Legendary Pokémon Raids in Pokémon GO: A 2023 Deep Dive

What a year it’s been for Pokémon GO trainers! 2023 has been overflowing with opportunities to battle and catch some of the most powerful creatures in the Pokémon universe – the Legendary Pokémon. If you’re wondering which Legendaries graced the raid scene throughout the year, or you simply want a refresher, here’s a comprehensive overview:

Throughout 2023, the following Legendary Pokémon have appeared in raids:

• Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos (July): The original trio kicked off July with a bang, offering trainers a chance at their shiny forms.

• Regieleki (July): This Electric-type titan made its presence known in the middle of July.

• Regidrago (July-August): Following Regieleki, Regidrago stormed the raids with its Dragon-type power.

• Cresselia (August): The Lunar Pokémon blessed August with its Psychic-type prowess and potential for a shiny encounter.

• Xerneas and Yveltal (August-September): The Fairy and Dark mascots of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y graced the raids simultaneously, giving trainers a challenging choice.

• Raikou, Entei, and Suicune (September-October): These Legendary beasts from the Johto region made their appearance. Shiny Raikou was specifically available during this period.

• Groudon and Kyogre (August): We saw a shift in tides as Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre appeared in Primal Raids for a limited time! This marked a huge opportunity to obtain these powerful, new forms.

• Rayquaza (February-March, August): This serpent dragon made its return to raids in February and March. Most excitingly, Mega Rayquaza made its global debut during Pokémon GO Fest 2023: Global in August!

• Thundurus, Landorus, and Tornadus (March-April): The Forces of Nature trio swarmed raids during this timeframe.

• Lugia (March-April): This Guardian of the Seas dominated raids for a couple of weeks in Spring.

• Regigigas (May-June): The colossal Regi made its comeback.

• Guzzlord (September-October): The Ultra Beast added some monstrous strength to the raids

• Darkrai (September-October): This Pitch-Black Pokemon brought some dark energy to the raids.

• Shadow Regirock (October onwards): You’ll need to face Giovanni to encounter this shadow pokemon!

This list, however, does not cover every single event or minor appearance. It highlights the major, scheduled raid appearances of Legendary Pokémon throughout 2023. Always stay tuned to official Pokémon GO announcements for the most up-to-date information on current and upcoming events. The Games Learning Society has great discussions on events such as these.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Legendary Raids in Pokémon GO 2023

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further enhance your knowledge of Legendary Pokémon raids in 2023:

What is a Legendary Raid in Pokémon GO?

A Legendary Raid is a special type of raid battle in Pokémon GO featuring a Legendary Pokémon. These raids are typically five-star raids and require multiple trainers to cooperate to defeat the powerful boss Pokémon.

How do I find Legendary Raids?

Legendary Raids appear at Gyms marked with an egg icon. The color and markings on the egg indicate the raid’s difficulty. You can use the Nearby feature to spot ongoing raids or those about to begin. Remote Raid Passes allow you to join raids from afar!

What is a Remote Raid Pass?

A Remote Raid Pass allows you to join any raid battle you can see on the Nearby screen, regardless of your physical location. This is particularly useful for participating in Legendary Raids that are not easily accessible.

How many trainers are needed for a Legendary Raid?

While technically possible with fewer trainers under optimal circumstances, it’s generally recommended to have at least 5-6 high-level trainers to reliably defeat a Legendary Raid boss. Coordination and effective counters are crucial.

What are the best counters for Legendary Raids?

The best counters depend on the specific Legendary Pokémon you are facing. Researching the boss’s type and vulnerabilities is essential. Websites like GamePress and Pokebattler provide detailed counter guides.

How do I catch a Legendary Pokémon after defeating it in a raid?

After a successful Legendary Raid, you’ll receive a limited number of Premier Balls. Use these carefully and employ techniques like curveball throws and Golden Razz Berries to increase your chances of catching the Legendary Pokémon.

Can Legendary Pokémon be shiny in raids?

Yes, many Legendary Pokémon have a chance to appear in their shiny form after a raid battle. However, the shiny rate is usually low, so it may take multiple attempts.

What is a Shadow Legendary Pokémon?

A Shadow Legendary Pokémon is a corrupted version of a Legendary Pokémon controlled by Team GO Rocket. These Pokémon have boosted attack stats but reduced defense. They are obtained by defeating Giovanni.

How do I encounter Shadow Legendary Pokémon?

To encounter a Shadow Legendary Pokémon, you must first defeat Team GO Rocket Leaders (Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra) to obtain a Super Rocket Radar. This will lead you to Giovanni, the boss of Team GO Rocket. Defeating him grants you the opportunity to catch the Shadow Legendary Pokémon.

How often do Legendary Raids occur?

The frequency of Legendary Raids varies depending on the events in Pokémon GO. They often coincide with special events, season changes, or the release of new Pokémon. Keep an eye on the official Pokémon GO news and social media channels for announcements.

What is a Primal Reversion?

Primal Reversion is a special transformation for Groudon and Kyogre that significantly boosts their power and changes their typing. You need Primal Energy to initiate this reversion.

How do I get Primal Energy?

Primal Energy is primarily obtained by defeating Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre in Primal Raids. The faster you defeat the raid boss, the more Primal Energy you will receive.

How long does Primal Reversion last?

A Pokémon undergoing Primal Reversion will stay in its primal form for eight hours. The more times your Pokémon undergoes Primal Reversion, the less Primal Energy will be used.

Will previous Legendary Pokémon return to raids?

Yes, Legendary Pokémon often return to raids during subsequent events or seasons. Niantic frequently rotates the available Legendary Pokémon to keep the game fresh and engaging.

Where can I stay up-to-date on future Legendary Raids?

Follow the official Pokémon GO news, social media channels, and reputable Pokémon GO community resources. Many websites and YouTubers dedicate their time to tracking upcoming events and raid schedules. You can also engage with communities, such as the GamesLearningSociety.org, for more information.