Pokemon GO: How to Defeat Mega Sableye — Counters, Weaknesses

Defeat Mega Sableye with these tips.

Image via Niantic

Sableye is the latest Pokemon to get its Mega upgrade in Pokemon GO. Appearing in Mega Raids as part of the Dark Flames event, Mega Sableye uses a giant gem as a shield. If you’re running into Mega Sableye at Raids, or when entering a battle league, keep in mind these tips to knock it out.

How to Defeat Mega Sableye in Pokemon GO

Mega Sableye Attacks

Mega Sableye has two Fast Attacks that it can utilize.

  • Shadow Claw (Ghost)
  • Feint Attack (Dark)

If you’re facing Mega Sableye in a Raid, it can have any of the following Charge Attacks:

  • Power Gem (Rock)
  • Shadow Sneak (Ghost)
  • Foul Play (Dark)

There’s one additional attack it may have if you’re facing it in the battle league: Return. Return is an attack option only if the Sableye was purified. I’m not looking forward to dealing with that Shadow Claw and Foul Play, either.

Mega Sableye Weaknesses

Sableye, and thus Mega Sableye, is only weak to Fairy attacks due to its Ghost/Dark dual type. This can make building a team to defeat it in a Raid or work it into a Battle League team.

To further complicate things, Sableye is resistant to:

  • Fighting
  • Poison
  • Normal
  • Psychic

You’ll want to avoid using Psychic and Fighting Pokemon as they’re weak to Sableye’s Dark attacks.

Mega Sableye Counters

With only one weakness and multiple resistances, crafting an efficient team to take on Mega Sableye can take some work. Here are various counters:

  • Crown Sword Zacian: Quick Attack, Metal Claw, Play Rough
  • Gardevoir: Charm, Dazzling Gleam
  • Togekiss: Charm, Dazzling Gleam
  • Galarian Rapidash: Fairy Wind, Play Rough

These are some of the best counters to Mega Sableye in Pokemon GO. For other Raid tactics, best teams for Battle League or what various new items do, check out our Pokemon GO guide vault.

About the author

Ashley Erickson

Ashley, otherwise known as Glitchiee, is an avid gamer of RPGs, TTRPGS, farming sims, The Sims, and a variety of games in between. Playing on the NES and SNES, collecting 1st gen Pokemon cards, and playing on her Gameboy color are some of her favorite memories from early childhood. Combined with a passion for writing, Ashley is focused on bringing the best news, guides, reviews and lists the industry has to offer.