Xatu Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Xatu in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Xatu
Xatu is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Psychic/Flying typing. The best counter is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) (Shadow) with Volt Switch and Wildbolt Storm, dealing 50.500 DPS.
Xatu can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Xatu is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, Rock -type attacks. Avoid using Fighting, Ground, Grass-type moves as Xatu resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Xatu is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) (50.500 DPS), Mega Gengar (45.067 DPS), and Regieleki (44.941 DPS). Shadow variants deal 20% more damage but take 20% more — worth it for short-man attempts.
Catching Xatu: After defeating Xatu, the catch encounter will have a CP between 1213 and 1281 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 1510-1594 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Xatu from raids will have exactly 1281 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Xatu?
The best counter for Xatu is Shadow Thundurus (Therian) with Volt Switch and Wildbolt Storm, dealing 50.500 DPS. Other top options include Mega Gengar (45.067 DPS) and Regieleki (44.941 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Xatu?
Xatu can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Xatu weak to?
Xatu is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice, Rock-type attacks. It resists Fighting, Ground, Grass, Psychic-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Xatu be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Xatu's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Xatu from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Xatu from raids will have 1281 CP at level 20, or 1594 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1213. If you see 1281 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Xatu worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Xatu is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Xatu?
For the best moveset for Xatu itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Xatu stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Xatu without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Xatu can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Regieleki (44.941 DPS) and Thundurus (Therian) (42.200 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Xatu in raids?
Weather boost information for Xatu is not currently available. Psychic-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.