Among the pantheon of Legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza stands out as one of the most powerful and revered. Known as the Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza soars above the world, watching over the balance between land and sea. First introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, this Dragon- and Flying-type Pokémon has made a lasting impact on the franchise, known for its immense strength, signature move Dragon Ascent, and its Mega Evolution that can turn the tide in any battle.
In this in-depth guide, we will explore Rayquaza’s stats, abilities, move pool, competitive strategies, and lore. Whether you’re looking to master Rayquaza in battle or simply curious about its background, this guide has everything you need.
Rayquaza’s Base Stats and Overview
Rayquaza boasts an impressive 680 base stat total, making it one of the strongest non-Mega-evolved Pokémon. However, its Mega Evolution raises its power to an astronomical level, pushing its base stats to 780, further cementing Rayquaza as a formidable force in battle.
Base Stats:
- HP: 105
- Attack: 150
- Defense: 90
- Special Attack: 150
- Special Defense: 90
- Speed: 95
Rayquaza’s stat distribution is heavily skewed toward offense, with both Attack and Special Attack sitting at 150, making it equally adept at physical and special moves. Its Speed stat of 95 ensures that it can outspeed a significant portion of opponents, although it may still struggle against faster threats. Its lower defenses (90 each) mean that while Rayquaza can dish out damage, it must be wary of strong hits, especially those targeting its quadruple weakness to Ice-type moves.
Rayquaza’s Abilities: Air Lock and Delta Stream
Rayquaza’s signature ability is Air Lock, which nullifies all weather effects while Rayquaza is on the field. This can be incredibly useful in matches where weather-based strategies—such as Rain Dance teams with Swift Swim users—are dominant. Air Lock neutralizes all weather boosts, making Rayquaza an excellent counter to weather-dependent teams.
Upon Mega Evolution, Rayquaza gains the ability Delta Stream, which reduces the effectiveness of Electric, Rock, and Ice-type moves (its natural weaknesses) by weakening their power in battle. This ability helps Mega Rayquaza overcome its biggest vulnerability: a quadruple weakness to Ice-type attacks.
Rayquaza’s Moveset: Offense Meets Versatility
Rayquaza’s vast movepool complements its extraordinary offensive stats. It can function both as a physical or special attacker, and its moves can devastate opponents if used correctly.
Physical Attacker:
Rayquaza shines as a physical powerhouse, especially with access to moves like:
- Dragon Ascent: Rayquaza’s signature move, Dragon Ascent, is a high-powered Flying-type move (120 base power) that also lowers Rayquaza’s Defense and Special Defense after use. This is the strongest Flying-type move in the game and gives Rayquaza a deadly tool for physical sweeping.
- Earthquake: A reliable Ground-type move that hits Steel-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokémon hard. It’s a staple for many physical Rayquaza sets.
- Extreme Speed: A priority move that allows Rayquaza to strike first, even against faster opponents. Its 80 base power combined with Rayquaza’s high Attack makes it a fantastic revenge-killing tool.
- Outrage: A devastating Dragon-type move (120 base power) that forces Rayquaza to stay locked in for 2-3 turns, but few Pokémon can withstand its onslaught. It’s risky but rewarding.
Special Attacker:
If you opt to use Rayquaza as a special attacker, there are numerous options to take advantage of its impressive 150 Special Attack:
- Draco Meteor: A hard-hitting Dragon-type move (130 base power) that sharply lowers Rayquaza’s Special Attack after use. It’s a fantastic move to use when you need immediate, devastating power.
- Thunderbolt: A great coverage move that allows Rayquaza to hit Water- and Flying-types hard, making it useful in teams facing threats like Gyarados or Pelipper.
- Flamethrower: Provides key coverage against Steel-types like Ferrothorn or Scizor, who otherwise resist Rayquaza’s STAB moves.
- Surf: A solid Water-type move that offers coverage against Rock-types and Ground-types.
Mixed Attacker:
Given Rayquaza’s stellar offensive stats in both Attack and Special Attack, a mixed attacking set is also a viable option, allowing Rayquaza to handle a broader range of threats.
Best Movesets and Competitive Strategies
Rayquaza’s ability to function in multiple roles makes it a strong addition to any team, especially in Ubers format, where it reigns supreme. Below are some of the best movesets and strategies to maximize Rayquaza’s potential.
1. Mega Rayquaza: Dragon Dance Sweeper
- Item: None (required for Mega Evolution)
- Ability: Delta Stream
- EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
- Nature: Jolly (Speed-boosting)
- Moveset:
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Ascent
- Earthquake
- Extreme Speed
This set revolves around using Dragon Dance to boost Rayquaza’s Attack and Speed, allowing it to sweep entire teams. Dragon Ascent serves as the primary STAB move, while Earthquake provides essential coverage. Extreme Speed ensures Rayquaza can finish off faster threats or weakened Pokémon.
2. Special Attacker Rayquaza
- Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
- Ability: Air Lock
- EVs: 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
- Nature: Timid (Speed-boosting)
- Moveset:
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
This special set capitalizes on Rayquaza’s high Special Attack, using Draco Meteor for maximum power and other special moves for coverage. This set is designed to take down Steel-, Water-, and Rock-types that resist Rayquaza’s Dragon moves.
3. Mixed Attacker Rayquaza
- Item: Life Orb
- Ability: Air Lock
- EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Special Attack / 4 Speed
- Nature: Naive (Speed-boosting)
- Moveset:
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Ascent
- Earthquake
- Extreme Speed
This mixed set takes advantage of Rayquaza’s equally powerful Attack and Special Attack stats. Draco Meteor can break through physical walls, while Dragon Ascent and Earthquake handle special tanks. Extreme Speed adds priority for quicker takedowns.
Rayquaza in Pokémon Lore: The Protector of the Skies
Rayquaza’s lore is deeply intertwined with the story of the weather trio, consisting of Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza. As the trio’s mediator, Rayquaza is known for its role in quelling the destructive battles between Groudon and Kyogre. It lives high in the ozone layer and rarely descends to the earth, which contributes to its legendary status.
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Rayquaza’s Mega Evolution plays a pivotal role in saving the world from the massive meteor threat. Its ability to ascend to Mega Rayquaza without the use of a Mega Stone sets it apart from other Pokémon.
Weaknesses and Counters: How to Defeat Rayquaza
Despite its immense power, Rayquaza has notable weaknesses that can be exploited in competitive play. Most importantly, Rayquaza has a quadruple weakness to Ice-type moves, making Pokémon like Weavile, Mamoswine, and Kyurem-Black prime candidates for countering it.
Rayquaza also struggles against faster Dragon- and Fairy-types. Pokémon like Xerneas or Mega Salamence can outspeed and overwhelm Rayquaza with Moonblast or Dragon Claw, respectively. Lastly, Stealth Rock takes away 25% of Rayquaza’s health upon switching in, making hazard control crucial to its longevity.