Solgaleo in Pokémon Go: How to Beat It, Raid Times, and Best Counters
Solgaleo in Pokémon Go: Raid Times, Weakness, and Easy Counter Guide
Solgaleo is one of those legendary Pokémon that looks stunning, hits hard, and can still surprise you in a raid. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to grab this celestial lion again in Pokémon Go, your moment has finally come. Niantic has officially announced that Solgaleo will return to 5-Star Raids this July 2025 — and if you’re not ready, this one can be tough to take down.
But don’t worry. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or a casual player jumping in for the hype, this guide will walk you through exactly when Solgaleo is showing up, what its biggest weaknesses are, and which Pokémon you should bring to the battle.
When Is Solgaleo Coming Back in Raids
So first things first — let’s talk timing. Solgaleo will be available in 5-Star Raid Battles starting:
From: Monday, July 1, 2025
To: Friday, July 5, 2025
The best time to go after Solgaleo is during Raid Hour on Wednesday, July 3, from 6 PM to 7 PM local time. During this hour, gyms will be packed with Solgaleo raids, giving you tons of opportunities to team up with friends or jump into remote raids.
Solgaleo Weakness: What Type Works Best
Now here’s the thing — Solgaleo is not your regular Psychic-type. It’s a Psychic + Steel-type Pokémon, which gives it a weird mix of resistances. It resists Fairy, Rock, Ice, and a few other common attackers.
But the good news? Solgaleo has some clear weaknesses too.
Solgaleo is weak to three main types:
- Dark
- Ghost
- Ground
If you bring in strong Pokémon with moves from these types, you’ll have a much easier time taking it down.
Best Counters to Beat Solgaleo Easily
Let’s keep it simple — here are the Pokémon that work best against Solgaleo and why:
Mega Gengar
Hands down, one of the best picks. Its Ghost moves hit hard, and its Mega form boosts other Ghost-types in your team. Use Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball for top damage.
Hydreigon
This Dragon and Dark-type is a tanky pick with solid moves. Use Bite + Brutal Swing and enjoy both power and bulk.
Darkrai
It’s a glass cannon, but if you dodge a little, Darkrai can shred through Solgaleo with Snarl + Dark Pulse or Shadow Ball.
Chandelure
Chandelure’s Hex + Shadow Ball combo is very effective. It’s a Ghost-type that’s not too hard to get and does great raid damage.
Garchomp
If you’re going for a Ground-type route, Mud Shot + Earth Power on Garchomp is a solid bet. Especially helpful if you don’t have strong Ghost or Dark attackers.
And don’t forget backups like Giratina (Origin Forme), Tyranitar with Bite/Crunch, or Mewtwo with Shadow Ball — they’re all useful depending on what you’ve got in your storage.
How Many Players Do You Need to Beat Solgaleo
If you’re bringing top-tier counters, you can beat Solgaleo with just 3 to 4 high-level trainers. That’s assuming you all have strong Pokémon and some Mega or Shadow options.
For most players, it’s safest to raid with 5 to 6 trainers. That gives you a little breathing room in case someone’s Pokémon aren’t maxed out or the team makeup is mixed.
Newer players or smaller squads might want to join up with 7 or more people just to be sure you don’t waste your passes.
Can You Catch Shiny Solgaleo in Pokémon Go
Unfortunately, shiny Solgaleo is still not available in Pokémon Go at the time of this raid. While we’re all hoping Niantic brings the red-maned shiny version soon, it’s not part of this July 2025 release.
But don’t be surprised if it shows up later in a themed event or special research — so keep an eye on updates.
Tips for Catching Solgaleo After the Raid
Okay, so you’ve beaten Solgaleo. Now comes the tricky part — catching it.
Solgaleo has a very low base catch rate (around 2%), so it’s all about timing and precision.
Here’s what helps:
- Use Golden Razz Berries – every time
- Wait for it to attack, then throw a curveball right after
- Try to hit Excellent throws as often as possible
- Don’t waste balls on bad timing — be patient
You’ll get 6–12 Premier Balls depending on how well your team performed. Make each one count.
Is Solgaleo Worth Catching in 2025
Let’s be real — yes, it is. Even though Solgaleo isn’t top-tier in PvP or meta-defining in raids, it’s still:
- A rare and beautiful legendary from Alola
- Decent in PvE battles and Rocket Grunt fights
- Useful in the Master League if you get high IVs
- Part of Lunala-Solgaleo evolution line, which is unique
Plus, if you’re a Pokédex completionist or just want bragging rights, you definitely don’t want to miss this one.
Final Thoughts: Be Raid Ready and Catch Your Solgaleo
Solgaleo is one of those raid bosses that combines cool design, challenge, and collector’s appeal. You don’t need to go too deep into the meta to beat it — just bring solid Ghost, Dark, and Ground Pokémon, team up with a few friends, and you’re good to go.
Even if you already have one from past events, now’s a great time to go for better IVs, extra XL candy, or just enjoy a fun legendary raid. Solgaleo won’t stick around long, so mark your calendar for July 1 to July 5, and make the most of it.
Good luck, trainers – and may your throws be Excellent!
