How to beat Pokemon Go Xerneas Raid: Weaknesses, counters & can it be shiny?
Niantic/The Pokemon CompanyXerneas is back in Pokemon Go Raids, and trainers are trying to figure out the best way to challenge and defeat this Legendary Pokemon. Here’s all you need to know to add Xerneas to your collection, including weaknesses, best counters, and shiny availability.
Although Gen 6 isn’t widely considered the most beloved in the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon Go players are excited to welcome Xerneas and Yveltal back to 5-Star Raids. The Legendary Pokemon are very powerful, so trainers need all the help they can get to beat them and catch them in the mobile game.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to beat Xerneas in Pokemon Go, including weaknesses, best counters, and its shiny availability.
- How to get Xerneas in Pokemon Go
- Xerneas type & weaknesses
- Best counters for Xerneas Raid
- Xerneas Pokemon Go moveset
- Can Xerneas be shiny in Pokemon Go?
Niantic/The Pokemon CompanyHow to get Xerneas in Pokemon Go
The only way to get Xerneas in Pokemon Go is by defeating it in its 5-Star Raid and catching it afterward. The Life Pokemon debuted in Pokemon Go in May 2021, and it’s now coming back for players that weren’t around then. The Xerneas 5-Star Raids are taking place from August 27 to September 1 in Pokemon Go.
Some Legendary Pokemon return to the game after a while with easier challenges or special events, but this is the only way to get Xerneas at the moment. The 5-Star Raid rotation seems to bring back Legendary Pokemon at least once a year for players to complete their Pokedex.
Xerneas type & weaknesses in Pokemon Go
Xerneas is a pure Fairy-type Pokemon, and it’s the strongest Fairy-type pick for Master League in Pokemon Go.
Regarding its weaknesses, Xerneas is vulnerable only to Poison and Steel-type attacks. It’s also worth noting that Xerneas is resistant to Dragon, Fighting, Bug, and Dark-type attacks, so you should avoid those categories entirely. While immunities don’t exist in Pokemon Go, this means Xerneas has stronger resistance against those types.
Best counters for Xerneas Pokemon Go Raid
Luckily for you, there are many powerful Poison and Steel-type Pokemon you can choose to take down Xerneas in Pokemon Go Raids. Metagross and Mega Gengar are the two best counters for this Raid, but you can also pick some of the following counters as well:
- Beedrill with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
- Scizor with Bullet Punch and Iron Head
- Aggron with Iron Tail and Heavy Slam
- Steelix with Iron Tail and Heavy Slam
- Roserade with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Sludge Bomb
- Nihilego with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
- Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
Do note that most Pokemon on this list can Mega Evolve to be even more effective in battle.
The Pokemon CompanyXerneas Pokemon Go moveset
Here’s the complete Xerneas moveset in Pokemon Go:
Fast Moves
- Tackle (Normal)
- Zen Headbutt (Psychic)
Charged Moves
Xerneas’ strongest moveset should include both Tackle and Giga Impact to deal as much damage as it can, so keep that in mind when building your own Xerneas for battle.
Can Xerneas be shiny in Pokemon Go?
Yes, shiny Xerneas is available in Pokemon Go. Lucky trainers might get an encounter with shiny Xerneas after defeating it in its 5-Star Raid. As with most Legendaries, the odds of getting shiny Xerneas is a mere 5% or a 1 in 20 chance.
It’s also important to note that shiny Legendaries have a 100% catch rate, meaning you won’t need to spend Berries to ensure your catch.
That’s all you need to know about the Xerneas Raid in Pokemon Go. For more content, be sure to check out our other guides:
How to connect Pokemon Go to Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to heal Pokemon in Pokemon Go | How many Pokemon are there? | Best Pokemon for PvP battles in Pokemon Go | How to get revives in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go best attackers ranked | Pokemon Go: Best time to use Lucky Egg & Star Piece | How to beat Pokemon Go Yveltal Raid: Weaknesses, counters & can it be shiny?