Both Pokémon Scarlet and Violet players will recognize the Water-type Big Catfish Pokémon Dondozo as one of the featured adversaries during the Path of Legends storyline in Paldea. The battle against Dondozo was undoubtedly a challenge, but players might also encounter this massive catfish during PvP Trainer Battles at the academy. Therefore, understanding this pocket monster’s weaknesses and optimal counters is essential for participating in PvP, as fans can never know when their opponent might whip out the Water-type Big Catfish in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
How to Counter Dondozo in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
As a Water-type Big Catfish Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Dondozo is resistant to Fire-, Water-, Ice-, and Steel-type Moves. Conversely, it is weak to Electric- and Grass-type attacks. Additionally, Dondozo is equipped with Unaware and Oblivious. Unaware has the catfish ignore the opponent’s stat changes when attacking, and Oblivious grants immunity to being infatuated, intimidated, or taunted.
As noted above, Dondozo is resistant to Fire-type attacks but is also immune to being inflicted with Burn, thanks to its Hidden Ability, Water Veil. Therefore, Trainers should avoid using any Fire-type or burning Moves against Dondozo at all costs. On the other hand, players use the Electric- and Steel-type Magnezone or the Grass- and Normal-type Arboliva against Dondozo. These two pocket monsters have access to Discharge and Leaf Storm, making them excellent combatants for dealing effective damage to the Water-type Big Catfish.
When participating in solo Trainer Battles against an opponent with Dondozo, the two counters mentioned above and similar options, like Miraidon or Gogoat, should be sufficient for defeating the catfish in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. However, things get complicated when Double Battles are added into the mix since Tatsugiri with Commander can substantially bolster Dondozo’s combat capabilities. As a result, Electric- and Water-type Moves become less effective than they would be if Dondozo was solo. Nevertheless, Trainers can still prevail if they change their strategy to be slightly more defensive than offensive. Tanking Water-type attacks with formidable Electric- or Grass-type combatants will ensure that players can out-sustain their opponent’s Dondozo, eventually ending in victory.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are available on the Nintendo Switch.
