To nobody’s surprise, Rayquaza will be the next legendary Pokémon released, and trainers are excited to raid and catch what will be the best Flying-type attacker in the game. Here are some important tips and facts for the “Sky High” Pokémon.
- Rayquaza can theoretically be duoed with as low as level 35 Jynx. Yes, Rayquaza is the first legendary Pokémon since Moltres that can be 2-manned, due to its low defence stats. In fact, the defence stats are so low that two level 35 trainers can theoretically duo Rayquaza if they have fully powered up Jynx (and be able to quickly reselect the Jynx at least twice after fainting out).
- Generally, Rayquaza raids should be doable with 4 average trainers. Consider Rayquaza as a Dragon/Flying-type version of Tyranitar, but instead of using Fighting-types to counter, you’ll be using Ice or Dragon types. Most trainers should have at least one high powered Dragonite from the old gym system, and trainers should have lots of Jynx candies to invest in a good Jynx, given its abundance before gen 3 was released.
- Save the Rayquazas that you catch. Rayquaza is a Dragon and Flying-type Pokémon, and Dragon-type Pokémon are weak against Dragon-type Pokémon. Rayquaza has the third highest attack in the three generations so far (after Deoxys and Mewtwo), therefore it would be an important arsenal to have and power up if you wanna defeat Rayquaza raids with less than 4 trainers. Once you have a good army of Rayquazas or Rayquaza candy, ensure all of them have Dragon Tail and Outrage as their movesets.
- Rayquaza’s CP range is 1995 to 2083 for non-weather boost and 2494 to 2604 for weather boost. Rayquaza will be weather boosted under windy conditions only. However, given its diverse charge moveset, its moves can be weather boosted in windy or partly cloudy conditions.
- If Salamence becomes a tier 4 raid boss, consider raiding it over other tier 4 raid bosses. Salamence is another very useful Pokémon to use against Rayquaza, given its access to Draco Meteor. If Salamence does not become a raid boss, consider hunting for Bagons and Shelgons over Beldums or Metangs (for Metagross).
- Be careful of Rayquaza if it has a double Dragon moveset. Outrage is probably one of the best attacks in the game, and your Ice-type counters will not resist it. Ever try deliberately not dodging a double Outrage attack from Dragonite? Yes, it hits like a truck…now add the power from a raid boss charge attack. It’s going to hurt.
If anyone else has any tips to share for Rayquaza raids, feel free to comment below or on any social media post. Best of luck to all trainers with this new Legendary Pokémon!