Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Absol
Say it: AB-sol
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Absol is the Disaster Pokémon — a Dark type with a scary horn. In Pokémon GO you catch it from the wild, eggs, raids, or events. Dark moves help against Psychic and Ghost foes, but Fighting, Bug, and Fairy hit Dark hard. It can Mega Evolve into Mega Absol when you have Mega Absol Energy. Payback (from Community Day / Elite TM history) and Brutal Swing (from featured Mega Raid Day / Elite TM) are the Dark charged moves collectors hunt.
Say it: AB-sol
Absol (#359) is a Dark Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Trainers use it as a glass-cannon Dark attacker in raids (especially Mega Absol for Dark lobby boost) and as a niche Great/Ultra League pick with Snarl + coverage. Against Absol, lead with Fighting (best), or Bug or Fairy. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Absol is a Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0359. Use the Dark type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Priority Dark charged moves: Payback (classic Community Day / Elite Charged TM) and Brutal Swing when available from featured Absol Mega Raid Day rewards (or Elite Charged TM). Snarl is the usual PvP energy move; Psycho Cut is fine for raw damage. Shadow Absol is the raid DPS pick; keep a non-Shadow for Mega. Farm Mega Energy from Mega Absol raids and events.
Type matchups
- Dark moves hit Psychic and Ghost hard.
When Absol is your opponent, Fighting, Bug, Fairy hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →Mega Evolution
Absol can Mega Evolve into Mega Absol (still Dark). Mega Evolution uses Candy plus Mega Absol Energy, boosts Dark attackers in the raid lobby, and only one Mega or Primal can be active at a time. Shadow Absol cannot Mega Evolve — purify first if you want the Mega.
Full Mega Evolution guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 246
- Defense
- 120
- Stamina
- 163
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Mega Lucario · beats Fighting
Counter + Aura Sphere
- 2. Mega Mewtwo X · beats Fighting
Counter + Focus Blast — Psychic/Fighting Mega
- 3. Terrakion · beats Fighting
Double Kick + Sacred Sword
- 4. Shadow Machamp · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 5. Lucario · beats Fighting
Counter + Aura Sphere
- 6. Conkeldurr · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 7. Machamp · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 8. Shadow Hariyama · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 9. Keldeo · beats Fighting
Low Kick + Sacred Sword
- 10. Buzzwole · beats Fighting
Counter + Superpower
- 11. Toxicroak · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 12. Breloom · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Conkeldurr · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 2. Machamp · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 3. Hariyama · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 4. Toxicroak · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 5. Breloom · beats Fighting
Counter + Dynamic Punch
- 6. Poliwrath · beats Fighting
Rock Smash + Dynamic Punch
- 7. Primeape · beats Fighting
Counter + Close Combat
- 8. Heracross · beats Fighting
Counter + Close Combat
- 9. Emboar · beats Fighting
Low Kick + Focus Blast
- 10. Sawk · beats Fighting
Low Kick + Focus Blast
- 11. Throh · beats Fighting
Low Kick + Focus Blast
- 12. Hitmonchan · beats Fighting
Counter + Close Combat
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists the always-available TM pool (Dark Pulse, Thunder, Megahorn; Payback may appear depending on snapshot). Brutal Swing is a featured-event exclusive — unlock with an Elite Charged TM if you missed the Mega Raid Day window.
Fast
- Snarl · Standard
PvP energy / Dark STAB
- Psycho Cut · Standard
Raid damage option
Charged
- Payback · Community Day / Elite TM
Best Dark nuke (legacy)
- Brutal Swing · Event / Elite TM
Featured Mega Raid Day Dark move
- Dark Pulse · Standard
Always-available Dark
- Megahorn · Standard
Bug coverage
- Thunder · Standard
Electric coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- psycho cut
- snarl
Charged
- dark pulse
- thunder
- megahorn
- payback
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #363 of 954 · CP 1480
Psycho Cut + Megahorn
- Ultra League · rank #258 of 747 · CP 2490
Psycho Cut + Megahorn
- Master League · rank #264 of 1023 · CP 2856
Psycho Cut + Megahorn
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.