Crimson Core Guides: Cobalion - GOAT of All Time Strat

Raid Guide 19 September 2026

Cobalion Raid Guide: GOAT of All Time

Written by Pronay

⭐6★ RaidCobalion encounter

👥4 PlayersCoordinated route

☀️Sun CoreFire-type opener

🧲GravityFocus Blast setup

🌊Empoleon FinishHydro Cannon phase

☀️ Raid Overview

GOAT of All Time is a coordinated 9-turn Cobalion strategy built around tightly controlled damage and targeting. The opening uses Fire-type damage under Sun, then transitions through Trick Room, Light Screen, Gravity, and a controlled Ampharos Focus Blast phase.

The final sequence uses Kingdra and Empoleon while the team manages Magnet Rise, add boosts, Metal Shards, and contact mechanics. Exact stat ranges control which Pokémon Cobalion and the adds target.

⚠️

Core rule

Verify your own and your teammates’ Pokémon before entering. This route depends on the specified abilities, natures, EVs, IVs, moves, items, Speed tiers, final stats, and intentional fainting sequence.

📋 Jump to Turn Guide

⚙️ Raid Mechanics

🧠

Boss

Cobalion has Justified and holds an Expert Belt. Its moves are Flash Cannon, Sacred Sword, Stone Edge, and Air Slash.

📊

Boss stats

HP 910 + 31 IV, Attack 180 + 31 IV, Defense 1060 + 31 IV, SpA 180 + 31 IV, SpD 1060 + 31 IV, Speed 315.

📉

Thresholds

85% Metal Shards, 76% Rain Dance, 75% adds +1 all stats, 65% neutral Sucker Punch on contact, 51% Magnet Rise, 50% adds +2, 35% Rock Polish, 25% adds +3.

🪨

Metal Shards

At 85%, three Steel-type hazard layers are applied. Damage varies by Steel effectiveness and occurs on switch-in and at the end of each turn.

👊

Contact mechanic

At 65%, Cobalion can use neutral Sucker Punch against contact attempts. The route switches to non-contact moves afterward.

🌀

Gravity rule

Gravity makes Focus Blast accurate and ignores the boss’s Magnet Rise, keeping the special-damage line intact.

SamurottSpeed 233 · Expert BeltAir Slash / Waterfall / Drill Run / Grass Knot

EmpoleonSpeed 213 · Salac BerryScald / Flash Cannon / Grass Knot / Drill Peck

Add stat rule25 IV / 252 Speed EVsEvery add uses 25 Speed IV and 252 Speed EVs

👥 Player Builds and Manual Stats

No external links are used. Use the exact final-stat requirements below. Several builds permit flexible EV distributions as long as the stated final stats are met.

⚔️ Player 1 🛡️ Player 2 🐦 Player 3 🌙 Player 4

Sun opener, Gravity, Focus Blast, and Hydro Cannon

These six slots contain the complete visible P1 manual build. The final-stat requirements are preserved exactly; flexible EV distributions are not replaced with guesses.

Slot 1

Darmanitan

Ability: Sheer Force

Nature: Adamant / Lonely / NaughtyIVs: 0+ Atk / 0+ SpeedEVs: 252 Atk / 252 SpeedStats: ≤351 HP / ≤146 Def / 348+ Atk / 258+ Spe+Speed: 316+ Atk / 316+ Spe

Flare Blitz

If using Jolly, Hasty, or Naive, use Charcoal and 30+ Speed IV. Establish the Sun-damage opener.

Slot 2

Charizard

Any ability; Solar Power option

IVs: 18+ SpA / 16+ SpeEVs: 252 SpA / 252 SpeedStats: 334+ SpA / 284+ SpeSolar Power: 0+ SpA IV / 257+ SpA

Weather Ball

Use Weather Ball while Sun is active. Flamethrower is intentionally avoided to prevent an early burn.

Slot 3

Reuniclus

Ability: Magic Guard

IVs: 0+ HP / 0+ Def / 0+ SpD+SpD nature: 0+ HP / 0+ Def / ≤24 SpDEVs: Varies by IVs / NatureStats: 361 HP / 155–204 Def / 218 SpDItem: Covert Cloak required for flinch protection

Trick RoomGravity

Trick Room on turn 3 and Gravity on turn 4. Reuniclus must be slower than both Ampharos.

Slot 4

Ampharos

Ability: Plus (HA)

Nature: Modest / Rash / QuietIVs: 0+ HP / 6+ Def / 22+ SpAEVs: 252 SpA + remaining as requiredStats: 290–321 HP / 244+ Def / 352+ SpA

Focus Blast

Use Focus Blast through the quad-Focus-Blast phase. Preserve the HP and Defense range for the intended hits.

Slot 5

Lucario

Any ability

Nature: Modest / Mild / Rash / QuietIVs: 22+ SpAEVs: 252 SpAStat: 352+ SpA

Focus Blast

Focus Blast on turn 7, then allow the controlled fainting sequence to proceed.

Slot 6

Empoleon

Any ability

Nature: Modest / Rash / QuietIVs: 1+ HP / 1+ Def / 19+ SpAEVs: 252 SpA + remaining as requiredStats: 311 HP / 214 Def / 339+ SpA

Hydro Cannon

Hydro Cannon on turn 8. The Empoleon sequence reaches neutral cap before Cobalion’s Sacred Sword chip.

Darmanitan, Nidoking, Ampharos, and Kingdra

P2 follows the published action line with the source’s exact Charizard, Nidoking, Ampharos, Kingdra, and Empoleon requirements. Nidoking must remain slower than the Empoleon add.

Turn 1

Darmanitan

Ability: Sheer Force · Adamant / Lonely / Naughty

Flare Blitz

Same build rules as P1. Open with Flare Blitz alongside P1.

Turn 2

Charizard

Ability: Any; Modest / Mild / Rash or non-Speed with Solar PowerIVs: 18+ SpA / 16+ Spe; Solar Power allows 0+ SpAEVs: 252 SpA / 252 SpeedStats: 334+ SpA / 284+ Spe, or 257+ SpA with Solar Power

Weather Ball

Use Weather Ball under Sun.

Turns 3 to 4

Nidoking

Ability: Sheer Force (HA)Nature: Modest / Mild / QuietIVs: 2+ Def / 26+ SpA / 0+ SpDEVs: 252 SpA / 0 Speed / remaining as requiredStats: 146+ Def / 290+ SpA / 218 SpD / ≤212 Speed

Earth Power

Earth Power on turns 3 and 4. It must act after Empoleon so it does not boost the adds or set Rain too early.

Turns 5 to 6

Ampharos

Ability: Plus (HA)Nature: Modest / Rash / QuietIVs: 0+ HP / 0+ Def / 22+ SpA; if Mild: 11+ HP / 11+ Def / 22+ SpAStats: 321+ HP / 206 Def / 352+ SpA

Focus Blast

Focus Blast on turns 5 and 6. P2 Ampharos should take three hits and die.

Turns 6 to 7

Kingdra

Ability: AnyNature: Modest / Rash / QuietIVs: 0+ HP / 0+ Def / 25+ SpAEVs: 252 SpA + remaining as requiredStats: 291 HP / 226 Def / 311+ SpA

Brine

Brine on turns 6 and 7. Under Trick Room and Rock Polish, Kingdra underspeeds Cobalion and moves first.

Turn 8

Empoleon

Ability: AnyNature: Modest / Rash / QuietIVs: 1+ HP / 1+ Def / 19+ SpAStats: 311 HP / 214 Def / 339+ SpA

Hydro Cannon

Hydro Cannon during the neutral-cap finish.

Ninetales, Switcheroo, Ampharos, and Empoleon

P3 establishes Sun with Ninetales, removes Cobalion’s Expert Belt with Whimsicott Switcheroo, then supplies the exact Ampharos, Lucario, and Empoleon builds from the source.

Turn 1

Ninetales

Ability: Drought (HA)Nature: Modest / Mild / RashIVs: 27+ SpA / 16+ SpeEVs: 252 SpA / 252 SpeedStats: 282+ SpA / 284+ Spe

Weather Ball

Ninetales moves after Cobalion’s second attack and helps absorb the four boss attacks.

Turn 2

Charizard

Ability: AnyNature: Modest / Mild / RashIVs: 18+ SpA / 0+ Spe, or Solar Power with 0+ SpAEVs: 252 SpA / 252 SpeedStats: 334+ SpA / 211+ Spe, or 257+ SpA with Solar Power

Weather Ball

Use Weather Ball under Sun. The Charizard cap is the intended turn 2 damage.

Turn 3

Whimsicott

Ability: PranksterNature: Any except +SpDIVs: 12+ HP / 0+ SpDEVs: 252 HP + remaining as requiredStats: 305+ HP / 186 SpD

Switcheroo

Give Cobalion a Flame Orb to burn it, lower physical damage, and remove the Expert Belt.

Turns 4 to 6

Ampharos

Ability: Plus (HA)Nature: Modest / QuietIVs: 24+ HP / 24+ Def / 26+ SpA / 25+ SpDStats: 333+ HP / 244+ Def / 287+ SpA / 273+ SpD

Focus Blast

Focus Blast on turns 4, 5, and 6. P3 Ampharos takes one add hit and survives in range of Sacred Sword.

