Hello students! My name is Professor Geekbeak, and today, I wish to draw attention to Nihilego. Perhaps the most infamous of Ultra Beasts, Nihilego is de facto as the best Poison type attacker. The value of Poison type as a whole is a bit more debated, but if you want something Poison type, Nihilego will be the best bet. Grab your notebooks, class is in session. For those who wish to do their research independently, our raw data can be found here. And for those who wish for a simple visual guide, go ahead and take a look at the below visual guide by CaptGoldfish.

Course Schedule

This Raid will be taking place from May 6th to May 12th. It will be preceded by Tapu Lele and Mega Banette, coincide with Mega Camerupt, and be followed by Mega Glalie, Buzzwole, Peromosa, and Xurkitree.

As a Rock Poison type, Nihilego is not only double weak to Ground, but is also double resist to Poison. Plan accordingly.

Effectiveness	Types
Double Resist (0.4x)	Poison
Resist (0.6x)	Normal Flying Bug Fire Fairy
Neutral	Fighting Rock Ghost Grass Electric Ice Dragon Dark
Super Effective (1.6x)	Steel Water Psychic
Double Super Effective (2.6x)	Ground

Nihilego’s moveset includes the following charge moves:

• Rock Slide
• Power Gem
• Sludge Bomb
• Gunk Shot

The Dean’s List consists of the top 5 counters to Nihilego. As always, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and the Third Ranked will have their best moveset alternatives in a table with their rankings and a table detailing their defensive prowess against the charge moves listed above.

Primal Groudon A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Precipice Blades

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Mud Shot	Precipice Blades	100%
Mud Shot	Earthquake	89%
Dragon Tail	Precipice Blades	66%
Dragon Tail	Earthquake	63%
Mud Shot	Solar Beam	49%
Mud Shot	Return	46%

Shadow Groudon A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Precipice Blades

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Mud Shot	Precipice Blades	100%
Mud Shot	Earthquake	89%
Dragon Tail	Precipice Blades	66%
Dragon Tail	Earthquake	62%
Mud Shot	Solar Beam	47%
Mud Shot	Fire Blast	40%

Mega Garchomp A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Earth Power

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Mud Shot	Earth Power	100%
Mud Shot	Earthquake	97%
Dragon Tail	Earth Power	83%
Dragon Tail	Earthquake	74%
Mud Shot	Sand Tomb	69%
Mud Shot	Breaking Swipe	62%

Defensive Grades for Top 3

Boss Move
Gunk Shot	🛡	🛡	🛡
Rock Slide	—	🛡	🛡
Power Gem	—	🛡	🛡
Sludge Bomb	🛡	🛡	🛡

Shadow Excadrill A

Best Moveset: Mud-Slap / Scorching Sands

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Garchomp A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Earth Power

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Also Noteworthy: A: Landorus Therian

We here at Pokebattler Pokémon Research Institute can’t expect you to have the best counters every time. So, here are some of our other best options, most of which will be easier to find than the members of the Dean’s List.

Shadow Rhyperior A

Best Moveset: Mud-Slap / Earthquake

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Mamoswine A

Best Moveset: Mud-Slap / High Horsepower

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Landorus A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Earth Power

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Groudon A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Precipice Blades

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Excadrill A

Best Moveset: Mud-Slap / Scorching Sands

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Of course, besides our 10 best counters, there are plenty of Pokémon that also work against Nihilego. Here are a few star choices, worthy of praise.

A	Mega SwampertShadow RhydonZamazenta - Crowned ShieldShadow GolurkNecrozma - Dusk ManeZacian - Crowned SwordShadow GolemGarchompRhyperiorMamoswineShadow HippowdonShadow DonphanLandorusShadow MewtwoShadow FlygonPrimal KyogreShadow SwampertRhydonMega Metagross

Sometimes, the weather can be your most powerful ally. In certain weather conditions, certain Pokémon on our list excel. The most transformative cases are noted below.

Sunny/Clear

Landorus Therian (1.1)Shadow Rhyperior (1.1)Shadow Mamoswine (1.2)

Snow

Zamazenta - Crowned Shield (1.2)

Overall, Nihilego has a slew of counters. Ground type moves are common, and some of the strongest choices have been available recently, like Groudon. Of course, if you wish to do more research on your box’s best Pokémon for the job, Pokebattler.com itself can be a great help! Remember, the best counter is the one you have powered up and ready to go. I grant extra credit to those who use their best friend bonus and the weather to their advantage. Class dismissed!