Pokemon GO Runerigus: Best moveset, counters, and is it any good?

Pokemon GO's upcoming Yamask Research Day will soon give players access to Galarian Yamask and its Unovan variant. Since many trainers may not have had access to Galarian Yamask before, some trainers may want to know more about its evolution, Runerigus, before they decide to invest time and resources into the creature.

While Runerigus was known for its utility and tanking capabilities in the main series, Pokemon GO is a much different game. Here is everything to know about Runerigus in the game's competitive scene.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinions

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Runerigus' best moveset in Pokemon GO

Runerigus is a Ground and Ghost-type (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Here are Runerigus' stats, as well as its best moveset, in Pokemon GO:

• Attack: 163
• Defense: 237
• Stamina: 151
• Fast attacks: Astonish, Shadow Claw
• Charged attacks: Shadow Ball, Sand Tomb, Rock Tomb, Brutal Swing

Runerigus' best moveset includes Shadow Claw, Shadow Ball, and Sand Tomb. Sand Tomb is a great tool for the creature to have since it debuffs the target's defense. This allows the Pocket Monster to have some utility while also making use of both its Ghost and Ground typings offensively, thanks to the Same-Type Attack Bonus.

Also check: Pokemon GO Evolution Calculator

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Counters to Runerigus in Pokemon GO

Runerigus is much easier to counter than its Unovan counterpart. This is thanks to its additional Ground typing, which does not complement its base Ghost typing at all defensively.

Runerigus takes 160% damage from attacks of the following elements:

• Dark
• Ghost
• Water
• Grass
• Ice

The best counters to Runerigus in the competitive scene are those that can easily take it down with burst damage. Picks like Shadow Feraligatr, Mandibuzz, either form of Giratina, and Azumarill can easily take down the Pocket Monster.

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Is Runerigus good in Pokemon GO PvP?

Runerigus fails as a defensive tank due to its many common weaknesses (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Runerigus is arguably one of the worst fully evolved Ghost-type critters that players can put on their Battle League parties. While it does have a high defense stat and access to Shadow Claw, its typing is its biggest flaw. A creature getting more weaknesses through the integration of a dual typing makes it much harder to play defensively.

While this would not be a problem if Runerigus was built for offense, it retaining its Unovan counterpart's defensive stat spread leaves it as a much worse creature.

Cofagrigus also has access to Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball, much like Runerigus. While Runerigus has access to Brutal Swing for Dark-type damage, Cofagrigus has access to Dark Pulse.

With Runerigus being almost identical to its counterpart, except with a much worse typing, there is no real reason to use it over Cofagrigus.

Cofagrigus performs much better in both the Great and Ultra League. With both forms of Yamask being available during the Research Day, trainers may want to prioritize the standard Unovan form over the Galarian variant.

Also check: Pokemon GO CP calculator

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For more information on the game, check out the articles below:

• Ditto disguises
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts