Is Mandibuzz Good in Pokémon GO?

Despite their mildly intimidating appearances, Mandibuzzes are actually very loving Pokémon, at least to their own kind. A Mandibuzz will construct a nest for its baby Vulbys, and is always on the lookout for food to keep them healthy. Granted, that nest is constructed of bones, and the food is other Pokémon on the verge of death, but the point is there’s a reason for all that. But while Mandibuzz is a great mother, is Mandibuzz good in Pokémon GO?

Mandibuzz is a Dark/Flying type, which means its resistances break down like this:

• Weak against: Rock, Electric, Ice, Fairy
• Resistant to: Ghost, Grass, Dark
• Double-Resistant to: Ground, Psychic

Meanwhile, these are the moves Mandibuzz is packing in its kit:

Quick Moves

• Air Slash (Flying)
• Snarl (Dark)

Main Moves

• Dark Pulse (Dark)
• Aerial Ace (Flying)
• Shadow Ball (Ghost)
• Foul Play (Dark)

Is Mandibuzz Good in Pokémon GO?

Mandibuzz’s base Attack stat is a relatively paltry 129, so it doesn’t have much going for it in the way of offensive options. However, it does have a more reasonable 205 defense and 245 stamina. With a combination of a sturdy defense and a solid range of resistances, Mandibuzz is good at drawing foes into a battle of attrition. 

Rather than nuking foes in a single attack, Mandibuzz’s specialty is forcing them into long, drawn-out battles, gradually chipping away at them with strong attacks like Foul Play and Aerial Ace while tanking blows. 

Obviously, attempting to employ Mandibuzz against anything it’s weak against is inadvisable, whether in PvE or PvP, but if you can pit against something it’s resistant to, and better yet, something weak against Dark or Flying moves, your opponent will have a very difficult time stopping you. Even if Mandibuzz can’t stop opponents all on its own, it can put a gradual dent into an opponent’s health, leaving room for your DPS specialists to swoop in and seal the deal.