Blacephalon Pokémon GO encounters allow Trainers to catch one of the most powerful and unusual Ultra Beasts. Blacephalon has an enormous Attack stat and can work as both a Fire and Ghost-type raid attacker, particularly when it knows its signature attack, Mind Blown.
This Blacephalon Pokémon GO guide covers shiny Blacephalon, its weaknesses, the best raid counters, perfect IV catch CP, strongest moveset and whether Blacephalon is worth powering up.
Blacephalon Pokémon GO Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pokédex number | #0806 |
| Pokémon | Blacephalon |
| Category | Fireworks Pokémon |
| Generation | Generation VII |
| Type | Fire and Ghost |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Main weaknesses | Dark, Ghost, Ground, Rock and Water |
| Weather boost | Sunny and Foggy |
| Maximum CP | 3,727 at Level 50 |
Blacephalon is a dual Fire and Ghost-type Pokémon. This gives Blacephalon Pokémon GO battles five weaknesses, but it also provides several useful resistances.
Damage taken when Blacephalon is hit by each type:
Weak to
Resists
Strongly resists
Immune to
Based on Fire / Ghost typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
Can Blacephalon Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, shiny Blacephalon is available in Pokémon GO.
Regular Blacephalon has a mostly white body with colourful blue, yellow, pink and purple markings. Shiny Blacephalon changes much of its white colouring to dark blue, creating a dramatic difference that is easy to recognise during the catch encounter.
A shiny encounter is not guaranteed after winning a Blacephalon Pokémon GO raid. Trainers may need to complete several raids before shiny Blacephalon appears.
Blacephalon will not look shiny during the raid battle itself. The shiny check takes place after the Ultra Beast has been defeated and the catch encounter begins.
During geographically divided events, Blacephalon is normally associated with the Western Hemisphere. Trainers in the Eastern Hemisphere may need to join a Remote Raid or wait for an event providing worldwide access.
Blacephalon Pokémon GO Weaknesses
The Blacephalon Pokémon GO weaknesses are:
- Dark-type attacks
- Ghost-type attacks
- Ground-type attacks
- Rock-type attacks
- Water-type attacks
Blacephalon does not have a double weakness, so Trainers can choose from several strong counter types depending on the Pokémon they already own.
As a Fire and Ghost-type Pokémon, Blacephalon resists:
- Bug-type attacks
- Fairy-type attacks
- Fighting-type attacks
- Fire-type attacks
- Grass-type attacks
- Ice-type attacks
- Normal-type attacks
- Poison-type attacks
- Steel-type attacks
Normal and Fighting-type attacks are particularly ineffective because Ghost-type Pokémon have a strong resistance to them.
Rainy weather boosts Water-type attacks, Sunny weather boosts Ground attacks, Partly Cloudy weather boosts Rock attacks and Foggy weather boosts Dark and Ghost attacks.
Sunny and Foggy weather boost Blacephalon itself, increasing the CP of the Pokémon encountered after a successful raid.
Best Blacephalon Pokémon GO Raid Counters
The best Blacephalon Pokémon GO counters include powerful Water, Ground, Dark, Ghost and Rock-type attackers.
| Pokémon | Recommended moves |
|---|---|
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall and Origin Pulse |
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
| Mega Tyranitar | Bite and Brutal Swing |
| Mega Gengar | Lick and Shadow Ball |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw and Moongeist Beam |
| Shadow Kyogre | Waterfall and Origin Pulse |
| Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
| Mega Swampert | Water Gun and Hydro Cannon |
| Shadow Tyranitar | Bite and Brutal Swing |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down and Rock Wrecker |
Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon are among the strongest Blacephalon Pokémon GO raid counters. Mega Tyranitar, Dawn Wings Necrozma and Mega Gengar can also deal enormous super-effective damage.
Some recommended attacks, including Origin Pulse, Precipice Blades, Moongeist Beam, Hydro Cannon and Rock Wrecker, may require an Elite TM when they are unavailable through regular TMs.
Trainers without top-tier Mega, Primal, Shadow or Legendary Pokémon can use Swampert, Tyranitar, Garchomp, Excadrill, Hydreigon, Chandelure, Rhyperior or Gyarados.
The Blacephalon Pokémon GO raid boss has a very high Attack stat, so counters may faint quickly even when they resist some of its attacks. Preparing a second battle party can prevent time being lost when rejoining.
How Many Trainers Are Needed to Beat Blacephalon?
Blacephalon has an extremely high Attack stat but low defensive bulk. This makes the raid dangerous but relatively quick with the correct counters.
Two experienced Trainers using strong counters should be able to defeat Blacephalon under favourable conditions.
| Group size | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| One Trainer | Not normally possible |
| Two Trainers | Achievable with excellent counters |
| Three Trainers | Comfortable for experienced players |
| Four or more | Recommended for most groups |
A larger Blacephalon Pokémon GO raid group may be needed when counters are underlevelled, players are joining remotely or friendship bonuses are unavailable.
