Pokemon GO Annihilape: Best moveset, counters, and is it any good?

Pokemon GO Annihilape's best moveset, counters, and competitive viability is of concern to players across the world. The critter is one of the most popular new releases from the Generation IX main series titles, made its debut in Niantic's mobile game during the Raging Battles event.

Mankey Spotlight Hour takes place between 6 pm and 7 pm local time on August 20, 2024. During this time players should look for good IV Makey that they can evolve into Annihilape in Pokemon GO.

This article goes over Pokemon GO Anihillape's best moveset, counters, and whether it is any good in PvP and PvE arenas.

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Best PvP moveset for Annihilape in Pokemon GO

Annihilape in the main series games (Image via TPC)

The best moveset for Annihilape for GO Battle League includes Counter as the Fast Attack and Ice Punch and Shadow Ball as the Charged Attacks.

Counter is one of the best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO, drawing a balance between damage and energy generation. Taking into consideration STAB, the two-turn Fighting-type move deals 4.8 damage per turn and generates 3.5 energy.

With this Fast Attack, it takes 12 turns or six Counters to reach the first Ice Punch, which is quite fast. Ice Punch deals 55 damage at 40 energy. This is a great coverage move against Flying-types that can also hit Fairies for neutral damage.

For Annihilape's second Charged Attack, Shadow Ball is the way to go. With STAB, the move deals 120 base damage at only 55 energy. Even if it hits neutrally, thanks to the Pocket Monster's impressive Attack stat, Shadow Ball hits really hard.

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Is Annihilape good in GO Battle League?

Annihilape has impressive Attack and Stamina stats that are backed up by respectable Defenses. Additionally, it has a great combination of STAB Fast and Charged Attacks combined with low-energy coverage. Its Fighting and Ghost typing is also unique.

All of these things make Annihilape a top-meta pick for trainer battles in the game. While it is eligible for all three main formats, it appears that the Ultra League of GO Battle League is where it will fare the best, given the extra bulk it gets.

Note: Although Annihilape is great in Pokemon GO as of August 2024, the Season 20 GO Battle League balance changes might lead to its downfall.

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Best PvE moveset for Annihilape in Pokemon GO

Counter and Close Combat are Annihilape's best attacking moves for PvE battles in Niantic's AR-based mobile game. Although Shadow Ball as the Charged Attack deals more damage, you would want to use Annihilape against critters weak to Fighting-type moves. Of these, Dark and Normal-type Pocket Monsters resist Shadow Ball, making Close Combat the next best option.

This combination of attacks deals 13.94 damage per second (DPS) neutrally and has a total damage output of 479.9. These moves are boosted by Cloudy weather.

For defending Gyms, the combination of Counter and Shadow Ball is the best. It outputs 15.71 DPS and has a total damage output of 540.9.

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Is Annihilape good in Pokemon GO PvE?

Annihilape has a very high Attack stat, and it has access to strong Fighting and Ghost-type moves. Therefore, it excels as a Fighting-type attacker and Defender in Gyms and raid battles.

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Which moves can Annihilape learn in Pokemon GO?

The Fast Attacks that Annihilape can learn in Niantic's mobile game are:

• Counter
• Low Kick

This creature can learn these Charged Attacks:

• Low Sweep
• Close Combat
• Ice Punch
• Shadow Ball
• Night Slash

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Annihilape's strengths and weaknesses in Pokemon GO

Annihilape has four resistances, which are:

• Bug
• Fighting
• Normal
• Poison
• Rock

This Pocket Monster's two weaknesses are:

• Fairy
• Ghost
• Psychic
• Flying

The elemental types that Annihilape can hit for super-effective damage with its STAB attacks are:

• Rock
• Steel
• Dark
• Ice
• Psychic
• Ghost

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Best counters to Annihilape in Pokemon GO

Great League counters: Mantine, Shadow and regular Gligar, Sableye, Venusaur, Shadow Alolan Ninetales (with Charm), Frosslass, Jellicent

Ultra League counters: Jellicent, Altered Forme Giratina, Gliscor, Granbull, Skeledirge, Trevenant, Talonflame, Charizard

PvE counters: Gadevoir, Granbull, Togekiss, Gengar, Origin Forme Giratina, Chandelure, Alakazam, Mewtwo, Rayqyaza, Shadow Staraptor

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Annihilape's shiny form will also be available during this period. Check out how to get Shiny Annihilape in Pokemon GO.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts