Shadow Cresselia has emerged as one of Pokemon GO’s most challenging raid encounters, combining devastating Psychic-type power with Shadow fury. Available in Nagasaki November 7-9 and globally November 15, 2025, this legendary offers rare shiny chances and Great League dominance. Let’s break down everything you need to conquer this boss.
Table of Contents
Shadow Cresselia Raid Essentials
| Critical Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Raid CP | 33,794 |
| Type | Psychic/Shadow |
| Prime Weaknesses | Ghost, Dark, Bug (60% bonus damage) |
| Resistances | Fighting, Psychic |
| Max Trainers | 20 (in-person or remote) |
| Battle Timer | 300 seconds (5 minutes) |
| Shiny Odds | 1 in 20 (5%) |
| Hundo CP | 1,633 (no boost) / 2,041 (Windy) |
| CP Range | 1,494-1,633 (Lv 20) / 1,867-2,041 (Lv 25) |
Ultimate Counter Lineup
Top-Tier Destroyers:
- Dawn Wings Necrozma – Shadow Claw + Moongeist Beam (Best overall DPS)
- Mega Tyranitar – Bite + Brutal Swing (Accessible powerhouse)
- Shadow Tyranitar – Bite + Brutal Swing (Glass cannon variant)
- Mega Heracross – Struggle Bug + Megahorn (Bug-type specialist)
Elite Ghost-Type Counters (60% Bonus)
- Mega Gengar – Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball
- Origin Forme Giratina – Shadow Claw + Shadow Force
- Chandelure – Hex + Shadow Ball
Dominant Dark-Type Options (60% Bonus)
- Shadow Weavile – Snarl + Foul Play
- Hydreigon – Bite + Brutal Swing
- Darkrai – Snarl + Shadow Ball
Bug-Type Specialists (60% Bonus)
- Mega Scizor – Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- Pheromosa – Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
Find your optimal team instantly: Use search strings Ghost&@Ghost&cp2000-, Dark&@Dark&cp2000-, or Bug&@Bug&cp2000- in your Pokemon storage.
Master type advantages with our Pokemon GO type matchup guide.
Winning Battle Strategy
Rage Management is Critical: When Shadow Cresselia enrages, its attack surges 85% while defense skyrockets 300%. During rage phases, focus on dodging Aurora Beam and Moonblast while building energy for your charged attacks.
Optimal Team Composition: A coordinated group of 4-5 trainers with maxed counters easily secures victory. For casual players, 6-8 trainers with level 30+ Pokemon ensures success.
Weather Exploitation: Windy weather boosts Cresselia’s CP to 2,041 for perfect IV catches but also strengthens its Psychic attacks. Fog benefits your Ghost-types, while Cloudy weather has no impact on core counters.
Check advanced raid mechanics in our Pokemon GO raid optimization hub.
Shiny Shadow Cresselia: Rare Prize
With 5% shiny odds (1 in 20 encounters), Shadow Cresselia offers significantly better chances than standard legendary raids. The luminous purple shiny form is highly coveted for Great League battles where Cresselia dominates.
Perfect IV Hunting Guide
Hundo Identification:
- No weather boost: Exactly 1,633 CP = 100% IV
- Windy weather: Exactly 2,041 CP = 100% IV
Shadow Cresselia’s bulk makes it a Great League menace even with slightly lower IVs, but 100% specimens become investment priorities for competitive play.
Maximize your IV knowledge with our Pokemon GO IV optimization guide.
Why Shadow Cresselia Matters
Beyond the shiny appeal, Shadow Cresselia becomes a Great League fortress with proper investment. Its legendary bulk combined with Shadow damage boost creates a devastating tank that pressures Fighting, Psychic, and Poison-types while threatening Fighters with Moonblast coverage.
Learn more about Pokemon GO competitive formats and seasonal metas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shadow Cresselia worth the Elite TM investment for Grass Knot?
Absolutely for Great League play! Grass Knot provides essential coverage against Water and Ground-types that otherwise wall Cresselia. While Moonblast handles Fighters and Future Sight hits neutrally, Grass Knot transforms Cresselia from predictable to unpredictable—forcing opponents into difficult shield scenarios. The Elite TM investment pays dividends in competitive formats where Cresselia consistently ranks top-10.
How many trainers realistically need to beat Shadow Cresselia?
While technically possible with 3 hardcore players using maxed Dawn Wings Necrozma and Shadow Tyranitar, realistic minimums are 4-5 experienced trainers with optimized level 40+ counters. For casual groups with level 30-35 Pokemon, aim for 6-8 trainers to comfortably beat the 300-second timer. Shadow Cresselia’s Enraged defense boost punishes under-leveled teams severely, so bigger groups ensure stress-free victories.