Turn 7

Lucario

Ability: AnyNature: Modest / Mild / Rash / QuietIVs: 22+ SpAEVs: 252 SpAStat: 352+ SpA

Focus Blast

Use Focus Blast and follow the controlled damage-and-faint sequence.

Turn 8

Empoleon

Ability: AnyNature: Modest / Mild / QuietIVs: 5+ HP / 19+ SpA / 5+ SpDEVs: 252 SpA + remaining as requiredStats: 315+ HP / 339+ SpA / 244+ SpD

Hydro Cannon

Hydro Cannon with the other Empoleons. Nothing should remain after this turn.

Jirachi screens, Ampharos, Murkrow Quash, Ferrothorn chip

P4 provides the screen sequence, then follows the exact Ampharos, Nidoking, Lucario, Murkrow, and Ferrothorn requirements before the Protect finish.

Turns 1 to 3

Jirachi

Ability: Serene GraceNature: Calm / CarefulIVs: 31 HP / 31 Def / 31 SpD / 31 SpeEVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 208 SpeedStats: 404 HP / 220 Def / 236 SpD / 316+ Spe

ReflectLucky ChantLight Screen

Reflect on turn 1, Lucky Chant on turn 2, Light Screen on turn 3. Jirachi should mainly take the Empoleon add hit and remain at high HP.

Turns 4 to 5

Ampharos

Ability: Plus (HA)Nature: Modest / Quiet; Rash option with IV adjustmentIVs: 0+ HP / 0+ Def / 26+ SpA / 0+ SpD; if Rash: 7+ HP / 7+ Def / 26+ SpA / 8+ SpDStats: 321 HP / 238+ Def / 287+ SpA / 216 SpD

Focus Blast

Focus Blast on turns 4 and 5. P4 should die in one hit from Cobalion on turn 5.

Turn 6

Nidoking

Ability: Sheer Force (HA)Nature: Modest / Mild / QuietIVs: 0+ HP / 26+ SpA / 0+ SpDEVs: 252 HP / 252 SpAStats: 335+ HP / 290+ SpA

Earth Power

Earth Power after the Rock Polish trigger. P4 Nidoking helps absorb the four boss attacks.

Turn 7

Lucario

Ability: AnyNature: Modest / Mild / Rash / QuietIVs: 22+ SpAEVs: 252 SpAStat: 352+ SpA

Focus Blast

Deal damage and die as the route crosses the 25% add-boost threshold.

Turn 8

Murkrow

Ability: Prankster (HA) · Any nature except +SpD · Charti Berry

IVs: ≤25 HP / ≤25 SpDEVs: 0 HP / 0 SpDStats: ≤255 HP / ≤114 SpD

Quash

Quash Cobalion before anything moves so its attacks go last. Murkrow must be frail enough to die to Samurott’s Air Slash.

Turn 9

Ferrothorn

Ability: Iron Barbs

Nature: Any except −DefIVs: 0+ HP / 0+ DefEVs: VariesStats: 321 HP / 330 Def

Protect

Protect reduces Cobalion’s damage by 25% while maximizing Iron Barbs / Rocky Helmet chip.

📋 Turn-by-Turn Cheat Sheet

TurnP1P2P3P4Boss HP

1Darmanitan: Flare BlitzDarmanitan: Flare BlitzNinetales: Weather BallJirachi: Reflect~88.5%

2Charizard: Weather BallCharizard: Weather BallCharizard: Weather BallJirachi: Lucky Chant~76.6%

3Reuniclus: Trick RoomNidoking: Earth PowerWhimsicott: SwitcherooJirachi: Light Screen~72.6%

4Reuniclus: GravityNidoking: Earth PowerAmpharos: Focus BlastAmpharos: Focus Blast~60.2%

5Ampharos: Focus BlastAmpharos: Focus BlastAmpharos: Focus BlastAmpharos: Focus Blast~43.9%

6Ampharos: Focus BlastKingdra: BrineAmpharos: Focus BlastNidoking: Earth Power~28.6%

7Lucario: Focus BlastKingdra: BrineLucario: Focus BlastLucario: Focus Blast~13.3%

8Empoleon: Hydro CannonEmpoleon: Hydro CannonEmpoleon: Hydro CannonMurkrow: Quash~1.6%

9UnspecifiedUnspecifiedUnspecifiedFerrothorn: Protect~−2.9%

⏱️ Turn-by-Turn Guide

Follow the exact target and fainting sequence. The route intentionally uses stat ranges to control which Pokémon take hits; do not substitute a different spread without recalculating the targeting.

