Pokémon Go trainers will have the opportunity to challenge the formidable Mega Staraptor during the game's upcoming Super Mega Raid Day on Saturday, September 19. This special event will see the Mega-Evolved Pokémon appearing in Raids for a concentrated three-hour period, from 2 PM to 5 PM local time.
Upon Mega Evolving, Staraptor undergoes a type change from its usual Normal/Flying combination to become Fighting/Flying. This shift enhances its offensive capabilities, making it a potent raid boss. To aid players in their battles, detailed information regarding Mega Staraptor's weaknesses, recommended counters, and optimal movesets is available.
During the event, trainers can also participate in a new Timed Research, which offers rewards including an encounter with Gardevoir, a Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon that is particularly effective against Mega Staraptor. The event will also feature several bonuses, including an increase in the Remote Raid limit to 20 from September 18-19, and the ability to receive up to six free Raid Passes by spinning Gym Photo Discs. Additionally, any Staraptor caught during the Super Mega Raids will begin with Mega Level 1 unlocked, and the odds of encountering a shiny Staraptor will be increased.
Mega Staraptor's new Fighting/Flying typing makes it vulnerable to Fairy, Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Electric-type attacks. While Ice and Electric types are super-effective, trainers should exercise caution. Ice-type attackers are vulnerable to Mega Staraptor's Fighting-type attacks, and Rock-type Pokémon, despite their usual advantage against Flying-types, will only deal neutral damage and risk taking super-effective damage if the raid boss uses Close Combat.
Recommended counters include powerful Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir, Togekiss, Sylveon, Xerneas, Primarina, Hatterene, and Enamorus. Flying-type options include Mega Pidgeot, Mega Skarmory, Mega Rayquaza, Braviary, Tornadus (Therian Forme), Yveltal, and Toucannon. Electric-type attackers like Mega Raichu, Zapdos, Mega Manectric, Zekrom, Xurkitree, and Zeraora are also strong choices. Psychic-types such as Mega Alakazam, Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Metagross, Mega Latios, Mega Gallade, and Lunala can also be effective.
For players looking to utilize their own Staraptor, teaching it the Fast Attack Gust and the Charged Attack Fly is recommended to maximize its offensive potential. The Charged Attack Close Combat is also a viable option, leveraging its Fighting-type evolution, though it lacks a corresponding Fighting-type Fast Attack.
Beyond the Mega Staraptor event, Pokémon Go's September lineup includes further activities such as a Catch Mastery day focused on Phantump and a Harvest Festival celebration.