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Pokémon Go Mega Rayquaza counters, weaknesses and moveset explained

How to defeat the mega evolved Dragon and Flying-type Pokémon.

Mega Rayquaza is the Mega Evolved form of Rayquaza - the fan favourite to end all fan favourites. This Pokémon is so good in the main series - so game-breakingly good - that its arrival in the world of Pokémon Go was long awaited.

Mega Rayquaza was released globally as part of Go Fest Global 2023 before making a return to Pokémon Go in Elite Raids during 2024. Keep in mind that you'll need a Meteorite for this Mega Evolution.

Like all Mega Evolutions, Mega Rayquaza can’t be caught directly in Pokémon Go. Instead, you need to keep defeating it in Mega Raids until you’ve collected enough Mega Rayquaza Energy for its temporary evolution. However, due to how obscenely powerful it is, there are a couple of other hoops you need to jump through: Meteorites and Dragon Ascent.

Below you’ll find Mega Rayquaza’s counters and weaknesses to help you succeed in Pokémon Go - just remember you need to have an Rayquaza in your Pokémon storage to perform its Mega Evolution.

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Mega Rayquaza counters and weaknesses in Pokémon Go

The fastest way to collect Mega Rayquaza energy is to defeat one in a Mega Raid. Below you’ll find the counters and weaknesses for Mega Rayquaza to help you achieve this:

  • Mega Rayquaza types - Dragon and Flying
  • Mega Rayquaza is double-weak against - Ice
  • Mega Rayquaza is weak against - Dragon, Fairy and Rock
  • Mega Rayquaza is resistant to - Bug, Fighting, Fire and Water
  • Mega Rayquaza is double-resistant to - Grass and Ground
  • Mega Rayquaza Mega counters - Mega Abomasnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball is the way to go. After this, Mega Latios, Mega Salamence and Mega Latias are your best counters, due to their raw power, but they’re weak to Rayquaza’s Dragon-type attacks. After this, Mega Glalie and Mega Aerodactyl are your best options, but we don’t recommend them if you have anything else in this list. Though you could also a Mega Gardevoir or Mega Rayquaza.
  • Mega Rayquaza non-Mega counters - Avalugg is your strongest counter, running Ice Fang and Avalanche. Kyurem (Glaciate) follows, with Cetitan, Baxcalibur, Galarian Darmanitan, Aurorus and Hisuian Avalugg, both with Ice attacks. If you need something budget, Glaceon, Jynx and Mamoswine (both with Ice attacks), are decent options, but make sure you raid with a couple of other trainers. Beartic, Mr. Rime, Mewtwo, Weavile and Vanilluxe are also good counters choices if you want to mix up your team. It's also worth using a Shadow Mewtwo if you have one.
  • Mega Abomasnow and Avalugg are your top two counters
  • Number of players to beat Mega Rayquaza - Thanks to its double weakness, Mega Rayquaza should be beatable with two to three Trainers bringing optimal Level 40 counters.
  • Tactics - Channel your inner 90s child and bring Ice, Ice, baby. Mega Abomasnow is a fairly budget one as a non-Legendary, and there are decent budget options for those who don’t have the likes of Avalugg and Kyurem. Just bring your strongest Ice-type Pokémon and tell Rayquaza to chill.

How to get Mega Rayquaza in Pokémon Go

First things first: Mega Rayquaza is not like other Mega Pokémon.

Rayquaza.

While Pokémon Go has avoided move-based evolutions, it has adopted this special evolution method for Mega Rayquaza. This means that on top of using Mega Energy, Rayquaza can only mega evolve if you have the right move - and if you’re a fan of the main series games, you probably know which move we’re talking about.

If you’re already reaching for your Elite TMs, we have bad news for you - you can only learn the move you need Rayquaza’s signature move Dragon Ascent with the brand new item: Meteorite.

So, to mega evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon Go, you need to:

  1. Get a Meteorite
  2. Use a Meteorite to teach Rayquaza the Charged move Dragon Ascent
  3. Have enough Mega Energy
  4. Click Mega Evolve

Mega Rayquaza CP in Pokémon Go

Below you’ll find the CP levels for battling for Mega Rayquaza and, if defeated, catching an Rayquaza after the fight in Pokémon Go:

  • Mega Rayquaza Raid CP - 88,200 CP
  • CP range for catching Rayquaza - 2102 to 2191 CP
  • Weather (Windy) when being caught - 2627 to 2739 CP

The Max Out Season is here. The new global event, Wild Area, is nearly here and In the Wild is our lead-up event, which includes the global release of Toxel. You can now catch Dynamax Pokémon through Max Battles. First, however, you need to visit Power Spots to collect Max Particles and complete the To the Max! quest. Don't forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.


Best Mega Rayquaza moveset in Pokémon Go

Our recommendation for Mega Rayquaza's best moveset if Dragon Tail as a Fast Move and Dragon Ascent as a Charged Attack. Keep in mind you need Dragon Ascent to actually complete Rayquaza's Mega Evolution, so this Charged Attack is a given.

Dragon Tail is a Dragon-type move, while, despite its name, Dragon Ascent is a Flying-type move. Due to this, you are able to enjoy two different types when attacking with Mega Rayquaza. It also helps that Dragon Ascent is quite the powerful attack!

Here are all the Fast and Charged moves Mega Rayquaza can use in Pokémon Go:

Mega Rayquaza.

Fast Moves:

  • Air Slash (Flying)
  • Dragon Tail (Dragon)

Charged Moves:

  • Outrage (Dragon)
  • Aerial Ace (Flying)
  • Ancient Power (Rock)

Legacy Charged Moves:

  • Breaking Swipe (Dragon)
  • Hurricane (Flying)
  • Dragon Ascent (Flying)

Everything we know about Rayquaza

The Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza, is ridiculously good.

Rayquaza is a Dragon/Flying-type that cannot evolve – apart from its Mega Evolution. (Image via pokemongolive.com)

Not only is it very good, but it is also a very cool-looking Pokémon. You first encountered this sweet Pokémon after beating the Elite Four is Sapphire and Ruby. As part of the end-game content, you battle and (hopefully) catch Rayquaza before jetting off into space to battle and (hopefully) catch Deoxys!

If you want to learn more about the flying green noodle, you can read its official Pokédex entry below:

  • Rayquaza: 'Rayquaza is said to have lived for hundreds of millions of years. Legends remain of how it put to rest the clash between Kyogre and Groudon.'

For those looking for a shiny, you’ll be pleased to know that shiny Rayquaza was released in July 2019. As a result, Mega Rayquaza is also in the game, and it looks incredible!

Shiny Rayquaza and shiny Mega Rayquaza swap green for jet black! It’s a simple change, but there’s no denying it’s an effective one.

Image credit: Niantic

Good luck defeating Mega Rayquaza in Pokémon Go!

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