The shinies of the Galarian Birds debut in the Galarian Expedition event of Pokémon GO, giving players a new incentive to use their Daily Incense and hunt for these elusive Legendaries!

Regardless of whether you end up catching one, two, or all three of these extremely rare Pokémon, the question arises – which of these Birds is the best in PvE and PvP?

Let’s start with the basics:

Legendary Galarian Birds: Stats, Matchups & Moveset in Pokémon GO

Galarian Articuno

Articuno (Galarian)

PsychicFlying

Max CP at lvl 40 3050 | Max CP at lvl 50 4059

ATK 250

DEF 197

HP 207

Weaknesses

Resistances

Dark Electric Ghost Ice Rock

Fighting Ground Grass Psychic

Fast Moves

Charge Moves

• Confusion Psychic

• Psycho Cut Psychic

• Future Sight Psychic

• Brave Bird Flying

• Ancient Power Rock

Galarian Zapdos

Zapdos (Galarian)

FightingFlying

Max CP at lvl 40 3548 | Max CP at lvl 50 4012

ATK 252

DEF 189

HP 207

Weaknesses

Resistances

Electric Fairy Flying Ice Psychic

Bug Dark Fire Grass Ice Steel

Fast Moves

Charge Moves

• Counter Fighting

• Close Combat Fighting

• Brave Bird Flying

• Ancient Power Rock

Galarian Moltres

Moltres (Galarian)

DarkFlying

Max CP at lvl 40 3167 | Max CP at lvl 50 3580

ATK 202

DEF 231

HP 207

Weaknesses

Resistances

Electric Fairy Ice Rock

Ground Psychic Dark Ghost Grass

Fast Moves

Charge Moves

• Sucker Punch Dark

• Wing Attack Flying

• Payback Dark

• Brave Bird Flying

• Ancient Power Rock

With their stats and moveset elaborated, let’s check out their impact in the meta!

Galarian Articuno in Pokémon GO

Articuno (Galarian)

The Psychic/Flying type Galarian Articuno faces competition from sheer heavyweights like Mewtwo, Azelf, and Alakazam, even when you don’t consider Megas and Shadows. And, to be quite frank, it’s not bad!

A high ATK, good bulk, and a fine moveset make it quite serviceable and a worthy catch overall. 

In PvE

Galarian Articuno rounds up as a great counter to Fighting types not only for the Psychic type super-effective damage with Psycho Cut/Confusion and Future Sight but also the handy resistance it gains from its Flying typing.

In PvP

It works in PvP, particularly the Master League. That said, it competes with Lugia for a spot in your team. The latter may have been nerfed in Season 20 of GBL but it’s still a powerhouse, thanks to its insane stat product. Moreover, G.Articuno has a host of exploitable weaknesses that put it in a tight spot while not being even remotely bulky as Lugia.

Galarian Zapdos in Pokémon GO

Zapdos (Galarian)

The Fighting/Flying type Galarian Zapdos was previously pretty neat but once the Max Out Season hit, Counter took a nosedive in PvP and surprisingly, PvE as well!

It’s now a shadow of its former self but still usable to a degree, so definitely not bad enough to be left stranded in your collection. It also has the highest ATK stat (252) of all Galarian Birds.

In PvE

Counter and Close Combat are both awkward for it. Counter got gutted by 9.97% in DPS and 10% in EPS, while Close Combat is not only a boring old 1-bar Charged Move but also slower now! Yikes!

In PvP

Ancient Power is bad, so Galarian Zapdos’ only two remaining (and viable) Charged Moves are Close Combat and Brave Bird. Well, these two moves are fine and dandy, except that they’re both heavy stat debuffing moves for G-Zapdos  

This actually makes it a pretty formidable closer and it annihilates its opponent in the right matchup, but that’s honestly the only niche it fulfills. And, if the closing opponent is something it can’t KO in one Charged Move, the DEF debuff ensures a loss.

Galarian Moltres in Pokémon GO

Moltres (Galarian)

Galarian Moltres has the least ATK (202) of the three, making it the least viable in PvE. However, it’s the bulkiest and its complete stats give it PvP contention since it also has a good moveset to boot.

In PvE

It’s no secret that Galarian Moltres doesn’t cut it in PvE and its damage output is too low even when compared to non-Mega and non-Shadow powerhouses like Hydreigon and Tyranitar.

In PvP

Galarian Moltres is fantastic in PvP, functioning in all three Leagues! Also, the GBL Season 20 rebalance was generous to this evil Bird as Sucker Punch got a huge buff.

Indeed, Sucker Punch is now a clone of the old Counter! It’s now a 4 DPT / 3.5 EPT move, which is phenomenal and makes Galarian Moltres a huge threat  

It has risen from the ashes like a Phoenix (regular Moltres? ) and takes down some major Pokémon in the GBL. Though Yveltal is undoubtedly better, G-Moltres still beats the likes of Dialga, Palkia, Dragonite, Garchomp, and Kyogre in the big bad Master League and Feraligatr, Cresselia, Ampharos, and Giratina Altered in the Ultra League!

Is Galarian Articuno, Zapdos or Moltres best in Pokémon GO?

Galarian Moltres is the best Legendary Galarian Bird in Pokémon GO.

This is because of the sheer impact it has on the meta it is relevant in – PvP.

While the G versions of Articuno and Zapdos find use in both PvE and PvP, they have nothing to write home about… at least nothing exciting.

And while Galarian Moltres only excels in PvP, it does that sublimely. Understand that this trio isn’t the most impactful overall, but if you’re looking for THE one that helps you out the maximum in the game, go for Galarian Moltres.

PS: It even looks the most badass!  

Happy Galarian Bird shiny hunting, trainers!

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