The beast of rock and darkness: Meeting Tyranitar
Hey Pokemon Masters! Today I’m bringing you a guide on one of the most brutal and feared Pokemon in Pokemon GO: Tyranitar. This Rock-Dark giant has always been a favorite on my team, and I know a lot of you are wondering: “What is the best Tyranitar Moveset in Pokemon GO?“ or “Is it worth powering up?” Well, let’s dive right into everything you need to know to get the most out of this unstoppable tank.
Why is Tyranitar so good?
First off, Tyranitar has one of the best type combinations in the game: Dark/Rock. This gives it resistance to many key attacks but also leaves it exposed to some serious threats. It’s weak to Fighting, Ground, Bug, Water, and Fairy, but the double weakness to Fighting is the biggest pain point, so keep that in mind when taking it into battle.
Despite its weaknesses, Tyranitar shines thanks to its high attack and defense stats. Not only can it take strong hits, but it also dishes out damage like a Godzilla-level punch. And don’t get me started on its utility in raids, PvP, and gyms!
Best Moveset for Tyranitar
Depending on whether you want to use Tyranitar for PvP, PvE (raids and gyms), or both, the ideal moveset can vary a bit. But there are certain combinations that will ensure you get the best out of this colossal beast.
Moveset for Raids and Gyms (PvE)
- Fast Attack: Bite
- Charged Attack: Brutal Swing / Crunch
Tyranitar is incredibly effective against Psychic and Ghost Pokemon, and the best set to crush raid bosses and gyms focuses on Dark-type moves. Bite is the fast attack that dishes out the most consistent damage over time and pairs perfectly with Crunch, which is fast and even has the chance to lower the opponent’s defense. Brutal Swing is also a devastating attack you’ll love.
This moveset will let you pump out massive amounts of damage quickly, which is perfect for those timed battles like raids. This setup also excels when facing raid bosses like Mewtwo, Lugia, or Giratina, all of which are weak to Dark-type moves.
Moveset for PvP
- Fast Attack: Smack Down (Legacy Move)
- Charged Attack: Crunch and Stone Edge / Brutal Swing
For PvP, the moveset shifts a bit, and this is where Smack Down truly shines. It’s Tyranitar’s legacy move, meaning you can’t teach it to Tyranitar now unless you use an Elite TM. Trust me, it’s worth spending one if you have it because Smack Down turns Tyranitar into a Flying-type killer that can wreck Pokemon like Togekiss or Charizard, which are common threats in PvP.
Crunch remains a solid option since it’s fast and provides great coverage against Psychic and Ghost types, while Stone Edge is your heavy-hitting Rock-type charged attack, perfect for dealing massive damage when you need that decisive blow. If you want sheer Dark-type brutality, Brutal Swing is the ideal pick. Having both charged moves gives you flexibility, which is crucial in PvP where strategy is everything.
So there you have it—this is the best Tyranitar moveset in Pokemon Go.
What is Tyranitar’s Legacy Move?
Speaking of legacy moves, the one you need on your Tyranitar is Smack Down. This move was exclusive during the Larvitar Community Days, but you can teach it to Tyranitar using an Elite TM. Why is this move so important? Because it turns Tyranitar into a beast in both PvP and PvE, especially against Flying, Ice, and Fire-type opponents.
Smack Down gives Tyranitar insane offensive power as a Rock-type attacker, which is super effective against a lot of meta-relevant opponents, unlike Bite, its Dark-type fast attack. I’m 100% on board with recommending this move if you can get it.
Is Tyranitar worth powering up?
If you’re asking whether you should spend your resources on powering up Tyranitar, the answer is a resounding yes. Tyranitar remains one of the most useful Pokemon in both PvE and PvP, and its raid relevance makes it an excellent investment. Plus, with the arrival of Mega Evolution, Mega Tyranitar becomes an absolute beast.
Investing candy and stardust into Tyranitar gives you a rock-solid attacker for raids, especially if you need to cover Psychic and Flying-type counters. In PvP, it’s still a strong option, although you need to be mindful of its double weakness to Fighting-types, so pairing it with Pokemon that cover that weakness is key.
Personally, I have two Tyranitars: one optimized for PvP and another for PvE. In my experience, having a Tyranitar with Smack Down for PvP and another with Bite for raids is a great strategy to maximize its utility.
Conclusion
Tyranitar is hands down one of the best investments you can make in Pokemon GO. Its ability to perform well in both PvE and PvP, combined with its insane potential through Mega Evolution, makes it a staple in any serious trainer’s team. If you can get the legacy move Smack Down, Tyranitar becomes even more devastating, giving it the coverage it needs to destroy Flying-types and other threats that might otherwise be problematic.
So, if you’re still thinking about it, I’ll tell you straight: power up your Tyranitar. With the right moveset, you’ll have a destruction machine ready for any challenge Pokémon GO throws at you. Now that you know what the best Tyranitar Moveset in Pokemon Go is, do you have any experience using Tyranitar? Let me know in the comments, and let’s keep talking about this beast… Signing off, your charismatic host (hahaha), GeekGamer.