Pokémon Legends Arceus: Best Team to Beat Volo and Giratina, Battle Tips

The game is filled with challenging boss battles, but none tests your Pokémon Legends Arceus team more than facing off against Volo and Giratina. Drawing inspiration from the fabled battle with Cynthia in Pokémon Platinum, this climactic match may be the most difficult the franchise has ever produced.

As tough as it can be to defeat Volo and Giratina, having the right team can set you up for success on the way in. We’re going to outline the best six Pokémon to bring into this final battle, the team you’ll actually be up against, and some tips on how else to prepare for the fight.

What Pokémon team does Volo have?

Before we get into which Pokémon you should be building your team up with, it’s good to know your enemy before heading into battle. Volo’s appearance as a final foe is sudden, and earlier battles with him give very little indication of what you’ll be up against.

All six of Volo’s Pokémon are at Level 68, so you’ll want your entire team to be at levels that can compete with that kind of challenge. Much of Pokémon Legends: Arceus pays homage to Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, which are linked to the Hisuian region.

This rings true for Volo, who is bringing these five Pokémon to battle that were originally part of Cynthia’s team in Pokémon Platinum: Spiritomb, Garchomp, Togekiss, Roserade, and Lucario. The final spot on his team is taken by Hisuian Arcanine. After defeating them, you’ll immediately be up against a Level 70 Giratina which must be defeated twice.

Below, you can see details on each of these Pokémon including their types, weaknesses, and movesets:

While Giratina does change into its Origin Forme after defeating it for the first time, this version isn’t that much different from the first time you face it. Giratina will still have the same type, moveset, and weaknesses, but the Origin Forme has stronger Special Attack and Attack stats at the expense of slightly lower Defense and Special Defense.

Best team to beat Volo and Giratina

Overall, the biggest goal of your team heading into the battle with Volo and Giratina should be ensuring you have Pokémon with moves that play towards their weaknesses. You’ll want a powerful Fairy-type option, but can also benefit from strong Ice-type and Ground-type Pokémon.

While you can still succeed with Pokémon right at or a bit below the levels of the ones you’re facing, leveling your team up more will definitely help make this battle more manageable. We suggest having your full team at Level 70 or higher, particularly the ones you plan to use against Giratina.

1. Cresselia (Base Stats Total: 600)

Type: Psychic
HP: 120
Attack: 70
Defense: 120
Special Attack: 75
Special Defense: 130
Speed: 85
Weakness: Bug, Ghost, and Dark
Resistance: Fighting and Psychic

As one of the many Legendary Pokémon you’ll be able to acquire in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Cresselia comes readily equipped with some of the best stats in the game. While it is a pure Psychic Pokémon, there are two specific moves that help make Cresselia and excellent counter to Giratina.

As a pure Psychic-type, Cresselia is weak against Bug-type, Ghost-type, and Dark-type moves but has resistance towards Fighting-type and Psychic-type moves. Cresselia’s most important assets are defensive, as its base stats include a 120 in HP, 120 in Defense, and 130 in Special Defense. You’ll also benefit from a solid 85 in Speed, 75 in Special Attack, and 70 in Attack.

Cresselia can be caught by completing the mission The Plate of Moonview Arena, at the end of which you’ll be able to battle and catch the one Cresselia in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Once caught, Cresselia will already have most of the moves you need. Ensure that it has Moonblast, Lunar Blessing, and Psychic already equipped. For the fourth move, head to the Training Grounds to teach it Ice Beam, a versatile move you’ll find is good to have on many Pokémon in this team.

While it can be strong in earlier parts of the battle, Cresselia is most useful against Giratina. Lunar Blessing heals Cresselia and makes it harder to hit, both things which are reinforced by its strong defensive stats. Moonblast will be your primary offensive weapon against Giratina.

2. Togekiss (Base Stats Total: 545)

Type: Fairy and Flying
HP: 85
Attack: 50
Defense: 95
Special Attack: 120
Special Defense: 115
Speed: 80
Weakness: Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, Poison
Resistance: Grass, Dark, Fighting (0.25x), Bug (0.25x)

While Cresselia will be one option to blast Giratina with Fairy-type attacks, it’s a great choice to bring more than one Pokémon along which can deal those crucial blows. As a dual Fairy-type and Flying-type Pokémon, Togekiss brings immunity to both Ground-type and Dragon-type moves to this battle.

Togekiss is extra resistant to Fighting-type and Bug-type moves, resistant to Grass-type and Dark-type moves, but does carry a few weaknesses as it can be countered with Electric-type, Ice-type, Poison-type, Rock-type, and Steel-type moves. The most powerful base stats for Togekiss are its 120 in Special Attack and 115 in Special Defense, but it’s also got a solid 95 in Defense, 85 in HP, and 80 in Speed. Avoid using any Physical moves, as Togekiss has a very low 50 in Attack.

