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Introduction: The Sun Legendary Rises Again
Solgaleo, the majestic Sunne Pokémon from Pokémon Sun, is once again gracing Pokémon GO raids. As a Legendary with dual Steel and Psychic typing, it’s not just a trophy catch—it also presents a unique challenge to even experienced trainers. From July 8 to July 14, players have a limited window to face off against this radiant lion in 5-star raids. Whether you’re a collector, a PvP tactician, or just in it for the thrill, this is your chance to shine. But don’t go in unprepared—this raid requires a sharp strategy, the right counters, and an understanding of how weather, typing, and move synergy can tip the battle in your favor.
Solgaleo Raid Breakdown: Key Details and Strategy (Summary)
Solgaleo has officially returned to Pokémon GO raids, available from July 8 to July 14, concluding at 10 AM UK time (2:30 PM IST). To maximize your chances, the Raid Hour on July 9 (6 PM to 7 PM UK) is your best bet, with increased spawn rates and group activity.
As a Steel/Psychic-type, Solgaleo is resistant to many standard attack types, making it deceptively tough to defeat. It’s specifically weak to Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark-type moves, which should guide your battle preparation. The most effective Pokémon to bring into battle include:
Mega Charizard Y / Mega Blaziken (Fire attackers)
Primal Groudon / Mega Garchomp (Ground-type powerhouses)
Mega Gengar / Dawn Wings Necrozma (Ghost/Dark hybrids)
Shadow Chandelure / Shadow Heatran (if available)
Move selection is just as critical. Use Blast Burn, Shadow Ball, Earth Power, and Precipice Blades to deal heavy damage. Also, avoid Pokémon that are weak to Psychic or Grass, as Solgaleo can hit hard with Zen Headbutt and Solarbeam, punishing Water and Fighting-types in particular.
Weather can shift the tide. Sunny weather amplifies Fire and Ground-type moves—exactly the types that Solgaleo is vulnerable to. Coordinating your raid time with favorable weather and gathering a team that exploits its weaknesses can significantly improve your success rate.
Even if your roster lacks some top-tier counters, a focused team using the correct typing and weather boost can still bring down Solgaleo. For trainers who missed its earlier appearances or those looking for better IVs, now is the time to strike.
What Undercode Say: Solgaleo’s Role, Raid Value & PvP Potential
Solgaleo is a unique case in Pokémon GO—a legendary that doesn’t neatly slot into traditional Gym battles or PvE raids but has niche utility in PvP formats. With a max CP of over 4000, its bulk and Steel typing give it some defensive potential, especially in Master League. But its offensive move pool in GO is somewhat underwhelming compared to other legendaries, making it more of a collector’s crown jewel than a battle mainstay.
However, its dual resistance to Poison and Psychic—combined with decent STAB moves—gives it a fighting chance against Fairy and Fighting-types in PvP matchups. Still, its slow charge moves and vulnerability to popular raid counters like Darkrai and Chandelure mean it’s often outclassed in actual combat.
Strategically, the real value in raiding Solgaleo is:
Completing your Pokédex
Acquiring a better IV variant
Stockpiling Candy XL for future PvP evolution
Possibly preparing for meta shifts, if Solgaleo ever gets a move rework
The best approach is treating this raid as an opportunity to future-proof your lineup—even if Solgaleo isn’t dominant now, future updates could change that.
And don’t overlook the raid economics: players who use Mega evolutions like Mega Gengar or Mega Blaziken not only increase their own DPS but also earn bonus candy and XP, a strong incentive for coordinated group play. The growing presence of Shadow Pokémon with superior damage stats also shifts the dynamic, rewarding players who have invested in Shadow counters like Chandelure and Heatran.
Weather awareness is an underrated factor—sunny skies drastically buff Ground and Fire moves, allowing even mid-tier counters to punch above their weight. Trainers who time their raids well can end up defeating Solgaleo with less effort and fewer revives.
Ultimately, Solgaleo’s return is more about the raid experience, teamwork, and collection than reshaping the PvP meta. But for hardcore players, it still offers strategic depth—especially if you’re stacking boosts, managing IV rolls, and planning for PvP use cases.
🔍 Fact Checker Results
✅ Solgaleo is available from July 8 to July 14 at 10 AM UK time.
✅ Weak to Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark-type attacks.
✅ Best counters include Mega Gengar, Primal Groudon, and Shadow Chandelure.
📊 Prediction: Will Solgaleo Get a Buff in the Future?
While Solgaleo is not currently a PvE powerhouse, it sits in a strategic position for future improvement. Niantic may introduce a new move, such as Sunsteel Strike, that would elevate its raid and PvP viability. With upcoming events and Legendary rebalances, Solgaleo could transition from a niche trophy to a true competitive threat. Players who invest now could be ahead of the curve when that shift happens.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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