Ultimate Guide to Xerneas Raids in Pokémon GO: Best Counters & Tips

Part 1. How Rare is Xerneas in Pokemon GO?

Xerneas, known as the "Life Pokémon", is a pure Fairy-type, making it a unique and powerful addition to any team. Its Fairy typing grants it several key advantages in battle, but also leaves it vulnerable to specific threats.

Understanding these strengths and weaknesses is crucial for planning your raid strategy.

• Xerneas Type: Fairy.
• Xerneas Strengths: Resistant to Bug, Dark, and Fighting-type attacks. Fairy-type attacks are super effective against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type Pokémon.
• Xerneas Weaknesses: Vulnerable to Steel and Poison-type attacks, which deal 160% additional damage49.
• Weather Boost: In Cloudy weather, Xerneas's CP and moves are boosted, making the raid more challenging.

As a 5-Star Raid Boss, Xerneas has the following stats:

• Combat Power: 45,899
• Attack: 250
• Defense: 185
• Stamina: 15,000

Part 2. What's the Best Moveset for Xerneas?

Knowing Xerneas's potential moveset is crucial for anticipating its attacks and dodging effectively. Here are the Fast and Charge Moves Xerneas can utilize in battle:

Fast Moves

• Tackle (Normal)
• Zen Headbutt (Psychic)

Charge Moves

• Moonblast (Fairy)
• Close Combat (Fighting)
• Thunder (Electric)
• Giga Impact (Normal)
• Megahorn (Bug)

Of particular concern is Close Combat, a Fighting-type move that can inflict significant damage to Steel-type counters. Be prepared to dodge this attack to keep your Steel-types in the battle longer.

Part 3. What Counters Xerneas in Pokémon GO?

To defeat Xerneas efficiently, you'll need to assemble a team of Pokémon that can exploit its weaknesses to Steel and Poison-type attacks.

Here are some of the best Xerneas counters to consider, categorized for optimal team building:

Mega Pokémon

Mega Pokémon can provide a significant boost to your team's damage output and can also boost other Pokémon's attack power if their typing matches the Mega-evolved Pokemon.

• Mega Gengar (Lick, Sludge Bomb): A dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon, Mega Gengar can deal significant Poison-type damage while also providing some versatility.
• Mega Beedrill (Poison Jab, Sludge Bomb): This Bug/Poison-type Pokémon offers fast attacks and high Poison-type damage output, making it a strong choice against Xerneas.
• Mega Rayquaza (Air Slash, Dragon Ascent): While not a Steel or Poison type, Mega Rayquaza's immense attack stat and Dragon Ascent move can still inflict substantial damage.

Top-Tier Non-Mega Counters

These Pokémon consistently rank as some of the best counters against Xerneas due to their high attack stats, appropriate typing, and powerful movesets.

• Dusk Mane Necrozma (Metal Claw, Sunsteel Strike): As a Psychic/Steel-type, Dusk Mane Necrozma is an excellent choice, boasting high attack power and access to powerful Steel-type moves.
• Shadow Metagross (Bullet Punch, Meteor Mash): Shadow Metagross is a Steel and Psychic type that can deal huge damage.
• Nihilego (Poison Jab, Sludge Bomb): A dual-type Rock/Poison Pokémon, Nihilego is a solid choice for dealing Poison-type damage.
• Shadow Excadrill (Metal Claw, Iron Head): The Steel and Ground type deals super effective damage while in the shadows.

Additional Counter Options

These Pokémon are still viable options and can fill gaps in your team if you lack the top-tier counters.

• Metagross (Bullet Punch, Meteor Mash): A reliable Steel-type attacker that is relatively common and easy to obtain.
• Dialga/Origin Dialga (Metal Claw, Iron Head): A Steel and Dragon-type with very high stats.
• Jirachi (Charge Beam, Doom Desire): The Steel and Psychic type is a decent counter.

Part 4. Where are Xerneas Raids?

If you're looking to attend Xerneas Raids in Pokémon GO but don’t have access to gyms or remote raids in your area, PoGoskill can be a game-changer for you. This tool can be incredibly useful if you want to join Five-Star Raids without physically traveling to a specific location.

How PoGoskill Can Help You Attend Xerneas Raids?

• Location Spoofing: Teleport to any location with Xerneas Raids, no matter where you are.
• Real-Time Raid Map: View live raid locations for Xerneas and other Pokémon to easily join available raids.
• Anti-Ban Protection: Safe spoofing with the specific Game Mode to reduce the risk of account bans.

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How to Use PoGoskill to Attend Xerneas Raids?

• Step 1Download and install PoGoskill for your device.

  

• Step 2Set your desired location for a gym featuring a Xerneas raid.

  

• Step 3Use the interactive map feature in PoGoskill to find gyms hosting Xerneas raids.

  

Part 5. Hot FAQs about Xerneas Pokemon GO

Q1. Why is my Xerneas blue in Pokemon GO?

The blue Xerneas you are seeing is likely a Shiny Xerneas. In Pokémon GO, shiny variants of Legendary Pokémon, like Xerneas, have a different color compared to their normal form.

Shiny Xerneas has a distinct blue color, while the regular Xerneas is a more traditional multi-colored design. The chance to encounter a shiny variant is typically increased during special events or raids.

Q2. What time does the Xerneas raid start?

The start time for Xerneas Raids depends on the event and your local time zone. Typically, Xerneas appears in Five-Star Raids during special events, which are often scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM local time and end at 8:00 PM local time.

However, for Raid Hour events, Xerneas is available from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time on the specified day. Always check the in-game event calendar or official Niantic announcements for exact times.

Q3. Can you solo raid Xerneas?

Solo raiding Xerneas is possible but challenging due to its high Combat Power (CP) and Fairy and Dragon typing.

Typically, Xerneas will have a CP of around 45,000 in a Five-Star Raid, and you will need to use strong counter Pokémon with high DPS (damage per second). If you're not well-prepared, it may be easier to team up with other trainers for better success.

Conclusion

Xerneas is an incredibly powerful Pokémon in Pokémon GO, with its Fairy-type moves and signature Geomancy charge move. Understanding these weaknesses allows you to prepare the best counters for Xerneas, whether you're tackling Xerneas in Five-Star Raids, PvP battles, or gym defenses.

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