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Pokémon Go Salamence – moves, stats, and counters

Our Pokémon Go Salamence guide is here to explain everything about the winged terror, so learn how to catch, train, and counter the menacing dragon.

Pokemon Go Salamence: Salamence is shown against a blurred backgroun

In Pokémon Go, Salamence is an absolute menace. The dragon-type from Hoenn is a consistent part of the meta in every game it inhabits. With a whopping attack stat, that all-important dragon-typing, as well as flying-type, and access to some great STAB moves, you need a Salamence in your team. So, we’re breaking down how to catch, train, and counter the flying beast.

Right, before we Draco Meteor the information of this guide into your eyeballs, be sure to check out our huge wealth of amazing Pokémon content. We have guides covering Pokémon Go’s Shaymin, Pokémon Go’s Palkia, Pokémon Go’s Dialga, Pokemon Go’s Giratina, Pokémon Go’s Deoxys, Pokémon Go’s Jirachi, Pokémon Go’s Genesect, Pokémon Go’s Mewtwo, Pokémon Go’s Ursaluna, Pokémon Go’s Gimmighoul, and so much more.

Let’s swoop into our Pokémon Go Salamence guide.

Pokemon Go Salamence: Key art shows Salamence and other flying Pokemon

How do I catch Pokémon Go’s Salamence? 

It is not currently possible to catch Salamence in the wild, but you do have a chance of encountering its pre-evolution Bagon. Bagon is a rare Pokémon, so you have to do a lot of walking in the hopes of encountering it. We also recommend using your daily adventure incense to attract Pokémon that aren’t currently common in your region.

Alternatively, Bagon is currently part of the 10km egg pool. So keep walking and hatching eggs and you have a chance of hatching a Bagon. The last chance is to encounter Salamence in a mega raid, though Salamence is not currently one of the Pokémon featured in mega raids. We’ll update this guide when it becomes available, so check back.

How do I evolve Bagon into Salamence? 

To evolve into a Salamence, you must give a Bagon 25 Bagon candy to evolve into Shelgon, and then Shelgon requires 100 Bagon candy to evolve into Salamence.

Pokémon Go Salamence is shown against a blurred backgroun

Is Mega Salamence available in Pokémon Go? 

Yes, Mega Salamence is available in Pokémon Go. Salamence requires 300 Salamence Mega Energy to mega evolve, which you earn by participating in Mega Salamence five-star raids. Mega Salamence is not a part of the current or upcoming mega raid pool, but we’ll update this guide when it becomes available.

Pokémon Go Salamence against a blurred background

Is shiny Salamence available in Pokémon Go? 

Yes, Bagon and Salamence both have a chance of being shiny when you encounter them. Bagon hatched from eggs can be shiny and Salamence encountered in the wild or during raids also have a chance of being shiny.

What are Pokémon Go Salamence’s stats? 

In Pokémon Go Salamence has the following stats:

Stat Power
Attack 277
Defense 168
Stamina 216

What are Pokémon Go Salamence’s resistances? 

Pokémon Go’s Salamence is dragon-type, with a secondary flying-type. As such, it’s resistances and weaknesses are as follows.

Weaknesses:

  • Ice – 256% damage
  • Rock – 160% damage
  • Dragon – 160% damage
  • Fairy – 160% damage

Resistances:

  • Fighting – 63% damage
  • Bug – 63% damage
  • Fire – 63% damage
  • Water – 63% damage
  • Ground – 39% damage
  • Grass – 39% damage

Pokemon Go Salamence: Key art shows Bagon for community day

What are Pokémon Go Salamence’s moves? 

In Pokémon Go, Salamence is able to learn the following moves:

Quick moves:

Move Type Damage DPS
Bite Dark 6 12
Fire fang Fire 12 13.3
Dragon tail Dragon 15 16.4

Charged moves:

Move Type Damage DPS
Fire blast Fire 140 33.3
Hydro pump Water 130 39.4
Draco meteor Dragon 150 50
Outrage Dragon 110 33.8
Frustration Normal (shadow) 10 5
Return Normal (purified) 35 50

What are the best Pokémon Go Salamence counters?

If you’re taking on Salamence in battles or raids it has a few great counters. With dual dragon- and flying-typing, ice is your best friend as it deals more damage than any other type. Steer clear of using dragon-types, as Salamence’s STAB draco meteor is the stuff of nightmares. So, some of the following Pokémon are great Salamence counters:

  • Darmanitan (Galarian zen)
  • Darmanitan (Galarian standard)
  • Weavile
  • Mamoswine
  • Glaceon
  • Mewtwo (Ice beam)
  • Kyurem (White)
  • Regigigas (avalanche)
  • Vanilluxe
  • Porygon-Z (Blizzard)
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Alright, trainers, that’s all we have on Pokémon Go’s Salamence! Check back for more updates, but for now if you’re building Salamence counters be sure to check out our articles on the best ice Pokémon and the best fairy Pokémon.