Quick facts
Species: Raikou (Legendary)
Types: Electric
Primary weaknesses: Ground
Recommended lobby: 3–7 trainers
Introduction
Raikou is one of the three Legendary Beasts of the Johto region and is a formidable Electric-type raid boss in Pokémon GO. Its fast and charged Electric attacks can quickly defeat Water- and Flying-type Pokémon, making preparation key.
Fortunately, Raikou has a single type weakness: Ground. Using high-level Ground-type Pokémon is the fastest way to defeat it. This guide explains Raikou’s stats, weaknesses, best counters, raid strategy, and shiny encounter information so trainers can maximize their success.
Related guides: Poipole | Regice
💡 Expert Insight
Raikou is a fast Electric-type raid boss with strong offensive pressure. Its single weakness to Ground-type moves simplifies counter selection.
Ground-type Pokémon can consistently deal high damage while resisting Electric attacks, making them ideal counters.
Weaknesses & resistances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Weak to |
 Ground
|
| Resists to |
 Steel •
 Flying •
 Electric
|
Best Raikou Counters
Fighting-type Counters
- Lucario: (Force Palm / Aura Sphere)
- Blaziken: (Aura Sphere)
Ground-type Counters
- Golem: (Mud Slap / Earthquake)
- Mamoswine: (Mud Slap / High Horsepower)
- Rhuyperior: (Mud Slap / Earthquake)
Dragon-type Counters
- Black Kyurem: (Dragon Tail)
- Rayquaza: (Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe)
- Eternatus: (Dynamax Cannon)
Best Mega Evolutions
Recommended Megas to use against Raikou:
- Lucario, Blaziken – Fighting boost
- Sceptile – Bug boost
- Garchomp, Swampert, Sceptile – Ground boost
- Rayquaza – Dragon boost
- Blaziken – Fire boost
Difficulty
While large groups can take it down with ease, smaller teams need precision and timing, choosing Pokémon that maximize Ground damage and survive multiple hits.
Best Regular Counters
Regular pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Regular counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Dragon Tail (14) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Landorus | Mud Shot / Extrasensory | Superpower / Earthquake / Bulldoze / Stone Edge | Sandsear Storm | Extrasensory (11) and Sandsear Storm (150) |
| Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Dragon Tail (14) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Eternatus | Poison Jab / Dragon Tail | Flamethrower / Dragon Pulse / Sludge Bomb | Dynamax Cannon | Dragon Tail (14) and Dynamax Cannon (215) |
| Garchomp | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Fire Blast / Outrage / Breaking Swipe | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Fire Blast / Earthquake(140) |
| Excadrill | Mud Slap / Mud Shot / Metal Claw | Earthquake / Drill Run / Scorching Sands / Rock Slide / Iron Head | - | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Incarnate Landorus | Mud Shot / Rock Throw | Focus Blast / Earth Power / Rock Slide / Outrage | - | Rock Throw (13) and Focus Blast (140) |
| Rhyperior | Mud Slap / Smack Down | Skull Bash / Superpower / Earthquake / Stone Edge / Surf / Breaking Swipe | Rock Wrecker | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Mamoswine | Mud Slap / Powder Snow | Bulldoze / High Horsepower / Stone Edge / Avalanche / Icicle Spear | Ancient Power | Mud Slap (19) and High Horsepower / Stone Edge (105) |
| Black Kyurem | Shadow Claw / Dragon Tail | Stone Edge / Blizzard / Iron Head / Outrage / Fusion Bolt / Freeze Shock | - | Dragon Tail (14) and Freeze Shock (160) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Future Sight / Outrage / Moongeist Beam | - | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw (6) and Moongeist Beam (230) |
Best Shadow Counters
Shadow pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Shadow counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Golem | Mud Slap / Mud Shot / Rock Throw | Stone Edge / Earthquake / Rock Blast / Ancient Power | - | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Torterra | Mud Slap / Razor Leaf / Bite | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Stone Edge / Solar Beam | Frenzy Plant | Mud Slap (19) and Solar Beam (180) |
| Shadow Flygon | Mud Shot / Sand Attack / Dragon Tail | Boomburst / Earthquake / Scorching Sands / Sand Tomb / Stone Edge / Dragon Claw | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Boomburst (150) |
| Shadow Hippowdon | Sand Attack / Bite / Fire Fang / Thunder Fang / Ice Fang | Body Slam / Earthquake / Earth Power / Scorching Sands / Stone Edge / Weather Ball | - | Fire Fang (13) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Regigigas | Hidden Power / Zen Headbutt | Giga Impact / Focus Blast / Thunder | Crush Grip | Hidden Power (15) and Crush Grip (210) |
| Shadow Donphan | Mud Slap / Tackle / Counter / Charm | Body Slam / Earthquake / Heavy Slam / Trailblaze / Play Rough | - | Charm (20) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Rhydon | Rock Smash / Mud Slap | Earthquake / Surf / Stone Edge / Breaking Swipe | Megahorn | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Golurk | Mud Slap / Astonish | Dynamic Punch / Earth Power / Shadow Punch / Poltergeist | - | Mud Slap (19) and Poltergeist (140) |
| Shadow Mamoswine | Mud Slap / Powder Snow | Bulldoze / High Horsepower / Stone Edge / Avalanche / Icicle Spear | Ancient Power | Mud Slap (19) and High Horsepower / Stone Edge (105) |
| Shadow Rhyperior | Mud Slap / Smack Down | Skull Bash / Superpower / Earthquake / Stone Edge / Surf / Breaking Swipe | Rock Wrecker | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Excadrill | Mud Slap / Mud Shot / Metal Claw | Earthquake / Drill Run / Scorching Sands / Rock Slide / Iron Head | - | Mud Slap (19) and Earthquake (140) |
