Is Xerneas Better than Yveltal in Pokémon GO?

Every Legendary Pokémon embodies some kind of overarching element or concept. For example, the Kalos legendaries, Xerneas and Yveltal, embody the concepts of creation and destruction, respectively. With those kinds of inspirations, one would naturally assume that Yveltal would be better at breaking stuff, but that may not quite be the case. So, is Xerneas better than Yveltal in Pokémon GO?

Is Xerneas Better than Yveltal in Pokémon GO?

To determine which of these Pokémon is superior, let’s break it down in terms of resistances, DPS, and stats. Starting with resistances, Xerneas is a pure Fairy type, whereas Yveltal is a Dark/Flying-type. Here’s how their resistances break down:

Xerneas

• Resists: Fighting, Bug, Dark, Dragon
• Weak against: Steel, Poison

Yveltal

• Resists: Ghost, Grass, Dark, Ground, Psychic
• Weak against: Fairy, Ice, Electric, Rock

While Yveltal has one more resistance, it’s got twice as many weaknesses as Xerneas, canceling that edge out. Ergo, round 1 goes to Xerneas.

Next, let’s talk DPS and move variety. Here are the moves in Xerneas and Yveltal’s respective kits:

Xerneas

• Quick Moves
  • Tackle (Normal)
  • Zen Headbutt (Psychic)
• Main Moves
  • Megahorn (Bug)
  • Thunder (Electric)
  • Moonblast (Fairy)
  • Close Combat (Fighting)
  • Giga Impact (Normal)

Yveltal

• Quick Moves
  • Sucker Punch (Dark)
  • Snarl (Dark)
  • Gust (Flying)
• Main Moves
  • Hyper Beam (Normal)
  • Dark Pulse (Dark)
  • Psychic (Psychic)
  • Hurricane (Flying)
  • Focus Blast (Fighting)

In terms of type diversity, both Pokémon have access to six different Types, but Yveltal’s got more DPS under its belt. Yveltal’s best offensive combo, Gust and Hurricane, can deal a combined DPS of 63.9, while Xerneas’ best offensive combo, Tackle and Giga Impact, only deals a combined 58.9. Round 2 goes to Yveltal.

Finally, let’s talk stats. Or rather, we would talk stats, but we’ve got a monkey wrench here: both Pokémon have the exact same stats. 275 attack, 203 defense, 270 stamina, and identical max CP thresholds. I guess round 3 is a draw.

So, at 1-1 plus a draw, our final verdict is… a draw. Crud. Well, let’s put it like this: Xerneas’ narrower weaknesses make it harder for foes to get typing advantages, so it’s probably better for more drawn-out encounters. Yveltal’s higher DPS means it can bring a faster, more decisive end to battles, provided you don’t get unlucky and end up against an opponent that can exploit one of its multiple weaknesses.