Genesect Pokémon GO encounters allow Trainers to catch the Paleozoic Pokémon and one of the most unusual Mythical Pokémon available from raids. Its Bug and Steel typing gives it many resistances, but it also creates a double Fire weakness that makes the raid relatively straightforward with the correct team.
This Genesect Pokémon GO guide covers shiny Genesect, its raid weaknesses, strongest counters, perfect IV catch CP, best moveset and how the different Genesect Drives work.
Genesect Pokémon GO Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pokédex number | #0649 |
| Pokémon | Genesect |
| Category | Paleozoic Pokémon |
| Generation | Generation V |
| Type | Bug and Steel |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Main weakness | Fire |
| Double weakness | Fire |
| Weather boost | Rainy and Snowy |
| Maximum CP | 3,791 at Level 50 |
Genesect is a dual Bug and Steel-type Pokémon. This combination gives Genesect Pokémon GO battles only one weakness, but Fire-type attacks deal double super-effective damage.
Damage taken when Genesect is hit by each type:
Very weak to
Resists
Strongly resists
Immune to
Based on Bug / Steel typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
Can Genesect Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, shiny Genesect is available in Pokémon GO.
Regular Genesect has a mostly purple body with grey metallic sections and a cannon mounted on its back. Shiny Genesect changes the purple colouring to bright red, making the shiny version extremely easy to recognise during the catch encounter.
A shiny encounter is not guaranteed after winning a Genesect Pokémon GO raid. Trainers may need to complete several raids before shiny Genesect appears.
Genesect will not look shiny during the raid battle itself. The shiny check takes place after the Mythical Pokémon has been defeated and the catch encounter begins.
The different Drive versions of Genesect may have separate shiny availability depending on when Niantic releases them. Trainers should always check the current event details when hunting a specific Drive.
Genesect Pokémon GO Weaknesses
The only Genesect Pokémon GO weakness is Fire-type damage.
Genesect is double weak to Fire because both Bug and Steel are weak to Fire-type attacks.
This means Fire Pokémon should be used in every Genesect Pokémon GO raid whenever possible. Neutral attackers and other types will deal significantly less damage.
Genesect resists a wide range of attack types, including:
- Bug
- Dragon
- Fairy
- Grass
- Ice
- Normal
- Poison
- Psychic
- Steel
Grass and Poison-type attacks are particularly ineffective because Genesect has a double resistance to both.
Sunny weather boosts Fire-type attacks and can make the raid considerably easier. Rainy and Snowy weather boost Genesect and increase its catch CP after the battle.
Best Genesect Pokémon GO Raid Counters
The best Genesect Pokémon GO counters are powerful Fire-type attackers using Fire-type Fast and Charged Attacks.
| Pokémon | Recommended moves |
|---|---|
| Mega Blaziken | Fire Spin and Blast Burn |
| Mega Charizard Y | Fire Spin and Blast Burn |
| Blacephalon | Incinerate and Mind Blown |
| Shadow Heatran | Fire Spin and Magma Storm |
| Reshiram | Fire Fang and Fusion Flare |
| Shadow Chandelure | Fire Spin and Overheat |
| Heatran | Fire Spin and Magma Storm |
| Shadow Moltres | Fire Spin and Overheat |
| Darmanitan | Fire Fang and Overheat |
| Chandelure | Fire Spin and Overheat |
Mega Blaziken and Mega Charizard Y are among the strongest Genesect Pokémon GO raid counters available.
Blacephalon can deal enormous Fire-type damage with Incinerate and Mind Blown, while Heatran provides a more durable option with Fire Spin and Magma Storm.
Some recommended attacks, including Blast Burn, Mind Blown, Magma Storm and Fusion Flare, may require an Elite Charged TM when they are unavailable through regular TMs.
Trainers without top-tier Mega, Shadow or Legendary Pokémon can use ordinary Charizard, Blaziken, Chandelure, Darmanitan, Emboar or Flareon.
The most important thing is ensuring that both attacks deal Fire-type damage. A Fire Pokémon equipped with unrelated moves will not take full advantage of Genesect’s double weakness.
Can Genesect Be Defeated Solo?
A Genesect Pokémon GO solo raid can be possible with exceptional Fire-type counters, favourable weather and a suitable raid boss moveset.
Genesect does not have particularly low Defence, but its double Fire weakness allows strong attackers to remove its raid health quickly.
| Group size | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| One Trainer | Possible with exceptional Fire counters |
| Two Trainers | Achievable for prepared players |
| Three Trainers | Comfortable for experienced groups |
| Four or more | Recommended for most players |
Most Trainers should bring at least two or three players rather than relying on a solo attempt.
Sunny weather, Mega Evolution bonuses, Party Power and high friendship levels can make a Genesect Pokémon GO raid considerably easier.
The Drive attached to Genesect may change its version of Techno Blast and influence which counters survive most comfortably.
Genesect Pokémon GO Perfect IV CP
The perfect IV Genesect Pokémon GO catch values are:
| Encounter conditions | Perfect IV CP |
|---|---|
| Level 20 without weather boost | 1,916 CP |
| Level 25 with Rainy or Snowy weather | 2,395 CP |
A Genesect caught at 1,916 CP after a standard non-weather-boosted raid will have perfect 15/15/15 IVs.
A weather-boosted Genesect caught at 2,395 CP will also have perfect IVs.
Genesect cannot normally be traded because it is a Mythical Pokémon. Trainers must therefore catch the IV combination they want directly.
Use Golden Razz Berries and wait for the attack animation before attempting an Excellent Curveball Throw.
Best Genesect Pokémon GO Moveset
The best standard Genesect Pokémon GO moveset for Bug-type raid damage is:
- Fast Attack: Fury Cutter
- Charged Attack: X-Scissor
Fury Cutter and X-Scissor give Genesect a complete Bug-type moveset and allow both attacks to benefit from the same-type attack bonus.
Genesect can use the following attacks:
Fast Attacks
- Fury Cutter
- Metal Claw
Charged Attacks
- X-Scissor
- Magnet Bomb
- Hyper Beam
- Techno Blast
Metal Claw and Magnet Bomb provide a complete Steel-type combination, while Fury Cutter and X-Scissor are generally preferred for Bug-type raid damage.
Techno Blast changes type depending on the Drive attached to Genesect:
| Genesect version | Techno Blast type |
|---|---|
| Standard Genesect | Normal |
| Burn Drive Genesect | Fire |
| Chill Drive Genesect | Ice |
| Douse Drive Genesect | Water |
| Shock Drive Genesect | Electric |
Techno Blast may require an Elite Charged TM when it is unavailable through a regular Charged TM.
Is Genesect Good in Pokémon GO Raids?
Genesect is a usable Bug-type raid attacker, but it is not one of the strongest overall raid investments.
The Genesect Pokémon GO moveset of Fury Cutter and X-Scissor can deal super-effective damage against:
- Dark-type Pokémon
- Grass-type Pokémon
- Psychic-type Pokémon
However, Bug attackers are rarely the only strong option against these types. Dark and Ghost Pokémon are often better against Psychic bosses, while Fire, Flying and Ice Pokémon may outperform Bug attackers against Grass.
Stronger Bug attackers can include Mega Pinsir, Mega Scizor, Pheromosa and powerful Shadow Pokémon.
Genesect can still provide useful damage, particularly for Trainers who need another Bug attacker, but it should not normally be the first Pokémon receiving large amounts of Rare Candy.
Is Genesect Good in PvP?
Genesect has limited but interesting value in the GO Battle League.
Its Bug and Steel typing provides numerous resistances, while Fury Cutter generates energy quickly. The different Techno Blast types can also create coverage that opponents may not expect.
A possible Genesect Pokémon GO PvP moveset is:
- Fast Attack: Fury Cutter
- Charged Attack: X-Scissor
- Second Charged Attack: Techno Blast
X-Scissor provides relatively inexpensive shield pressure. Techno Blast delivers heavier damage and changes coverage depending on the Drive.
Genesect’s main problem is its double Fire weakness. A single strong Fire-type attack can remove a large amount of its health.
It is best treated as a specialist or limited-format option rather than an essential Master League investment.
What Are Genesect Drives?
Genesect Drives are items fitted into the cannon on its back. Each Drive changes the type of Techno Blast.
The different Genesect versions are treated as separate forms in Pokémon GO. A Trainer cannot simply swap a Drive from one captured Genesect to another.
The currently relevant versions include:
- Standard Genesect
- Burn Drive Genesect
- Chill Drive Genesect
- Douse Drive Genesect
- Shock Drive Genesect
Each version has the same Bug and Steel typing, stats and weaknesses. The main difference is the type of Techno Blast it can learn.
What Is Genesect?
Genesect is a Mythical Pokémon introduced in Generation V. It lived more than 300 million years ago before Team Plasma revived and modified it.
The cannon attached to its back was added during these experiments, turning the ancient Pokémon into a technologically enhanced weapon.
This ancient bug Pokémon was altered by Team Plasma. They upgraded the cannon on its back.
Base stat total: 600
Is Genesect Pokémon GO Worth Raiding?
Genesect Pokémon GO raids are worth completing for the Pokédex entry, shiny chance, Genesect Candy and the opportunity to collect the different Drive versions.
Genesect is not an essential raid attacker, but it can provide useful Bug-type damage with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor. Its many resistances also allow it to survive longer than several more fragile Bug attackers.
Collectors may want to continue raiding for shiny Genesect, perfect IVs and every available Drive.
The double Fire weakness also makes Genesect one of the easier five-star raid bosses to defeat with a small prepared group.
