Lugia has returned to Pokémon GO as part of the Delightful Days event, giving players another chance to face off against the iconic Psychic and Flying-type Legendary. Known for its high defense and signature move Aeroblast, Lugia is a staple of raid rotations and a frequent target for both collectors and battlers.
This appearance aligns with the seasonal focus on classic Legendaries, bringing back one of the most recognizable raid bosses for a limited window. Lugia’s shiny form is also available, making its raids particularly appealing for those looking to complete or enhance their Legendary collections.
Raid details and difficulty
Lugia is featured in five-star raids during the event, with its typical raid boss stats and mechanics intact. While not the most punishing Legendary, its high defense can make fights drag on if teams are underpowered. Coordinated groups of four to six players are generally recommended to handle the encounter efficiently.
Its move pool can include Psychic, Flying, and Water-type attacks, which makes it versatile defensively but predictable in terms of weaknesses. Lugia is weak to Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, and Dark moves, which opens up a wide range of viable counters.
Effective counters and strategies
Top attackers for this raid include strong Electric-types like Zekrom and Therian Thundurus, Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Galarian Darmanitan, and Dark or Ghost attackers like Chandelure, Giratina (Origin Forme), and Darkrai. Rock-types like Rampardos and Rhyperior also perform well, especially if Lugia is running Flying moves.
Weather boosts can shift the ideal counter pool slightly. Windy weather favors Lugia by powering up its Flying and Psychic attacks, while Snow, Fog, and Partly Cloudy weather can give an edge to player counters by boosting Ice, Dark, or Rock moves.
Rewards and shiny potential
Defeating Lugia grants the usual Legendary raid rewards, including a shot at its shiny form, which features a subtle but noticeable shift to a lighter pink hue. Catch rates remain typical for five-star raids, so Golden Razz Berries and well-timed curveballs are essential for securing a successful capture.
For those focused on PvP, high-IV Lugia with Aeroblast continues to hold relevance in the Master League. Its bulk and coverage make it a cornerstone of several competitive teams, keeping its raid appearances valuable beyond simple collection.
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