Xerneas is a pure Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon that is weak to Steel- and Poison-type attacks. Due to its vulnerabilities, a team of high-DPS Steel or Poison counters can effectively shred through its raid.
Xerneas will return to Five-Star raids on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:00 a.m. local time. It will be available to battle daily between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. until Tuesday, October 6, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
SEE: The Complete List of September 2026 and October 2026 Pokémon GO Events
Xerneas
The Life Pokémon had slept for a thousand years in the form of a tree before its revival. This Pokémon also has an Active Mode and a Neutral mode. Its horns are multi-color when active. Its horns are cyan when neutral.
| Stats | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Fairy |
| Region | Generation 6 (i.e., Alola) |
| PokéDex Number | 716 |
| Weakness | Poison- and Steel-type attacks |
| Resists | Dragon-, Bug-, Dark-, and Fighting-type attacks |
| Maximum Combat Power (CP) | 4275 |
| Best Fast Attack | Geomancy |
| Best Charged Attack | Moonblast |
| Boosted Condition | Cloudy weather in-game |
| Shiny | Available |
| Usefulness in PVP | #2 Fairy-type Attacker in Master League |
| Usefulness in Raids | #9 Fairy-type Attacker |
Best Xerneas Recommended Counters
The following are the top Pokémon that deal maximum super-effective damage to Xerneas.
| POKÉMON | RECOMMENDED MOVESET |
| Crowned Sword Zacian | Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Giga Impact (or Behemoth Blade) as a Charged Attack |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Sunsteel Strike as a Charged Attack |
| Meta Metagross | Bullet Punch as a Fast Attack and Meteor Mash as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch as a Fast Attack and Meteor Mash as a Charged Attack |
| Nihilego | Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Victreebel | Acid as a Fast Attack and Acid Spray+ as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Dialga | Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Iron Head as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Gengar | Lick as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Vileplume | Acid as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack |
| Eternatus | Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack |
Note: Steel- and Poison-type attackers capitalize heavily on Xerneas’s weaknesses while resisting or taking neutral damage from many of its incoming moves.
Also, you can only use one Mega/Primal Pokémon per raid lobby. If you are looking to earn extra candy for every Xerneas caught as a raid encounter, use a matching Mega Level 3 Fairy-type Pokémon, e.g., Mega Gardevoir, Mega Mawile, or Mega Diancie.
Xerneas Raid Boss Moveset
When challenging Xerneas in raids, it can use any of the following attacks:
Fast Attacks: Tackle (Normal), Zen Headbutt (Psychic), and Geomancy (Fairy).
Charged Attacks: Moonblast (Faity), Megahorn (Bug), Close Combat (Fighting), Thunder (Electric), and Giga Impact (Normal).
Best Budget Xerneas Recommended Counters
If you lack legendary or shadow Steel/Poison options, accessible non-legendary alternatives still perform exceptionally well:
- Roserade with Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack.
- Excadrill with Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Iron Head as a Charged Attack.
- Gengar with Lick or Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack.
- Vileplume with Acid as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack.
- Victreebel with Acid as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack.
Xerneas Raid Tips
- Lead with a Mega Evolution (like Mega Gengar or Mega Metagross) to grant substantial damage buffs to all teammates using Poison or Steel-type attacks.
- Stick strictly to Steel- and Poison-type fast and charged moves to exploit its weaknesses.
- Take advantage of Cloudy or Snowy weather in-game, which naturally boosts Poison- and Steel-type damage output respectively.
How Many Trainers are Needed?
Well-prepared high-level trainers with top-tier Steel counters can easily duo or trio the raid. For general or casual trainers relying on budget counters, a safe group of 4 to 6 players will secure a comfortable win.
Maximize Your Catch Chances
- Golden Razz Berries: Pair these with accurate Curveball Throws to drastically increase your catch odds.
- Great/Excellent Throws: Aim consistently for small target rings to maximize catch multipliers.
- Gym Control & Friend Bonuses: Raid with your Best or Ultra Friends and ensure your team controls the gym to earn extra Premier Balls.
Hundo CP for Xerneas from Raid
Standard Catch CP (Level 20, No Weather Boost): 2073 – 2160 CP.
Weather Boosted Catch CP (Level 25, Cloudy): 2591 – 2701 CP.
A perfect (hundo) Xerneas from raids has either 2160 CP or 2701 CP, depending on the in-game weather condition when you completed the raid.
FUN FACT: Xerneas made its Pokémon GO debut during the Luminous Legends X on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
