Have you spotted a wise-looking, purple-furred Pokémon holding a leafy fan in Pokémon GO? That’s Oranguru, and you might be wondering if it’s more than just a quirky new entry for your Pokédex (Shiny Oranguru).
Is Oranguru good? This guide covers how to catch one, its shiny availability, and exactly where this surprising Pokémon can become a star on your battle team.
Shiny Oranguru: How to Find Oranguru and Can It Be Shiny?
Oranguru is straightforward to find, as it appears in the wild worldwide. You won’t need to travel to a specific region to find one. While an Oranguru can spawn at any time, your best bet is often during special in-game events where its appearance rate is usually boosted. This makes it a great time to hunt for one with good stats.
For all the shiny hunters out there, the answer is simple: shiny Oranguru is not yet available in Pokémon GO. Typically, the shiny version of a Pokémon is released during a major event sometime after its debut, so we’ll have to keep an eye out for a future announcement.
Why Oranguru is a Secret Weapon for the Go Battle League
While it might not have the highest CP, Oranguru is fantastic in the Go Battle League’s Great League, where Pokémon must be under 1500 CP. In these battles, being defensive is key. Oranguru is what players call “bulky,” meaning it can absorb a lot of damage from opponents, making it surprisingly good for PvP.
Oranguru’s rare Normal and Psychic typing also gives it a special advantage. It’s only weak against Bug and Dark-type attacks. Crucially, its Normal half resists Ghost-type moves, making it a great counter to popular Pokémon you might face, like Gengar.
This combination of bulk and typing makes Oranguru a durable threat. It survives long enough to use its powerful Charged Moves, often catching opponents off-guard. To turn it into a real secret weapon, however, you need to give it the right moveset.
Shiny Oranguru: The Best Attacks for Your Oranguru
Choosing the right attacks transforms Oranguru from a curious Pokédex entry into a battlefield menace. Every Pokémon has two kinds of moves: a Fast Move, which you use by tapping the screen, and a Charged Move, the powerful attack button that fills up during the fight. Getting this combination right is critical for success.
For the Great League, you’ll want to give your Oranguru this specific moveset:
- Fast Move: Confusion
- Charged Move: Foul Play
This pairing makes Oranguru a formidable opponent. Its Fast Move, Confusion, is one of the hardest-hitting in the game, putting immediate pressure on your rival. At the same time, the Dark-type Charged Move Foul Play gives Oranguru a powerful tool to fight back against the very Ghost and Psychic-type Pokémon it counters, creating a perfect offensive and defensive strategy.
The Verdict: Is Oranguru Worth Your Stardust?
Now, when you catch an Oranguru, you’ll know exactly what to do. If its CP is under 1500, you’ve found a secret weapon for the Go Battle League and a great candidate for your Stardust. If it’s higher, you can confidently save your resources for better raid attackers or gym defenders.
This is your new strategic edge. You’ve moved beyond just looking at CP and have started seeing a Pokémon’s true power: having the right skills for the right fight.