Lightning cracks the sky as Pokémon Go’s High Zaptitude event electrifies screens worldwide, summoning rare Electric-types and shiny hunters’ dreams.
Pokémon Go ‘High Zaptitude’ event premium Timed Research and reward
The premium Timed Research for the ‘High Zaptitude’ event offers exclusive tasks focused on Electric-type Pokémon, including catching and powering up certain species. Completing all stages rewards players with encounters featuring Zapdos, as well as items such as Rare Candies, Golden Razz Berries, and Premium Battle Passes. This paid research provides extra incentives for players who want additional chances to meet event-themed Pokémon and earn valuable bonuses during the event’s limited run.
For $1.99, you can buy this research that gives a lot of Tadbulb encounters and also reduces your hatch distance by half during the event period. It’s worth it for the bonus and Incubators, but I would only recommend buying this if you are shiny hunting Tadbulb. You can see the steps below.
‘High Zaptitude’ step 1 of 2
- Catch 5 Pokémon (Tadbulb encounter)
- Catch 10 Pokémon (Tadbulb encounter)
- Catch 15 Pokémon (Tadbulb encounter)
- Explore 1 km (Tadbulb encounter)
Rewards: Tadbulb encounter, 1 Incubator, 9,400 XP
‘High Zaptitude’ step 2 of 2
- Catch 5 Pokémon (Tadbulb encounter)
- Catch 10 Pokémon (Tadbulb encounter)
- Catch 15 Pokémon (Tadbulb encounter)
- Explore 1 km (Tadbulb encounter)
Best Pokémon to use for Wattrel raids during High Zaptitude event
Wattrel is an Electric/Flying-type Pokémon, making it vulnerable primarily to Rock-, Ice-, and Dragon-type moves in raids. Top counters exploit these weaknesses effectively during the High Zaptitude event.
Best Raid Counters
Use these Pokémon with their optimal movesets for maximum damage against Wattrel:
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rampardos | Smack Down | Rock Slide | Top Rock-type DPS |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down | Rock Wrecker | High bulk and damage |
| Tyranitar | Smack Down | Stone Edge | Strong Rock attacker |
| Mamoswine | Powder Snow | Avalanche | Elite Ice-type option |
| Glalie | Frost Breath | Avalanche | Accessible Ice DPS |
| Rayquaza | Dragon Tail | Dragon Ascent | Shadow form preferred |
| Baxcalibur | Ice Fang | Avalanche | Newer high-DPS Ice |
Prioritize Shadow variants where available for boosted damage.
Team Composition Tips
A balanced raid team includes 2 Rock-types, 2 Ice-types, and 1-2 Dragon-types to dodge Wattrel’s Electric moves like Thunder Shock. Avoid Electric or Flying attackers due to resistances. During the event (Jan 13-18, 2026), event spawns like Helioptile or Tadbulb won’t serve as counters, so power up existing raid stars beforehand.
Weather Boosts
Rock and Ice moves gain power in partly cloudy, snowy, or windy weather, making outdoor raids more efficient. Solo 3-star Wattrel raids are feasible with 2-3 high-level counters; aim for 6 players for faster clears.
Best counters to Wattrel raids in Pokémon GO
Wattrel, as an Electric/Flying-type Pokémon in raids, takes super-effective damage from Rock, Ice, and Dragon moves. Top counters prioritize high DPS from these types while resisting its attacks like Thunder Shock.
Top Counters
These Pokémon offer the best performance based on DPS and TDO rankings:
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| White Kyurem | Ice Shard | Avalanche |
| Shadow Rhyperior | Smack Down | Rock Wrecker |
| Black Kyurem | Ice Shard | Freeze Shock |
| Mega Diancie | Rock Throw | Rock Slide |
| Shadow Rampardos | Smack Down | Rock Slide |
| Shadow Mamoswine | Powder Snow | Avalanche |
| Shadow Gigalith | Smack Down | Meteor Beam |
Shadow and Mega forms excel due to damage boosts.
Team Strategy
Use 2-3 Rock-types and 2 Ice-types per team of six for optimal clears; Dragon-types like Rayquaza add variety. Dodge Electric moves and leverage partly cloudy or snowy weather for boosts. Wattrel raids, often 3-star during events, can be soloed by 1-3 skilled players with maxed counters.
