In October 2024, Pokémon Go introduced Mega Mawile during the exciting Mega Mawile Raid Day event. While Mega Evolution doesn’t alter the type of Mawile, it dramatically transforms its appearance, adding a second set of jaws located at the back of its head. This visually striking change could intimidate any hungry trainer; however, Mega Mawile proves to be a formidable contender as a Steel and Fairy-type Pokémon when utilized correctly in battles.
To help players effectively conquer this unique Pokémon and obtain its Mega Energy, we’ve compiled detailed insights on Mega Mawile’s counters and vulnerabilities in Pokémon Go. Additionally, this article provides recommendations for the optimal Mega Mawile moveset and showcases what shiny Mega Mawile looks like.
Mega Mawile’s Counters and Weaknesses in Pokémon Go
To gain Mega Mawile Energy, trainers need to defeat Mega Mawile in a Mega Raid. Below is a breakdown of Mega Mawile’s weaknesses and the best strategies to defeat it:
- Type: Mega Mawile is classified as both Steel and Fairy-type.
- Weaknesses: It is susceptible to Fire and Ground-type moves.
- Resistances: Mega Mawile shows strong resistance against Dragon and Bug-types.
- Super Resistance: It has heightened defense against Dark, Fairy, Flying, Grass, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, and Rock-types.
- Recommended Mega Counters: The top choice for countering Mega Mawile is Primal Groudon. If this option isn’t available, consider using Mega Charizard, Houndoom, Blaziken, Swampert, or Garchomp.
- Recommended Non-Mega Counters: Effective regular options include Flareon, Shadow Moltres, Shadow Groudon, Chandelure, Heatran, Volcarona, Reshiram, Therian Forme Landorus, Blacephalon, and Necrozma Dawn Wings.
- Team Size: A team of three players armed with Level 40 counters can successfully defeat Mega Mawile. If your team members aren’t at that level, additional fighters will be necessary.
- Battle Tactics: Given Mega Mawile’s extensive list of resistances, ideally avoid using Pokémon with those types. Instead, prioritize using Primal Groudon and your strongest Fire-type Pokémon while collaborating with your team.
Mega Mawile CP Information in Pokémon Go
Here’s what you need to know about the CP levels associated with battling Mega Mawile and capturing it afterward:
- Mega Mawile Raid CP: 29,333 CP.
- CP Range for Catching Mawile: After defeating it, trainers can catch Mawile with CP levels ranging from 1290 to 1360.
- Weather Effects: If players are catching Mawile during Windy or Snowy weather, the CP range increases to 1613 to 1700.
Recommended Moveset for Mega Mawile in Pokémon Go
For the best battle performance, we suggest the following moveset for Mega Mawile:
- Fast Move: Fairy Wind
- Charged Move: Play Rough
These moves are effective not only for Mega Mawile but also for its standard form. It’s worth noting that both recommended moves are Fairy-type, making them particularly effective against Dark, Dragon, and Fighting-type opponents. However, players need to remember that Mega Evolutions cannot be utilized in the Go Battle League.
Interestingly, despite its Steel typing, Mawile is limited to just one Steel-type move, Iron Head. To enhance its versatility, consider unlocking a second Charged Move, but keep Play Rough as the primary choice for its overall effectiveness.
Here’s a complete list of Mega Mawile’s Fast and Charged moves:
Fast Moves:
- Astonish (Ghost)
- Bite (Dark)
- Fairy Wind (Fairy)
- Fire Fang (Fire)
- Ice Fang (Ice)
Charged Moves:
- Iron Head (Steel)
- Play Rough (Fairy)
- Power-Up Punch (Fighting)
- Vise Grip (Normal)
The Aesthetic Appeal of Shiny Mega Mawile
Shiny Mega Mawile features a striking transformation, where the jaws along its hair shift from black to a vibrant magenta. Additionally, the character’s typically light yellow body deepens to a darker hue, similarly affecting the sections that were once purple. These shiny variations mirror those found in the standard Mawile.
All About Mawile
Originally introduced in Generation 3, Mawile made its first appearance within Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire for the Game Boy Advance. In these games, it was exclusive to Pokémon Ruby, while Sableye served as its counterpart, requiring trading for completion of the Hoenn Pokédex for players using Sapphire. Mawile and Sableye have maintained their status as popular version-exclusive Pokémon, appearing separately in five distinct installments so far.
Interestingly, when Pokémon Ruby was first released in English, the Pokédex incorrectly listed Mawile’s name as “Mawhile,” a mistake that was corrected in later editions. Additionally, Mawile’s footprint underwent a redesign between Generations 3 and 4, becoming rounder.
The design of Mawile draws inspiration from the futakuchi-onna, a yōkai from Japanese folklore characterized by a woman with a hidden second mouth in her hair. This second mouth appears in women who scarcely eat, demanding food and becoming increasingly aggressive if not satisfied. Mawile’s look captures this duality, presenting a seemingly sweet visage combined with the menacing jaws on its head, perfectly encapsulated in its Pokédex entry noting its deceptive appearance.
Good luck to all trainers as you engage in battles with Mega Mawile in Pokémon Go!