Genesect set to return as Pokemon GO raid boss in October

The terrifying steel-bug Pokemon Genesect is returning to Pokemon GO.

Though Genesect has been available in Pokemon GO for some time now, different versions of the mythical Pokemon are being added to the game starting with Douse Drive Genesect in October.

Douse Drive Genesect will be appearing in five-star raids from October 1 to October 12.

When Genesect first arrived in Pokemon Black and White on the Nintendo DS, it had the unique ability to change the typing of its Techno Blast attack by holding different Drive items. This effectively lets the trainer choose to give it Thunder, Blizzard, Fire Blast, or Hydro Pump with increased accuracy. This mechanic was later adopted by Sun and Moon’s Silvally, which could change its Multi-Attack move in a similar way.

In Pokemon GO, Genesect’s Techno Blast attack has a similar mechanic, but players can’t freely switch its type. Instead, they need to catch each Genesect to have all the different attack options.

How do I get Genesect in Pokemon GO?

Genesect occasionally appears as a five-star raid boss during certain events. Different versions of Genesect have appeared over time, with different attack options.

Burn Drive Genesect appeared in January 2021 as part of the Unova Celebration event, with access to a fire-type version of Techno Blast. Genesect is returning in October 2021 with a Douse Drive equipped, offering a water-type Techno Blast attack. It’s unclear when Shock Drive or Chill Drive versions of Genesect might arrive in Pokemon GO.

After defeating Genesect in a raid, players need to catch it using Premier Balls the way they do any other raid boss. Here’s the trick to catching Pokemon GO raid bosses.

How to beat Douse Drive Genesect in Pokemon GO

Every version of Genesect is countered by fire-type attacks, with the Pokemon taking 256% damage from every fire move it absorbs.

Douse Drive Genesect is actually the trickiest version of the Pokemon, as it will have access to a water-type attack while retaining the many resistances offered by a bug-steel typing. This makes it able to deal super-effective damage against almost all of the fire-type Pokemon in the game.

The ideal Pokemon to tackle Douse Drive Genesect are those who have access to fire-type moves but don’t take increased damage from water-type attacks and isn’t going to take increased damage from steel or bug-type moves. Probably the best option is the Community Day Electivire that has access to Flamethrower, but Togekiss is another strong option if it comes across a Genesect with a bug-type quick move. Mewtwo can also learn Flamethrower, but Genesect resists all of Mewtwo’s quick moves and could have a super-effective fast attack.

Ultimately, a group of players stacked up with fire-type Pokemon will be able to topple any Genesect they come across simply because the Pokemon is so weak to fire moves.

Is Genesect useful in Pokemon GO?

Genesect is a very powerful Pokemon when it comes to PVP battling, but its effectiveness isn’t as high in raids, gym battles, or against Team Go Rocket grunts.

Genesect has a maximum CP of 3,791 at level 50. This is very strong in the overall game, but the Pokemon lags behind most legendaries and many other mythicals. In fact, pseudo legendaries such as Salamence, Dragonite, and Metagross and sub-legendaries such as Zapdos, Terrakion, and Landorus all have more pure horsepower than Genesect.

Genesect shines brightest in Great League and Ultra League PVP play. The Pokemon’s bug-steel typing gives it a long list of resistances and it has attacks that serve as a check to many popular Pokemon. As long as Genesect can avoid fire types, it’s a serious threat.