TL;DR
- Altered Forme Giratina returns for limited time with first-ever shiny variant
- Dragon/Ghost dual-type requires specific counters: Ice, Dark, Fairy, Dragon, and Ghost moves
- Team coordination essential – minimum 4-6 trainers recommended for victory
- Golden Razz Berries and circle lock technique dramatically improve catch rates
- Shiny Giratina appears post-battle with approximately 1 in 20 encounter odds
The legendary Renegade Pokemon makes its triumphant return to Pokemon Go’s five-star raid battles, offering trainers worldwide another opportunity to capture this elusive creature. This limited-time event brings Altered Forme Giratina back to the battlefield for just a few weeks, creating urgency for collectors and competitive players alike. Most excitingly, this raid cycle introduces the debut appearance of Shiny Giratina, marking the first chance for players to obtain this rare variant.
Timing proves critical for successful acquisition. The event window typically spans 2-3 weeks, requiring strategic planning of raid participation. Unlike regular spawns, legendary raids operate on strict schedules, so monitoring your local raid channels and coordinating with fellow trainers becomes essential. Missing this limited engagement means potentially waiting months for another rotation.

Within the Pokemon universe, Giratina possesses the unique ability to transition between two distinct forms with dramatically different attributes. The Altered Forme currently featured in raids represents Giratina’s original appearance from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, characterized by its six leg-like appendages, menacing black wings, and stat distribution heavily weighted toward defensive capabilities. This configuration makes it exceptionally durable in prolonged battles.
Conversely, Origin Forme Giratina adopts a serpentine physique reflecting its native Distortion World habitat. This variant emphasizes offensive prowess with higher attack stats but reduced durability. In main series games, players toggle between forms using the Griseous Orb item, but Pokemon Go treats these as separate entities requiring individual capture. This distinction means successfully obtaining Altered Forme doesn’t grant access to Origin Forme – each must be acquired through separate raid events.
The mechanical separation between forms extends beyond mere aesthetics. Each variant possesses different base stats, move pools, and PvP viability. Altered Forme’s defensive orientation makes it excellent for soaking damage in gym battles, while Origin Forme typically excels in player-versus-player combat where offensive pressure matters more.
Before attempting capture, trainers must first overcome Giratina in a challenging raid battle. This requires physical presence at an active gym hosting the encounter and coordination with multiple players – legendary raids demand collective effort. Securing a raid pass is mandatory, but these can be obtained freely by spinning gym photo discs daily.
Giratina’s unique Dragon/Ghost dual-typing creates specific vulnerability patterns. It suffers increased damage from Ice, Dark, and Fairy-type attacks, while also maintaining weakness to its own Dragon and Ghost moves. This typing combination makes it susceptible to more attack types than most legendaries, providing strategic flexibility.
Optimal raid teams should feature high-DPS monsters exploiting these weaknesses. Mamoswine stands out with its powerful Ice-type moves, while Weavile and Tyranitar deliver devastating Dark-type assaults. Fairy specialists like Gardevoir and Granbull provide safe, resistant options, and fellow Dragon-types like Rayquaza or Salamence can exploit same-type advantage if properly supported.
Team composition strategy should account for Giratina’s move set variations. It may carry Dragon Breath, Shadow Claw, or Ancient Power as fast moves, with Dragon Claw, Shadow Sneak, or Ominous Wind as charged attacks. Bringing a mix of resistant counters ensures sustainability throughout the battle timer. Most successful raids require 4-6 well-prepared trainers, though highly optimized teams of 3 experienced players can occasionally prevail.
Victorious raid participants receive premium premier balls exclusively for the capture attempt. These limited resources demand precision throwing – wasting balls often means losing the legendary entirely. Strategic use of Golden Razz Berries before each throw significantly boosts catch probability, while careful observation of attack animations helps time throws during vulnerable windows.
The circle lock technique proves invaluable for consistent excellent throws. Hold the ball until the target circle reaches desired size, then release and wait for Giratina’s attack animation. During this animation, the circle remains frozen, allowing perfectly timed throws without circle movement interference.
Shiny Giratina represents the ultimate prize, appearing only after successful raid completion with no visual indication during battle. Shiny encounter rates for legendary raids typically hover around 5% (1 in 20), though these odds remain unchanged by catch bonuses or berry usage. Unlike regular encounters, shiny legendaries feature 100% catch rate, so use pinap berries for maximum candy when encountering shiny variants.
Common mistakes include premature throwing during attacks, improper curve ball execution, and inadequate berry management. Practice on regular Pokemon to refine technique before valuable raid encounters. Remember that weather boosts can increase Giratina’s level and capture difficulty, so account for this in your strategy.
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Action Checklist
- Assemble optimal counter team with Ice, Dark, and Fairy types
- Coordinate with 4-6 trainers via local channels or apps
- Practice circle lock technique on regular spawns
- Stock Golden Razz Berries and secure free daily raid pass
- Execute raid with coordinated timing and backup teams ready
- Apply capture strategy: Golden Razz + curve ball + excellent throw
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Go – Altered Forme Giratina, Giratina Counters, Shiny Giratina, And More Tips Master the legendary Altered Forme Giratina raid with battle strategies, shiny hunting tips, and team optimization
