If you want to catch Xerneas in Pokemon GO, you must first defeat it in a Tier 5 Raid.
To beat Xerneas with time to spare, you’ll want to battle it with at least five Pokemon trainers. Additionally, each of these trainers should have powerful Poison or Steel-type Pokemon to counter Xerneas.
Xerneas Type
Xerneas is a pure Fairy-type Pokemon.
This means it has two weaknesses and four resistances you need to consider when fighting it.
Xerneas Weaknesses & Resistances
| Weaknesses | Resistances |
| Poison | Dragon (Double Resistance) |
| Steel | Bug |
| Dark | |
| Fighting |
Both Poison and Steel-type attacks deal 160% damage to Xerneas! Therefore, you’ll want to fill your battle team with Poison and Steel-type Pokemon.
Conversely, Bug, Dark, and Fighting-type attacks deal 63% damage to Xerneas. Meanwhile, its double resistance to Dragon means that attacks of that type only deal 39% damage.
Best Pokemon to Counter Xerneas in Raids
The best Pokemon to counter Xerneas in Raids include Metagross, Nihilego, Dialga, and Roserade, as they exploit its weaknesses to Steel and Poison.
Additionally, Mega Pokemon such as Mega Gengar, Mega Beedrill, and Mega Scizor are very effective against Xerneas. Plus, they will also boost that attack of your other Steel and Poison-types!
There are other great Pokemon to use against Xerneas too. Here are the top 10 picks:
| Pokemon | Image | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Gengar |  | Lick | Sludge Bomb |
| Mega Beedrill |  | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb |
| Mega Scizor |  | Bullet Punch | Iron Head |
| Metagross |  | Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash |
| Nihilego |  | Acid | Sludge Bomb |
| Dialga |  | Metal Claw | Iron Head |
| Roserade |  | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb |
| Genesect |  | Metal Claw | Magnet Bomb |
| Excadrill |  | Metal Claw | Iron Head |
| Overqwil |  | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb |
After defeating Xerneas, you will have the chance to catch it. Additionally, if you are very lucky, you can encounter the shiny version of Xerneas!
Pokemon GO Xerneas Raid Dates
Xerneas is in 5-Star Pokemon GO Raids from August 16 to 23 and August 27 to September 1, 2023. It will rotate in and out of the Raid rotation at 10 AM local time on these days.
Additionally, if you win a Xerneas Raid during this period, you’ll have the chance to catch a Xerneas that knows the exclusive fast attack Geomancy!
