Pokemon Go Mega Raids Guide: All The Mega Raid Bosses And Best Counters

Mega Evolution has arrived in Pokemon Go. With this new feature, players now have the ability to transform certain Pokemon into new, more powerful forms. To do that, however, you'll first need to collect that monster's Mega Energy, and the primary way to obtain that is through Mega Raids, a new type of Raid Battle that pits players against a Mega-Evolved Pokemon. These Raids can be quite challenging, so to help you out, we've rounded up some tips to help you conquer each of the new Mega Raid bosses.

What Are Mega Raids?

Mega Raids are a new tier of Raid Battles that will periodically occur at Gyms. These are roughly equivalent to Legendary Raids in terms of challenge, except they feature a Mega-Evolved Pokemon as the Raid boss.

If you can defeat the Mega-Evolved Pokemon, you'll receive its Mega Energy, which you'll need to Mega Evolve your own Pokemon. The faster you defeat the Raid boss, the more Mega Energy and other rewards you'll earn after the battle. You'll also get a chance to catch the Raid boss (in its standard, non-Mega-Evolved form).

Mega Raid Bosses And Counters

Mega Raids launched with four possible bosses: Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Blastoise. Since then, Niantic has introduced Mega Pidgeot to the mix as well, while Mega Houndoom will make its debut in Mega Raids starting September 29.

Each Mega Raid boss is about on par with Legendary Pokemon in terms of their strength and CP, so you'll need to team up with other players and bring the appropriate counters before challenging them. We've rounded up specific tips and recommendations to help you battle each boss below.

Mega Venusaur

Like its base form, Mega Venusaur is a Grass/Poison type, which makes it weak to Fire, Psychic, Ice, and Flying Pokemon. Some good monsters to bring along when facing it include Ho-Oh, Charizard, Heatran, Mewtwo, Metagross, Kyurem, and Rayquaza.

Mega Charizard

Mega Charizard Y also shares the same typing as its base form: Fire/Flying. Rock types like Rhyperior and Tyranitar have the biggest advantage over it, but Water and Electric Pokemon will deal super-effective damage as well. Good counters include Kyogre, Suicune, Swampert, Raikou, and Electivire.

Mega Charizard X, however, is a little different. This form is a Fire/Dragon type, so you'll want to counter it with Rock, Ground, and other Dragon Pokemon. Rhyperior and Tyranitar are still reliable counters, but you can also bring along Dragonite, Salamence, Rayquaza, and other Dragon types--just keep in mind that they'll take super-effective damage in return if Mega Charizard X knows any Dragon-type attacks.

Mega Blastoise

Mega Blastoise is a pure Water type, making it weak to Grass and Electric Pokemon. Venusaur, Tangrowth, Exeggutor, Raikou, and Electivire will all be especially helpful when challenging it.

Mega Pidgeot

Like its standard form, Mega Pidgeot is a Normal/Flying Pokemon, which means it's weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock types. Rhyperior, Tyranitar, and Golem are your best bets as they'll resist Pidgeot's Normal and Flying moves, but Weavile, Electivire, Raikou, and Mamoswine will also be particularly helpful when challenging it.

Mega Houndoom

Mega Houndoom is a Dark/Fire type, so you'll want to use Rock, Ground, Fighting, and Water Pokemon when battling it. Rhyperior, Tyranitar, Golem, and other strong Rock types are once again great choices, but you'll also find Swampert, Suicune, Mega Blastoise, Machamp, and Conkeldurr very helpful against it.