#0243 Legendary Shadow

Shadow Raikou

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 3,902 Thunder Shock + Wild Charge Rainy
Shadow Raikou Pokemon GO sprite Shadow

Shadow Raikou is a Legendary Electric-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Johto region (#243, Generation 2). With a max CP of 3,902 and base stats of 241/195/207 (Atk/Def/Sta), Shadow Raikou has a total stat product of 643. Shadow Raikou's best moveset is Thunder Shock and Wild Charge, making it a competitive Electric-type attacker for raids.

Shadow Raikou is weak to Ground-type moves. It resists Electric, Flying, Steel-type attacks. Shadow Raikou is a 20.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
3,902
Lv.40: 3,452 Lv.50: 3,902
Attack 241
Defense 195
Stamina 207
Total 643
Buddy 20.0 km Gen 2 · Johto 2nd Move: 100,000 Dust · 100 Candy

Rankings

Raid Attacker
Electric type
Electric type
Electric Attacker
B
#10
16.9
DPS
368
TDO
0 type Thunder Shock
Electric type Wild Charge
Fighting type
Fighting type
Fighting Attacker
B
#12
17.3
DPS
377
TDO
0 type Thunder Shock
Fighting type Aura Sphere
Ghost type
Ghost type
Ghost Attacker
C
#30
14.9
DPS
323
TDO
0 type Thunder Shock
Ghost type Shadow Ball
PvP Battle
Master League
C
#35
59.31% Win Rate
Electric type Thunder Shock
Electric type Wild Charge
Ideal IVs 15/15/15

Moves

Fast Moves

Electric
8
DPS
4.0 PWR 7 EN 0.5s DUR 14 EPS Rainy
Electric
8.7
DPS
13.0 PWR 20 EN 1.5s DUR 13.3 EPS Rainy

Charged Moves

Fighting
50
DPS
100.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR
Ghost
33.3
DPS
100.0 PWR 50 EN 3.0s DUR
Electric
Thunder STAB
40
DPS
100.0 PWR 100 EN 2.5s DUR
Electric
32
DPS
80.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR
Electric
Wild Charge STAB Buff
36
DPS
90.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

For raids and gym battles, Shadow Raikou's best offensive moveset is Thunder Shock combined with Wild Charge, achieving 16.9 DPS and 368 TDO as a Electric-type attacker (ranked #10, Tier B). Alternatively, Shadow Raikou can serve as a Fighting-type attacker with Thunder Shock and Aura Sphere (#12, Tier B).

In Master League PvP, Shadow Raikou runs Thunder Shock and Wild Charge, ranked #35 (Tier C) with a 59.31% win rate. Shadow Raikou has access to 2 fast moves and 5 charged moves, giving trainers flexibility depending on the battle format.

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Volt Switch (8.7 DPS), while Thunder Shock generates energy the fastest (14 EPS).

Raid Guide

Shadow Raikou as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Shadow Raikou is not currently available as a raid boss. When Shadow Raikou returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Shadow Raikou from raids would have 1972 CP at level 20, or 2466 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

How to Get Shadow Raikou

Shadow Raikou can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Shadow Raikou is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Shadow Raikou knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Shadow Raikou as your buddy earns 1 candy every 20.0 km.

Shadow Raikou Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Shadow Raikou in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
88 – 2,983 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
88 – 3,230 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
1,936 – 2,022 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
2,409 – 2,515 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
1,936 – 2,022 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
1,464 – 1,528 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
1,936 – 2,022 CP

A 100% IV Shadow Raikou from raids or eggs will show 1,972 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Shadow Raikou is a Electric-type Pokemon with a stat total of 643. With its high Attack stat (241), Shadow Raikou is best suited for offensive roles in both raids and PvP.

Watch out for Ground-type moves when using Shadow Raikou. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Shadow Raikou's performance.

Shadow Raikou's moves get a damage boost in Rainy weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 100,000 Stardust and 100 Candy. With 5 charged moves available, a second move gives Shadow Raikou much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Shadow Raikou?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Situational
Shadow Raikou is a solid but not elite Electric-type attacker, sitting at Tier B (#10) in raid performance. With a max CP of 3,902 and base stats of 241/195/207, it can fill a role on your team if you lack stronger Electric-type counters. The best moveset is Thunder Shock paired with Wild Charge. Consider investing if you need a Electric-type attacker now, but hold off on XL Candy investment as better alternatives exist. A useful stepping stone rather than an endgame pick.

In PvP (Master League), Shadow Raikou is ranked #35 (Tier C) with a 59.31% win rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Shadow Raikou in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Raikou's best moveset is Thunder Shock (fast) and Wild Charge (charged), providing 16.9 DPS as a Electric-type attacker. This combination maximizes damage output thanks to STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), strong energy generation from the fast move, and high DPE (damage per energy) on the charged move.
What are Shadow Raikou's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Raikou is weak to Ground-type moves. On the other hand, Shadow Raikou resists Electric, Flying, Steel-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Shadow Raikou effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Shadow Raikou's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Raikou's maximum CP is 3,902 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 3,452 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Shadow Raikou's CP is calculated from its base stats: 241 Attack, 195 Defense, and 207 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Shadow Raikou caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 1,972 CP, or 2,466 CP with weather boost (level 25).
Is Shadow Raikou good for PvP in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Raikou is ranked #35 (Tier C) in Master League with a 59.31% overall win rate. The recommended moveset is Thunder Shock and Wild Charge. The ideal IV spread for Master League is 15/15/15 — for CP-capped leagues like Great League and Ultra League, lower Attack IVs with higher Defense and Stamina allow Shadow Raikou to reach a higher level within the CP cap, gaining more total stat product. Unlocking a second charged move is highly recommended for PvP, as it gives Shadow Raikou better coverage and the ability to bait shields more effectively. The cost is 100,000 Stardust and 100 Candy.
What CP is a 100% IV Shadow Raikou?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Shadow Raikou has the following CP at key levels: 1,479 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 1,972 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 2,466 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 3,902 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Shadow Raikou, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Shadow Raikou ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
How to get Shadow Raikou in Pokemon GO?
Shadow Raikou can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events.
Can Shadow Raikou be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Shadow Raikou's availability depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Not all Pokemon have their shiny forms available yet. Check the current events page and Community Day announcements for any updates on shiny Shadow Raikou availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 48 CP
L5 465 CP
L10 986 CP
L15 1,479 CP
L20 1,972 CP
L25 2,466 CP
L30 2,959 CP
L35 3,205 CP
L40 3,452 CP
L50 3,902 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #243
Generation Gen 2
Region Johto
Height 1.91 m
Weight 178.00 kg
Buddy Distance 20.0 km
Tradable No
2nd Charged Move 100,000 Dust / 100 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 20,000 Dust / 20 Candy