October brings legendary powerhouses and shiny opportunities to Pokemon GO raids. Whether you’re hunting Dialga’s Origin Forme or powering up your Mega Pokemon collection, this month’s raid rotation delivers creatures worth battling. Here’s your complete guide to catching the strongest Pokemon available in gyms throughout October 2025.
Table of Contents
Pokemon GO Raid Schedule Current 5-Star Legendary Raids
| Pokemon | Availability | Shiny Available | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dialga (Origin Forme) | Sept 23 – Oct 7 | ✅ Yes | Steel/Dragon |
| TBA | Oct 7 onwards | Check updates | TBA |
Dialga Origin Forme dominates five-star raids through the first week of October, offering trainers their chance at this Steel/Dragon powerhouse. With resistance to ten different types and devastating moves like Roar of Time, it’s essential for competitive battling.
Mega Raid Schedule
| Mega Pokemon | Dates | Shiny Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Charizard X | Through Sept 30 | Enhanced |
| Mega Metagross | Oct 4 (Raid Day) | Boosted |
| Rotating Selection | Oct 7+ | Standard |
Mega Metagross Raid Day on October 4th is the month’s highlight event, running from 2-5 PM local time. Expect increased shiny encounter rates, up to five free raid passes from gym photo discs, and temporarily boosted remote raid pass limits. This marks Mega Metagross’s debut—don’t miss it.
3-Star & 1-Star Raid Bosses
3-Star Raids:
- Snorlax (Shiny available)
- Drampa (Shiny available)
- Wyrdeer (Shiny available)
1-Star Raids:
- Pidgey, Porygon, Zigzagoon (both forms) – all with shiny potential
These lower-tier raids perfect for solo players offer surprisingly valuable catches. Snorlax remains a Great League staple, while shiny Drampa collectors finally get their chance.
Raid Hour Schedule
Every Wednesday from 6-7 PM local time, nearly every gym hosts the current five-star legendary. October’s Raid Hour features:
| Date | Featured Pokemon | Strategy Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1 | Dialga Origin | Stock up on Draco Meteors |
| Oct 8 | TBA | Check official announcements |
| Oct 15 | TBA | Watch for bonus candy events |
| Oct 22 | TBA | Coordinate with local groups |
| Oct 29 | TBA | Halloween event bonuses likely |
Raid Hours concentrate legendary spawns, making them ideal for catching multiple specimens or hunting that elusive shiny. Coordinate with local Discord servers or Facebook groups to maximize efficiency. For more Pokemon GO events and strategies, bookmark our gaming coverage.
Max Monday Raids
Dynamax Pokemon take over Power Spots every Monday from 6-7 PM, remaining through the week. While September featured Chansey, October’s Max Monday lineup will rotate throughout the month, likely spotlighting Pokemon relevant to ongoing events.
Check the official Pokemon GO blog each Monday for announcements about featured Dynamax Pokemon and recommended counters.
How to Maximize Your Raid Success
Raid Pass Strategy:
- Earn one free daily pass by spinning gym photo discs
- Purchase Premium Raid Passes for extra attempts
- Use Remote Raid Passes to join distant raids from home
Catching Tips:
- Use Golden Razz Berries on legendaries—their catch rates are brutally low
- Practice excellent curve ball throws for maximum catch bonus
- Battle with friends to earn extra Premier Balls
- Control the gym hosting the raid for bonus balls
Team Composition: Legendary raids require 3-5 trainers minimum, though stronger teams tackle them with fewer. Check type effectiveness charts before battling—using super-effective moves dramatically reduces battle time and increases damage bonuses.
For comprehensive Pokemon GO guides including type charts and battle strategies, explore our complete mobile gaming section.
Premier Ball Farming
The number of Premier Balls you receive determines catching success. Increase your ball count by:
- Dealing high damage (individual contribution)
- Your team dealing high damage (color-based teams)
- Controlling the gym where the raid occurs
- Raiding with Best Friends (highest friendship tier)
These bonuses stack, potentially giving you 18+ Premier Balls for legendary encounters. Every ball counts when catching legendaries with 2-3% base catch rates.
Upcoming Events Impact
October traditionally brings Halloween celebrations to Pokemon GO. Expect Ghost and Dark-type raid bosses alongside spooky-themed events featuring increased candy rewards and special research tasks. Previous years introduced exclusive costume Pokemon and legendary Ghost-types—2025 should continue that tradition.
The Pokemon Legends: Z-A celebration from October 16-20 boosts Mega Raids and features Johto starters Chikorita, Totodile, and Cyndaquil prominently. Plan your raid passes accordingly if you’re targeting Mega Energy for specific Pokemon.
Shadow Raids
While specific October Shadow Raid schedules haven’t been announced, these challenging battles typically rotate monthly. Shadow Raids require in-person participation—Remote Raid Passes don’t work. The difficulty spike demands coordinated teams of 6+ trainers for five-star Shadow legendaries.
Shadow Pokemon gain the exclusive Frustration charged move but benefit from a 20% attack boost, making them powerhouses for PvE content once purified or Elite TM’d.
FAQs
What’s the best time to do raids in Pokemon GO?
Raid Hours every Wednesday from 6-7 PM local time offer the highest legendary spawn density, making them the single best time to raid. Nearly every gym hosts the current five-star boss during this window. Additionally, special Raid Days like Mega Metagross Day (October 4th) provide enhanced shiny odds and free raid passes. For casual raiding, weekends between 12-6 PM see the highest player activity, making it easier to find groups for legendary raids requiring multiple trainers.
Can I beat 5-star raids solo in Pokemon GO?
No, five-star legendary raids are specifically designed to require multiple trainers. Even with perfectly countered level 50 Pokemon, the damage output and time constraints make solo victories impossible. Three-star raids like Snorlax can sometimes be soloed by experienced trainers with optimized teams, while one-star raids are easily soloable. For legendary raids, join local raiding communities via Discord, Facebook, or Reddit to find groups. Remote Raid Pass apps also connect players worldwide for coordinated legendary takedowns.
