These lists of the May 2026 Pokémon GO Raids Recommended Counters will help you figure out which Pokémon you need to prepare for the upcoming Five-Star Raid battles in Pokémon GO. These are the recommended counters you should have in your battle party against the featured Legendary Pokémon for each week in May 2026.
SEE: May 2026 Pokémon GO Events
Tapu Lele: Pokémon GO Raids Recommended Counters
Until Tuesday, May 5, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Tapu Lele is a Psychic- and Fairy-type Pokémon that is weak to Poison-, Ghost-, and Steel-type attacks.
- Mega Metagross with Shadow Claw as a Fast Attack and Meteor Mash as a Charged Attack
- Zamazenta (Crowned Shield) with Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Behemoth Bash as a Charged Attack
- Zacian (Crowned Sword) with Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Behemoth Blade as a Charged Attack
- Necrozma (Dusk Mane) with Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Sunsteel Strike as a Charged Attack
- Necrozma (Dawn Wings) with Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Moongeist Beam as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Metagross with Bullet Punch as a Fast Attack and Meteor Mash as a Charged Attack
Shadow Latios: Recommended Counters
Until Tuesday, May 5, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
- Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail as a Fast Attack and Breaking Swipe as a Charged Attack
- Eternatus with Dragon Tail as a Fast Attack and Dynamax Cannon as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Garchomp with Dragon Tail as a Fast Attack and Breaking Swipe as a Charged Attack
- Black Kyurem with Dragon Tail as a Fast Attack and Freeze Shock as a Charged Attack
- White Kyurem with Dragon Breath as a Fast Attack and Ice Burn as a Charged Attack
- Necrozma (Dawn Wings) with Psy-cho Cut as a Fast Attack and Moongeist Beam as a Charged Attack
- Rayquaza with Dragon Tail as a Fast Attack and Breaking Swipe as a Charged Attack
Nihilego Recommended Counters
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, May 12, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Nihilego is a Rock- and Poison-type Pokémon that is extremely weak to Ground-type attacks. It is also weak to Steel-, Water-, and Psychic-type attacks.
- Primal Groudon with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Precipice Blades as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Groudon with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Precipice Blades as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Garchomp with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Earth Power as a Charged Attack
- Landorus Therian with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Sandsear Storm as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Excadrill with Mud-Slap as a Fast Attack and Scorching Sands as a Charged Attack
- Groudon with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Precipice Blades as a Charged Attack
Buzzwole Recommended Counters
Wednesday, May 13, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, May 19, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Buzzwole is a Bug- and Fighting-type Pokémon that is extremely weak to Flying-type attacks. It is also weak to Fire-, Psychic-, and Fairy-type attacks.
- Mega Rayquaza with Air Slash as a Fast Attack and Dragon Ascent as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Moltres with Wing Attack as a Fast Attack and Fly as a Charged Attack
- Rayquaza with Air Slash as a Fast Attack and Dragon Ascent as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Salamence with Fire Fang as a Fast Attack and Fly as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Ho-oh with Incinerate as a Fast Attack and Brave Bird as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Staraptor with Gust as a Fast Attack and Fly as a Charged Attack
- Yveltal with Gust as a Fast Attack and Oblivion Wing as a Charged Attack
Pheromosa Recommended Counters
Wednesday, May 13, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, May 19, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Pheromosa is a Bug- and Fighting-type Pokémon that is extremely weak to Ground-type attacks. It is also weak to Steel-, Water-, and Psychic-type attacks.
- Mega Rayquaza with Air Slash as a Fast Attack and Dragon Ascent as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Moltres with Wing Attack as a Fast Attack and Fly as a Charged Attack
- Rayquaza with Air Slash as a Fast Attack and Dragon Ascent as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Salamence with Fire Fang as a Fast Attack and Fly as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Ho-oh with Incinerate as a Fast Attack and Brave Bird as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Staraptor with Gust as a Fast Attack and Fly as a Charged Attack
- Yveltal with Gust as a Fast Attack and Oblivion Wing as a Charged Attack
Xurkitree Recommended Counters
Wednesday, May 13, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, May 19, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Xurkitree is an Electric-type Pokémon that is weak to Ground-type attacks.
- Primal Groudon with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Precipice Blades as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Groudon with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Precipice Blades as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Garchomp with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Earth Power as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Excadrill with Mud-Slap as a Fast Attack and Scorching Sands as a Charged Attack
- Landorus Therian with Mud Shot as a Fast Attack and Sandsear Storm as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Mamoswine with Mud-Slap as a Fast Attack and High Horsepower as a Charged Attack
Tapu Bulu Recommended Counters
Wednesday, May 20, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, May 26, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Tapu Bulu is a Grass- and Fairy-type Pokémon that is extremely weak to Poison-type attacks. It is also weak to Flying-, Steel-, Fire-, and Ice-type attacks.
- Mega Beedrill with Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack
- Eternatus with Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack
- Rayquaza with Air Slash as a Fast Attack and Dragon Ascent as a Charged Attack
- Nihilego with Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack
- Zamazenta (Crowned Shield) with Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Behemoth Bash as a Charged Attack
- Zacian (Crowned Sword) with Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Behemoth Blade as a Charged Attack
Tapu Fini Recommended Counters
Wednesday, May 27, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, June 2, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Tapu Fini is a Water- and Fairy-type Pokémon that is weak to Poison-, Grass-, and Electric-type attacks.
- Mega Sceptile with Bullet Seed as a Fast Attack and Frenzy Plant as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock as a Fast Attack and Wild Charge as a Charged Attack
- Regieleki with Thunder Shock as a Fast Attack and Thunder Cage as a Charged Attack
- Kartana with Razor Leaf as a Fast Attack and Leaf Blade as a Charged Attack
- Xurkitree with Thunder Shock as a Fast Attack and Discharge as a Charged Attack
- Eternatus with Poison Jab as a Fast Attack and Sludge Bomb as a Charged Attack
Shadow Cresselia: Pokémon GO Raids Recommended Counters
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. local time to Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Shadow Cresselia is a Psychic-type Pokémon that is weak to Bug-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks.
- Mega Gengar with Lick as a Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as a Charged Attack
- Necrozma (Dawn Wings) with Shadow Claw as a Fast Attack and Moongeist Beam as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Darkrai with Snarl as a Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Tyranitar with Bite as a Fast Attack and Brutal Swing as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Chandelure with Hex as a Fast Attack and Shadow Ball as a Charged Attack
- Shadow Hydreigon with Bite as a Fast Attack and Brutal Swing as a Charged Attack
- Heracross with Fury Cutter as a Fast Attack and Megahorn as a Charged Attack
You may not have all the recommended Pokémon. In that case, you should focus on using Pokémon with similar attack types. If you go with this option, you should also ensure the Pokémon you use have the best IVs and high CPs.
