Best Mega Sableye Recommended Counters and Tips (October 2026)

Mega Sableye is a formidable opponent in Pokémon GO raids, and Trainers will want to prepare their strongest teams for this unique boss. Mega Sableye has a single weakness to Fairy-type attacks (due to its Dark and Ghost typing).

Mega Sableye will return to Mega Raid from Wednesday, October 28, at 6:00 a.m. to Sunday, November 8, 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 October 2026 Pokémon GO Events.

In this guide, I break down the best recommended counters, movesets, budget options, and raid tips you need to secure a smooth victory.

Table of Contents

Mega Sableye Recommended Counters

The following top-tier options deal massive super-effective damage to Mega Sableye:

POKÉMON	RECOMMENDED MOVESET
*Mega Gardevoir*	Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack
*Zacian (Crowned Sword)*	Metal Claw as a Fast Attack and Play Rough as a Charged Attack
*Mega Rayquaza*	Dragon Tail as a Fast Attack and Dragon Ascent as a Charged Attack
*Shadow Gardevoir*	Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack
*Enamorus (Incarnate)*	Fairy Wind as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack
*Shadow Granbull*	Charm as a Fast Attack and Play Rough as a Charged Attack
*Gardevoir*	Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack
*Togekiss*	Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack
*Primarina*	Charm as a Fast Attack and Moonblast as a Charged Attack
*Xerneas*	Fairy Wind as a Fast Attack and Geomancy / Moonblast as a Charged Attack

Legendary, Shadow, and Mega options output incredible damage, but standard Fairy-type alternatives will easily pull their weight due to its core weakness. Remember that you can only use one Mega/Primal Pokémon per raid lobby.

Mega Sableye Raid Boss Moveset

When battling Mega Sableye, it may utilize any of these moves:

Fast Attacks: Feint Attack (Dark) or Shadow Claw (Ghost)
Charged Attacks: Foul Play (Dark), Shadow Sneak (Ghost), Power Gem (Rock), Drain Punch (Fighting), or Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)

Resistances: Avoid bringing Psychic- and Ghost-type attackers, as Mega Sableye heavily resists these types due to its double resistances.

Best Mega Sableye Budget Counters

If you lack high-tier Shadow or Mega Pokémon, these accessible alternatives deliver strong, reliable damage:

Gardevoir with Charm (Fast) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged).
Togekiss with Charm (Fast) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged).
Granbull with Charm (Fast) and Play Rough (Charged).
Primarina with Charm (Fast) and Moonblast (Charged).
Clefable with Charm (Fast) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged).
Galarian Rapidash with Fairy Wind (Fast) and Play Rough (Charged).

Please note that you will need to compensate for not having the high-tier Shadow or Mega Pokémon by powering up (to at least level 35) these budget counters.

Mega Sableye Raid Tips

Lead with a matching Fairy-type Mega Evolution (such as Mega Gardevoir) to maximize damage output for your team.
Match Fast and Charged move types on your attackers to leverage STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) and super-effective multipliers.
Exploit weather boosts for optimal counters: Fog or Windy weather does not boost Fairy types, but Cloudy weather heavily boosts Fairy-type attacks.

How Many Trainers are Needed?

Thanks to its single weakness and manageable defensive stats, elite high-level trainers with maxed-out Fairy counters can easily duo Mega Sableye. For most trainers using standard or budget counters, a safe group of 2 to 4 players ensures a smooth and secure victory.

Can Mega Sableye Be Shiny?

Yes! When you successfully defeat Mega Sableye in raids, the encounter with regular Sableye following the raid has a chance to be Shiny.

Shiny Odds: The standard shiny rate for Mega Raid bosses is approximately 1 in 64 (1.5%). If you are lucky, you might encounter a shimmering gold Sableye!

Hundo CP for Sableye from Raids

After defeating Mega Sableye, you will receive Mega Energy, rewards, and an encounter with regular Sableye (you cannot catch it directly in its Mega form).