Raids are a key element of Pokemon Go, and every month, there’s a new set of Pokemon that includes 1-Star to 5-Star standard, Legendary, Max, and Mega Raids for players to battle and catch.
December will have a slew of returning Legendary Pokemon to catch, including the mighty Genesect, both Mega Latias and Latios, and the devilish Giratina (Altered Forme).
Additionally, Max Raids will continue to rotate, with Machop and Krabby appearing in Dynamax Raids. Mega Banette will also be available, making it a great month to hunt down powerful additions to competitive teams.
Pokemon Go Raid Boss schedule for December 2024
The official Pokemon Go Twitter/X account has revealed all of the Mega, Max, and regular Raids that will take place in December 2024.
Here are the Pokemon you’ll be able to find in Raids this month, plus guides for their weaknesses and best counters:
5-Star Raids
| SPRITE | POKEMON | DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Genesect (Chill Drive) | December 3 – December 12 | |
| Giratina (Altered Forme) | December 26 – January 4 |
3-Star Raids
| POKEMON | POKEMON | POKEMON | POKEMON |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snorlax | Banette | Zebstrika | Toucannon |
1-Star Raids
| POKEMON | POKEMON | POKEMON | POKEMON |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alolan Vulpix | Galarian Darumaka | Litwick | Cetoddle |
Mega Raids
| SPRITE | POKEMON | DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Banette | December 3 – December 12 | |
| Mega Latios | December 12 – December 19 | |
| Mega Latias | December 19 – December 26 | |
| Mega Abomasnow | December 26 – January 4 |
Max Raids
| SPRITE | POKEMON | DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Machop | December 3 – December 9 | |
| Beldum | December 3 – December 9 | |
| Wooloo | December 3 – December 9 | |
| Falinks | December 3 – December 9 | |
| Bulbasaur | December 9 – December 23 | |
| Charmander | December 9 – December 23 | |
| Squirtle | December 9 – December 23 | |
| Krabby | December 9 – December 23 | |
| Skwovet | December 9 – December 23 | |
| Krabby | December 23 – January 6 | |
| Cryogonal | December 23 – January 6 | |
| Grookey | December 23 – January 6 | |
| Scorbunny | December 23 – January 6 | |
| Sobble | December 23 – January 6 |
Max Mondays
There are some Power Spots that will be taken over on a Monday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time. These are the Max Monday Pokemon for December 2024:
| SPRITE | POKEMON | DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Squirtle | December 2 | |
| Krabby | December 9 | |
| Charmander | December 16 | |
| Cryogonal | December 23 | |
| Bulbasaur | December 30 |
When do Raid Hours take place in Pokemon Go?
Each week, Niantic hosts a special Raid Hour to give players a better chance at catching the current 5-Star Raid Pokemon. All of the Gyms that have Raids in them will be 5-Star Raid Bosses.
Raid Hours take place every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM, and you won’t have to worry about time zones as it will always be your local time. This is the perfect chance to get out there and catch yourself a Legendary.
Raid Hour Schedule
The following Pokemon will appear as part of Pokemon Go Raid Hour at 6 PM local time until 7 PM local time on the dates listed below:
Pokemon Go Raid Hour Schedule
| SPRITE | POKEMON | DATES | SHINY AVAILABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesect (Chill Drive) | December 4 | Yes | |
| Genesect (Chill Drive) | December 11 | Yes | |
| Mega Latios | December 18 | Yes | |
| Mega Latias | December 25 | Yes |
What are Raid Battles in Pokemon Go?
Raid Battles occur when a Boss Pokemon takes over a Gym. You can find them by walking around local Gyms and keeping an eye out for eggs that are about to hatch or Boss Pokemon that are part of a currently ongoing Raid.
These Pokemon are very powerful, so it’s recommended that you team up with a few other trainers to secure a victory. There are four tiers: 1-Star, 3-Star, 5-Star, and Mega Raids. The higher the tier, the harder the battle.
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Raid Battles are worth the time and effort to complete, though. As well as earning special items, you’ll also get a chance to catch the Pokemon you beat. In the case of 5-Star Raids, these will be Legendaries you can’t get anywhere else.
How to get Raid Passes in Pokemon Go
You’ll need a Raid Pass to participate in a Raid Battle. You can earn one Raid Pass daily by spinning the Photo Disc at any Gym. You can purchase a Premium Raid Pass from the Shop if you run out.
Remote Raid Passes are also available in Go. These are ideal for trainers who can’t leave the house, as they let you join any Raid Battle that’s on the Nearby screen or tappable from the Map View.
Remote Raid Passes can be bought from the Shop, or received as free gifts every now and then.
How to catch Pokemon in Raid Battles
When you successfully defeat a Raid Boss, you’ll get the chance to catch it. You’ll be given a set number of Premier Balls to use, but it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to catch it, especially if it’s a Legendary, as they have very low catch rates.
Here are some ways to increase the number of Premier Balls you’ll get:
- Deal a high amount of damage to the Raid boss.
- Your team deals a high amount of damage to the Raid boss.
- Controlling the Gym that the Raid takes place in.
- Participating in Raids with friends.
Remember, you can also use Razz Berries, or even better, Golden Razz Berries, to help catch Raid bosses. Getting excellent throws or spinning curveballs will increase your chances, too.
Now you’re all clued up on Raids and the creatures you can battle at Gyms this month, it’s time to get out there and catch yourself some Pokemon – and maybe even a Legendary. Good luck, trainers!
That’s all you need to know about the current Pokemon Go Raid Bosses. Don’t forget to check out our Spotlight Hour guide, as well as How to get Remote Raid Passes and some key catching tips, or our rankings for the Best competitive Pokemon and the Best Mega Evolutions.
