Giratina (Origin Forme) is a Ghost/Dragon-type Tier 5 raid boss. Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost and Ice attacks all deal super-effective damage, so build your party around your strongest powered-up attackers from those types. Pokémon GO Hub’s October 2026 modeling places Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe at the top, followed by Eternatus and Mega Dragonite, while Dark- and Ice-type options such as Mega Houndoom, Shadow Darkrai, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem provide valuable alternatives. A best-case duo is possible only with exceptional teams and bonuses; most groups should plan on three to six high-level trainers, or at least six lower-level trainers.
What is Giratina (Origin Forme) weak to?
Giratina (Origin Forme) takes 160% damage from Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost and Ice attacks. Those five types are the foundation of every counter party. It resists Bug, Electric, Fire, Grass, Poison and Water attacks, which deal only 62.5% damage, while Normal and Fighting attacks are resisted even more strongly at 39.1%.
| Attack type | Damage against Giratina (Origin Forme) | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Dark | 160% (super effective) | Reliable damage that avoids using Dragon attackers against a Dragon-type boss. |
| Dragon | 160% (super effective) | Often the highest-DPS route when you have powerful Dragon moves. |
| Fairy | 160% (super effective) | Useful when your Dragon roster is limited or you want a safer matchup. |
| Ghost | 160% (super effective) | Excellent in a specialized Ghost team, provided the attackers are powered up. |
| Ice | 160% (super effective) | Strong alternative, especially with Black Kyurem or White Kyurem. |
| Bug, Electric, Fire, Grass, Poison, Water | 62.5% (resisted) | Do not select these moves for damage unless you have no practical alternative. |
| Normal, Fighting | 39.1% (strongly resisted) | Avoid; these attacks perform particularly poorly. |
These percentages are the values published by Pokémon GO Hub’s October 2026 counter database. They describe type effectiveness, not a promise that every Pokémon using one of these moves will outperform every other choice. A high-level, well-powered attacker with a listed super-effective move is usually more useful than a nominally ideal species that is underpowered.
What are the best Giratina (Origin Forme) counters and moves?
The following table combines the leading entries in Pokémon GO Hub’s October 2026 raid guide and counter database. The moves shown are the recommended fast and charged attacks for each listed counter.
| Counter | Fast move | Charged move | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Dragon Tail | Breaking Swipe | Top listed Dragon attacker and the first choice for maximum modeled damage. |
| Eternatus | Dragon Tail | Dynamax Cannon | High-damage Dragon alternative; second in the database’s modeled ranking. |
| Mega Dragonite | Dragon Tail | Outrage+ | Powerful Dragon option with strong sustained damage. |
| Mega Houndoom | Snarl | Dark Pulse+ | High-ranked Dark attacker for teams that do not rely on Dragons. |
| Mega Garchomp | Dragon Tail | Breaking Swipe | Another high-ranked Dragon counter with a useful charged move. |
| Black Kyurem | Dragon Tail | Freeze Shock | Combines Dragon fast-move pressure with an Ice charged attack. |
| White Kyurem | Ice Fang | Ice Burn | High-ranked Ice specialist. |
| Shadow Darkrai | Snarl | Foul Play | Strong Dark-type option when you have a powered-up Shadow Darkrai. |
Pokémon GO Hub reports modeled values of 44.21 DPS and an estimated 356-second time to win for Mega Rayquaza using Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe. Eternatus with Dragon Tail and Dynamax Cannon is listed at 43.51 DPS and an estimated 359 seconds. Those are simulator outputs under stated assumptions, not observed raid results, and they should be used to compare options rather than to predict an exact battle time.
How should you compare counters instead of following a single ranking?
Counter rankings answer a narrow question: which combinations produce the best modeled result under a particular set of assumptions? Your own roster, levels, move availability, friendship bonuses and party composition can change the practical order.
Use DPS when speed matters
Damage per second (DPS) measures how quickly an attacker deals damage while it remains on the field. A high-DPS lineup is useful when you are close to the raid timer, trying to clear with fewer players, or seeking a faster finish. It can also produce more fainting if the attackers are fragile, so do not treat DPS as the only measure of value.
