Prepare for Mega Lucario Raid Day: July 27, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time
Get ready, Trainers! Mega Lucario, the explosive Aura Pokémon, is coming to Pokémon GO raids. This Fighting- and Steel-type powerhouse, originally from the Sinnoh region, is known for its relentless attacks and incredible energy. This comprehensive Mega Lucario Raid Guide will equip you with the best strategies to conquer Mega Lucario raids, catch Lucario, and effectively utilize this formidable Pokémon.
Top Pokémon to Counter Mega Lucario in Raids
Mega Lucario’s dual Fighting- and Steel-typing makes it vulnerable to Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks. To maximize your damage output, select Pokémon with Fast and Charged Attacks matching these types. Utilizing Pokémon that share a type with their attacks grants a Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB), boosting damage by 20%.
Prioritize Pokémon with high CP and optimal stats when assembling your raid team. Quick victories mean more Premier Balls, increasing your chances of catching Lucario. Team up with fellow trainers to leverage Party Power, which amplifies Charged Attack damage, and consider including a Mega-Evolved Pokémon in your lineup to boost the damage of all participating Pokémon of the same type.
Best Ground-type Pokémon
Ground-type Pokémon are excellent choices against Mega Lucario. Here are some top contenders:
- Groudon / Shadow Groudon (Ground)
- Fast Attack: Mud Shot (Ground)
- Charged Attack: Earthquake (Ground), Precipice Blades (Ground)*
Alt text: Shadow Groudon, a powerful Ground-type Pokemon, ideal for Mega Lucario raids in Pokemon GO.
-
Primal Groudon (Ground/Fire)
- Fast Attack: Mud Shot (Ground)
- Charged Attack: Earthquake (Ground), Precipice Blades (Ground)*
-
Garchomp / Shadow Garchomp / Mega Garchomp (Dragon/Ground)
- Fast Attack: Mud Shot (Ground)
- Charged Attack: Earth Power (Ground)*, Earthquake (Ground), Sand Tomb (Ground)
Alt text: Mega Garchomp, a Dragon and Ground-type Mega Evolution, effective as a counter in Mega Lucario raids in Pokemon GO.
-
Excadrill / Shadow Excadrill (Ground/Steel)
- Fast Attack: Mud Shot (Ground), Mud-Slap (Ground)
- Charged Attack: Drill Run (Ground), Earthquake (Ground)
-
Therian Forme Landorus (Ground/Flying)
- Fast Attack: Mud Shot (Ground)
- Charged Attack: Bulldoze (Ground), Earthquake (Ground), Superpower (Fighting)
Top Fire-type Pokémon
Fire-type Pokémon are another strong option to exploit Mega Lucario’s weaknesses:
-
Charizard / Mega Charizard Y (Fire/Flying)
- Fast Attack: Ember (Fire)*, Fire Spin (Fire)
- Charged Attack: Blast Burn (Fire)*, Fire Blast (Fire), Flamethrower (Fire)*, Overheat (Fire)
-
Blaziken / Mega Blaziken (Fire/Fighting)
- Fast Attack: Counter (Fighting), Fire Spin (Fire)
- Charged Attack: Blast Burn (Fire)*, Blaze Kick (Fire), Focus Blast (Fighting), Overheat (Fire)
-
Reshiram (Dragon/Fire)
- Fast Attack: Fire Fang (Fire)
- Charged Attack: Fusion Flare (Fire)*, Overheat (Fire)
-
Ho-Oh / Shadow Ho-Oh (Fire/Flying)
- Fast Attack: Incinerate (Fire)
- Charged Attack: Earthquake (Ground), Fire Blast (Fire), Sacred Fire (Fire)*
Effective Fighting-type Pokémon
Don’t forget the power of Fighting-type Pokémon against Mega Lucario:
-
Heracross / Mega Heracross (Bug/Fighting)
- Fast Attack: Counter (Fighting)
- Charged Attack: Cross Combat (Fighting)
-
Machamp / Shadow Machamp (Fighting)
- Fast Attack: Counter (Fighting), Karate Chop (Fighting)*
- Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Cross Chop (Fighting), Dynamic Punch (Fighting), Submission (Fighting)
-
Terrakion (Rock/Fighting)
- Fast Attack: Double Kick (Fighting)
- Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Earthquake (Ground), Sacred Sword (Fighting)*
-
Hariyama / Shadow Hariyama (Fighting)
- Fast Attack: Counter (Fighting)
- Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Dynamic Punch (Fighting), Superpower (Fighting)
* Elite Fast TMs or Elite Charged TMs might be needed to teach these exclusive attacks.
