Pokemon Go Xerneas release: Xerneas debuts in raids

ByAdam B Hours
| |
Pokemon Go Xerneas Reveal

Pokemon Go is set to release Xerneas soon, as part of the upcoming Luminious Legends event. Here’s everything you need to know.

Xerneas is a Fairy-type legendary Pokemon, so be prepared for a tough battle if you intend to meet Xerneas in Pokemon Go raids when it releases.

When is the Pokemon Go Xerneas release

Xerneas is set to be released in 5 star raids on Pokemon Go alongside the Luminious Legends event.

This means you can likely expect Xerneas to be available in raids from May 4th at 10:00 AM Local time all the way till around May 18th.

Xerneas in the Pokemon Anime
Xerneas in the Pokemon Anime, Credit: Bulbapedia

READ MORE: Pokemon Go: Upcoming Luminous Legends X event details

Fighting Xerneas in Pokemon Go

Xerneas’ Moveset

First of all, lets cover what moves you can expect to see Xerneas using in battle – and using for you, if you manage to capture it.

Fast Attacks
  • Tackle
  • Zen Headbutt

…Yes, you did read that right. Xerneas is flexing so hard, it’s going to beat things up with tackle. What a monster.

Charged Attacks
  • Close Combat
  • Giga Impact
  • Megahorn
  • Moonblast
  • Thunder

READ MORE: Pokemon Go: How to earn Stardust in 2021

What type will be effective for fighting Xerneas?

Super-effective types to prioritise using:
  • Poison
  • Steel

Not the most generous list of weaknesses we’ve seen in Pokemon Go, but things can be worse than this.

Still, these Types are a bit awkward. Pokemon Go is a bit light on both of these types, particularly pure types of either, though on the upside if you can use them they’ll be scoring 160% of their usual damage dealt.

Nidoking in the Pokemon Anime
If you’ve been collecting all the Nidoran available lately, this might be a great chance to take your Nidoking or Nidoqueen out in a high-level raid, let them cut loose for a while as they should make an excellent counter to Xerneas. Credit: Bulbapedia

And if you can’t, don’t worry too much. Most moves will still be dealing 100% damage, except the ones listed below, which you should try to avoid.

Resisted types to avoid using:
  • Bug
  • Dark
  • Fighting
  • Dragon

Dragon is the worst type to be packing for this fight, as Xerneas takes only 39% of the damage from Dragon-Type attacks. Bug, dark and fighting will fare better at 62.5% damage dealt, but should still be avoided if possible.

A simple image of the Pokemon Gible
Now would really not be a good time to start deciding to let your Gible get some combat experience… Credit: Bulbapedia

Is that everything?

That’s about everything you’ll need to know about the upcoming Pokemon Go Xerneas Release – and the information you’ll need to make fighting it in 5 star raids a bit easier.

As always, you can find more Pokemon pieces on The Click right here, and more by me personally here.