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Pokémon Go Heracross counters, weaknesses and moveset explained

How to battle Heracross in three-star raids!

Heracross, one of the regional Pokémon in Pokémon Go, is making an incredibly rare appearance in raids across the world.

Heracross is considered quite rare outside of its exclusive regions, so, if you're one of the many trainers who can't catch it in the wild, this is the perfect time to add it to your Pokédex!

Heracross will be appearing in three-star raids throughout the Ultra Unlock 2021: Space event and whether you can defeat it by yourself depends on your experience with Pokémon Go. Even if you're an experienced trainer, however, you still need to know Heracross' counters and weaknesses!

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Cover image for YouTube videoRaiding and catching Heracross in Pokémon Go
Raiding and catching Heracross in Pokémon Go

How to catch Heracross in Pokémon Go

Usually Heracross is a regional exclusive Pokémon which spawns in South America, southern Florida and Texas.

Heracross has only made a couple of appearances outside of this region as part of in-game events, including appearing in three-star raids during the Ultra Unlock Part 2: Space event of August 2021.

Pokémon Go Tour: Johto in February 2022 is one such event where, alongside Corsola, heracross can be battled in raids and, if defeated, caught. (Though it can still escape if you run out of PokéBalls.)

Catching Heracross is a crucial part of the Raid Collection Challenge for the Go Tour: Johto, so this event offers you the chance to add a rare Pokémon to your Pokédex and add a new challenge to your Elite Collector medal.

Heracross counters and weaknesses in Pokémon Go

Below you can find the counters and weaknesses for Heracross in Pokémon Go:

  • Heracross type - Bug and fighting-type
  • Heracross is weak against - Fairy, fire and flying-types
  • Heracross counters - Moltres, Granbull, Entei, Gardevoir, Metagross, Rayquaza, Honchkrow, Togekiss and Darmanitan
  • Other Hearcross notes - Heracross is especially weak to flying-type Pokémon, so lead your team with them and follow up with either your strongest fire or psychic-types.

Heracross CP in Pokémon Go

Here you can find the CP levels for battling and attempting to catch Heracross in Pokémon Go:

  • Raid Boss CP - 20,809
  • CP range for catching Heracross - 1693 to 1772 CP
  • Weather (Rain or Overcast) boosted CP range - 2116 to 2215 CP

Thank you to Amiibofan101 from reddit for the help with this information!


The World of Wonders season has come to Pokémon Go, giving you the chance to catch Poipole. The World of Wonders: Taken Over event is currently running, bringing the It's a Rocket World special research quest with it. Don't forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.


Heracross moveset in Pokémon Go

Heracross can use a variety of Fast and Charged moves in Pokémon Go, including:

Fast Moves:

  • Counter (Fighting)
  • Struggle Bug (Bug)

Charged Moves:

  • Close Combat (Fighting)
  • Earthquake (Ground)
  • Megahorn (Bug)

Everything else we know about Heracross

Corsola is the other regionally exclusive Pokémon from Gen 2.

Heracross is one of the two regionally exclusive Pokémon from Gen 2, with the other being Corsola, and can be found in South America, southern Florida and Texas. Ultra Unlock 2021: Space marks the first time Heracross has been made available outside of these regions and the release of its shiny form.

Heracross' design most likely takes inspiration from the Japanese rhinoceros beetle, sharing its central horn. These beetles are known for their strength and are often used in insect fighting - a fact which mostly likely inspired Hearcross' bug and fighting-type combination.

Interestingly, when Heracross was first released in Pokémon Silver and Gold, it could only be found by headbutting trees in specific routes. Due to this, Heracross could be a rather tricky Pokémon to find if you weren't experimenting with headbutt!

Good luck catching Heracross in Pokémon Go!