'Pokémon Go' Special Raid Weekend: Rayquaza Counters and Everything You Need to Know

A special Raid event is happening this weekend in Pokémon Go, giving trainers another chance at catching a powerful Legendary with an exclusive move.

Rayquaza will be returning to Raids in Pokémon Go. This time, though, the Dragon and Flying-type of the Hoenn region will be appearing with the exclusive move Hurricane, giving it a powerful Flying-type attack.

While trainers are enjoying the current Weather Week event, they can also test their battling skills against this powerful Pokémon for a limited time.

Here's everything you need to know about the special Raid Weekend event in Pokémon Go and what you need to take down Rayquaza.

pokemon go rayquaza raid counters
Rayquaza returns to 'Pokemon Go' for a special Raid weekend event. Niantic

POKEMON GO SPECIAL RAID WEEKEND START TIME

The special Raid Weekend event starts from Saturday, March 27, at 10 a.m. to Sunday, March 28, at 8 p.m. local time.

POKEMON GO RAYQUAZA RAID COUNTER

Rayquaza is a Dragon and Flying-type Pokémon, making it weak to Rock, Fairy, Dragon and Ice-type attacks.

Ice-type attacks are four times effective against Rayquaza, so it's best to bring as many of those as possible into battle against it. There are some powerful Pokémon already in the game that will help against Rayquaza—and especially some Mega Pokémon.

Mega Abomasnow will increase the Ice-type attacks of everyone joining in the Raid, so it's a powerful option. Just be careful of Rayquaza's Flying-type attacks, which are strong against Mega Abomasnow's Grass typing.

Mega Ampharos is another option to take into battle. It will increase the power of Dragon-type attacks, but the Pokémon is weak to Rayquaza's Dragon moves, so you'll need to tread carefully. The same also goes for Mega Charizard X.

Here's a list of options to bring into battle against Rayquaza:

  • Mega Abomansnow with Powder Snow and Weather Ball (Ice)
  • Mega Ampharos with Charge Beam and Dragon Pulse
  • Mega Charizard X with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
  • Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
  • Tyranitar with Smack Down and Rock Slide
  • Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker
  • Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
  • Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Outrage
  • Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche

POKEMON GO RAID UPDATE

The current Raids in Pokémon Go are the same as when the Weather Week event began. Trainers will find plenty of Water and Electric-type Pokémon to go along with Therian Forme Thundurus.

Rayquaza will show up alongside Thundurus during the Special Raid Weekend event, so be sure to prioritize battling the Dragon-type first, as it's only around for a limited time.

Mega Abomasnow will be appearing in Mega Raids during the weekend, so if you need Mega Energy, you can earn some by taking it down.

Below is the full list of Raid Pokémon during the upcoming weekend. We will update this section if anything changes.

Level 1

  • Slowpoke
  • Murkrow
  • Shinx
  • Tynamo

Level 3

  • Poliwrath
  • Lickitung
  • Swellow
  • Pelipper

Level 5

  • Rayquaza
  • Therian Thundurus

Mega Raids

  • Mega Houndoom
  • Mega Abomasnow
  • Mega Manectric

Which Pokémon are you taking into battle against Rayquaza? Let us know in the comments section.