Pokemon GO Shadow Nuzleaf raid guide: Weaknesses, best counters, and is it possible to solo?

Many Pokemon GO players may be looking for a Shadow Nuzleaf raid guide as the corrupted Grass/Dark Pokemon returns to Tier-3 Shadow Raids during Adventure Week: Taken Over. The event begins on August 8, 2024, at 12:00 am and will end on August 12, 2024, at 11:59 pm local time.

Challenging Shadow Nuzleaf should be a simple process, but knowing its best counters and weaknesses is important. With that in mind, it doesn't hurt to examine the strengths and weaknesses of Shadow Nuzleaf, as well as the Pokemon and moves that will provide the best chance at defeating it.

---

Pokemon GO Shadow Nuzleaf raid weaknesses

Nuzleaf in the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Pokedex (Image via The Pokemon Company)

What is super-effective against Shadow Nuzleaf in Pokemon GO?

As a dual Grass/Dark-type Pokemon, Shadow Nuzleaf will take 160% damage from Fairy-, Fighting-, Fire-, Flying-, Ice-, and Poison-type attacks. However, the highest-damage counter option is Bug-type moves, which will deal 256% damage to Shadow Nuzleaf.

---

Shadow Nuzleaf's stat distribution and learnable moves in Pokemon GO

As a Tier-3 Shadow Raid boss, Shadow Nuzleaf should have the following stats and usable moves:

• Combat Power: 8,621
• Attack: 134
• Defense: 78
• Stamina: 3,600 HP
• Fast Attacks: Razor Leaf, Feint Attack
• Charged Attacks: Leaf Blade, Grass Knot, Foul Play, Frustration

When the timer begins, you'll have 180 seconds to defeat Shadow Nuzleaf and capture it. A maximum of 20 trainers can join the battle, though keep in mind that Shadow Raids don't allow player invites or remote raiding.

---

Best counters to Pokemon GO Shadow Nuzleaf raids

Best Bug-type counters to Shadow Nuzleaf

• Mega or standard Heracross with Struggle Bug and Megahorn
• Mega or Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Pheromosa with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Volcarona with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor

Best Fairy-type counters to Shadow Nuzleaf

• Incarnate Forme Enamorus with Fairy Wind and Fly
• Mega or Shadow Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
• Xerneas with Geomancy and Megahorn

Best Fighting-type counters to Shadow Nuzleaf

• Mega or standard Lucario with Force Palm and Aura Sphere
• Mega or Shadow Blaziken with Counter and Blast Burn
• Buzzwole with Counter and Fell Stinger
• Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
• Shadow Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch

Best Fire-type counters to Shadow Nuzleaf

• Mega or Shadow Blaziken with Counter and Blast Burn
• Mega Charizard Y with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Shadow Moltres with Fire Spin and Sky Attack
• Reshiram with Fire Fang and Fusion Flare
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Brave Bird

Best Flying-type counters to Shadow Nuzleaf

• Mega or standard Rayquaza with Air Slash and Dragon Ascent
• Mega or Shadow Salamence with Fire Fang and Fly
• Shadow Moltres with Fire Spin and Sky Attack
• Shadow Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Brave Bird
• Incarnate Forme Enamorus with Fairy Wind and Fly
• Yveltal with Gust and Oblivion Wing
• Shadow Staraptor with Gust and Fly

Best Ice-type counters to Shadow Nuzleaf

• Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
• Shadow Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
• Baxcalibur with Ice Fang and Avalanche
• Mega Glalie with Frost Breath and Avalanche

Best Poison-type counters to Shadow Nuzleaf

• Shadow or standard Sneasler with Poison Jab and X-Scissor
• Naganadel with Poison Jab and Fell Stinger
• Nihilego with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Mega Beedrill with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb

---

Can you solo defeat Pokemon GO Shadow Nuzleaf raids?

Even with its boosted stats as a Tier-3 Shadow Raid boss, Shadow Nuzleaf can comfortably be beaten solo when the high-end counters above are used, particularly the Bug-type ones. However, if players don't have these counters, they may want to stock up on Max Revives to pick their raiding team back up if they faint to avoid running out of time for the raid.

Additionally, as a Shadow Raid boss, Shadow Nuzleaf will become enraged as the raid transpires, boosting its stats. It's recommended that Team GO Rocket grunts or other Shadow Raids be defeated to collect Shadow Shards, which can then be assembled into Purified Gems. These gems will calm Shadow Nuzleaf's rage to prevent the raid from being more difficult than it needs to be.

---

Pokemon GO Shadow Nuzleaf raid catch CP and shiny availability

Nuzleaf's shiny coloration is the same in Pokemon GO as in other titles (Image via The Pokemon Company/Niantic)

Based on any potential active weather boosts when players take on this Pokemon GO raid, Shadow Nuzleaf can be caught with the following Combat Power (CP) ranges:

• No Weather Boost: 610 - 701 CP at level 20 (6/6/6 - 15/15/15 IVs)
• Weather Boosted (Sunny or Fog): 763 - 876 CP at level 25 (6/6/6 - 15/15/15 IVs)

---

What are the 100% IVs for Pokemon GO Shadow Nuzleaf raids?

If Shadow Nuzleaf has perfect IV stats at 100%, it should have the following CP upon being captured:

• No Weather Boost: 701 CP
• Weather Boosted (Sunny or Fog): 876 CP

---

Can Shadow Nuzleaf be shiny in Pokemon GO?

The shiny form of Shadow Nuzleaf debuted in May 2021 during Pokemon GO's Luminous Legends Y event. However, as a Shadow Raid boss, and unless mentioned otherwise by Niantic, the chance of encountering a Shiny Shadow Nuzleaf after beating it in a Tier-3 Shadow Raid is approximately 1/64 or 1.5625%.