Xerneas Pokemon GO Raid Guide: Moves, Weaknesses, Counters

Starting Saturday, Oct. 8, Xerneas will be appearing in five-star raids until Thursday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. local time in Pokemon GO. Introduced in generation six, this legendary Pokémon can prove to be a challenge in raids, so here is a guide to maximize your chances against Xerneas. 

Trainers were able to get some practice, going up against its counterpart, Yveltal in five-star raids from Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. to Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. local time. Both of these Pokémon made their return to the game as a part of Pokémon GO’s Evolving Stars event. 

Xerneas Raid Guide: Moves

Despite Xerneas’ fairy typing, Xerneas' only fairy-type move is Moon Blast which is amongst the Life Pokémon’s Charged Moves. The following are the rest of Xerneas’ charged moves:

• Megahorn
• Close Combat
• Giga Impact
• Thunder

Additionally Xerneas’ fast moves include:

• Tackle
• Zen Headbutt

Xerneas Raid Guide: Weaknesses 

Xerneas’ pure fairy-typing renders it weak to steel and poison-type moves. When choosing your team, make sure to stack it with these types of Pokémon. With this, you will want to avoid putting a dragon-type Pokémon on your team as Xerneas is immune to its moves, and it is vulenerable to receiving super-effective damage. 

Xerneas Raid Guide: Counters

Having Xerneas’ weaknpesses in mind, here are the best Pokémon to put up against the legendary stag-like Pokémon:

Poison

• Mega Beedrill: Poison Jab, Sludge Bomb.
• Mega Gengar: Lick/Sludge Bomb.
• Muk: Poison Jab, Gunk Shot.
• Nihilego: Acid/Sludge Bomb
• Mega Beedrill: Poison Jab, Sludge Bomb.

Steel

• Metagross: Bullet Punch, Meteor Mash.
• Dialga: Metal Claw, Iron Head.
• Jirachi: Charge Beam/Doom Desire
• Genesect: Metal Claw/Magnet Bomb
• Zamazenta: Metal Claw, Iron Head.