Lunala, the mascot Pokémon from the game Pokémon Moon, has now appeared in Pokémon GO as a five-star raid boss. This marks the first opportunity to obtain it through raids, as previously it could only be evolved from Cosmoem. Given Lunala`s formidable power, thorough preparation and an effective strategy are essential for a successful capture. This guide will help you defeat and catch this legendary Pokémon before it departs from raids.
Lunala Raid Schedule
Lunala will be available in raids from July 22 to 28. Your best chances to encounter it will be on July 23 during the Lunala Raid Hour, from 6 PM to 7 PM local time, when most nearby gyms will host Lunala raids.
Lunala`s Weaknesses
Lunala possesses a unique Psychic/Ghost typing. This combination makes it extremely vulnerable to Dark and Ghost-type attacks, which deal quadruple damage.
Best Lunala Counters
Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon are most effective when battling Lunala. Here are some specific recommendations to use against the legendary:
Dark-Type Pokémon
| Pokemon | Type | Recommended Fast Attack | Recommended Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Tyranitar | Rock/Dark | Bite | Brutal Swing |
| Mega Absol | Dark | Snarl | Brutal Swing | Mega Houndoom | Dark/Fire | Snarl | Foul Play |
| Hydreigon | Dragon/Dark | Bite | Brutal Swing |
| Mega Gyarados | Water/Dark | Bite | Crunch |
Ghost-Type Pokémon
| Pokemon | Type | Recommended Fast Attack | Recommended Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Banette | Ghost | Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball |
| Hisuian Zoroark | Normal/Ghost | Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball |
| Dragapult | Dragon/Ghost | Astonish | Shadow Ball |
| Gholdengo | Steel/Ghost | Hex | Shadow Ball |
| Mega Sableye | Ghost/Dark | Shadow Claw | Foul Play |
Note that Ghost-type Pokémon are also vulnerable to Ghost-type attacks. Some of the recommended Pokémon have a secondary type that can help them endure longer in battle against Lunala.
Types to Avoid
Due to its typing, Lunala is highly effective against Poison and Fighting-type Pokémon. Also, avoid using Normal-type Pokémon, as they will inflict minimal damage.
Shiny Lunala Availability
The shiny form of Lunala is not yet available in Pokémon GO. In raids, you will only encounter its standard variant. Shiny Lunala can be obtained in other Pokémon games, such as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Fusion with Necrozma
Lunala, like Solgaleo, can fuse with the legendary Pokémon Necrozma to form an even more powerful entity. To fuse Lunala with Necrozma into Dawn Wings Necrozma, you will need 1,000 Lunar Fusion Energy, 30 Necrozma Candy, and 30 Cosmog Candy. The fusion will remain active until you manually separate them.
Dawn Wings Necrozma is one of the best attacking Pokémon in Pokémon GO thanks to its high attack stats. For maximum damage, it`s recommended to use the Fast Attack Psycho Cut and the Charged Attack Moongeist Beam.
Lunala will leave raids on July 28. Don`t miss your chance!