Can you solo defeat Xerneas in Pokemon GO 5-star raids?

Whether it is possible to solo defeat Xerneas in Pokemon GO 5-star raids can have an implication on who can and cannot participate in these battles. The mascot of the Pokemon X game was released in Niantic's mobile game in 2021, and has since appeared as a 5-star raid boss several times.

Xerneas' latest raid rotation starts at 10 am local time on August 21, 2024, and ends at 10 am local time on September 3, 2024. Unfortunately for those seeking to do so, it is impossible to solo defeat Xerneas in Pokemon GO 5-star raids.

This article elaborates on the reasons why you cannot take down Xerneas on your own in Pokemon GO as well as the minimum number of raiders it will take to come out victorious in these battles.

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Why is it impossible to solo defeat Xerneas in Pokemon GO 5-star raids?

Xerneas in the anime (Image via TPC)

It is impossible to solo defeat Xerneas in Pokemon GO 5-star raids because of the following reasons:

• It is a mono Fairy-type creature with no double weaknesses.
• Despite a relatively low defense, it has a fixed health bar of 15,000 HP, which is difficult to whittle down.
• Xerneas has a high Attack stat, and powerful Charged Attacks which will lead to your team fainting several times, leading to a loss of time.

Even with the addition of powerful new Steel-type Pocket Monsters such as Dusk Mane Necrozma with Sunsteel Strike, it is impossible to overcome the sheer force that Xerneas brings to the table as a 5-star raid boss.

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Minimum number of trainers needed to take down 5-star Xerneas raids in Pokemon GO

While you cannot solo defeat Xerneas in Pokemon GO 5-star raids, you can take it down with two trainers as long as both have maxed out Steel-type counters or Mega Gengar.

Based on Pokebattler simulations, here are the top Pocket Monsters that can be used to take down 5-star raid boss Xerneas with two trainers:

• Dusk Mane Necrozma with Metal Claw and Sunsteel Strike
• Shadow or regular Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
• Shadow Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Mega Gengar with Lick and Sludge Bomb
• Dialga with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Shadow Scizor with Bullet Punch and Iron Head

Check out our extensive Pokemon GO Xerneas raid guide for more details.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts