Mega Tyranitar is a Rock- and Dark-type Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region. According to Pokédex entries, Mega Tyranitar is so ferocious that people aren’t even certain whether it can hear its Trainer’s orders. Learn which Pokémon will be most effective in Raid Battles against Mega Tyranitar, how to catch Mega Tyranitar after winning a Raid Battle, and how best to make use of it after you’ve caught it. 

Which Pokémon to Use in a Mega Tyranitar Raid in Pokémon GO

As a Rock- and Dark-type Pokémon, Mega Tyranitar is vulnerable to Water-, Grass-, Fighting-, Ground-, Bug-, Steel-, and Fairy-type attacks. When choosing six Pokémon for your Mega Tyranitar Raid Battle lineup, it’s important to choose Pokémon that have a Water-, Grass-, Fighting-, Ground, Bug-, Steel-, or Fairy-type Fast Attack and Charged Attack if you want to deal maximum damage as quickly as possible. It’s not necessary to choose only Pokémon of those types, but a Pokémon that shares a type with the attacks it uses will benefit from a same-type attack bonus, which will allow the attacks to deal an additional 20% damage. It’s worth noting that Mega Tyranitar is doubly vulnerable to Fighting-type attacks, so choosing Pokémon with those attacks is the best way to deal damage quickly.

If you have multiple Pokémon that fit the bill, choose the Pokémon with the highest CP and best overall stats. Remember that speed of victory affects how many Premier Balls you will receive at the conclusion of a successful Raid Battle, so bring your strongest Pokémon and defeat Mega Tyranitar as quickly as possible.

• Poliwrath / Shadow Poliwrath (Water/Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Bubble (Water), Counter (Fighting)**, Mud Shot (Ground), Rock Smash (Rock)

  • Charged Attack: Dynamic Punch (Fighting), Hydro Pump (Water), Power-Up Punch (Fighting), Scald (Water), Submission (Fighting)*

• Kyogre / Primal Kyogre (Water)

  • Fast Attack: Waterfall (Water)

  • Charged Attack: Hydro Pump (Water), Origin Pulse (Water)*, Surf (Water)

• Breloom (Grass/Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Bullet Seed (Grass), Counter (Fighting)

  • Charged Attack: Dynamic Punch (Fighting), Grass Knot (Grass)*, Seed Bomb (Grass)

• Virizion (Grass/Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Double Kick (Fighting)

  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Sacred Sword (Fighting)

• Machamp / Shadow Machamp (Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Bullet Punch (Steel), Counter (Fighting), Karate Chop (Fighting)*

  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Cross Chop (Fighting), Dynamic Punch (Fighting), Submission (Fighting)*

• Blaziken / Mega Blaziken (Fire/Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Counter (Fighting)

  • Charged Attack: Focus Blast (Fighting)

• Hariyama / Shadow Hariyama (Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Counter (Fighting)

  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Dynamic Punch (Fighting), Superpower (Fighting)

• Conkeldurr (Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Counter (Fighting)

  • Charged Attack: Dynamic Punch (Fighting), Focus Blast (Fighting)

• Terrakion (Rock/Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Double Kick (Fighting)

  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Sacred Sword (Fighting)*

• Keldeo (Water/Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Low Kick (Fighting)

  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Sacred Sword (Fighting)

• Metagross / Shadow Metagross (Steel/Psychic)

  • Fast Attack: Bullet Punch (Steel)

  • Charged Attack: Earthquake (Ground), Flash Cannon (Steel), Meteor Mash (Steel)*

• Cobalion (Steel/Fighting)

  • Fast Attack: Double Kick (Fighting), Metal Claw (Steel)

  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Iron Head (Steel), Sacred Sword (Fighting)*

• Granbull / Shadow Granbull (Fairy)

  • Fast Attack: Charm (Fairy)

  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Play Rough (Fairy)

• Gardevoir / Shadow Gardevoir / Mega Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy)

  • Fast Attack: Charm (Fairy)

  • Charged Attack: Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)

* An Elite Fast TM or an Elite Charged TM is typically required to teach this Pokémon this attack.