Turn 1

Establish Sun

Target: ~88.5%

P1–P2Two Darmanitan→Flare Blitz

P3Ninetales→Weather Ball

P4Jirachi→Reflect

Setup: Sun weakens add attacks and boosts Fire-type attackers. Ninetales moves after Cobalion’s second attack and helps absorb the four boss attacks; Jirachi should mainly take the Empoleon add hit.

Turn 2

Double Charizard cap

Target: ~76.6%

P1–P3Three Charizard→Weather Ball

P4Jirachi→Lucky Chant

Check: While Sun is active, Charizard Weather Ball reaches the intended cap. Avoid Flamethrower because the route does not want an early burn. Metal Shards activate during this turn.

Turn 3

Control Cobalion and adds

Target: ~72.6%

P1Reuniclus→Trick Room

P2Nidoking→Earth Power

P3Whimsicott→Switcheroo

P4Jirachi→Light Screen

Control: Whimsicott gives Cobalion a Flame Orb, burning it and removing the Expert Belt. Reuniclus must hold Covert Cloak and set Trick Room as the last action; Nidoking must act after Empoleon.

Turn 4

Gravity + Focus Blast

Target: ~60.2%

P1Reuniclus→Gravity

P2Nidoking→Earth Power

P3–P4Two Ampharos→Focus Blast

Order: Reuniclus must be slower than both Ampharos so Gravity is established first. From this point only non-contact moves are used.

Turn 5

Quad Focus Blast

Target: ~43.9%

All playersFour Ampharos→Focus Blast

Fainting plan: Four Focus Blasts push Cobalion under 50%, triggering Magnet Rise and the +2 add boost. P4 should die in one hit from Cobalion; P2 Ampharos should take three hits and die; P1 and P3 Ampharos each take one add hit and survive in range of Sacred Sword.

Turn 6

Rock Polish / Kingdra entry

Target: ~28.6%

P1Ampharos→Focus Blast

P2Kingdra→Brine

P3Ampharos→Focus Blast

P4Nidoking→Earth Power

Speed: After the third attack from your side, Rock Polish gives Cobalion and the adds +2 Speed. Under Trick Room, Kingdra can underspeed Cobalion and move first even with Swift Swim. Kingdra should be the only Pokémon left afterward.

Turn 7

Last add boost

Target: ~13.3%

P1Lucario→Focus Blast

P2Kingdra→Brine

P3–P4Two Lucario→Focus Blast

Goal: Deal damage and die. Crossing 25% triggers the final add boost to +3 in all stats. Nothing should remain on the field after this turn.

Turn 8

Empoleon / Murkrow

Target: ~1.6%

P1–P3Three Empoleon→Hydro Cannon

P4Murkrow→Quash

Order: Quash Cobalion before anything moves so its attacks go last. Murkrow must be frail enough to die to Samurott’s Air Slash. The Empoleons reach neutral cap, then Cobalion’s Sacred Sword provides Rocky Helmet chip. Nothing should remain after this turn.

Turn 9

Ferrothorn finish

Target: ~−2.9%

P1–P3Source cells→Unspecified

P4Ferrothorn→Protect

Finish: Protect reduces Cobalion’s damage by 25% while maximizing Iron Barbs / Rocky Helmet chip. Ferrothorn must have the correct stats so Cobalion makes contact; two chip hits should finish.

✅ Pre-Raid Checklist

Mandatory abilities and move

• Ninetales — Drought
• Nidoking — Sheer Force
• Ampharos — Plus
• Murkrow — Prankster
• Whimsicott — Switcheroo egg move

Raid requirements

• OT Dex completed, excluding Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
• No duplicate items
• No duplicate Pokémon or evolution trees
• Transportation: Surf, Strength for first time, Flash optional
• Check EVs, moves, abilities, natures, and final stats

Critical final stats

• P1 Darmanitan: ≤351 HP / ≤146 Def / 348+ Atk / 258+ Spe
• P1 Reuniclus: exactly 361 HP / 155–204 Def / 218 SpD
• P2 Nidoking: ≤212 Speed / 146+ Def / 290+ SpA / 218 SpD
• P4 Ferrothorn: 321 HP / 330 Def
• Every add: 25 Speed IV / 252 Speed EVs

Strategy summary: Sun with Darmanitan / Charizard / Ninetales → Trick Room and Light Screen → Gravity and Focus Blast → Kingdra under Trick Room → Empoleon Hydro Cannon → Murkrow Quash → Ferrothorn Protect for Iron Barbs / Rocky Helmet chip.