Vinnie is probably the first big test you will encounter in your journey with *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*. While veterans might breeze through this battle, new players will need to consider their strategy carefully when facing his team. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Vinnie’s lineup and how to counter it effectively.
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### Vinnie’s Team and How to Counter It
Rintaro (Vinnie) will have the following Pokémon on his team:
– **Houndoom** (Level 30, Dark/Fire-type)
*Weak to*: Water, Fighting, Ground, and Rock-type moves.
– **Sharpedo** (Level 30, Water/Dark-type)
*Weak to*: Bug, Fairy, Grass, Fighting, and Electric-type moves.
– **Buneary** (Level 30, Normal-type)
*Weak to*: Fighting-type moves.
– **Mega Drampa** (Level 32, Normal/Dragon-type)
*Weak to*: Fighting, Dragon, Ice, and Fairy-type moves.
Knowing these weaknesses will help you build a team suited to exploit them and gain the upper hand in battle.
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### The Secret Weapon: Heracross (“Bois”)
The game actually provides a secret weapon for this fight — a free Heracross you can obtain early on. This named Pokémon, affectionately called **Bois**, is an absolute powerhouse and can carry you through much of the game.
To get Heracross, complete **Side Mission 002: “A Use for an Evolution Stone.”** You can find the location of this mission on our [interactive map](#).
Bois is especially strong when equipped with moves like **Brick Break** and **Rock Smash**. If you have him at Level 30 or above, he can handle Vinnie’s lineup with relative ease.
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### Additional Team Recommendations
While Heracross is a fantastic asset, it’s smart to have reliable backups. Here are a couple of strong options:
– **Pangoro**: Evolve a Pancham into Pangoro for a solid Fighting-type that counters most of Vinnie’s Pokémon. Pangoro comes with a versatile and powerful moveset perfect for this battle.
– **Absol**: Having an Absol in your party can be useful for extra bulk and offensive options, though it’s generally less critical than your Fighting-type counters.
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### Final Tips
To summarize, focusing on Fighting-type Pokémon and moves will give you a significant advantage in this fight. Make sure to:
– Utilize Heracross (“Bois”) with Brick Break and Rock Smash.
– Bring Fighting-types like Pangoro to cover other team members.
– Keep an Absol handy just in case you need additional support.
With this strategy, defeating Vinnie should be straightforward and a smooth experience early in the game.
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For more detailed locations and tips, don’t forget to check out our [Pokémon Legends: Arceus interactive map](#). Good luck on your adventure!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146516/how-to-beat-vinnie-pokemon-legends-za-weaknesses-counters
