You’ve probably seen the hype. Every time a new Raid Boss drops in Pokémon GO, the infographics start flying around social media, and there’s one blue-and-black dog that always seems to be sitting at the top of the pile. Honestly, Mega Lucario Pokemon GO is one of those rare instances where the community hype actually matches the reality of the math. It isn’t just a cool-looking fan favorite from the Sinnoh region; it’s a total game-changer for the Fighting-type meta. If you aren't using it, you're basically leaving free damage on the table.
It hits hard. Like, really hard.
When Niantic finally released the Mega Evolution for Lucario during the Ultra Unlock: Better Together event, it shifted the power balance of the entire game. Before this, we were mostly relying on Mega Blaziken or Mega Heracross to do the heavy lifting for Fighting-type damage. Those are fine. They’re great, actually. But Mega Lucario brings something to the table that those two simply can't touch: the Steel typing.
That secondary typing is a massive deal because it turns Lucario into a tank against some of the most common moves in the game. It resists Dragon, Normal, Grass, Ice, and Rock. Think about that for a second. When you’re staring down a Regice or a Dialga, that resistance keeps you in the fight long enough to fire off multiple Charged Attacks. You aren't just a glass cannon anymore. You're a cannon made of reinforced titanium.
The Moveset That Makes Mega Lucario Pokemon GO Broken
Let’s talk about Force Palm. If you were lucky enough to participate in the Lucario Raid Day, you probably have a Lucario with this Fast Move. If you don't? Use an Elite Fast TM. It’s worth it. Force Palm is objectively better than Counter in almost every single PVE scenario because of its superior energy generation and damage output. When you pair Force Palm with Aura Sphere, you’re looking at the highest Neutral DPS (Damage Per Second) of any Fighting-type in the game. It’s not even a close race.
Aura Sphere is the real star of the show here. It’s a two-bar move, which is huge for Mega Evolutions. Why? Because it minimizes "wasted" energy. If you’re using a one-bar move like Focus Blast and you get knocked out with 90% of your energy bar full, you’ve contributed nothing. With Aura Sphere, you’re constantly cycling through damage. It’s fast. It’s fluid. It feels right.
But wait. What if you're facing a Fairy-type or an Ice-type where Fighting isn't the best play? Mega Lucario can also function as a top-tier Steel attacker with Bullet Punch and Flash Cannon. Sure, it’s not quite as dominant as Mega Metagross in that specific niche, but it’s a very respectable second place. Having that flexibility is what makes it a staple in a "small" party. If you’re trying to duo a Tier 5 raid, this is the Pokémon you want in your lead slot.
Why the Steel Typing Changes Everything
Most people look at Lucario and think "Fighting type." That’s a mistake. You have to look at it as a Steel type that happens to punch things. In the current Pokemon GO meta, survival is just as important as DPS because of the "Mega Boost" mechanic. As long as Mega Lucario is on the field, every other player in the raid gets a 30% damage boost to their Fighting and Steel moves.
If your Lucario is a glass cannon that dies in ten seconds, that boost disappears.
Because Mega Lucario resists so many common raid boss types—especially those pesky Dragon-type moves—it stays on the field way longer than a Mega Blaziken would. It’s the difference between boosting your teammates for 15 seconds versus 40 seconds. In a 20-person lobby, that’s an astronomical amount of total damage.
The Stardust Cost: Is It Worth the Investment?
Look, I get it. XL Candy is hard to come by. Getting a Lucario to Level 50 is a chore that involves walking hundreds of kilometers or grinding out hatch marathons. But if you’re going to dump your resources into one single Mega, this is the one.
- Gym Clearing: It’s the fastest gym clearer in the game. Period. Most gyms are filled with Blissey, Chansey, and Snorlax. Mega Lucario melts them before they can even get a Dazzling Gleam off.
- Rocket Battles: Power-up Punch is a bait move that also increases your attack stat. You can stun-lock Team GO Rocket leaders and boost your damage simultaneously.
- Universality: There are so many Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark-type raid bosses. You will use this Pokémon in roughly 40% of all legendary raids.
The Misconception About "Best In Slot"
You’ll hear some people argue that Shadow Machamp or Shadow Hariyama are "cheaper" alternatives. They aren't wrong about the cost, but they are wrong about the value. A Shadow Pokémon doesn't provide a Mega Boost to the rest of the raid group. In the modern era of the game, where we have "Party Play" and "Primal Reversions," the synergy of the team matters more than one individual Pokémon's stats. Mega Lucario is the ultimate team player.
It’s also important to note that Lucario is a "fan favorite" for a reason—Niantic knows this. They tend to feature Riolu in eggs during big events like Sinnoh Tour or Hatch Days. Don't waste your Rare Candy on it unless you’re desperate. Just wait for an event, throw on a 2km egg, and start walking.
How to Actually Use Mega Lucario Effectively
Don't just mindlessly tap.
In a raid, you want to be the first person to send out your Mega. This sets the tone. If everyone waits until their last Pokémon to Mega Evolve, you lose out on all that shared damage. If you’re coordinated with your local group, you should rotate your Megas so that one is always active on the field.
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Also, pay attention to the weather. Lucario gets a massive boost in Cloudy (Fighting) and Snow (Steel) weather. If it’s snowing outside, Mega Lucario becomes a literal god. Its Flash Cannon will shred through anything that doesn't specifically resist it. Honestly, even if the boss resists it, the raw neutral damage is often enough to carry the win.
What Most People Get Wrong About Riolu
The biggest mistake players make is evolving a Riolu before they've unlocked a second move. This is a pro-tip that will save you literally tens of thousands of Stardust. It costs significantly less to add a second Charged Attack to a baby Pokémon (Riolu) than it does to an evolved one (Lucario).
Do it now. Don't wait.
You want Aura Sphere for your primary damage and Power-up Punch for Team Rocket/PVP utility. Or, if you’re strictly a raider, keep Flash Cannon as your second move for that Steel-type coverage. Having both ready to go makes your Mega Lucario Pokemon GO experience much more versatile.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
Stop sitting on that high-IV Riolu. It's time to put it to work. If you're serious about being a top-tier raider, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Check your Elite TMs: If your Lucario doesn't have Force Palm, use an Elite Fast TM. It is a strictly better move than Counter for raiding.
- Buddy Up: Set Lucario as your buddy immediately. You need those XL Candies to get it to Level 50. Even at Level 40, it’s a beast, but Level 50 is where it becomes untouchable.
- Mega Level 3: Evolve it every single day that the cooldown is up. You want to hit Mega Level 3 as fast as possible to maximize the XL Candy catch bonus for Fighting and Steel types. This isn't just about damage; it's about resource farming.
- Duo Strategy: Find a friend with a Mega Rayquaza or another Mega Lucario. With the Party Play damage bonus and the Mega Boost, you can duo almost any boss that has a weakness to Fighting.
Mega Lucario isn't just another entry in the Pokedex. It is a fundamental shift in how we approach PVE combat. It’s fast, it’s durable thanks to its typing, and it provides the best utility in the game. If you haven't prioritized yours yet, you're playing a different, much harder version of the game than everyone else. Get it evolved, get the right moveset, and stop worrying about whether you have enough people to finish a raid. With this thing in your pocket, you are the raid group.