**Poliwrath can learn the Fast Attack Counter during Community Day on July 30, 2023.

Make the Most of Premier Balls and Berries

After you defeat Mega Tyranitar, it will revert to its regular Tyranitar form for you to catch. Once you’ve caught it, you can use Mega Energy to Mega Evolve Tyranitar. You’ll have a limited number of Premier Balls you can use to catch Tyranitar, so make each one count. You can earn extra Premier Balls by battling with friends and defeating Mega Tyranitar more quickly.

In an encounter with Tyranitar, your chance of catching it is greatest when the target ring is small enough for you to score Excellent throws. Throwing Curveballs can improve your chances even more. But work within your abilities—if you don't think you can reliably make Excellent Curveball Throws, aim for Nice Throws or Great Throws rather than risk missing the target ring completely.  

Tyranitar isn’t going to make it easy on you by sitting still while you’re trying to catch it. Don’t waste your Premier Balls by throwing while it’s moving around. Watch Tyranitar to get a feel for its cycle of movement and the pauses in between the cycles. During one of these pauses, wait for the target ring to reappear, and then throw as it starts to grow smaller to increase your odds of making a Great Throw or an Excellent Throw.

Berries can help you catch Tyranitar. A Razz Berry will make Tyranitar easier to catch, and a Golden Razz Berry will make it much easier to catch. If you find yourself failing to land any throws, a Nanab Berry will calm Tyranitar, making its movements less erratic and allowing you to make precise throws more easily. If you need extra Tyranitar Candy, using a Silver Pinap Berry will make Tyranitar easier to catch and grant you extra Candy when you catch it.

Buddy Pokémon with a Buddy Level of Great Buddy or higher have the Catch Assist Perk. If a Pokémon deflects a Poké Ball, your buddy might bounce it back for a second catch opportunity!

Tyranitar is tricky to catch, so don’t be discouraged if it escapes. Get a second wind by stocking up on useful items—like Max Potions, Max Revives, and Golden Razz Berries—and try again.

What to Do with Mega Tyranitar Once You’ve Caught It

As a Rock- and Dark-type Pokémon, Tyranitar is resistant to Normal-, Fire-, Poison-, Flying-, Psychic-, Ghost-, and Psychic Dark-type attacks. While this list of resistances is respectable, Tyranitar’s list of vulnerabilities is also lengthy, which has made it less popular in the GO Battle League. It’s considered best in the Master League, where it can make use of its considerable maximum CP.

Fortunately, Tyranitar is a respectable Rock- or Dark-type attacker in raids—and Mega Tyranitar even more so. Shadow Tyranitar is already one of the most powerful Dark-type attackers in Pokémon GO and Mega Tyranitar is currently the most powerful Dark-type attacker available. To make the most of this Pokémon’s potential, you’ll want to power up two Tyranitar: one Rock-type attacker and one Dark-type attacker. For your Rock-type attacker, teach Tyranitar Smack Down and Stone Edge. Your Dark-type attacker, on the other hand, should learn Bite and Brutal Swing. Your Rock-type attacker will be useful against Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-type Pokémon including Zapdos, Moltres, Lugia, Rayquaza, Reshiram, and Yveltal. Your Dark-type attacker will be great against Psychic- or Ghost-type Pokémon including Mewtwo, Lugia, Giratina, and Cresselia.

Of course, powering up two Tyranitar will require a lot of Candy and Stardust, so be sure to participate in as many Mega Tyranitar raids as possible. It’s also important to stock up on Mega Energy so you can Mega Evolve Tyranitar whenever you need it. Remember to use a Pinap Berry or Silver Pinap Berry when attempting to catch Tyranitar to maximize the Candy you earn!

Good luck with your next Raid Battle, and remember to check back to Pokemon.co.uk/Strategy for more Pokémon GO, video game, and Pokémon TCG tips.