Shadow Raids are the latest variation ofPokemon Go’spopular Raiding feature, challenging teams of Trainers with defeating and catching different Team Go Rocket-controlled Shadow Pokemon. Possessing a few key unique features compared to other types of Raids, successfully completing these battles will require the proper preparations.

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The latest Shadow Pokemon that has been introduced in Pokemon Go is Shadow Articuno,a powered-up version of the Ice and Flying dual-type Legendary Pokemon. Proving to be a challenging Raid battle, this guide will give you all the information to maximize your chances of defeating Shadow Articuno in this encounter, allowing you to secure this rare and powerful Pokemon.

One of the main differences with Shadow Raids is the restrictions placed on player participation. With Shadow Raids, you are only able to participate locally,disabling the use of Remote Raid Passesto join in on these battles.

With this in mind, Shadow Articuno proves to be an extremely powerful and tough opponent in its Raid. To ensure that you are going into this Raid with the proper number of players, do your best to attempt this Shadow Raid with a group of at leastfour to six Trainers.

Tyranitar battling Shadow Croconaw in a Shadow Raid, shown on a phone screen

This will most likely require you to coordinate with other players due to the in-person requirement for these specific Raids. This is important, as this Raid will be difficult and nearly impossible to successfully complete with a smaller group of players.

Mega EvolvingandPrimal RevertingPokemon in your Raid party is especially important when attempting Shadow Raids.

Articuno from Pokemon with the Pokemon Go battlefield as the background

This will give you and your allies a better chance of success,improving the attacks of yourself and other playersyou’re battling with.

Shadow Articuno: Strengths And Weakness

With the difficulty that comes with Shadow Articuno’s Shadow Raid, it’s important to put together your team of Pokemon with specific attack types in mind.

For the best results when attempting this Shadow Raid, verify to useRock, Steel, Fire,andElectric-typePokemon with attacks of the same type. If possible,prioritize the use of Rock-type Pokemon and attacks,dealing the most damage against Shadow Articuno because of its double weakness to this type.

Shadow Mewtwo in a city, with Giovanni and a Pokemon Go Shadow Raid behind

There are three different attack typesthat you’ll need to avoid to be successful in this Shadow Raid because of Articuno’s different resistances.Bug, Grass,andGround-type attackswill deal reduced damage in this specific Shadow Raid, minimizing your effectiveness if they are used.

UsePurified Gemsduring this Shadow Raid battle to reduce the stats of Shadow Articuno in battle.

Collect and combineShadow Shardsto acquire Purified Gems, obtained through the defeat of Team Go Rocket members.

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Shadow Articuno: Best Counter Picks

For this Shadow Raid, you will want to be usingas many Rock-type Pokemon as possible,ideally equipped with strong Rock-type attacks. This will provide you with maximum damage output due to Shadow Articuno’s double weakness to this type.

To help you with putting together an effective Raid team for this battle, we have made a list of the top-performing Pokemon for this specific Raid, most of which are Rock types.

With the high difficulty of this Raid, make sure to use as many of the Pokemon listed below as you’re able to.

If you need to, useother strong Pokemon in your team, ideally also being Rock types.

Fast Attack:Fire Fang

Charged Attack:Overheat

Next:Pokemon Go: What Are Lucky Pokemon And How Can You Get Them?