Pokemon GO Xerneas raid guide: Weaknesses and best counters

A Pokemon GO Xerneas raid guide will help players counter the creature as it returns to 5-star raids. The mascot of Pokemon X made its debut in Niantic's mobile game in May 2021 during the Luminous Legends X Part 1 event. Since then, it has appeared in the game several times.

The latest iteration of Pokemon GO Xerneas raids will be held between 10 am local time on August 21 and 10 am local time on September 3, 2024.

This Pokemon GO Xerneas raid guide covers everything you need to know about challenging and taking down this Pocket Monster in 5-star raids.

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Pokemon GO Xerneas raid weaknesses

Xerneas in the anime (Image via TPC)

What is super-effective against Xerneas in Pokemon GO?

Being a mono-Fairy-type creature, Xerneas takes super-effective damage from Steel and Poison-type attacks. Both these types deal 160% additional damage.

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Xerneas' stat distribution and moveset in Pokemon GO

As a 5-star raid boss in Pokemon GO, Xerneas has the following stats:

• Combat Power: 45,899
• Attack: 250
• Defense: 185
• Stamina: 15,000 HP
• Fast Attacks: Tackle and Zen Headbutt
• Charged Attacks: Close Combat, Giga Impact, Megahorn, Moonblast, and Thunder

Once the raid timer starts, you will get 300 seconds to defeat Xerneas for a chance to capture it. Up to 19 other trainers can participate in this battle with you either in person or via Remote Raids.

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Pokemon GO Xerneas raid counters

Best Steel-type counters to Xerneas

• Dusk Mane Necrozma with Metal Claw and Sunsteel Strike
• Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
• Mega Lucario with Bullet Punch and Flash Cannon
• Shadow Excadrill with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Jirachi with Confusion and Doom Desire

You can use the following search string to find the best Steel-type attackers at your disposal:

• Steel&@Steel&cp2000-

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Best Poison-type counters to Xerneas

• Mega Gengar with Lick and Sludge Bomb
• Mega or Shadow Gengar with Lick and Sludge Bomb
• Mega Beedrill with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Nihilego with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb
• Naganadel with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb

You can use the following search string to find the best Poison-type attackers at your disposal:

• Poison&@Poison&cp2000-

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Pokemon GO Xerneas raid catch CP and shiny availability

Shiny Xerneas (Image via TPC)

The CP range of the Xerneas that will spawn once you defeat these raids will be based on the weather and the creature's IVs. The potential ranges are as follows:

• No weather boost: 2,073 - 2,160 CP at level 20 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)
• Weather boosted (Cloudy): 2,591 - 2,701 CP at level 25 (10/10/10 - 15/15/15 IVs)

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What are the 100% IV CPs from Pokemon GO Xerneas raids?

Here are the 100% CPs from Xerneas raids:

• No weather boost: 2,160 CP
• Weather boosted (Cloudy): 2,701 CP

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Can Xerneas be shiny in Pokemon GO?

You may encounter a Shiny Xerneas after defeating Xerneas raids in Pokemon GO since October 2022. There is a 1-in-20 or 5% chance of this happening.

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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