| Shadow Garchomp | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Fire Blast / Outrage / Breaking Swipe | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Fire Blast / Earthquake(140) |
| Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Fire Blast / Solar Beam | Precipice Blades / Fire Punch | Dragon Tail (14) and Solar Beam (180) |
Best Mega Counters
Mega pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Mega counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Best Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot / Dragon Tail | Earthquake / Sand Tomb / Fire Blast / Outrage / Breaking Swipe | Earth Power | Dragon Tail (14) and Fire Blast / Earthquake(140) |
| Mega Blaziken | Counter / Fire Spin / Ember | Focus Blast / Aura Sphere / Brave Bird / Overheat / Blaze Kick | Stone Edge / Blast Burn | Counter / Fire Spin (13) and Overheat (160) |
| Mega Lucario | Counter / Bullet Punch | Close Combat / Power-Up Punch / Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Flash Cannon / Meteor Mash / Blaze Kick / Thunder Punch | Force Palm | Counter (13) and Close Combat (105) |
| Mega Sceptile | Fury Cutter / Bullet Seed | Aerial Ace / Earthquake / Leaf Blade / Dragon Claw / Breaking Swipe | Frenzy Plant | Bullet Seed (7) and Earthquake (140) |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash / Dragon Tail | Aerial Ace / Dragon Ascent / Ancient Power / Outrage | Hurricane / Breaking Swipe | Dragon Tail (14) and Dragon Ascent (140) |
| Mega Swampert | Mud Shot / Water Gun | Sludge Wave / Sludge / Earthquake / Surf / Muddy Water | Hydro Cannon | Water Gun (5) and Earthquake (140) |
Moves & Threats
Raikou common fast moves are Thunder Punch or Volt Switch. Charged moves include Shadow Ball or Thunder or Thunderbolt or Aura Sphere and Wild Charge.
Wild Charge is the most dangerous charged move due to its high damage output. Dodging it in smaller raid groups is recommended. Thunderbolt is slightly slower but still strong.
Best Team Composition
A strong Raikou raid team should include:
- 3–4 Ground-type attackers for maximum DPS
- Optional Mega or Primal Pokémon for extra damage
- Backup high-DPS Ground-type Pokémon to ensure fast raid completion
Using Mega Garchomp or Primal Groudon significantly reduces the number of trainers needed for a fast clear.
Weather Boost
Raikou is boosted in Windy weather, increasing its attack power.
Your counters are boosted in:
- Sunny weather (Ground)
Recommended Team Setups
Best Team (3–5 Trainers)
- Primal Groudon
- Shadow Groudon
- Mega Garchomp
- Landorus (Therian)
- Excadrill
Budget / Accessible Team
- Rhyperior
- Mamoswine
- Donphan
- Golurk
- Landorus (Incarnate)
Even trainers without top legendaries can clear Raikou effectively with strong Ground types.
How Many Trainers Are Needed?
- 2 trainers: Possible with top Ground-type counters and Mega support
- 3 trainers: Comfortable win
- 4+ trainers: Very easy clear
Catch Tips
- Use Golden Razz Berries for best catch chance
- Curve Excellent throws are recommended
- Wait for Raikou’s attack animation before throwing
- Be patient, as it can dodge occasionally
Battle Tips
- Ground-type attackers deal the most consistent damage
- Dodge Wild Charge in smaller raid groups to preserve counters
- Mega Pokémon like Garchomp boost overall raid DPS
- Backup Ground-type Pokémon help speed up the battle
Is Raikou Worth Raiding?
Raikou is valuable for Pokédex completion and provides a strong Electric-type attacker for PvP and raids. Its weakness to Ground-type moves makes it manageable with the right counters.
Shiny Raikou
Yes, Raikou can be encountered as a shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO after completing a raid. Shiny Raikou has a lighter yellow/golden hue compared to the regular purple-toned Raikou, making it highly sought after by collectors.
The shiny rate in Legendary raids is higher than wild encounters, but multiple raids may still be necessary to encounter a shiny Raikou.
FAQ
Can Raikou be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes! Shiny Raikou is available in Pokémon GO. It features a yellow body with a black mane and light blue cloud.
What moves does Raikou use in raids?
Raikou can use moves like Thunderbolt, Wild Charge, and Extrasensory, dealing massive Electric-type and Psychic-type damage to opponents.
Is Raikou difficult to defeat?
With high speed and special attack but moderate bulk, Raikou can be challenging. Using type-advantage Pokémon ensures efficient battles.
What makes Raikou unique?
Its Electric typing, legendary status, and extreme speed make Raikou visually striking and strategically powerful in Max Raid Battles.
What makes Raikou strong?
Its high attack, strong resistances, and Meteor Mash make it a top-tier raid and PvP option.
Conclusion
Raikou’s Electric typing makes it straightforward: focus on Ground-type counters to exploit its only weakness. With strong Ground attackers like Primal Groudon, Mega Garchomp, and Excadrill, plus weather boosts where possible, you can defeat Raikou consistently and enjoy catching it — including shiny variants.
Summary
- Use strong Ground-type attackers for maximum damage.
- Avoid Flying or Electric Pokémon that will struggle.
- Take advantage of multi-bar charged moves and high DPS rotations.
- Small teams should focus on sustained attacks and shield management, while large groups can use speedy rotations to overwhelm Raikou quickly.