Shadow Lugia has finally returned to Pokemon GO, but this time it will be in 5-Star Raids instead of on Giovanni’s battle team!
If you want to beat Shadow Lugia in Pokemon GO Raids, you’ll ideally want to battle it with at least five Pokemon trainers.
Additionally, you’ll want to select some powerful Pokemon to counter Shadow Lugia’s weaknesses and use some Purified Gems to weaken it when it becomes enraged.
Here’s everything you need to know to defeat Shadow Lugia, including its weaknesses and the best Pokemon to counter it!
What Type is Shadow Lugia?
Shadow Lugia is a Psychic/Flying-type Pokemon.
This combination of types gives it five weaknesses and four resistances to consider when battling it.
Shadow Lugia Weaknesses & Resistances
| Weaknesses | Resistances |
| Dark | Fighting (Double Resistance) |
| Electric | Grass |
| Ghost | Ground (Double Resistance) |
| Ice | Psychic |
| Rock |
All of the types that Shadow Lugia is weak to deal 160% damage to it.
On the other hand, Grass and Psychic-type attacks deal 63% damage to Shadow Lugia, and Fighting and Ground attacks deal just 39% damage to it.
Best Pokemon to Counter Shadow Lugia in Raids
The best Pokemon to counter Shadow Lugia include Xurkitree, Zekrom, Hydreigon, Darkrai, and Giratina, as they all have attacks that exploit its weaknesses.
Additionally, there are a number of Mega Pokemon like Mega Tyranitar, Mega Gengar, and Mega Diancie that are also very effective in this battle.
These are the best Pokemon to use against Shadow Lugia and their strongest attacks:
| Pokemon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
Mega Tyranitar | Bite | Brutal Swing |
Mega Gengar | Lick | Shadow Ball |
Mega Diancie  | Rock Throw | Rock Slide |
Mega Banette | Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball |
Mega Manectric | Thunder Fang | Wild Charge |
Xurkitree | Thunder Shock | Discharge |
Zekrom | Charge Beam | Fusion Beam |
Darkrai | Snarl | Shadow Ball |
Hydreigon | Bite | Brutal Swing |
Giratina (Origin Forme) | Shadow Claw | Shadow Force |
Rampardos | Smack Down | Rock Slide |
Therian Forme Thundurus  | Volt Switch | Thunderbolt |
When is Shadow Lugia in Pokemon GO Raids?
Shadow Lugia is in Pokemon GO Raids from 10 AM local time on October 28 until 8 PM local time on October 29, 2023.
This gives players just two in-game days of Raiding to defeat this Shadow Legendary!
Can Shadow Lugia Be Shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shadow Lugia can be shiny in Pokemon GO, after it was made available for the first time on October 28, 2023.
After winning a 5-Star Shadow Lugia Raid, there is a 5% (1 in 20) chance that the Shadow Lugia you encounter will be the shiny version. However, you’ll still have to catch it!
