Shadow Raikou

Shadow Raikou is available from Tier 5 legendary Shadow Raids, and its shiny form is also available. It can be caught with the following CP values, with an IV floor of 6/6/6:

• 1823 – 1972 CP (no weather boost, 100% Raikou at Level 20)
• 2280 – 2466 CP (during Rainy weather, 100% IV Raikou at Level 25)

Shadow Raikou is a Electric-type Pokémon and as such, is only weak to Ground-type moves. It takes reduced damage from Electric, Flying, and Steel-type moves. This is an very difficult tier 5 raid due to the Shadow Raid mechanism. You will need to be well prepared with top counters, correct move-sets, powered-up Pokémon, and most importantly, Purified Gems.

We would suggest groups of 4+ for trainers with top counters that are maxed out, and armed with Purified Gems, or 8-10+ for lower-level trainers and those without ideal counters. Purified Gems are a must.

Best Shadow Raikou Counters

Let’s check out the top raid counters for Shadow Raikou:

Communication will be key for this raid! You will want to plan not only your Mega Pokémon team positions, and counters, but also your use of Purified Gems, so be sure you communicate with your fellow trainers.

You can also make use of the Party Power raid bonus through Party Play! The Party Power is a Raid bonus that fills up as members of your Party attack the Raid Boss. Once the Party Power bonus is full, your next Charge Attack will receive a special boost. You can see the Party Power button and your progress towards achieving the bonus in the bottom left corner of your Raid Battle.

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Shadow Raikou Overview

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Weather Effects

Raikou has one main weakness: Ground type attacks. This is boosted by both Sunny and Sunny weather, so this is what you’re looking out for. Try to avoid Rainy weather if possible, as it will most certainly boost Raikou.

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Shiny Shadow Raikou

Shiny Shadow Raikou is available from defeating Raikou in Shadow Raids.

Regular Sprite	Shiny Sprite

 

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Shadow Raid Information & Advice

As a shadow raid, Raikou will hit harder than ever before, so make sure your counters are powered up, have the right move-set, and aren’t weak to the raid boss’ moves. These raids are a tricky group task for even the most prepared trainers, and you will need Purified Gems to defeat them. Shadow Raid Bosses will grow enraged as you battle them, boosting their attack and defence.

You will need to subdue Shadow Raikou using Purified Gems, a new item that can be assembled from Shadow Shards.

Shadow Shards are mysterious gem pieces that may be dropped by Team GO Rocket grunts, leaders, and Shadow Raids. You will need to gather enough shards to use Professor Willow’s newly invented Shard Refiner, and in return, you’ll be rewarded with a Purified Gem. Be sure to have collected as many as you can before you attempt a Shadow Raikou raid, as without them you won’t be able to return it to its normal, non-enraged state. You can hold up to 10 Purified Gems in your inventory at a time.

There are multiple ways Purified Gems can assist your battle against enraged Shadow Raid Bosses:

• When you use a Purified Gem during a Shadow Raid, the enraged Shadow Raid Boss’s attack and defence will be lowered temporarily. This can give you the opening you need to take them down.
• You and your fellow Trainers can use more than one Purified Gem during a Shadow Raid. If used at the same time, their effects will stack.
• If enough Purified Gems are used, the enraged Shadow Raid Boss will be subdued—returned to its non-enraged state—which might give you the edge you need to defeat it!

Purified Gems will show in the bottom left corner of the raid battle when you are able to use them, so be sure to communicate with your raid group to stack their effects!

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