Xerneas, the Life Pokémon, is a powerful Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon that has made its mark in Pokémon GO. Known for its majestic appearance and formidable stats, Xerneas is a highly sought-after Pokémon, especially during its appearances in Tier 5 raids. This guide will provide all the essential information you need to successfully battle and capture Xerneas, from recommended counters to in-depth strategies.
Xerneas Overview
Xerneas is a Tier 5 Legendary Pokémon and holds the distinction of being the first Fairy-type Legendary in Pokémon GO. As a Fairy-type, Xerneas is particularly strong against Dragon, Fighting, and Dark-type Pokémon, but it also has its weaknesses that savvy trainers can exploit.
Key Stats:
- Type: Fairy
- Max CP at Level 40: 3781
- Max CP at Level 50: 4275
- Attack: 250
- Defense: 185
- HP: 246
- Weaknesses: Steel, Poison
- Resistances: Dragon, Dark, Fighting, Bug
Xerneas can be caught with a CP range of 2073-2160 at Level 20 without a weather boost, and 2591-2701 CP at Level 25 with a Cloudy weather boost. During its raid period, there’s also a chance to encounter Xerneas in its shiny variant, which adds to the excitement.
Recommended Raid Team Composition
Due to Xerneas’s bulk and powerful move set, it’s recommended to tackle this raid with a minimum of 3 high-level trainers. However, for a safer and smoother experience, assembling a team of 5-7 trainers is ideal.
Best Counters for Xerneas
To defeat Xerneas efficiently, focus on using Steel and Poison-type Pokémon, which exploit its weaknesses. Here are the top counters to bring into the raid:
1. Metagross (Shadow or Regular)
- Fast Move: Bullet Punch
- Charge Move: Meteor Mash
- Why It’s Effective: Metagross is the top Steel-type attacker in the game, and its exclusive move Meteor Mash deals massive damage to Xerneas.
2. Necrozma (Dusk Mane)
- Fast Move: Metal Claw
- Charge Move: Iron Head
- Why It’s Effective: As a Steel-type, Necrozma can withstand Xerneas’s attacks while delivering strong Steel-type moves.
3. Mega Gengar
- Fast Move: Lick
- Charge Move: Sludge Bomb
- Why It’s Effective: Mega Gengar offers Poison-type coverage, dealing super-effective damage to Xerneas. Its high attack stat makes it a formidable counter.
4. Excadrill (Shadow or Regular)
- Fast Move: Metal Claw
- Charge Move: Iron Head
- Why It’s Effective: Excadrill’s Steel-type moves combined with its resistance to Fairy-type moves make it a solid choice for this raid.
5. Mega Beedrill
- Fast Move: Poison Jab
- Charge Move: Sludge Bomb
- Why It’s Effective: Mega Beedrill provides strong Poison-type attacks, which are effective against Xerneas’s Fairy typing.
Xerneas’s Moveset and Strategy
Understanding Xerneas’s moveset is crucial for devising a successful strategy. Here’s what you might face:
Fast Moves:
- Tackle (Normal)
- Zen Headbutt (Psychic)
- Geomancy (Fairy, legacy move)
Charged Moves:
- Moonblast (Fairy)
- Close Combat (Fighting)
- Thunder (Electric)
- Giga Impact (Normal)
Raid Strategy:
- Dodging Moves: Xerneas’s charged moves, especially Moonblast and Giga Impact, can deal significant damage. Timing your dodges can help your Pokémon last longer in the battle.
- Utilize Steel and Poison Types: Since Xerneas is weak to Steel and Poison-type moves, leading with Pokémon like Metagross and Mega Gengar will maximize your damage output.
- Team Synergy: If possible, coordinate with your raid team to include multiple Steel or Poison-type Mega Evolutions. This will boost your team’s overall effectiveness against Xerneas.
Catching Xerneas
After defeating Xerneas in the raid, the next challenge is catching it. Xerneas has a relatively wide catch circle, but its movements can make it tricky to land an Excellent throw.
Catching Tips:
- Use Golden Razz Berries: These provide the highest catch rate boost.
- Aim for Excellent Throws: Wait for Xerneas to finish its attack animation before throwing the ball. Aim for the smallest circle possible for an Excellent throw.
- Patience is Key: Xerneas can be elusive, so be prepared to take your time lining up your throws.
Shiny Xerneas
The opportunity to catch a Shiny Xerneas is one of the highlights of this raid. Shiny Xerneas sports a stunning color palette, making it a prized addition to any collection.
Appearance:
- Shiny Xerneas features a white and blue body with rainbow-colored antlers, distinguishing it from its regular form.
Maximizing Xerneas in PvP and PvE
Xerneas is not just a raid trophy—it’s also a powerful contender in both PvP and PvE battles. With its high CP and access to powerful moves like Moonblast, Xerneas can dominate in the Master League.
PvP Usage:
- Master League: Xerneas shines in the Master League, especially with moves like Geomancy (legacy) and Moonblast. Its bulk allows it to withstand hits, while its Fairy typing makes it an excellent counter to popular Dragon-types.
PvE Usage:
- Raid Battles: Outside of its own raid, Xerneas can be an effective attacker in other raids, particularly against Dragon and Fighting-type raid bosses.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Raid Xerneas
Xerneas is a must-have for any serious Pokémon GO player, whether you’re raiding for its shiny form, its power in battles, or its overall collection value. By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to defeat, catch, and utilize Xerneas in your Pokémon GO adventures.
“Explore your area for Pokémon with PokéMap. Click here to begin!”