Reshiram Pokémon GO Meta Analysis

Blue Eyes White Dragon Analyzed

Reshiram

Reshiram is the OG holder of the Dragon and Fire typing, a typing shared by the mega evolved form of a wannabe dragon starter package and an explosive island-dwelling Matamata turtle that’s somehow a dragon as well.

Geez. Let’s leave this wonderful typing to the legends, shall we?

So yeah, back to our legendary Reshiram then!

Reshiram is one of the two heavyweight dragons that don’t take super-effective damage from the dreaded Fairy type. Until the mighty Eternatues comes along and dethrones even Dialga, we will analyse and see how this STAB fire-breathing dragon heats up the PvP and PvE meta.

As of December 2021, Reshiram is in raids and can be shiny! Let’s see just how worth it is to grind for a high-level Resh and use it for raids and ML. Let’s get started!

Typing, Strengths and Weaknesses

Reshiram is a Dragon/Fire type Pokémon and as such, is weak to the Dragon, Ground and Rock types. 

Its dual typing also grants its resistances that includes:

0.391x damage from 0.625x damage from
Fire Bug
Grass Electric
Steel

 

Except Steel and to an extent, Electric, none of the other types are particularly relevant in the ML meta (Volcarona, where art thou?). And unlike Reshiram (who also resists Steel, Resh can deal super-effective damage in return to Steel courtesy of its STAB Fire attacks.

Now that’s certainly a niche!

But before we check out its moves, let’s have a look at Reshiram’s stats.

Stats

Reshiram has the following stats in Pokémon Go:

Reshiram DragonFire
Max CP at Level 40 4038 | Max CP at Level 50 4565
ATK 275 DEF 211 HP 205
Weak to Strong Against
Dragon Ground Rock Dragon Bug Grass Ice Steel

 

Fun fact: Reshiram, Zekrom, and Dialga all have the same stats in Pokémon Go!

Yes, its ATK is amazing and its bulk is pretty nice. Also, Reshiram does not take SE damage from Ice types and also deals SE damage in return!

Fire really does help dragons, doesn’t it?

Now, let’s see how much firepower its moveset packs!

Moveset Analysis

Reshiram learns the following moves in Pokémon Go:

Fast Moves Charged Moves
  • Dragon Breath Dragon
  • Fire Fang Fire
  • Draco Meteor Dragon
  • Overheat Fire
  • Crunch Dark
  • Stone Edge Rock

Fast move analysis

Fast move Damage Per Turn [DPT] Energy Per Turn [EPT] Cooldown
Dragon Breath 4.00 3.00 0.50 sec
Fire Fang 4.00 2.50 1.00 sec

 

Dragon Breath is the clear winner here. While it has the same DMG output as Fire Fang and STAB, it generates energy quicker and also has a lower cooldown. Not to mention, Dragon Breath is one of the absolute best fast moves in PvP. Reinforced by Resh’s stellar 275 ATK, it is quite a banger.

Charged move analysis

Charged move Damage Energy required
Draco Meteor 150 65
Overheat 130 55
Crunch 70 45
Stone Edge 100 55

 

Overheat is more or less a compulsion. At just 55 energy, it dishes out a massive 130 DMG. Even with the self ATK debuff, it deals unadulterated damage even when resisted. Furthermore, it also helps Resh melt down the omnipresent Steel types in the meta.

For the second charged move, Crunch is a very good option. Not only is it Resh’s cheapest charged move, but it also has good ML coverage and has a 30% chance to debuff your opponent’s DEF by 1 stage. Neat af.

Dialga can make Draco Meteor work and theoretically, so can Reshiram with the same stats and fast move. However, Resh fulfills an anti-steel and fairy check role better.

So what is Reshiram’s ideal moveset?

We don’t go with Draco Meteor as we do for Dialga because unlike the time lord mon’s Iron Head, Reshiram has nothing else that’s relatively cheap and can deal with fairies. Additionally, it is absolutely necessary to salvage Reshiram’s anti-steel potential.

Therefore, Reshiram’s ideal moveset is Dragon Breath paired with Overheat and Crunch.