Use TDO and faint counts for staying power
Total damage output (TDO) reflects how much damage a Pokémon can contribute before it faints. A lower-DPS attacker that survives longer can be the better practical choice if it prevents repeated relobbying. Pokémon GO Hub’s database uses DPS and TDO in its ranking, while its faint figures remain estimates rather than guarantees.
Check estimated time to win, but treat it as a planning aid
Time-to-win figures depend on the modeled boss behavior, moves, dodging assumptions and team conditions. The database specifically cautions that its time and faint estimates omit factors such as Friendship and Mega damage boosts. Use them to see whether a roster is comfortably ahead of the timer, not as a promise that your group will finish at the displayed second.
Prefer a usable, powered-up counter
If you do not own the first-ranked Mega or have the recommended moves, choose the strongest available attacker that still uses a super-effective type. A fully powered-up Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost or Ice attacker is generally a more sensible lead than an untrained theoretical top counter. Keep several species and move combinations available so one unfavorable matchup or a string of fainting does not leave you without a second team.
How do you build a Giratina raid party?
Build the party around your actual collection, then refine it for damage, survivability and the number of trainers expected at the lobby.
- Filter by the five weaknesses. Start with Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost and Ice attackers. Remove Normal- and Fighting-type moves from consideration because they are the most heavily resisted.
- Set the recommended moves. For the leading examples, that means Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe on Mega Rayquaza, Dragon Tail and Dynamax Cannon on Eternatus, Dragon Tail and Outrage+ on Mega Dragonite, Snarl and Dark Pulse+ on Mega Houndoom, and the listed combinations for the Kyurem and Darkrai options.
- Sort by practical strength. Consider each Pokémon’s level, powered-up state, move quality and expected survival. Do not fill the party with a species you cannot afford to revive or re-enter.
- Include a second wave. A raid can fail if your first six faint and you remain in the lobby instead of rejoining. Prepare another set of super-effective attackers before the battle starts.
- Coordinate the Mega slot. Mega Rayquaza, Mega Dragonite, Mega Houndoom and Mega Garchomp are all listed options. Coordinate with the group so Mega choices complement the team rather than assuming every player will bring the same one.
- Review the lobby before committing. If several players are using low-level or non-super-effective teams, invite more trainers or wait for a stronger group. The published team-size figures are estimates, not guarantees.
How many trainers do you need to beat Giratina (Origin Forme)?
A best-case duo can work with Best Friend bonuses, Party Play and full teams of high-level counters, but it is an ambitious target. Pokémon GO Hub’s guide recommends three to six high-level trainers for a practical attempt, or six or more lower-level trainers. Its counter database independently models a minimum of two trainers and describes three to five as optimal under its assumptions.
| Group situation | Practical interpretation |
|---|---|
| Two trainers | Possible only with exceptionally strong, high-level counters plus friendship, Party Play and favorable execution. Treat this as a best-case challenge. |
| Three to five trainers | The database’s modeled optimal range; success still depends on levels, moves, bonuses and relobbying. |
| Three to six high-level trainers | The raid guide’s practical recommendation for a well-prepared group. |
| Six or more lower-level trainers | A safer plan when counters are underpowered or the recommended moves are missing. |
Add people when your counters are incomplete, your team lacks the listed moves, or players are likely to lose time rebuilding a party. A larger group also gives you more margin if the boss’s moveset or your connection causes unexpected fainting.
Does weather change the best Giratina counters?
Weather is a situational bonus, not a reason to abandon a strong counter. Giratina encounters are weather-boosted in Fog or Windy conditions, and those conditions can also boost corresponding move types used by your attackers. The raid guide associates Fog or Windy weather with a Level 25 weather-boosted encounter.
Because weather boosts can affect both the boss encounter and eligible attack types, compare the team you can actually field under the current conditions. Do not replace a well-powered super-effective attacker with a weaker Pokémon merely to chase a temporary boost. If your lobby is close to the minimum size, however, a favorable weather window can provide useful extra margin.
What CP should a caught Giratina (Origin Forme) have?
Use the post-raid catch CP as a quick quality check:
- 2018–2105 CP: Level 20 encounter without a weather boost.
- 2523–2631 CP: Level 25 encounter boosted by Fog or Windy weather.
These ranges are the published values for the Origin Forme profile and raid guide. CP alone does not reveal the Pokémon’s individual values, so use the in-game appraisal after catching it. The raid-boss CP is listed as 41,776 before the encounter.
What should you do during the raid?
Once the party is assembled, the practical goal is to keep super-effective damage flowing while minimizing downtime.
Start with your strongest complete lineup
Lead with the counters that have both a listed super-effective fast move and charged move. A high-DPS Dragon lead can shorten the battle, while a Dark or Ice lead may be preferable when your Dragon attackers are fragile or underpowered.
Watch for fainting and rejoin quickly
If the entire party faints, re-enter with your prepared second wave rather than leaving the raid. The time-to-win estimates assume a continuous contribution; long relobby pauses can erase the margin those estimates suggest.
Use group bonuses as part of the plan
Best Friend bonuses and Party Play are specifically part of the guide’s best-case duo scenario. Coordinate them before the battle rather than assuming they will compensate for a weak roster. They improve the group’s margin but do not turn resisted attacks into good counters.
Do not build around resisted moves
Bug, Electric, Fire, Grass, Poison and Water moves deal reduced damage, and Normal and Fighting moves perform worse still. If the game’s recommended party includes a resisted move, inspect the moveset and manually choose a team built from the five super-effective types.
What are the most common preparation mistakes?
- Chasing a ranking without checking moves: Species names alone are not enough; the listed fast and charged moves are part of each counter’s modeled performance.
- Assuming a duo is routine: The two-trainer estimate is a best-case result tied to high-level counters and bonuses.
- Using DPS as a guaranteed outcome: Published DPS and time-to-win figures are modeled estimates and can diverge from a live battle.
- Bringing only one team: Faints, connection issues and relobby time can leave an otherwise viable group short of damage.
- Ignoring weather context: Fog and Windy conditions can change the encounter level and boost eligible moves, but weather is temporary and should not replace sound counter selection.
- Assuming the raid is currently available: Raid rotations change. Check the live in-game event or raid listing before traveling or organizing a group; the October 2026 guide does not establish the active rotation on October 8, 2026.
How current are these counter recommendations?
The rankings, moves and figures here come from Pokémon GO Hub’s October 5, 2026 raid guide, its October 2026 counter database and its Origin Forme profile. Pokémon GO balance changes can alter move performance, counter rankings, raid schedules and team-size assumptions. Recheck the current in-game move data and event listing if you are reading this after a major update.
The database’s ranking combines modeled DPS and TDO, while time-to-win and faint counts are estimates that do not include every in-game factor. No field test or official publisher statistic establishes that one listed counter will always perform best in every lobby.
Recommended team decision in one view
| Your priority | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest modeled damage | Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe | Top listed counter; published model shows 44.21 DPS. |
| Dragon alternative | Eternatus or Mega Dragonite with the listed moves | Both rank highly in the October 2026 guide/database. |
| Dark-focused team | Mega Houndoom or Shadow Darkrai | Uses super-effective Dark damage without relying on Dragon attackers. |
| Ice-focused team | Black Kyurem or White Kyurem | Provides a super-effective Ice route with the listed moves. |
| Limited roster | Your strongest powered-up Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost or Ice attackers | A practical, usable counter is more valuable than an unavailable or underpowered ideal. |
For most groups, the winning plan is straightforward: fill every slot with a powered-up attacker using one of the five super-effective types, bring a complete second team, and recruit enough trainers to leave room for fainting and relobby time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Giratina (Origin Forme) be caught at a different level than the listed ranges?
The published ranges cover the standard Level 20 encounter and the Fog- or Windy-boosted Level 25 encounter. A different CP result should be checked against the in-game encounter conditions and appraisal rather than treated as an error automatically.
Should I spend resources powering up a counter only for this raid?
Use your broader raid plans when deciding. The listed counters can be strong choices here, but a temporary event or changed move balance can alter their value, so prioritize Pokémon you will also use for other relevant raids.
Why does my in-game recommended party disagree with the counter list?
The recommended-party algorithm can weigh factors differently from a database that ranks modeled DPS and TDO. Manually select attackers with Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost or Ice moves and verify that the charged moves match the intended counter.
What if my best attackers do not have the recommended charged move?
Use the strongest available super-effective move combination and expect less performance than the published ranking. If the missing move leaves you with a resisted attack, changing to a weaker Pokémon with the correct type may be preferable.