Pokémon trainers, get ready for the arrival of Black and White Kyurem! These two magnificent Ice/Dragon-type Pokémon have made their debut during Pokémon GO’s Go Tour: Unova event, sending shockwaves through both PvE and PvP battles. With their unique Fusion mechanics, trainers everywhere are eager to understand how to acquire them and dominate the game.
Both Kyurem forms boast impressive stats: Attack (ATK) 310, Defense (DEF) 183, and HP 245, leading to max CP of 5206. This makes them formidable opponents, even surpassing Mewtwo's capabilities. Players can acquire Black Kyurem by fusing Kyurem with Zekrom and White Kyurem by fusing Kyurem with Reshiram. Both require the Pokémon to know the exclusive Glaciate move to access their signature attacks, Freeze Shock and Ice Burn, respectively.
So, what does this mean for trainers? Let’s explore their capabilities.
Black Kyurem’s signature move, Freeze Shock, has brought unprecedented damage potential. When used optimally, it boasts 160 DMG with only 1.5 seconds cooldown, leading to stunning DPS metrics, making it one of the game’s top threats. Its counterpart, Ice Burn for White Kyurem, also brings strong numbers with 90 DMG and offers exceptional synergy with Ice-type attacks. Both moves not only excel damage-wise but also have tactical effects—such as lowering opponents' ATK stages—adding layers of complexity to battles.
When we look at their performance across different raid scenarios, we see varying strengths. Black Kyurem shines as the preferred Dragon-type attacker against specific raid bosses, thanks to its powerful Dragon Tail + Freeze Shock combination. Meanwhile, White Kyurem reigns supreme as the top Ice-type attacker, particularly against opponents vulnerable to ice.
Recent analyses suggest some clear takeaways. For trainers seeking to max out their potential during raids, here’s what to keep in mind:
- For Dragon-type Raid Bosses: Black Kyurem takes the lead with its offensive moves.
- For Ice-type damage: When confronting weak opponents, White Kyurem is your go-to Pokémon.
- PvE Strategy: Black Kyurem dominates general raids, whereas White Kyurem specializes against specific Ice-weak foes.
The addition of unique Adventure Effects for each form adds yet another layer of strategy. Black Kyurem’s Freeze Shock immobilizes the opponent temporarily, making catching Pokémon after battles much easier, whereas White Kyurem’s Ice Burn significantly boosts catch rates. Trainers must weigh the utility of these effects based on personal gameplay style.
To fuse and create these powerful Pokémon, trainers are required to collect Fusion Energy—1,000 points—and candy from both Zekrom or Reshiram along with their Kyurem. Players can gain these by battling raid bosses or completing certain special research tasks. One such research task associated with the event is called “It’s Not Over Yet,” which sets the stage for obtaining Black or White Kyurem through specific challenges.
Here’s how the branching quest works:
- Catch Pokémon originally from the Unova region.
- Choose between paths leading to either Black or White Kyurem, impacting the rewards and subsequent encounters.
- Complete tasks specific to your choice to earn Fusion Energy and other valuable items.
The first step requires players to be active during the event hours (10 AM to 6 PM local time) on March 1st and 2nd, 2025, to access the quest. Completing the quest helps trainers to strategize their approach effectively based on their selected path.
Both Black and White Kyurem offer distinct advantages based on their typings and movesets. Here’s how they stack up:
- Black Kyurem is the second best Ice-type attacker and boasts considerable potential as both Dragon and Ice attackers.
- White Kyurem holds the title for the best Ice-type attacker but finds itself behind Black Kyurem when considering overall diversity and options against various types.
- The choice between which to pursue can be guided by personal interests—do you need ice coverage or desire classic dragon bulk?
Whether you choose to go after Black Kyurem’s powerful offensive pressure or opt for White Kyurem’s freezing capabilities, trainers will undoubtedly find both forms to be significant assets in their game strategy. Keep grinding to catch the highest IV versions of each, as both Pokémon are poised to become defining fixtures of the current Pokémon GO meta.
Good luck, trainers! The hunt is on!