Pokemon GO Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect: How to get, effects, and more

Pokemon GO's introduction of Pokemon fusion with Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings Necrozma also ushered in the arrival of Dusk Mane/Dawn Wings' signature moves (Sunsteel Strike and Moongeist Beam respectively). However, these moves also double as Adventure Effects. It doesn't hurt to take a moment to examine how Sunsteel Strike works in particular.

Players can collect the Fusion Energy required for this purpose on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 2 - 5 pm local time as part of the Pokemon GO Necrozma Fusion Raid Day.

In Pokemon GO, the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect provides a boost to trainers outside of battle and serves as a Steel-type Charged Move during battles. It can only be learned by Dusk Mane Necrozma via the new fusion mechanic and will vanish when Dusk Mane Necrozma is un-fused.

Check out the current Pokemon GO raid bosses that you can encounter in-game

How to get the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect in Pokemon GO

Fusion will be key to accessing Sunsteel Strike in Pokemon GO (Image via Niantic)

The only way to obtain the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect in Pokemon GO is by fusing the Pokemon Necrozma and Solgaleo together. This requires not only that the player has Base Form Necrozma and Solgaleo in their roster of Pocket Monsters, but they'll also need 1,000 Solar Fusion Energy, as well as 30 Necrozma candies and 30 Cosmog candies.

While candies are a familiar mechanic to nearly all Pokemon GO players, obtaining Solar Fusion Energy is only possible from a few limited sources at the moment. These options include completing Special/Limited Research Tasks during GO Fest 2024 or redeeming a specific Play! Pokemon redemption code.

Once players have their Solar Fusion Energy, their candies, and the two necessary Pokemon, they can open the info page of Necrozma and tap the "Fuse" button to expend the resources and combine the critter and Solgaleo into Dusk Mane Necrozma.

Upon the completion of the fusion, Dusk Mane Necrozma will already have learned the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect; no TM is needed.

How does the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect work in Pokemon GO?

Dusk Mane Necrozma activates the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect in Pokemon GO (Image via Niantic)

While Dusk Mane Necrozma in Pokemon GO will know the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect immediately after fusion is finished, actually using the effect will require additional resources. Specifically, trainers will need to use 3,000 Stardust and three Necrozma candies to activate the effect, which can be found on Dusk Mane Necrozma's info page as a button.

Once activated, the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect will be active for 10minutes. During this time, the effect acts like incense, drawing Pokemon that spawn during the daytime to a player's location. Moreover, any Pocket Monster that will evolve in the daytime can undergo evolution during the effect of Sunsteel Strike regardless of the actual time of the day in a player's part of the world.

The following Pokemon have been confirmed to spawn via Sunsteel Strike according to Niantic:

Pidgey
Alolan Exeggutor
Solrock
Cottonee
Helioptile
Tyrunt
Yungoos
Rockruff (including those that can evolve into Dusk Forme Lycanroc)
Fomantis

Sunsteel Strike generates a bright ring around the player while active (Image via Niantic)

Additionally, trainers can extend the 10-minute timer of Sunsteel Strike by spending more Stardust and Necrozma candies up to a maximum of 24 hours. However, Sunsteel Strike can't be active during other effects, including Incense, Daily Adventure Incense, the Mystery Box, the Coin Bag, or another Adventure Effect.

How does Sunsteel Strike work in Pokemon GO PvE and PvP?

Both Sunsteel Strike and Moongeist Beam also double as Charged Moves (Image via Niantic)

As previously noted, the Sunsteel Strike Adventure Effect also doubles as a Charged Attack in Pokemon GO. Since Dusk Mane Necrozma is permitted in both PvE and PvP formats, so is its signature move. However, Sunsteel Strike works a bit differently depending on the arena it's used in, even though it remains a Steel-type Charged Move in PvE and PvP.

During PvE battles like gym battles, raids, and Team GO Rocket fights, Sunsteel Strike deals 230 base power and has an energy cost of 100. This should make it an incredibly deadly attack against Fairy, Ice, and Rock-type opponents in PvE, particularly raid bosses with plenty of HP to burn. However, as a Steel-type attack, it won't perform as well against Electric, Fire, Steel, and Water-type foes.

Meanwhile, when it comes to PvP, including the GO Battle League and trainer battles, Sunsteel Strike deals 135 damage and has an energy cost of 65, making it easier to fire off but less damaging. It remains a Steel-type move, so it is super effective and resisted by the same opponent types named above.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh