Duraludon in Pokémon GO (2025): How to Catch It, Best Movesets & Counters

Duraludon - the Steel/Dragon skyscraper Pokémon has made a notable appearance in Pokémon GO in 2025. Trainers love its unique typing, cinematic look, and competitive niche. Whether you’re a raider, PvP battler, or collector, this guide will walk you through how to catch Duraludon, its best movesets, the top counters to use against it, and practical tips on powering up and using it on your team.

What is Duraludon? (Quick overview)

Duraludon is a Steel/Dragon Pokémon from the Galar region. That combination gives it resistances to many common types (Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Psychic, Ice, Dragon — depending on moves), while also placing clear weaknesses to Fighting and Ground. In Pokémon GO, its unique typing and stat spread make it a high-value specialist in certain situations particularly Master League PvP and some raid roles.

Where to Find & Catch Duraludon (2025)

Duraludon appears in the game via:

• Tier 3 / Tier 4 Raids during event rotations (check your local raid schedule).
• Special Research or Spotlight Hour events when Niantic features Galar region content.
• Wild spawns are rare; events are the most reliable way to catch it.

Catch tips: Use Golden Razz Berries and Ultra Balls during raids. If you’re targeting IVs, coordinate with friends to reach higher raid tiers for increased catch chances. Always aim for excellent curveball throws for the best capture odds.

Best Movesets — PvE (Raids) & PvP (Master League)

Fast moves:

• Dragon Tail (Dragon) — reliable damage-per-turn, great for PvP.
• Metal Claw (Steel) — energy generation and quicker charged moves for mid-tier usage.

Charged moves:

• Draco Meteor (Dragon) — extremely high damage; best for PvE burst and raid DPS.
• Flash Cannon (Steel) — consistent STAB (same-type attack bonus) for coverage and shields baiting.
• Thunderbolt — niche coverage move (useful vs Water/Flying threats).

Recommended sets:

• Raid DPS: Dragon Tail + Draco Meteor (highest damage output for short fights).
• Master League PvP: Dragon Tail + Flash Cannon (balanced: good damage, shield pressure, safer energy usage).
• General utility: Dragon Tail + Thunderbolt (coverage option if you expect Water/Flying opponents).

How to Use Duraludon in Battles (Strategy)

• As a raid attacker: Duraludon’s Dragon-type moves make it useful against other Dragon or neutral-type bosses where Dragon DPS is valuable. However, it rarely out-DPS top Dragon attackers like Rayquaza. Use Duraludon for specific matchups or when you need Steel-type coverage.
• In PvP: Duraludon shines when opponents expect bulky Steel types, its Dragon Tail + Flash Cannon set can bait shields and exploit switch-ins. Use it as a mid-game closer in Master League lineups.
• Best teammates: Pair Duraludon with fast Switch-ins that can handle Fighting or Ground threats (e.g., bulky Water or Flying) and with shields-aware partners who can manage Garchomp, Machamp, or Excadrill.

Top Counters to Beat Duraludon (use these in raids or PvP)

Because Duraludon is weak to Fighting and Ground, the best counters include:

• Lucario — Counter + Aura Sphere (Fighting coverage, great glass cannon).
• Excadrill — Mud-Slap + Drill Run (Ground STAB, strong and reliable).
• Garchomp — Dragon Tail + Earth Power (fast and hard-hitting).
• Conkeldurr / Machamp — Counter + Dynamic Punch / Close Combat for pure Fighting power.
• Zekrom — Dragon Breath + Wild Charge — beats some of its Dragon matchups (if available in raid counters).

Pro tip: In raids, stack multiple counters with Ground/Fighting coverage to remove Duraludon quickly — especially if it’s a raid boss with shields.

Is Duraludon Worth Powering Up? (Practical advice)

• PvP players: Yes — if you play Master League and want a niche tech pick, Duraludon is worth investing in, particularly if you have good IVs.
• Raiders: Only in specific scenarios — Duraludon is not the highest DPS attacker versus most raid bosses, but it’s fun and useful for certain bosses or themed teams.
• Collectors: Absolutely — the shiny + dex entry value makes it a desirable catch.

Power-up tip: Focus stardust and XL candies on Duraludon only after confirming its IVs and best moveset. If you use it for PvP, target CP that fits in your league and optimize for IVs that maximize bulk (defense + stamina) for durability.

PvP Build Examples (CP targets & IV advice)

• Master League (no CP cap) → Max it: use high-attack IVs for offensive pressure or high-defense IVs for longevity depending on team role.
• Ultra/Great League → rarely used due to high base stats; not recommended.

Quick FAQ (short)

Q: Is Duraludon a top-tier raid attacker?
No — while useful, it’s generally outclassed by higher-tier Dragon attackers for raw raid DPS.

Q: Can I use Duraludon in Great/Ultra Leagues?
Duraludon’s high CP makes it mostly a Master League pick; it’s rarely a fit for lower leagues.

Q: When will Duraludon return?
Check Niantic’s event calendar and raid rotations — Duraludon often returns during Galar-focused events or special raids.

Conclusion & Final Tips

Duraludon is a fun, niche addition to Pokémon GO in 2025. It’s especially valuable for Master League PvP players who enjoy tech picks and for collectors chasing rare Galar Pokémon. If you get the chance during raids or special events — go for it, and use Dragon Tail + Flash Cannon for strong PvP play or Dragon Tail + Draco Meteor for raid burst.

Did you catch Duraludon? Share your IVs and moveset in the comments or tag us on social so we can see your battle results!