Mega Rayquaza is returning to Raid Battles in Pokémon GO on August 3, 2024. Described as a "makeup event" for the community, you don't want to miss out on this opportunity. This time around, it will be more accessible to players that have Gyms in their area, as this will not be using an Elite Gym Raid Boss format. This means that you will just need to find around four to five other people with a high level to help you take down Mega Rayquaza a local Gym.

The Mega Rayquaza Special Raid event will take place across three different hours in Pokémon GO. Starting at 11 AM, moving to 1 PM in the afternoon, and finally, at 6 PM local time. These Raids will pop up in all local Pokémon Gyms. Trainers will have one hour to complete as many Raids as they like, as long as they have enough Raid es to in.

Mega Rayquaza Weaknesses In Pokémon GO

Pokémon Types That Can Beat Rayquaza

Rayquaza in Pokémon GO and beyond always has the same dual typing: Dragon/Flying-type. This carries over to its Mega Evolved Form, which you will be facing during these Raid Battles. This typing leaves it weak to Dragon, Fairy, Ice, and Rock-type moves.

In fact, Mega Rayquaza is actually 4x weaker to Ice-type attacks, making them the ideal moves to use during this battle. Therefore, some of the best Ice-type Pokémon are needed for this fight.

​​​​​​As good as it is to use Dragon-type moves on Mega Rayquaza, take into consideration the Pokémon you are using. This is because of the potential threat of a Dragon-type move that Mega Rayquaza can use that may take out your own Dragon-types quicker than anticipated. Dragon-type Pokémon are weak to themselves with other Dragon-type moves.

Best Counters For Mega Rayquaza

Pokémon To Use During the Raid

Mega Rayquaza Raids will require you to use a team of Ice, Rock, and Fairy-type Pokémon that have super-effective moves. These Pokémon also should have a higher Combat Power to stay alive longer. Some good examples are Mamoswine and Rhyperior, which evolve using Sinnoh Stones.

This is also a great opportunity to showcase an Aurorus, Walrein, or Mega Gardevoir, which typically will all have very high Combat Power and should resist Mega Rayquaza's Fast and Charge Moves. You can see some of the top counters and their recommended movesets in the table below.

Can Mega Rayquaza Be Shiny In Pokémon GO?

A Fan-Favorite Shiny Pokémon

Mega Rayquaza will not appear as a Shiny Pokémon during Raid Battles. However, once you are taken to the catching screen, Rayquaza does have a chance to be shiny. If a Shiny Rayquaza appears, it will have a catch rate of 100%, so you do not need to worry about it fleeing away from you, as long as you successfully land a Poké Ball on it.

If you manage to find and catch a Shiny Rayquaza, it will then appear as Shiny Mega Rayquaza when you Mega-Evolve it from the Pokémon's details page. You will need 400 Mega Energy as well as a Meteorite to evolve your own Rayquaza, and it will only stay in this powered-up form for eight hours. Will you be battling one of these Legendary sky beasts in Pokémon GO's Raids?