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Pokémon GO Raichu Super Mega Raid Day brings the global debuts of Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. This three-hour event is built around Super Mega Raids, boosted Shiny Raichu encounters, free Raid Passes, event-exclusive Timed Research, and a paid ticket for players who plan to raid heavily.
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The biggest preparation rule is simple: build a Ground-type raid team and include a Mega-Evolved Pokémon. Super Mega Raid bosses can activate shields that normal attackers cannot break efficiently. A coordinated group with the right Mega Pokémon will save more time than a lobby filled with random high-CP attackers.
When Does Raichu Super Mega Raid Day Start?
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Raichu Super Mega Raid Day |
| Date | Saturday, July 18, 2026 |
| Local Event Time | 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time |
| Featured Raid Bosses | Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y |
| Main Weakness | Ground-type attacks |
| Remote Raid Pass Limit | Increased to 20 during the announced global window |
| Free Raid Passes | Up to six total from spinning Gym Photo Discs |
The local raid window lasts only three hours, but the temporary Remote Raid Pass limit of 20 runs from Friday, July 17, at 5:00 p.m. to Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. PDT. That wider window lets Trainers join raids hosted across different time zones.
What Bonuses Are Active During Raichu Super Mega Raid Day?
The free bonuses are strong even if you do not buy the event ticket. Every Trainer can collect up to six free Raid Passes by spinning Gym Photo Discs. Since only one free pass can normally be held at a time, use each pass before spinning another Gym.
Raichu caught after a successful Super Mega Raid will also have Mega Level 1 unlocked. This removes the usual first-use barrier and lets you start using the new Mega Evolution as soon as you have the required energy.
- Up to six free Raid Passes from Gym Photo Discs.
- Boosted chance to encounter Shiny Raichu after Super Mega Raids.
- Mega Level 1 unlocked for Raichu caught from these raids.
- Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20 during the announced global period.
The exact Shiny rate has not been officially confirmed. The event only promises an increased chance, so avoid treating any unofficial fixed rate as guaranteed.
What Is the Difference Between Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y?
Both forms are pure Electric-type Mega Evolutions, and both are weak to Ground-type damage. Their main difference is how they perform after you unlock them.
| Form | Battle Profile | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Raichu X | Lower Attack but higher Defense | A bulkier Electric Mega that can remain on the field longer |
| Mega Raichu Y | Much higher Attack but lower Defense | A high-DPS Electric attacker for fast raid clears |
For most raid-focused accounts, Mega Raichu Y is the higher-priority unlock because its offensive output is much stronger. It plays like a glass cannon, so dodging heavy Charged Attacks can improve its total value. Mega Raichu X is less explosive, but its extra bulk can keep the Mega damage boost active for longer.
You do not catch either Pokémon in its Mega-Evolved state. After the battle, the encounter is with regular Raichu. The raid rewards provide the Mega Energy needed to activate the chosen form later.
How Do Super Mega Raids Work?
Super Mega Raids are harder than standard Mega Raids. During the battle, the boss can become enraged and create shields that sharply reduce incoming damage. The game then sends out a Mega-Evolved Pokémon from your battle party, and its next attack receives a large boost that can break one shield.
- Each Trainer can break only one shield.
- Every player should place at least one Mega-Evolved Pokémon in the battle party.
- After enough shields are broken, the boss returns to its normal state.
- Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre cannot break these shields.
Plan for a group of at least eight prepared Trainers. More players may be needed when teams are underleveled, lack strong Ground moves, or fail to bring a usable Mega Evolution. Raw lobby size is not enough. A smaller organized group can outperform a larger group using weak auto-selected teams.
What Are the Best Mega Raichu X and Y Counters?
Ground is the only weakness shared by both raid bosses, so your best team should focus on strong Ground-type attackers. Mega Garchomp is the cleanest lead because it deals excellent damage and can serve as the Mega Pokémon required for the shield phase.
| Priority | Pokémon | Recommended Moves | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot + Earth Power | Best mix of Ground damage and required Mega utility |
| 2 | Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot + Precipice Blades | Huge damage, but it does not fill the Mega shield role |
| 3 | Shadow Garchomp | Mud Shot + Earth Power | Strong Ground DPS with useful Electric resistance |
| 4 | Shadow Excadrill | Mud-Slap + Scorching Sands | Fast damage but can faint quickly |
| 5 | Therian Forme Landorus | Mud Shot + Sandsear Storm | Reliable premium Ground attacker |
| 6 | Groudon | Mud Shot + Precipice Blades | Excellent non-Shadow option |
| 7 | Garchomp | Mud Shot + Earth Power | Accessible, durable, and effective |
| 8 | Excadrill | Mud-Slap + Scorching Sands | Good budget choice for newer raid teams |
| 9 | Mamoswine | Mud-Slap + High Horsepower | Useful fallback when stronger Ground attackers are unavailable |
Do not use Primal Groudon as your only special transformation. It may deal strong Ground damage, but it cannot perform the shield-breaking action required from a Mega-Evolved Pokémon. You can still use a normal or Shadow Groudon after placing a valid Mega Pokémon elsewhere in the team.
A safe party structure is Mega Garchomp in the first slot, followed by your strongest Groudon, Garchomp, Excadrill, Landorus, or Mamoswine. Heal between raids rather than relying on the recommended battle party, which may select resisted or off-type attackers.
What Are the Raichu Catch CP Ranges?
| Weather | Raichu Catch CP |
|---|---|
| No Weather Boost | 1,180–1,247 CP |
| Rainy Weather Boost | 1,476–1,558 CP |
These values apply to the regular Raichu encounter after the raid, not the Mega-Evolved boss. Rainy weather boosts Electric-type encounters and raises the catch level, which explains the higher CP range.
