Pokémon GO Raids Hub: Guides, Counters and Boss Archive

Raids are the main way to catch Legendary Pokémon, earn Mega Energy and get strong attackers for your team. This hub brings together our raid guides: the basics that never change, and the archive of boss-specific guides, each marked with the dates it was live. For the bosses live right now, use the raid counters tool, the Live Now page and our October 2026 events guide.

Raid fundamentals

Beginner’s Guide to Raids in Pokémon GO — how raids work, how to join and what to prepare
Best Attackers by Type in Pokémon GO: Full Raid Roster Guide — which Pokémon to build for each type
Mega Evolution in Pokémon GO Explained: Energy, Levels, and Raid Bonuses — Mega Energy, Mega Levels and the bonuses Megas give in raids
Pokémon GO Type Chart: Full Type Effectiveness Guide — type effectiveness, the starting point for choosing counters
Weather Boost Guide: How Weather Affects Raids, Catches, and PvP — how weather boosts change catches and damage
Elite TM Guide: When to Use Elite Fast and Charged TMs in Pokémon GO — when an Elite TM is worth using on a raid attacker
Shadow Pokémon Explained: Stats, Purifying, and Whether It Is Worth It — Shadow Pokémon as raid attackers, and when to purify
Best Gym Defenders in Pokemon GO (and How Gym Defense Works) — the other side of the fight: what holds a gym

Raid tools

Raid counters — active and upcoming bosses with weaknesses and counters
Type chart — quick type matchups
CP calculator — check what CP a catch reaches at each level
IV calculator — judge the IVs of your raid catches

Raid boss guides and rotations (archive)

These guides cover raid bosses and Mega Raid rotations. Each one states when the boss was available and whether a return has been announced, so you can still use them for counters and catch CP.

Mega Malamar Raid Guide: Best Counters & Catch CP (September 2026) (2026-09-27)
Xerneas Raid Guide: Best Counters, Weaknesses, and Shiny Odds (Pokémon GO) (2026-09-20)
Super Mega Staraptor Raid Day Guide: Debut, Shiny, and Brave Bird+ (September 2026) (2026-09-06)
Mega Raid Rotation Guide: Every Mega Boss and Best Counters (August 2026) (2026-08-01)
Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf Return to Raids: Regional Guardians, Counters, and Raid Hour (2026-07-31)
Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day: Shiny Debut, Bonuses, and Best Counters (2026-07-30)
August 2026 Raid Boss Guide: Kyurem, Groudon, Lunala, the Regis and Shadow Giratina (2026-07-28)
Shadow Giratina (Altered Forme) Raid Guide: Best Counters and Team Building (2026-07-27)
Mega Starmie Arrives: Super Mega Raid Day Guide (2026-07-26)

Frequently asked questions

What is a Mega Raid?

A Mega Raid has a Mega Evolved boss. Beating one rewards Mega Energy for that species, which you spend to Mega Evolve your own Pokémon. Our Mega Evolution guide explains the costs and Mega Levels.

Do I need a Mega Pokémon to join every raid?

Not for standard Mega Raids. Super Mega Raids can have extra requirements, so read the event page before you plan a group.

How do I know which counters to bring?

Check the boss’s type, bring attackers that hit its weaknesses and resist its attacks, and use the raid counters tool for a ranked list.