Mega Rayquaza is the hardest raid boss in Pokémon GO and the single best Dragon-type attacker you can add to your account. With a massive attack stat and a double weakness to Ice, it is also one of the most counter-friendly raids in the game — if you bring the right team. Here is the full 2026 counter guide.
Mega Rayquaza Raid Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Dragon / Flying |
| Raid boss CP | ~80,000+ |
| Weaknesses | Ice (4x), Rock, Dragon, Fairy |
| Resistances | Fire, Water, Grass, Bug, Fighting, Ground |
| Recommended trainers | 4–6 with strong Ice teams |
The 4x Ice weakness is the entire strategy. Every other matchup is a trap. Dragon vs Dragon looks tempting, but Mega Rayquaza’s Dragon moves shred your own dragons while Ice attackers deal double damage.
Best Counters: Ice-Type Attackers
| Attacker | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Kyogre (Primal) | Waterfall | Blizzard |
| Mega Gardevoir | Charm | Dazzling Gleam |
| Galarian Darmanitan | Ice Fang | Avalanche |
| Mamoswine | Powder Snow | Avalanche |
| Glaceon | Frost Breath | Avalanche |
| Weavile | Ice Shard | Avalanche |
Mamoswine and Galarian Darmanitan are the best budget options — both are widely available and hit the 4x multiplier hard. If you already built an Ice raid squad, our best Ice-type attackers guide ranks every option with DPS math.
Best Mega Evolutions to Bring
Mega Gardevoir boosts Fairy damage for your whole lobby, and Primal Kyogre boosts Water while providing Blizzard coverage. Do not bring Mega Rayquaza itself — its Dragon typing means it takes neutral or resisted damage and gives the lobby no useful boost. See the best Mega Evolutions guide for the full ranking.
Raid Strategy and Tips
- Party size: 4–6 trainers with proper Ice teams; 2–3 only with maxed counters.
- Weather: Snow boosts Ice moves by 20% — always raid in Snow if possible.
- Dodge: Dodge the charged move Dragon Ascent; it can one-shot glass cannons.
- Friend boost: Raid with Best Friends for bonus balls and damage.
Rewards and Catch Tips
Mega Rayquaza gives Dragon and Flying candy plus a chance at a Mega-eligible Rayquaza with the exclusive move Dragon Ascent. Use a Golden Razz Berry on every throw during the bonus challenge, and prioritise Excellent curveball throws for the best catch rate. Check the September 2026 raid schedule for exact Mega Rayquaza windows, and the Dragon-type attacker rankings if you want it as an attacker afterwards.
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