing, remains safe. To maximize damage, prioritize counters with moves that benefit from a 20% Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB). However, Pokémon like Greedent, Dubwool, and Cryogonal, which can learn Grass- or Electric-type moves despite their primary typing, serve as excellent backup options, taking only neutral damage from Kingler’s attacks.

If you're low on super-effective counters, consider using neutral tanks like Blastoise or Lapras, which can endure longer in battle.

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 *Pokémon 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, though the odds are not high. While not officially confirmed, it's believed that the Shiny encounter rate for Gigantamax Kingler is 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 *Pokémon GO*. These items double the damage dealt by your Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon for 30 seconds, though they come at a steep price of 400 PokéCoins each. When used strategically, Max Mushrooms can significantly boost your chances of victory.

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 *Pokémon GO* event schedule for more exciting events throughout February.