Current raid schedule in Pokémon GO and how to dominate each one

On March 1, the Pokémon that would show up in Pokémon GO raid battles changed. That means that Rayquaza, Registeel, Kyogre and others are gone for the time being, which also means the opportunity for a shiny of those is also gone for now.

With a new month, there are all new Pokémon for trainers to gather their friends and fight. The stronger the Pokémon, the more challengers it will require to take down. The one-star raids can be done individually, though. This month, that includes:

• Cranidos
• Dwebble
• Nosepass
• Sudowoodo
• Swinub

Three-star raids probably need a friend or two. This month, these three-star Pokémon can be defeated:

• Alolan Graveler
• Golbat
• Jolteon
• Staraptor

The five-star raids change much more frequently in a month. Here’s the full schedule:

These Legendary Pokémon will appear in five-star raids

All of these can be shiny from raids. They vary in Combat Power, but they are all extremely difficult to take down.

Mega Raids will also occur during the month. Mega Charizard Y is first, followed by Mega Medicham, Mega Venusaur and Mega Alakazam.

How to dominate each Pokémon currently in raids

The one-star raids don’t require a whole lot of effort to defeat, but in order to save revives and potions, super effective counters are helpful:

• For Cranidos, a Water-type like Blastoise or a Fighting-type like Machamp will do the trick.
• For Dwebble, a Steel-type like Lucario is an excellent choice. Dwebble is also weak to Steel and Water types, so fill your Pokémon party with them.
• Nosepass is a Rock-type, which makes it weak to Grass, Water, Steel, Ice and more. Venusaur, Bisharp, Glaceon and Klingklang are all good choices.
• Sudowoodo is also a Rock-type Pokémon, which makes it weak against Fighting, Ground and Steel. Steelix, Lucario, Hippowdon, Hitmontop and Registeel are all good choices for this party.
• Swinub is an Ice- and Ground-type. This makes it weak to Fire, Water, Grass, Steel and Fighting. Try out Charizard, Vaporeon, Decidueye, Lucario and Hitmonlee.

Three-star raids are not as challenging

For three-star raids, it’s even more important to have good counters. Alolan Graveler is a Rock- and Electric-type. This makes it weak to Water, Grass, Fighting and Ground. Try Decidueye, Venusaur, Hitmonchan or Throh. Golbat is a Flying- and Poison-type Pokémon. Try Alakazam, Articuno, Staraptor, Zapdos, Electivire or others like them to easily take them down.

Alolan Graveler is a three-star Raid

Jolteon is an Electric-type, which means its only weakness is Ground types. Try Hippowdon, Dugtrio, Donphan, Groudon, Rhyperior or Krookodile on this one.

Staraptor is a Normal/Flying-type Pokémon. This requires Rock, Ice or Electric to take down. Use Pokémon like Alolan Golem, Glaceon, Beartic, Jolteon, Electivire or Regirock to take Staraptor down with ease.

Five-star and Mega Raids – Call your friends

The first Legendary Pokémon this month is Incarnate Form Tornadus. This is a Flying-type. To effectively take it down, you will need to have Rock, Ice and Electric types in your party. Try Lycanroc, Golem, Glalie, Ampharos, Galarian Darmanitan, Jolteon, Cryogonal, Hisuian Avalugg, Raichu, Gigalith or Aurorus to take it down.

When Ho-Oh arrives in raids, it will be a Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon. To take this one down, try Raikou, Corsola, Golduck, Luxray, Suicune, Alolan Golem, Zebstrika, Lanturn, Xurkitree or Dedenne.

Shiny comparison for Ho-Oh

Following Ho-Oh, the Incarnate Form of Thundurus will arrive. It is an Electric/Flying-type Pokémon. That makes it weak to Ice and Rock types. Try Sudowoodo, Aurorus, Tyranitar, Aerodactyl, Vanilluxe, Mamoswine or Mr. Rime.

To close out the month of March, Ho-Oh’s counterpart Lugia will arrive. It is a Psychic/Flying-type Legendary, so try Hisuian Avalugg, Froslass, Dusknoir, Cofagrigus, Spiritomb, Umbreon, Liepard, Sableye, Weavile, Obstagoon and Zoroark.

Mega Charizard Y is a Fire/Flying type Pokémon. To effectively take it down, try using Corsola, Lycanroc, Regirock, Kyogre, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Staraptor, Articuno, Beartic or Sudowoodo.

Mega Medicham is weak to Flying, Ghost and Fairy Pokémon. To defeat it with ease, use Sylveon, Xerneas, Zacian, Togekiss, Azurill, Charizard, Pelipper, Tropius and Drifblim.

It’s important to have the right number of players in a raid to be able to take it down. Three-star raids probably need two trainers. Five-stars need a minimum of five, but the more the merrier. Mega Raids are easier to defeat with more than five, too.