Shadow Raikou Raid Guide

CP Range

Move Difficulty

Thunder Shock is an outstanding Electric Type Fast Move, but it's pretty underwhelming on a Raid Boss due to its low raw power. Meanwhile, Thunder has solid power, but it's also Shadow Raikou's one and only single-bar move, so it's not extremely threatening. Still, it shouldn't be underestimated due to the fact that it's not an easy move to dodge.

For the intermediate moves, Wild Charge and Thunderbolt are fairly similar. They're both 2-bar Electric moves with similar damage output and damage windows when used by Shadow Raikou, though Wild Charge is a bit stronger.

Volt Switch is a threatening move when utilized by a Raid Boss due to its high base power, which is boosted by STAB. It's leagues above Thunder Shock, and is objectively harder to face. Fortunately, all of Shadow Raikou's best counters at least double-resist Electric Type moves, so it's not as dangerous as it may seem in this case. Finally, Shadow Ball sports outstanding neutral coverage and high power, making it pretty threatening, even if it is relatively easy to dodge.

Overview

Shadow Raikou has long been a high-priority Pokemon due to its sheer electrical power. This fact makes this raid a pretty tempting proposition for anyone actively searching for more raw power on their team. Fortunately, Shadow Raikou has a bit of a wall to climb when it comes to its counters, as it's facing down some of the strongest Pokemon in the game, virtually all of which sport a double resistance to Electric Type moves. Still, Shadow Raikou can pose a threat, so build your team with care when attempting to challenge this sparking beast of legend.

Approach

Shadow Raikou's status as a mono-Electric Type means that it only has one weakness: Ground. The top Ground Types can shred Shadow Raikou with their high damage output, and their resistances make them extremely bulky as well.

Dodging Strategy

Generally speaking, dodging isn't necessary in this raid. Ground's double-resistance to Electric Type moves puts in a lot of work, so longevity shouldn't be an issue. Still, dodging to get out an additional Charged Move has the potential to grant some dividends, so don't be afraid to dodge when low on HP/high on energy.

It's also probably worth dodging Shadow Ball. It's got fairly threatening neutral coverage, and isn't very hard to dodge.

Best Raid Counters

Supreme Mega Evolution Counters

Behold the king.

Primal Groudon is undeniably among the strongest Pokemon in the entire game, and the competition isn't even close This thing destroys Shadow Raikou, and even has a passive boost to Ground Types on your team just by existing. Bring Primal Groudon along if you have it!

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (2x), Volt Switch (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Wild Charge (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

Good Mega Evolution Counters

A triple resistance to Electric Type moves is not to be ignored, but this monster still falls behind the raw power of Primal Groudon. Regardless, it's still very good in its own right!

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (3x), Volt Switch (3x), Thunder (3x), Thunderbolt (3x), Wild Charge (3x)
• Weaknesses: None

Mega Swampert can'r really hold a candle to the above, in part due to the fact that it doesn't double-resist Electric moves, but it's still a good filler option if you can't utilize the above options.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock, Volt Switch, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Wild Charge
• Weaknesses: None

Supreme Counters

High stats and the huge power of Precipice Blades can put in a lot of work, and when adding the Shadow Boost to that pairing you get a monster of the earth. Shadow Groudon boasts tremendous DPS and TDO alike, making it the top pick for this raid outside of its primal self.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (2x), Volt Switch (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Wild Charge (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

Shadow Excadrill's a DPS monster, and its Steel sub-typing frequently gives it a unique niche in any raid that it's called on for. Well, Steel doesn't help here, but Excadrill is still great.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (2x), Volt Switch (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Wild Charge (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

Shadow Garchomp has a better comparison to Shadow Groudon than Mega Garchomp has to Primal Groudon. This is partly due to the fact that its 3x Electric resistance actually allows it a higher TDO, while its DPS remains very high.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (3x), Volt Switch (3x), Thunder (3x), Thunderbolt (3x), Wild Charge (3x)
• Weaknesses: None

Shadow Mamoswine is best known for its huge Ice Type power, but it's also very competent as a Ground Type as well.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (2x), Volt Switch (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Wild Charge (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

The first non-Shadow/Mega on the list, Landorus - Therian packs a major punch, though it also doesn't have as much of an Electric resistance as much of the competition.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock, Volt Switch, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Wild Charge
• Weaknesses: None

While more well-known for its Rock moveset (and with good reason), Shadow Rhyperior can still move the earth when called on.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (2x), Volt Switch (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Wild Charge (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

Groudon is behind its Shadow forme, obviously, but its high DPS and tremendous TDO keeps it still very much worthy of a spot on the Supreme list.

• Strengths: Thunder Shock (2x), Volt Switch (2x), Thunder (2x), Thunderbolt (2x), Wild Charge (2x)
• Weaknesses: None

Good Counters

While the above Pokemon are the absolute best, many other Pokemon are capable in this raid as well. They have varying degrees of viability, but they can all work very well.