Outfit your Togekiss with Moonblast, Draining Kiss, and Air Slash, all of which will be learned as you prepare it for this battle. For the final move, head to the Training Grounds to learn Flamethrower, which will help Togekiss have a counter if you’re up against Lucario. Draining Kiss will be key if you need to regain some health, but Moonblast and Air Slash will be the primary offensive weapons for Togekiss.

While you can evolve a Togepi into Togetic and eventually Togekiss, the best bet is actually to find the flying Togekiss that spawns near a cliff overlooking Lake Verity in the Obsidian Fieldlands. It’ll be much higher level to start, and catching one in the air is one of your Research Tasks. Catching it in the fully evolved form also saves you the hassle of finding and using a Shiny Stone to reach this evolution.

3. Blissey (Base Stats Total: 540)

Type: Normal
HP: 255
Attack: 10
Defense: 10
Special Attack: 75
Special Defense: 135
Speed: 55
Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: None
Immunity: Ghost

As the HP powerhouse of the franchise, Blissey is once again an extremely valuable Pokémon for your team as you prepare to take on Volo. Blissey is a pure Normal-type Pokémon, and as a result benefits from an immunity to Ghost-type moves and is only weak to Fighting-type moves, but doesn’t have any resistances.

While Blissey has a max 255 base HP along with a solid 135 in Special Defense and 75 in Special Attack, it’s important to know Blissey’s weaknesses. Never use Physical moves, as it has just a 10 in Attack, and be wary of primarily Physical attackers which can exploit Blissey’s meager 10 in Defense.

Battling with Blissey is often a war of attrition, as you’ll want to take advantage of healing moves while whittling down your opponent. Draining Kiss and Soft-Boiled, both of which Blissey learns through leveling up, will anchor your moveset. Head to the Training Grounds to add a little variety, as Thunderbolt and Ice Beam can give you extra counters to several of the Pokémon you’ll face.

While you can always got through the evolution tree from Happiny or Chansey, the quickest and most effective way to get a high level Blissey is to find the Alpha Blissey that spawns northeast of the Obsidian Falls in the Obsidian Fieldlands. It’ll already be at Level 62, so a little extra training can quickly get it ready for this battle.

4. Hisuian Samurott (Base Stats Total: 528)

Type: Water and Dark
HP: 90
Attack: 108
Defense: 80
Special Attack: 100
Special Defense: 65
Speed: 85
Weakness: Grass, Electric, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy
Resistance: Fire, Water, Ice, Ghost, Dark, and Steel
Immunity: Psychic

Chances are you’ll have already made a decision about which of the starter Pokémon you deemed best by the time you’re considering how to take on Volo and Cresselia, but players who chose Oshawott are in luck. Hisuian Samurott, being a dual Water-type and Dark-type Pokémon, is an excellent weapon against Volo and Giratina in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Samurott’s base stats are relatively balanced, with a 108 in Attack and 100 in Special Attack at the top of the pile. It’s also got a 90 in HP, 85 in Speed, 80 in Defense, finally just a 65 in Special Defense. Fortunately, Samurott’s typing makes up for much of that, as it’s immune to Psychic-type moves and resistant to Fire-type, Water-type, Ice-type, Ghost-type, Dark-type, and Steel-type moves. Be careful, as Samurott is also weak to Grass-type, Electric-type, Fighting-type, Bug-type, and Fairy-type moves.

Most of the moves you need will come through its learnset, including Dark Pulse, Hydro Pump, and Aqua Tail which will anchor your offensive options. Pop on over to the Training Grounds in Jubilife Village in order to also learn Ice Beam, making this the third Pokémon on your team with that valuable move. Samurott can be countered by a few on Volo’s team, but its most valuable against Giratina.

If you didn’t choose Oshawott as your starter, you’ll still be able to make use of Hisuian Typhlosion or Hisuian Decidueye in this battle. If you have Typhlosion, lean on Shadow Ball and Flamethrower to take out Roserade and damage Giratina. If you have Decidueye, make sure to use the Training Grounds to diversify its moveset with moves like Psycho Cut or Shadow Claw. Also, while you can get all three starters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you can’t acquire them all prior to this battle without trading.

5. Garchomp (Base Stats Total: 600)

Type: Dragon and Ground
HP: 108
Attack: 130
Defense: 95
Special Attack: 80
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 102
Weakness: Ice (4x), Dragon, and Fairy
Resistance: Fire, Poison, and Rock
Immunity: Electric

Garchomp marks the second valuable team member that also happens to be in Volo’s lineup, and that alone should communicate how effective this Pokémon can be. With an excellent Base Stats Total of 600 once in its final evolutionary form, Garchomp brings the same kind of power that many Legendary Pokémon possess.

