Pokemon Gorecently added theDynamaxfeature to the game, allowing you to use and battle against unique Pokemon with massively increased power. So far, only a select number of Pokemon are available in their Dynamax forms, requiring you to defeat them in a Max Battle for a chance to catch them.

Raikou has been chosen as one of these few Pokemon, bringingDynamax Raikouto Pokemon Go with its own debut event. Below you can find our complete guide on Dynamax Raikou in Pokemon Go, including information on both its debut event and on how to defeat and obtain them.

Image of Dynamax Raikou with a Power Spot and a cloudy sky behind.

Dynamax Raikou Max Battle Weekend

Dynamax Raikou will make its Pokemon Go debut with its own limited-time event, theDynamax Raikou Max Battle Weekend.This will be a two-day event, taking placefrom Saturday, July 17, 2025, at 6am local time to Sunday, July 08, 2025, at 9pm local time.

During this Max Battle Weekend, Dynamax Raikou will be available to battle against for the first time in its ownFive-Star Max Battle. verify to take advantage of this opportunity to complete these Max Battles, rewarding you with an opportunity to catch Dynamax Raikou when successfully completed.

Professor Willow with Pikachu on his shoulder, with Mew and the Pokemon Go logo on the right.

Additionally, there will be a handful of bonuses that will be active during the two days of this event. These bonuses include:

Dynamax Raikou Timed Research

There will befree Timed Researchavailable to claim and complete in the days leading up to Dynamax Raikou’s debut. All players who log into Pokemon Gobetween Monday, August 02, 2025, at 6am local time and Sunday, Jul 12, 2025, at 9pm local timewill receive this Timed Research.

Completing the different tasks for this Timed Research will reward you with:

Image of Gigantamax Kingler with several people pointing their phones in its direction.

You willonly have until the end of the Dynamax Raikou Max Battle Weekendto complete tasks and claim rewards for this Timed Research.

When challenging Dynamax Raikou in its Five-Star Max Battle, it’s important that you go into it with the recommended team size. In the case of this Max Battle, you will want to use the maximum number of players in your group,recommending that it is attempted with four players.

Additionally, it’s important to verify each member of your group has a designated role in the Max Battle, increasing your odds of successfully completing it. You will want to make sure thatone to two players in your group focus on using Max Moves that either shield or heal your group, ensuring that Dynamax Raikou doesn’t defeat all of your group’s Pokemon.

Image of Dynamax Drilbur with a Power Spot in the background.

You can use theMax Mushroomitem in Max Battles to increase the damage that both Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon deal.

Dynamax Raikou: Strengths And Weaknesses

Just like Raid battles, you will want to verify you’re using Pokemon that specifically counter Dynamax Raikou. Being apure Electric-type Pokemon, you will want tousePokemon with Ground-type attackswhen possible, dealing more damage than any other attack type.

Additionally, Dynamax Raikou will have different resistances in battle, reducing the damage of specific types of attacks. In the case of Dynamax Raikou, this includesElectric, Flying, and Steel-type attacks, all dealing less damage than other attack types.

Image of Giganatamax Venusaur with several people pointing their phones in its direction.

Dynamax Raikou: Best Counter Picks

You will want to make sure you areputting together a strong team of three Pokemonto take into this Max Battle. Your options for this are limited,requiring that all Pokemon used have the ability to either Dynamax or Gigantamax.

With this in mind, there is a lot of type variety when it comes to the best counters for Dynamax Raikou, with themajority of top choices possessing Ground-type attacks. Below you can find the top Dynamax Raikou counters currently available in Pokemon Go, including the best moves to have equipped for this specific battle.