Best Movesets for Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in Pokémon GO

With the massive volume of Legendary Raids brought about by Hoopa’s shenanigans during the second day of Pokémon GO Fest 2021, I imagine a fair number of the legendary bird trio have found their way to loving new homes. Few Pokémon can front on the O.G. majesty of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, but how does one get the most out of that majesty? Here are the best movesets for Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in Pokémon GO.

Best movesets for Articuno

Quick Moves

• Ice Shard (Ice)
• Frost Breath (Ice)

Main Moves

• Ice Beam (Ice)
• Blizzard (Ice)
• Ancient Power (Rock)
• Icy Wind (Ice)
• Hurricane (Flying, Elite TM)

For main moves, whether you’re going with an offensive or defensive build, Ice Beam is the people’s choice, balancing out lower damage than Blizzard with more reasonable energy consumption. For quick moves, use Frost Breath’s increased DPS for offensive builds and Ice Shard’s faster energy gain for defensive builds.

Best movesets for Zapdos

Quick Moves

• Charge Beam (Electric)
• Thunder Shock (Electric, Elite TM)

Main Moves

• Drill Peck (Flying)
• Ancient Power (Rock)
• Thunder (Electric)
• Thunderbolt (Electric)
• Zap Cannon (Electric)

The best offensive quick move for Zapdos is definitely Thunder Shock, but since it’s an Elite move, you might not have access to it. As such, you might just have to settle for Charge Beam, which is its best defensive pick anyway. For main moves, go with Drill Peck for offensive builds to give it a little more variety, and Zap Cannon for defensive builds to go all in on Electric moves.

Best movesets for Moltres

Quick Moves

• Wing Attack (Flying)
• Fire Spin (Fire)

Main Moves

• Ancient Power (Rock)
• Heat Wave (Fire)
• Fire Blast (Fire)
• Overheat (Fire)
• Sky Attack (Flying, Elite TM)

Sky Attack is the best main move for both offensive and defensive builds, but as with Articuno’s best main move, it’s an Elite. If you don’t have access to it, Overheat provides the same general DPS, if not the type diversity. For quick moves, Fire Spin’s the optimal choice for offense and defense, though if you can’t use Sky Attack, you could switch to Wing Attack to restore your type diversity.