Party Power, Primal or Mega bonuses, suitable weather and high friendship levels can make the raid considerably easier.
Blacephalon Pokémon GO Perfect IV CP
The perfect IV Blacephalon Pokémon GO catch values are:
| Encounter conditions | Perfect IV CP |
|---|---|
| Level 20 without weather boost | 1,884 CP |
| Level 25 with Sunny or Foggy weather | 2,355 CP |
The standard non-weather-boosted Blacephalon raid catch range is approximately 1,797 CP to 1,884 CP.
During Sunny or Foggy weather, Blacephalon can be encountered between approximately 2,246 CP and 2,355 CP.
A Blacephalon caught at 1,884 CP or 2,355 CP under the corresponding conditions will have perfect 15/15/15 IVs.
Blacephalon has a narrow body and unusual movements during the encounter. Use Golden Razz Berries and wait for the attack animation before attempting an Excellent Curveball Throw.
Best Blacephalon Pokémon GO Moveset
The best Blacephalon Pokémon GO moveset for Fire-type raid damage is:
- Fast Attack: Incinerate
- Charged Attack: Mind Blown
Mind Blown is Blacephalon’s signature attack and turns it into an extremely powerful Fire-type raid attacker.
Blacephalon can use the following attacks:
Fast Attacks
- Incinerate
- Astonish
Charged Attacks
- Mind Blown
- Overheat
- Mystical Fire
- Shadow Ball
Incinerate and Mind Blown provide a complete Fire-type moveset, with both attacks receiving the same-type attack bonus.
Mind Blown may require an Elite Charged TM when it is unavailable through a regular Charged TM. Overheat can be used as an alternative, although Mind Blown provides better overall raid performance.
For Ghost-type damage, Blacephalon can use:
- Fast Attack: Astonish
- Charged Attack: Shadow Ball
This makes Blacephalon useful in two different raid roles. Trainers with enough Candy and Stardust may choose to build separate Fire and Ghost versions rather than repeatedly changing attacks.
Is Blacephalon Good in Pokémon GO Raids?
Blacephalon is an excellent raid attacker when it has the correct moves.
Its exceptionally high Attack stat allows it to deal enormous damage, particularly when using Incinerate and Mind Blown.
The Fire-type Blacephalon Pokémon GO moveset is useful against:
- Bug-type raid bosses
- Grass-type raid bosses
- Ice-type raid bosses
- Steel-type raid bosses
- Genesect
- Kartana
- Regice
- Registeel
- Mega Abomasnow
- Mega Scizor
Its Ghost-type moveset can be useful against Psychic and Ghost-type raid bosses such as Mewtwo, Deoxys, Cresselia, Lunala and Giratina.
Blacephalon’s main limitation is its low durability. It can deal huge damage but may faint before using as many Charged Attacks as bulkier alternatives.
Dodging can significantly improve its performance, particularly because Incinerate has a long animation and must be timed carefully.
Is Blacephalon Good in PvP?
Blacephalon has limited value in the GO Battle League.
Its high Attack stat causes it to reach league CP limits quickly, while its low defensive bulk makes it difficult to survive against neutral damage.
A possible Blacephalon Pokémon GO PvP moveset is:
- Fast Attack: Incinerate
- Charged Attack: Mystical Fire
- Second Charged Attack: Shadow Ball
Mystical Fire provides Fire-type damage and can reduce the opponent’s Attack. Shadow Ball gives Blacephalon powerful Ghost-type coverage against Psychic and Ghost Pokémon.
However, Blacephalon is vulnerable to common Water, Ground, Rock, Dark and Ghost-type attacks. Its lack of durability prevents it from becoming a reliable open-league option.
Blacephalon is generally a much better raid investment than a PvP investment.
What Is Blacephalon?
Blacephalon is an Ultra Beast introduced in Generation VII. It is known by the code name UB Burst and resembles a brightly coloured clown or firework performer.
Blacephalon approaches opponents with strange movements before removing and exploding its own head. It absorbs the life energy of anyone surprised by the explosion.
It slithers toward people. Then, without warning, it triggers the explosion of its own head. It’s apparently one kind of Ultra Beast.
Base stat total: 570
Is Blacephalon Pokémon GO Worth Raiding?
Blacephalon Pokémon GO raids are worth completing for the Pokédex entry, shiny chance, Blacephalon Candy and the opportunity to catch an outstanding Fire or Ghost-type attacker.
Blacephalon is particularly valuable when it knows Incinerate and Mind Blown. Trainers building Fire-type raid teams should consider powering up a high-IV version or even multiple Blacephalon.
Its low durability means it requires more careful use than Heatran or Reshiram, but its outstanding damage output makes it a valuable addition to a raid team.
Collectors may also want to continue raiding for shiny Blacephalon, perfect IVs or additional Candy while the Western Hemisphere Ultra Beast is available.