Shiny Raichu is available from these encounters. The visual difference can be easy to miss, so check the Shiny symbol before transferring. Mega Raichu X has a warmer orange tone when Shiny, while Mega Raichu Y appears brighter yellow with more vivid red cheeks.
What Are the Raichu Super Mega Raid Day Timed Research Tasks?
The event-exclusive Timed Research has one short step. It rewards useful raid items, Steelix resources, and a Premium Battle Pass. Complete and claim everything before the research expires.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch a Pokémon | Steelix encounter |
| Power up Pokémon 15 times | Steelix Mega Energy ×200 |
| Use 3 supereffective Charged Attacks | Stardust ×5,000 |
| Win a raid | Charged TM ×3 |
| Defeat an Electric-type Raid Boss | Onix Candy XL ×10 |
| Step Completion Reward | Premium Battle Pass ×1 |
The tasks naturally overlap with the event. A Mega Raichu raid can count toward winning a raid, defeating an Electric-type Raid Boss, and using supereffective Charged Attacks. Power up inexpensive Pokémon before the event if you want to clear the 15 power-ups without draining too much Stardust.
Trainers who are still working through the Pokémon GO A Thunderous Discovery Special Research can also use this Raid Day to progress its raid-focused tasks.
Is the Raichu Super Mega Raid Day Ticket Worth Buying?
The event ticket costs US$4.99, or the equivalent local price. It is designed for Trainers who plan to spend most of the three-hour window raiding.
| Feature | Free Player | Ticket Holder |
|---|---|---|
| Raid Passes from Gym Photo Discs | Up to 6 total | Up to 14 total |
| Rare Candy XL Chance | Normal event rate | Increased chance from Raid Battles |
| Bonus XP | None | +5,000 XP per Super Mega Raid |
| Bonus Stardust | None | +5,000 Stardust per Super Mega Raid |
The ticket is worth considering if you expect to complete at least eight additional in-person raids. The extra passes are the main value, while the XP, Stardust, and Rare Candy XL chance make a long raid session more efficient. It is much less useful for players who can only join a few raids or who mainly use Remote Raid Passes.
Before purchasing in the in-game shop, check the Pokémon GO Web Store. The Raichu Super Mega Raid Day Ultra Ticket Box costs the same listed price and includes the event ticket plus one bonus Premium Battle Pass at no extra cost.
The ticket cannot be purchased with PokéCoins. It can be gifted only to Pokémon GO friends who have reached Great Friends or higher, and it remains available in the in-game shop only until 5:00 p.m. local time on July 18, 2026.
Where Can You Find Super Mega Raids?
Super Mega Raids may appear only at selected Gyms. Use the official Pokémon GO event map to check upcoming and active raids before leaving home. The map can also show nearby community meetups, which is helpful because these battles reward organized groups.
Build a route around a cluster of eligible Gyms instead of walking between isolated locations. Arrive early, confirm that other Trainers have Mega-Evolved Pokémon ready, and agree on a start time. If the lobby is small, wait for a community group rather than wasting a pass on an underprepared attempt.
What Is the Best Raid Day Strategy?
Start by Mega Evolving Garchomp or another valid Mega attacker before 2:00 p.m. Clear bag space, prepare healing items, and save a Ground-type battle party in advance. Spin a Gym, use the free pass, finish the raid, and then spin again to collect the next pass.
- Before 2:00 p.m.: Mega Evolve a valid counter, save your Ground team, and find an active community group.
- At the first Gym: Collect a free pass and confirm that every Trainer has a Mega Pokémon in their party.
- During shield phases: Keep attacking when your Mega Pokémon is sent out so its powered attack breaks the shield.
- Between raids: Heal your main team, claim research progress, and spin the next Gym for another free pass.
- Before 5:00 p.m.: Claim all Timed Research rewards and use any remaining event passes.
Players focused on long-term raid value should prioritize enough Mega Energy to unlock Mega Raichu Y. Collect additional energy for Mega Raichu X afterward if you want both forms registered or prefer the bulkier option.
Raichu Raid Day is also a useful warm-up for the Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition, which begins on July 21 and rewards Trainers who prepare storage and resources in advance.
UK Trainers can also review the Pokémon GO Summer Quest 2026 guide. For later August events, prepare with the Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers event guide and the Pokémon GO Fire and Ice Hatch Day guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes. Raichu encountered after a Super Mega Raid can be Shiny, and the event provides an increased Shiny chance. The exact rate has not been officially stated.
Do I need a Mega Pokémon for Raichu Super Mega Raids?
Yes. Each Trainer should include at least one Mega-Evolved Pokémon in the battle party because the boss uses shields that require powered Mega attacks to break. Primal Pokémon cannot perform this shield-breaking action.
Which type is best against Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y?
Ground-type attackers are the best counters because both forms are pure Electric types and share a Ground weakness. Mega Garchomp is the strongest all-around lead for this event.
How many free Raid Passes can I get during Raichu Raid Day?
Free players can receive up to six Raid Passes total by spinning Gym Photo Discs. Ticket holders can receive up to 14 total during the event window.
Is the Pokémon GO Web Store ticket better than the in-game ticket?
Yes, when both are offered at the same local price. The Web Store Ultra Ticket Box includes the event ticket and one additional Premium Battle Pass, while the standard in-game purchase includes only the ticket.
Jul 17, 2026
Pokémon Go