Catching Lucario After the Raid
Upon defeating Mega Lucario, it reverts to its standard form, Lucario. You’ll receive a limited number of Premier Balls to catch it. Maximize your Premier Balls by raiding with friends and defeating Mega Lucario swiftly.
Your catch rate improves with smaller target rings, so aim for Excellent Throws. Curveballs further increase your odds. Prioritize consistent Nice or Great Throws over missed Excellent Curveball attempts if necessary.
Lucario is an active Pokémon, so observe its movement patterns. Throw Premier Balls during pauses in its animation, when the target ring reappears and begins to shrink.
Berries are invaluable for catching Lucario. Razz Berries increase catch rate, while Golden Razz Berries significantly boost it. Nanab Berries can calm Lucario, making throws easier, and Silver Pinap Berries offer extra Candy alongside improved catch rates.
If your Buddy Pokémon is Great Buddy level or higher, its Catch Assist Perk might bounce back deflected Poké Balls for a second chance!
Lucario can be challenging to catch, so persistence is key. Restock on items like Max Potions, Max Revives, and Golden Razz Berries and try again if needed.
Utilizing Lucario After Capture
Lucario’s Capture CP Ranges:
- Standard: 1,469–1,544 CP
- Weather Boost (Snow/Cloudy): 1,837–1,930 CP
Lucario’s Move Pool:
- Fast Attacks: Bullet Punch (Steel), Counter (Fighting), Force Palm (Fighting)*
- Charged Attacks: Aura Sphere (Fighting), Blaze Kick (Fire), Close Combat (Fighting), Flash Cannon (Steel), Power-Up Punch (Fighting), Shadow Ball (Ghost), Thunder Punch (Electric)
* Force Palm is a new Fast Attack debuting on Raid Day, and will be Elite TM exclusive after the event.
Lucario’s Fighting- and Steel-typing grants resistance to nine types: Normal, Grass, Ice, Poison, Bug, Rock, Dragon, Dark, and Steel. Even without Mega Evolution, Lucario is a top-tier Fighting-type raid attacker. With Aura Sphere, it stands among the strongest Fighting-types in Pokémon GO. Mega Evolution elevates its raid potential even further.
While Lucario shines in raids, its GO Battle League performance is more niche. It finds viability in the Ultra League due to its Fighting-type prowess and access to Ghost-type Shadow Ball, offering coverage against threats like Walrein, Registeel, Greninja, and Obstagoon. However, it struggles against Poliwrath, Giratina, and Cresselia. Machamp and Annihilape are generally more popular Fighting-types, and Registeel and Cobalion are preferred Steel-types in PvP.
To maximize Mega Lucario’s potential, participate in numerous raids to gather Mega Energy. For raid battles, Counter is a premier Fast Attack, and Aura Sphere is a devastating Charged Attack. For Steel-type offense, Bullet Punch and Flash Cannon are the go-to moves.
In the GO Battle League, select moves that complement your team strategy. Lucario’s diverse movepool allows for varied sets, potentially surprising opponents. Consider unlocking a second Charged Attack, noting that doing so for Riolu is cheaper (10,000 Stardust & 25 Candy) than for Lucario (75,000 Stardust & 75 Candy).
Good luck dominating your Mega Lucario raids! For more Pokémon GO tips and strategies, visit Pokemon.com/Strategy.
