Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Poochyena
Say it: POO-chye-na
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Poochyena is the Bite Pokémon — Dark before Mightyena. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Mightyena — not a finished raid attacker. Dark helps against Psychic and Ghost; Fighting, Bug, and Fairy hit Dark hard. Catch Poochyena from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve.
Say it: POO-chye-na
Poochyena (#261) is a Dark Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the baby stage of Mightyena. Trainers almost never power Poochyena for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Mightyena. Against Poochyena, lead with Fighting, 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
Poochyena is a Dark-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0261. 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: Do not sink Stardust into Poochyena. Keep high-IV copies for Mightyena. Shadow Poochyena is the same — evolve toward Shadow Mightyena.
Type matchups
- Dark moves hit Psychic and Ghost hard.
When Poochyena is your opponent, Fighting, Bug, Fairy hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 96
- Defense
- 61
- Stamina
- 111
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
Poochyena’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Mightyena — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Snarl · Standard
Dark energy
- Tackle · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Crunch · Standard
Dark nuke
- Dig · Standard
Ground coverage
- Poison Fang · Standard
Poison / 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
- tackle
- snarl
Charged
- crunch
- dig
- poison fang
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Master League · rank #917 of 1023 · CP 766
Snarl + Crunch
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.