Performance in the Master League Classic

Reshiram has the following battle profile for (1-1) and (0-0) shield scenarios in the ML Classic:

  • Ties with Zekrom in (1-1) and barely loses to it in (0-0)
  • Beats Togekiss in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Zacian (Hero) in (1-1)
  • Beats Metagross in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Melmetal in (0-0)
  • Beats Excadrill in (0-0)
  • Beats Zamazenta (Hero) in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragon Tail Garchomp in (0-0)
  • Beats Palkia in (1-1) and (0-0)
  • Beats Counter Haxorus in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragon Tail Haxorus in (1-1)
  • Beats Goodra in (0-0)
  • Beats Machamp in (0-0)
  • Beats Zarude in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Ice Beam Mewtwo in (0-0)
  • Beats Shadow Ball Mewtwo in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragon Breath Hydreigon in (1-1) and barely loses in (0-0)
  • Beats Bite Hydreigon in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Bite Tyranitar in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Yveltal in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragon Breath Gyarados in (0-0)
  • Beats Waterfall Gyarados in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Giratina (Altered) in (0-0)
  • Beats Giratina (Origin) in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Earthquake Snorlax in (1-1) and in (0-0)

Performance in the Open Master League

Reshiram has the following battle profile for (1-1) and (0-0) shield scenarios in the Open ML:

  • Ties with Zekrom in (1-1) and barely loses to it in (0-0)
  • Beats Togekiss in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Zacian (Hero) in (1-1)
  • Beats Metagross in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Melmetal in (0-0)
  • Beats Excadrill in (0-0)
  • Beats Zamazenta (Hero) in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragonite in (1-1)
  • Beats Dragon Tail Garchomp in (0-0)
  • Beats Palkia in (1-1) and (0-0)
  • Beats Counter Haxorus in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragon Tail Haxorus in (1-1)
  • Beats Goodra in (0-0)
  • Beats Machamp in (0-0)
  • Beats Zarude in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Ice Beam Mewtwo in (0-0)
  • Beats Shadow Ball Mewtwo in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragon Breath Hydreigon in (1-1)
  • Beats Bite Hydreigon in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Bite Tyranitar in (1-1)
  • Beats Yveltal in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Dragon Breath Gyarados in (0-0)
  • Beats Waterfall Gyarados in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Giratina (Altered) in (0-0)
  • Beats Giratina (Origin) in (1-1) and in (0-0)
  • Beats Earthquake Snorlax in (1-1) and in (0-0)

Performance in PvE

If Reshiram had moves like Dragon Tail and Outrage in Pokémon Go, it would be second to just Rayqauza in Dragon type DPS. Unfortunately, it has neither right now. That does not mean that it’s bad! In fact, it deals high DPS but is surpassed by many legendary and pseudo legendary dragons that learn both Dragon Tail and Outrage in the game.

It’s the Fire type where Reshiram really gets fiery! Get this: not accounting or mega evolutions and shadows, Reshiram is the #1 Fire type Pokémon for PvE. This is the true fire-breathing dragon you need for PvE!


Parting Words

If you have read my Zekrom meta analysis article, you will note that Zekrom is kind of better in ML when compared to Reshiram. However, Reshiram is still an excellent safe switch when you consider the things that a typical ML Dragon struggles against.

In PvE, Reshiram is fantastic!

It has a pretty shiny and with two signature moves in Fusion Flare and Blue Flare, Reshiram is going to get hotter. Not to mention, there’s the amazingly powerful White Kyurem!

Reshiram is undoubtedly a hot commodity and you ought to get your hands on one high IV, possibly shiny Resh.

All the best, trainers!

Author & tags

MeteorAsh15
MeteorAsh15
My name is Niladri Sarkar. A Team Valor Trainer, I'm a Pokémon Battle Mechanics Specialist & a Dragon Master on Smogon's Pokémon Showdown where I particularly excel with Dragon types and Weather teams in Ubers / OU. I love to apply my vast knowledge and experience to the ever changing meta of Pokémon Go, specialising in DPS/TDO math, movesets, the Master League and Dragon types. Garchomp is my best Pokémon pal through and through.

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