Mega Staraptor Pokemon Go Raids: Weaknesses, Best Counters, And Best Moveset

A formidable new Mega-Evolved Pokemon is swooping into Pokemon Go this weekend. Mega Staraptor will appear in Gyms for a limited time as part of the game’s latest Super Mega Raid Day, which takes place on September 19.

Like many other Pokemon, Staraptor doesn’t just receive a significant stat boost upon Mega Evolving; it also changes types. Whereas its standard form is normal and flying, Mega Staraptor becomes fighting and flying, making it an even more potent force in battle.

To help you conquer the new Mega Raid boss, we’ve put together some tips on how to beat Mega Staraptor, including some recommended counters and the best moves to teach your own Staraptor.

Mega Staraptor Raid Day Hours And Bonuses

The Staraptor Super Mega Raid Day takes place on Saturday, September 19. The Mega-Evolved Pokemon will appear in Raids from 2 to 5 PM local time, giving you a three-hour window to battle and catch the new Raid boss.

On top of the Raids, a new Timed Research will also be available during the event hours. Complete these tasks and you’ll earn various rewards, including an encounter with the psychic/fairy Pokemon Gardevoir, who will come in handy when battling against Mega Staraptor.

Finally, the event will offer a handful of bonuses. As with previous Raid Days, the Remote Raid limit is being increased, and you’ll be able to receive even more free Raid Passes when you spin Gym Photo Discs. You can see the full list of bonuses below: 

• Remote Raid limit increased to 20 (September 18-19)
• Receive up to six free Raid Passes by spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms
• Staraptor caught from Super Mega Raids will have Mega Level 1 unlocked
• Increased odds of encountering shiny Staraptor from Super Mega Raids

Mega Staraptor Weaknesses

Although Staraptor is typically a normal/flying type, it becomes a fighting/flying Pokemon upon Mega Evolving, which gives it some additional weaknesses to exploit. Thanks to its new typing, Mega Staraptor is vulnerable to fairy, psychic, and other flying Pokemon.

Ice and electric types are super-effective against it as well, but be wary when using the former, as they’re likewise vulnerable to Mega Staraptor’s fighting attacks. You’ll also want to avoid using rock Pokemon; while these typically have an advantage over flying types, they’ll only do neutral damage to Mega Staraptor, and they’ll take super-effective damage in return if the Raid boss knows Close Combat.

Best Mega Staraptor Counters

You’ll want to stack your party with Pokemon that have a type advantage over Mega Staraptor, especially legendary and other Mega-Evolved Pokemon, as they’ll dish out the most damage to the Raid boss. If you need some help assembling a team, here are a few good choices to use when battling Mega Staraptor.

Fairy

Flying

Electric

Psychic

Best Moves For Mega Staraptor

Staraptor was already one of Pokemon Go’s better attackers, and its Mega-Evolved form is even more powerful, transforming it into one of the game’s fiercest flying Pokemon. To make the most of its typing and stats, your best option is to teach it the Fast Attack Gust and the Charged Attack Fly.

Thanks to Mega Evolution, Staraptor also becomes a formidable fighting Pokemon, which makes the Charged Attack Close Combat a viable alternative to use. Staraptor isn’t able to learn any fighting-type Fast Attacks, so your best option for that move slot is still Gust.

We’re quickly approaching the end of September, but Pokemon Go still has plenty of other events lined up for this month, including a Catch Mastery day focusing on Phantump and a Harvest Festival celebration. You can read more on what’s happening in the game in our September events roundup.