Cresselia is a pure Psychic-type Legendary Pokémon that is vulnerable to Bug-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks. Thanks to its unique typing, it resists Fighting- and Psychic-type moves. To break through its high defensive bulk, you must bring a focused squad of high-DPS Ghost, Dark, and Bug counters.
Cresselia will return to Five-Star Legendary raids on Monday, November 16, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, November 24, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
For a broader look at what else is happening this month, be sure to check out The Complete List of November 2026 Pokémon GO Events.
Cresselia Overview
The Lunar Pokémon features high defensive bulk, making it a formidable tank in PvP leagues, though its attack stat is lower for raids.
| Stats | Values |
| Type | Psychic |
| Region | Generation 4 (Sinnoh) |
| PokéDex Number | 488 |
| Weakness | Bug, Ghost, and Dark |
| Resists | Fighting and Psychic |
| Maximum Combat Power (CP) | 3230 CP |
| Best Fast Attack | Psycho Cut or Confusion |
| Best Charged Attack | Grass Knot / Future Sight / Moonblast |
| Boosted Condition | Windy weather |
| Shiny | Available |
| Usefulness in PVP | Top-tier Meta Threat in Great League and Ultra League |
| Usefulness in Raids | Defensive Tank / Moderate Psychic Attacker |
Best Cresselia Recommended Counters
Whether you are looking to secure a high-IV catch, hunt for its rare Shiny form, or build a dominant tank for the Great and Ultra Leagues, having the right counters is crucial.
The following top Pokémon deal maximum super-effective damage to Cresselia:
| POKÉMON | RECOMMENDED MOVESET |
| Necrozma (Dawn Wings) | Shadow Claw as a Fast Attack and Moongeist Beam as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Gengar | Lick as a Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Chandelure | Hex as a Fast Attack and Ominous Wind as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Houndoom | Snarl as a Fast Attack and Dark Pulse as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Darkrai | Snarl as a Fast Attack and Foul Play as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Mewtwo Y | Psycho Cut as a Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Tyranitar | Bite as a Fast Attack and Brutal Swing as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Absol | Snarl as a Fast Attack and Brutal Swing as a Charged Attack |
| Mega Beedrill | Bug Bite as a Fast Attack and Fell Stinger as a Charged Attack |
| Shadow Chandelure | Hex as a Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as a Charged Attack |
Note: Capitalize on Cresselia’s multi-type weaknesses. Remember that only one Mega or Primal Pokémon can be active per raid lobby, so coordinate with your team to maximize damage output.
Cresselia Raid Boss Moveset
When challenging Cresselia in Five-Star raids, watch out for these attacks:
Fast Attacks: Confusion (Psychic) or Psycho Cut (Psychic)
Charged Attacks: Future Sight (Psychic), Aurora Beam (Ice), Moonblast (Fairy), or Grass Knot (Grass — obtained via elite TM/events)
Best Budget Cresselia Recommended Counters
If you lack premier Mega Evolutions, Legendaries, or Shadow options, these accessible budget alternatives perform reliably in battle:
Tyranitar with Bite as a Fast Attack and Brutal Swing or Crunch as a Charged Attack.
Weavile with Snarl as a Fast Attack and Foul Play as a Charged Attack.
Honchkrow with Snarl as a Fast Attack and Dark Pulse as a Charged Attack.
Chandelure with Hex as a Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as a Charged Attack.
Pinsir or Scizor with Bug-type moves like Bug Bite and X-Scissor / Iron Head (for Scizor’s steel defense).
Cresselia Raid Tips
Lead with a premier Bug-, Ghost-, or Dark-type Mega Evolution (such as Mega Gengar, Mega Houndoom, or Mega Tyranitar) to supply heavy typed damage bonuses to your lobby members.
Pay attention to in-game weather: Foggy weather boosts Dark- and Ghost-type attacks, while Rain boosts Bug-type moves.
Form a team in a Party to charge up Charged Attacks significantly faster.
Avoid using Fighting-type counters, as Cresselia resists them and will take reduced damage.
Cresselia in Pokémon GO PvP
Cresselia is a legendary staple and dominant force across multiple PvP leagues:
Great League & Ultra League: Thanks to its massive defensive bulk, high stamina, and access to Grass Knot (via Community Day/Elite TM) alongside Moonblast and Future Sight, Cresselia functions as an incredible tank and safe switch, outlasting many standard meta threats.
How Many Trainers are Needed?
Due to its high defensive stats, Cresselia is difficult to defeat with just two players.
Hard Duo / Trio: Possible for high-level trainers utilizing maxed-out Shadow and Mega Ghost/Dark counters in optimal weather.
Safe Group Size: 4 to 7 trainers with standard recommended counters will easily secure a clean victory.
Maximize Your Catch Chances
Golden Razz Berries: Pair Golden Razz Berries with Excellent Curveball throws to optimize your base catch percentage.
Gym Control & Friend Bonus: Battle at gyms controlled by your team color and raid alongside Ultra or Best Friends for additional Premier Balls.
Hundo CP for Cresselia from Raid
Upon defeating Cresselia, you can catch it with the following CP values:
Standard Catch CP (Level 20, No Weather Boost): 1633 CP
Weather Boosted Catch CP (Level 25, Windy): 2041 CP
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cresselia be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Shiny Cresselia is available in Pokémon GO, giving you a chance to encounter its distinct purple-and-gold form after a raid!
What is the best Fast Attack for Cresselia?
In both raids and PvP, Psycho Cut is generally preferred for faster energy generation, though Confusion offers higher raw Psychic-type damage output in specific matchups.
FUN FACT: Cresselia is paired with Darkrai as part of the lunar duo representing dreams and nightmares in Sinnoh lore, and it frequently appears in Pokémon GO’s Five-Star raid rotation during special seasonal events.
For official event announcements and updates, check out the Pokémon GO official website.
Manage your personalized search experience:
Add this site to your Google Search Preferences list
