Xurkitree Returns to Pokemon Go Raids: Limited-Time Ultra Beast With Shiny Potential - Weaknesses and Counters Revealed

Breaking: Xurkitree, Buzzwole, and Pheromosa have returned to Pokemon Go as five-star Raid bosses from May 13 through May 19, with Xurkitree offering a chance at a Shiny encounter.

The three Ultra Beasts are once again on a limited-time rotation, each confined to specific global regions: Xurkitree in the Americas and Greenland, Buzzwole in Europe and the Middle East, and Pheromosa in Asia-Pacific. Trainers can join raids remotely via Remote Raid Passes, but the opportunity to catch a Shiny Xurkitree is available only during this window.

“Xurkitree is a pure Electric-type, making ground-types its only weakness,” said Dr. Emily Tran, a Pokemon Go battle analyst. “That simplicity actually works in players’ favor – stack your squad with top ground attackers and you’ll shred it.”

Xurkitree Weaknesses

Xurkitree is a pure Electric-type Ultra Beast, meaning it has only one weakness: Ground-type moves. Ground-type Pokemon deal super-effective damage and also resist Xurkitree’s Electric attacks, cutting incoming damage by 63%.

“Because it lacks a secondary typing, there’s no need to worry about double resistances or unexpected coverage moves,” noted Tran. “Just stick to ground moves and you’re golden.”

Best Counters for Xurkitree Raids

Top counter choices include Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades, Shadow Excadrill with Mud-Slap and Drill Run, and Landorus (Therian Forme) with Mud Shot and Earth Power. Other strong options are Garchomp (Mud Shot/Earth Power), Rhyperior (Mud-Slap/Earthquake), and Golurk (Mud-Slap/Earth Power).

“If you lack these, any ground-type with strong Ground moves will work—just avoid using Electric, Grass, or Steel types since they take neutral or increased damage,” said Tran. Mega Swampert and Mega Garchomp also boost ground damage for the whole raid team.

How to Get Shiny Xurkitree

Shiny Xurkitree is available for the first time in this rotation. As with all Shiny Pokemon in five-star raids, the Shiny rate is estimated at about 1 in 20 encounters, though Niantic has not confirmed exact odds. “Each raid gives a chance, but no guaranteed method exists—just keep raiding,” Tran advised.

Background: What Are Ultra Beasts?

Ultra Beasts are extradimensional Pokemon from the Ultra Wormholes introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Xurkitree resembles a tangled mass of electric cables and is known for its incredibly high Special Attack. In Pokemon Go, these creatures appear as five-star raid bosses during special events, each with a unique regional lock.

This marks the third appearance of Xurkitree in raids, following previous runs in 2022 and 2023. The current event runs from 10 a.m. local time on May 13 to 10 a.m. local time on May 19.

What This Means for Trainers

For collectors and competitive battlers, this event is a must-attend. Shiny Xurkitree is a rare trophy, and the 5-star raids offer high-IV catches. “With remote raids, regional locks become less of a barrier, but you’ll need friends overseas to invite you,” said Tran. The return also gives new players a chance to fill Ultra Beast entries in their Pokedex without trading.

Be prepared to burn through Remote Raid Passes if you’re hunting Shiny, and coordinate with local raid groups for optimal counter synergy. The event overlaps with other May content, so check the full May events guide for a complete schedule.

Correction (May 13, 2025): An earlier version of this article misstated Xurkitree’s type immunity. It takes neutral damage from Grass attacks, not resisted. This has been updated.