Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Palafin
Say it: PA-la-fi-n
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Palafin is the Dolphin Pokémon — Water from Finizen (Zero Form / Hero Form share Water typing; Hero is the combat form). In Pokémon GO it is a Water attacker with Waterfall + Water Pulse / Acrobatics. Water helps against Fire, Ground, and Rock; Grass and Electric hit Water hard. Evolve Finizen or catch Palafin from events — confirm Hero Form availability.
Say it: PA-la-fi-n
Palafin (#964) is a Water Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the evolution of Finizen. Trainers use it as a Water attacker with Waterfall / Charm / Counter + Aqua Jet / Water Pulse / Icy Wind / Drain Punch / Acrobatics. Against Palafin, lead with Grass or Electric. 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
Palafin is a Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0964. Use the Water type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Waterfall + Water Pulse / Acrobatics is the Water kit; Counter for Fighting energy. Shadow Palafin is the DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing. Confirm Hero Form stats live. No Community Day exclusive is required.
Type matchups
- Water moves hit Fire, Ground, and Rock hard.
When Palafin is your opponent, Electric, Grass hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 143
- Defense
- 144
- Stamina
- 225
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. Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 2. Shadow Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 3. Shadow Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Xurkitree · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 5. Therian Thundurus · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 6. Mega Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 7. Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 8. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 9. Shadow Electabuzz · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunder Punch
- 10. Zapdos · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 11. Magnezone · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 12. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 2. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 3. Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Jolteon · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 5. Ampharos · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Zap Cannon
- 6. Zebstrika · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 7. Galvantula · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Discharge
- 8. Eelektross · beats Electric
Spark + Thunderbolt
- 9. Heliolisk · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 10. Stunfisk · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 11. Raichu · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 12. Magneton · beats Electric
Spark + Discharge
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Palafin’s always-available TM pool. Waterfall + Water Pulse covers Water needs.
Fast
- Waterfall · Standard
Water damage / default
- Counter · Standard
Fighting energy
- Charm · Standard
Fairy damage
Charged
- Acrobatics · Standard
Flying coverage
- Water Pulse · Standard
Water nuke
- Drain Punch · Standard
Fighting coverage
- Icy Wind · Standard
Ice / debuff
- Aqua Jet · Standard
Water / bait
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
- waterfall
- charm
- counter
Charged
- aqua jet
- water pulse
- icy wind
- drain punch
- acrobatics
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #150 of 954 · CP 1487
Counter + Acrobatics
- Ultra League · rank #318 of 747 · CP 2179
Counter + Acrobatics
- Master League · rank #494 of 1023 · CP 2179
Counter + Acrobatics
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).
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.