Duraludon, the Dragon and Steel-type Pokémon inspired by London’s Shard skyscraper, is now live in Pokémon Go. First appearing during the Steel Skyline event in September 2025, this Dynamax Pokémon offers trainers a powerful addition to their teams. But catching Duraludon isn’t just about luck—you’ll need strategy, counters, and the right moves to succeed.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting Duraludon, countering it in Max Battles, and preparing for its shiny form and eventual evolution into Archaludon.
How to get Duraludon in Pokémon Go
Duraludon can be caught through two main methods during the Steel Skyline event:
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Field Research Task: Complete the task “Win 3 Dynamax Battles” to earn a Duraludon encounter. Soloing three one-star Max Battles is often enough. Spin lots of PokéStops to find the task, as available Field Research tasks rotate daily.
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Four-Star Max Battle: Defeat Duraludon in a four-star Max Battle. You’ll need Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon. If soloing is difficult, join other trainers using a Remote Raid Pass and apps like Poke Genie to coordinate your battle.
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Trainers are advised to catch at least one Duraludon before the event ends. Its availability afterward is unclear, so missing it could mean a long wait.
Dynamax Duraludon counters and weaknesses
Duraludon’s Steel and Dragon typing makes it tough but exploitable with the right strategy.
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Weaknesses: Fighting and Ground-type moves
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Best Counters:
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Attackers: Gigantamax Machamp, Urshifu, Excadrill, Passimian
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Defenders: Crowned Shield Zamazenta, Metagross, Crowned Sword Zacian, Omastar
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Healers: Blissey, Gigantamax Snorlax, Gigantamax Lapras
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Battle tips
Start with a defender like Crowned Shield Zamazenta. When it’s time to Dynamax, switch to an attacker such as Gigantamax Machamp. Once the attack phase ends, rotate back to a defender to preserve your team. This looping strategy maximizes damage while keeping your Pokémon alive.
Is Duraludon shiny in Pokémon Go?
Yes. Shiny Duraludon debuted alongside the regular version in September 2025. Its silver body darkens to grey, and the blue accents shift slightly in hue. While subtle, it’s a nice collectible for shiny hunters and adds prestige to your team.
Duraludon CP in Pokémon Go
Duraludon caught from Dynamax battles typically ranges from 1674 to 1753 CP, giving trainers a strong base for both PvE and PvP battles.
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Best Duraludon moveset
For optimal performance, Duraludon’s moveset should focus on Dragon-type moves:
Fast Moves:
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Dragon Tail (Dragon)
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Metal Claw (Steel)
Charged Moves:
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Dragon Claw (Dragon)
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Flash Cannon (Steel)
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Hyper Beam (Normal)
Dragon Tail + Dragon Claw is recommended for most offensive strategies, though Flash Cannon and Hyper Beam offer defensive flexibility and coverage against other Steel-types.
Is Archaludon in Pokémon Go?
Currently, Archaludon, Duraludon’s evolution, is not yet available in Pokémon Go. Normally, evolutions follow the release of Stage One Pokémon, but Niantic has not provided a timeline for Archaludon’s arrival. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Teal Mask DLC, Archaludon continues the Dragon-Steel skyscraper theme, so it’s expected to eventually appear in Go for trainers seeking a full evolution line.
FAQs
1. How do you catch Duraludon in Pokémon Go?
Duraludon can be caught during the Steel Skyline event in two ways:
- Field Research Task: Complete “Win 3 Dynamax Battles” for a Duraludon encounter.
- Four-Star Max Battle: Defeat Duraludon using Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon, solo or with other trainers via Remote Raid Passes.
2. What are the best counters for Dynamax Duraludon in Pokémon Go?
Duraludon is weak to Fighting and Ground moves. Top counters include:
- Attackers: Gigantamax Machamp, Urshifu, Excadrill
- Defenders: Crowned Shield Zamazenta, Metagross
- Healers: Blissey, Gigantamax Snorlax, Lapras
3. Is shiny Duraludon available in Pokémon Go?
Yes, shiny Duraludon debuted in September 2025. It features a darker grey body and slightly altered blue accents. Shiny variants can be obtained from both Field Research and Max Battles during the event.
4. What is Duraludon’s CP range in Pokémon Go?
Duraludon caught from Dynamax battles usually has a CP between 1674 and 1753, making it a powerful option for PvE and PvP team builds.
5. What is the best moveset for Duraludon in Pokémon Go?
The best offensive moveset for Duraludon is:
- Fast Move: Dragon Tail
- Charged Move: Dragon Claw
This setup maximizes Dragon-type damage. For more coverage, consider Flash Cannon or Hyper Beam for defensive play.
6. Can Duraludon evolve into Archaludon in Pokémon Go?
Not yet. As of October 2025, Archaludon is not available in Pokémon Go. While it’s expected to arrive eventually, Niantic has not confirmed a release date. Trainers should still catch Duraludon to prepare for its future evolution.
