Get ready to soar into battle — Mega Staraptor is making its long-awaited Pokémon GO debut, and it’s arriving with a bang. Here’s everything you need to dominate this Super Mega Raid.
Table of Contents
When Does Pokémon GO Mega Staraptor Debut?
Mega Staraptor lands in Pokémon GO on September 19, 2026, as the headline attraction of the Super Mega Raid Day. This follows Staraptor’s Mega Evolution debut in the Pokémon Legends Z-A DLC and its recent standout performance in Pokémon Champions‘ Regulation M-B. In Pokémon GO specifically, Mega Staraptor gains access to a brand-new “+” move — Brave Bird+ — exclusive to its Mega form.
Typing and Weaknesses
Mega Evolving shifts Staraptor from a Normal/Flying type into a Fighting/Flying dual type. That change opens up several new weaknesses, making it vulnerable to:
- Electric
- Ice
- Flying
- Psychic
- Fairy
All five types deal 160% super-effective damage against it, so building a counter team around them is the fastest way to a clean win.
Best Counters Table
| Counter | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Mewtwo Y | Psychic | Top overall counter — Confusion/Psystrike combo |
| Mega Rayquaza | Flying/Dragon/Psychic | Strong all-rounder, boosts Flying-types too |
| Mega Mewtwo X | Psychic/Fighting | High DPS, resists retaliation |
| Mega Gengar | Ghost/Poison | Strong Psychic-type moves |
| Mega Alakazam | Psychic | Glass cannon, fast energy generation |
| Mega Pidgeot | Normal/Flying | Boosts your own Flying attackers |
| Shadow Zapdos | Electric/Flying | Great budget Electric option |
Avoid bringing Rock-types — while tempting on paper, they’re vulnerable to Mega Staraptor’s Fighting-type attacks, which can backfire quickly.
Shiny Odds and CP Values
The base shiny odds for Mega Staraptor from a standard raid sit at roughly 1 in 64, but Raid Day boosts push that all the way up to 1 in 10 — a significant jump that makes this one of the best days to hunt for a shiny.
As for CP, a 100% IV (“hundo”) Mega Staraptor caught from a raid will show:
- 2,273 CP in normal weather
- 2,842 CP when weather-boosted (Cloudy or Windy)
- 4,498 CP at max level (Level 50) once fully powered up
Super Mega Raid Requirements
Since this is a Super Mega Raid, you’ll need a coordinated group. Roughly 8 trainers with active Mega Evolutions are required to break Staraptor’s shields, in addition to strong type counters. Note that Primal Pokémon like Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon cannot be used to break shields in Super Mega Raids, so leave them at home.
Event Bonuses to Know
- Up to 5 extra free Raid Passes from Gym Photo Discs (6 total for the day)
- Remote Raid limit increased to 20, active from September 18 at 5:00 p.m.
- Staraptor caught during the event unlocks Mega Level 1 immediately
The Mega Evolution mechanic itself has become a defining feature of Pokémon GO’s raid meta, echoing how Mega Evolution was originally introduced in the core games as a temporary, battle-only power boost.
For more raid guides, event trackers, and Pokémon GO news, check out TechnoSports for regular updates.
FAQs
Q1. What is Mega Staraptor’s shiny rate during Raid Day?
Boosted odds during the Super Mega Raid Day bring shiny chances up to 1 in 10, compared to the standard 1 in 64.
Q2. How many trainers do I need to beat Mega Staraptor?
You’ll need around 8 trainers with active Mega Evolutions to break its shields, alongside strong Electric, Ice, Psychic, or Fairy counters.
