Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Donphan
Say it: DO-nph-an
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Donphan is the Armor Pokémon — Ground from Phanpy. In Pokémon GO it is a Ground attacker and Great League option with Counter. Ground helps against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel; Water, Grass, and Ice hit Ground hard. Body Slam from Phanpy Community Day (or an Elite TM) is a key PvP charged move. Evolve Phanpy or catch Donphan from events.
Say it: DO-nph-an
Donphan (#232) is a Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the final form of Phanpy. Trainers use it for Ground raids and PvP with Counter / Mud-Slap / Charm + Earthquake / Body Slam / Trailblaze / Play Rough / Heavy Slam. Against Donphan, lead with Water, Grass, or Ice. 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
Donphan is a Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0232. Use the Ground type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Priority Community Day move: Body Slam (Elite Charged TM if you missed Phanpy CD). Counter + Body Slam / Earthquake is the usual PvP kit; Mud-Slap + Earthquake for Ground DPS. Shadow Donphan is the raid DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing.
Type matchups
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Donphan is your opponent, Water, Grass, Ice hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 214
- Defense
- 185
- Stamina
- 207
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. Primal Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse — Primal lobby boost
- 2. Shadow Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 3. Mega Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 4. Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 5. Shadow Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 6. Shadow Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 7. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 8. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 9. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 10. Samurott · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 12. Empoleon · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 2. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 3. Vaporeon · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Tail
- 4. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 5. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 6. Clawitzer · beats Water
Water Gun + Crabhammer
- 7. Floatzel · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Jet
- 8. Seismitoad · beats Water
Mud Shot + Hydro Pump
- 9. Carracosta · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Pump
- 10. Blastoise · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Wailord · beats Water
Water Gun + Surf
- 12. Golisopod · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Jet
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists the always-available TM pool. Body Slam is a Phanpy Community Day exclusive — Elite TM if you missed the event.
Fast
- Counter · Standard
Fighting energy / PvP default
- Mud-Slap · Standard
Ground energy
- Charm · Standard
Fairy pressure
- Tackle · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Earthquake · Standard
Ground nuke
- Body Slam · Community Day / Elite TM
Normal / PvP bait
- Trailblaze · Standard
Grass coverage
- Play Rough · Standard
Fairy coverage
- Heavy Slam · Standard
Steel 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
- tackle
- counter
- mud slap
- charm
Charged
- earthquake
- heavy slam
- play rough
- body slam
- trailblaze
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #520 of 954 · CP 1463
Counter + Earthquake
- Ultra League · rank #330 of 747 · CP 2497
Counter + Earthquake
- Master League · rank #226 of 1023 · CP 3407
Counter + Earthquake
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
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Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
Ground-type shortlist
- Donphan — Mud-Slap + Earthquake
- Donphan — Mud-Slap + Earthquake
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.