Pokemon Sword & Shield’s Dragon/Normal-type Raid Event Returns with Gigantamax Battles
Event Overview
Pokemon Sword & Shield trainers can once again encounter Dragon and Normal-type Pokemon in Max Raid Battles, marking the conclusion of the special Christmas event that ran through January 24. This rotation brings back familiar raid encounters while introducing new Gigantamax opportunities.
The shift back to standard raid rotations follows an eventful period that included Shiny Tauros appearances and anti-cheat measures from The Pokemon Company.
While the Christmas event offered unique rewards, the current rotation presents better chances to farm Exp. Candy XL and TRs. Savvy trainers should note that raid difficulty scales with star ratings, requiring adjusted strategies for 5-star encounters.
Battle Strategies
Success in Dragon/Normal-type raids requires understanding type matchups. Fighting-type moves deal 4x damage to Normal-types like Snorlax, while Fairy and Ice attacks work best against Dragon-types. Avoid using Ghost moves against Normal-types and Dragon moves against fellow Dragons.
Common mistakes include bringing Pokemon weak to Dragon-type attacks or failing to account for raid bosses’ shield phases. For Gigantamax Snorlax, consider bringing a Fighting-type with Bulk Up to survive its powerful G-Max Replenish.
Optimal team compositions should include:
- Machamp (Dynamic Punch, Cross Chop)
- Gardevoir (Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast)
- Mamoswine (Icicle Crash, High Horsepower)
- Conkeldurr (Hammer Arm, Stone Edge)
Featured Pokemon
The current raid rotation shines spotlight on two powerful Gigantamax forms:
Gigantamax Snorlax remains one of the tankiest raid encounters, with its G-Max Replenish move restoring berries to your entire team. Its Normal typing makes it weak only to Fighting attacks, but its massive HP pool requires coordinated team efforts.
Duraludon presents a different challenge as a Steel/Dragon-type. Its Stalwart ability ignores opponent’s abilities, making it particularly dangerous in raids. Focus on using Ground or Fighting-type moves while avoiding Dragon attacks.
Both Pokemon have increased catch rates during this event, with Gigantamax forms appearing more frequently in 5-star raids.
Event Schedule
This Dragon/Normal-type raid event runs through January 31, giving trainers approximately one week to challenge these special encounters. Based on previous patterns, we can expect another rotation shortly after this event concludes.
Pokemon Go Raid Boss schedule (December 2025)
Pokemon Go Max Mondays Raid schedule (December 2025)
Every Dynamax & Gigantamax Pokemon in Pokemon Go (2026)
For optimal farming, focus on completing 5-star raids during peak activity hours when more players are available to join. The current event provides excellent opportunities to stock up on Rare Candies and Ability Patches before the next rotation.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Sword & Shield Max Raid Battles species have changed again Pokemon Sword & Shield's Dragon/Normal-type Raid Event Returns with Gigantamax Battles