It’ll be your most Physical attacker, with a very high 130 in Attack, and that’s backed up by a 102 in Speed to help keep your strikes coming. Garchomp also has a solid 108 in HP, 95 in Defense, 85 in Special Defense, and finally an 80 in Special Attack. While it can be vulnerable to Dragon-type and Fairy-type attacks, the good news is that none of Volo’s Pokémon have an Ice-type move.

You’ll be keeping Garchomp’s moveset towards its strengths, with Bulldoze and Dragon Claw being the primary moves to pull from its learnset. While Earth Power has a hair more base power as a move, it’s a Special attack, and Bulldoze also has the benefit of lowering your opponents action speed. Supplement its moveset at the Training Grounds with Aqua Tail and Iron Tail, both strong counters for Volo’s squad.

Like a few others on this list, you can always catch a Gible and train it up step by step, but there is a more effective method. Head to the far southwest corner of the Alabaster Icelands when the in-game time is Morning, and you’ll find a Level 85 Alpha Garchomp taking a nap that you can chunk an Ultra Ball at or even attempt to sneak up on with a Gigaton Ball for a more sure catch.

6. Dialga (Base Stats Total: 680)

Type: Steel and Dragon
HP: 100
Attack: 120
Defense: 120
Special Attack: 150
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 90
Weakness: Fighting and Ground
Resistance: Normal, Water, Electric, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Steel, and Grass (0.25x)
Immunity: Poison

Finally, you’ll want to bring one of the top-tier Legendary Pokémon into battle with Dialga. While Palkia has some strong benefits as well and could hold its own in this battle, it’s Dialga that has the best mix of resistances and the moveset to counter some of Volo’s lineup.

With a 150 in Special Attack, it’s one of the most powerful in the game, and that’s backed up by equally impressive stats including a 120 in Attack and Defense, 100 in HP and Special Defense, and finally a 90 in Speed. Dialga is only weak to Ground-type and Fighting-type moves, so be wary of Lucario, Garchomp, and Giratina who all have moves of those types.

Fortunately, the entire moveset you want for Dialga will probably already be in place when you’ve caught it. Dialga should head into battle with Flash Cannon, Iron Tail, Roar of Time, and Earth Power. Unless you plan to bring some Max Ethers to battle, be careful with when you use moves like Roar of Time, as the downfall to their strength is very low PP.

Both Dialga and Palkia are acquired through the main storyline of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. While your decision to be accompanied by Adaman of the Diamond Clan or Irida of the Pearl Clan will determine which you catch first, the other will come shortly after. They’ll both be Level 65 when caught, regardless of which you choose first, so don’t worry about making the wrong decision there.

Tips to defeat Volo and Giratina

Once you’ve assembled your team for the final battle with Volo and the near-invincible Giratina, you’ll have some other tasks to get them ready for that match. First off, use as many Grit items as you can possibly acquire to boost the Effort Levels of all six of your Pokémon before the fight. This can make a significant difference in how they’ll stand up against Volo.

Next, you’ll want a good stock of items for the battle, particularly Max Revives. You can craft or purchase these, but either way you’ll want as many as you can acquire. While other healing items can have a benefit, the extra strong nature of Volo means that you’ll often be better off trying to fire an extra move prior to being knocked out instead of healing with an item only to have your health quickly knocked down to the same level.

Once you’re ready for battle and comfortable with the levels of your team, keep in mind that the very first Pokémon used by Volo will always be Spiritomb. We suggest using Togekiss or Blissey as your first line of defense, and once the battle is underway you’ll likely be switching out when Pokémon faint and need to go with whatever counters Volo’s current Pokémon at that time.

As you reach the end of the battle with Volo and have gotten down to the last of his six Pokémon, you’ll want to spend several turns using Max Revives to get your team as close to full strength as possible before finishing Volo. You will not be given time to heal before each battle with Giratina, so finishing Volo when you only have one Pokémon left can set you up for disaster.

This is definitely a situation where Blissey or the defensive prowess of Dialga will be most useful, as they will hopefully be able to absorb a few hits and allow you to Max Revive the rest of your team. Once it’s time for Giratina, give it everything you have, but again keep in mind that you won’t have a moment to rest before having to face off with its revived Origin Forme. Blissey will be your best chance to try and absorb a few hits if you need to revive other team members before the final clash.

Finally, as mentioned above, make sure to utilize the combo from Cresselia of Moonblast and Lunar Blessing. If Blissey isn’t able to survive long enough to buy you some time to revive other team members, Lunar Blessing may just do the trick.

Once you’ve finally taken down Giratina for a second time, take a deep breath and enjoy where the story takes you from there. You’ve officially done it. You’ve beaten Volo and Giratina, which is one of the most challenging battles in Pokémon history.