TL;DR
- Yveltal returns September 27-October 8 with first-ever shiny availability
- Use Rock, Electric, Ice, and Fairy types with Mega Evolutions for maximum damage
- Focus raid attempts during Wednesday Raid Hours for optimal encounter rates
- Shiny odds are approximately 1 in 20 but require multiple raid completions
- Strategic team building and proper move timing significantly increase success rates
The legendary Destruction Pokémon from Kalos region makes its triumphant return to five-star raid battles in Pokémon Go from September 27 through October 8, 2022. This limited-time appearance coincides with the Fashion Week event, creating perfect synergy for trainers seeking both style and power.
Yveltal’s availability marks only its second appearance since the initial debut in May 2021, making this an essential opportunity for collectors and competitive battlers alike. The creature appears exclusively as the featured five-star raid boss during this timeframe, with battles commencing at 10 AM local time on September 27 and concluding at the same time on October 8.
Raid spawns follow dynamic scheduling rather than fixed patterns, with Yveltal encounters randomly appearing at Gyms worldwide. The game’s notification system will alert you when raids initiate in your vicinity, but proactive hunting yields better results.
Your most reliable method for encountering Yveltal involves targeting the specialized Raid Hours. Every Wednesday evening from 6 PM to 7 PM local time, the majority of Gyms feature coordinated five-star raids. During Yveltal’s availability period, these occur on September 28 and October 5. Entry requires either your complimentary daily Raid Pass, a purchased Premium Battle Pass for in-person participation, or a Remote Raid Pass for virtual engagement.
For collectors pursuing the distinctive white and crimson shiny variant of Yveltal, this raid cycle presents the inaugural opportunity. This marks the very first availability of shiny Yveltal within Pokémon Go, creating significant excitement among completionists.
Critical understanding: shiny encounters operate on probability systems rather than guarantees. The visual transformation only reveals itself after successful raid completion during the capture sequence. Industry data suggests legendary raid shiny rates hover around 1 in 20 encounters, though Niantic never confirms exact percentages.
Maximize your shiny acquisition potential through systematic raid participation. Coordinate with local communities to identify multiple raid locations during Raid Hours. Consider that shiny eligibility requires victory – failed raids cannot yield shiny encounters regardless of performance.

As a dual Dark and Flying-type Pokémon, Yveltal possesses specific vulnerability profiles that experienced raiders can exploit. The creature sustains 160% increased damage from Rock, Electric, Ice, and Fairy-type attacks, creating multiple strategic avenues for team composition.
Optimal counter selections leverage type advantages while considering move sets and statistical performance. The following breakdown represents the most effective options across damage categories:
- Electric-type specialists: Mega Manectric, Zapdos, Xurkitree, Raikou, Electivire, Magnezone, Zekrom
- Fairy-type contenders: Gardevoir, Togekiss, Granbull, Zacian
- Ice-type assault: Mega Abomasnow, Mamoswine, Galarian Darmanitan
- Rock-type demolition: Mega Aerodactyl, Rhyperior, Rampardos, Terrakion, Tyranitar
Mega Evolutions provide substantial damage bonuses not only through their enhanced stats but also via the 10% attack boost granted to all allies using matching types. This makes Mega Manectric and Mega Aerodactyl particularly valuable for coordinated raid groups.
Successful Yveltal raids demand more than simply deploying super-effective counters. Team composition strategy should balance high damage dealers with durable anchors to maintain consistent pressure throughout the encounter.
Avoid the frequent error of prioritizing pure DPS without survival considerations. Yveltal’s moveset includes dangerous options like Hurricane and Focus Blast that can eliminate fragile counters prematurely. Instead, create teams with 3-4 primary damage dealers supported by 2-3 bulkier options.
Critical timing elements significantly impact success rates. Master the dodge mechanic for charged attacks – successful evasion can preserve your best attackers for additional damage windows. Energy management represents another overlooked aspect; ensure your Pokémon have optimal energy generation fast moves to utilize their charged attacks more frequently.
For advanced optimization, consider move type coverage against Yveltal’s potential moves. Rock types resist Flying attacks, while Electric types take reduced damage from Dark moves. This strategic layer separates consistent performers from occasional victors.
Beyond collection value, Yveltal delivers substantial performance across multiple battle formats. In Master League PvP, its unique typing and stat distribution create advantages against prominent meta picks like Mewtwo, Giratina, and Lugia.
The Pokémon excels as a raid attacker against Psychic and Ghost-type bosses, where its Dark-type moves deal devastating damage. However, investment decisions should consider your existing roster – Yveltal represents an excellent but not essential addition for most players.
Resource allocation recommendations: prioritize Yveltal if you lack top-tier Dark-type attackers or seek Master League versatility. The shiny variant offers identical combat performance but significant flex value.
Understanding proper move sets maximizes Yveltal’s battlefield impact. Snarl paired with Dark Pulse creates consistent damage output, while Hurricane provides coverage against Fighting types that might otherwise threaten it.
Action Checklist
- Prepare counter teams with Rock, Electric, Ice, and Fairy types 24 hours before raids begin
- Coordinate with local raid groups for September 28 and October 5 Raid Hours
- Acquire 10-15 Raid Passes (mix of free and premium) for multiple attempts
- Practice dodge timing against charged attacks using similar raid bosses
- Execute 8-12 Yveltal raids minimum to achieve statistically probable shiny encounter
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Go Yveltal Raid Guide: Best Counters, Weaknesses, Raid Hours, And More Tips Master Yveltal raids with expert counters, shiny hunting strategies, and optimal battle timing
