How to Catch Latios in Pokémon GO

Posted by Megan Brooks on Sep 4, 2025 • Category: Change Location
3 mins read

Latios, one of the legendary Eon Pokémon, is a powerful Dragon and Psychic-type that can be a formidable addition to any trainer's lineup. However, catching this elusive jet-plane-inspired Pokémon is no simple task. It requires preparation, skill, and a bit of luck.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of how to catch Latios in Pokémon GO, from finding Latios to making that crucial final throw. We'll cover the best counters for victory in raids and the expert techniques needed to maximize your chances of a successful capture.

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Part 1. How to Find Latios in Pokémon Go

Unlike common Pokémon, you won't find Latios simply by walking around your neighborhood. This legendary creature appears only under specific conditions.

The Primacy of 5-Star Raids

latios raid

The primary method for encountering Latios is through 5-Star Raid Battles. These high-level raids appear periodically at Gyms. You can identify a Latios raid by its silhouette on the egg timer before it hatches or by seeing the Pokémon itself atop the Gym.

  • Raid Passes: You'll need a Raid Pass or a Premium Battle Pass to join a raid in person, or a Remote Raid Pass to join a raid from a distance.
  • Raid Hours: Keep an eye out for special "Raid Hour" events, which typically occur on Wednesday evenings. These events often feature the current legendary Pokémon at most Gyms, providing ample opportunities to battle Latios when it's in rotation.

Special Events

latios special events

Niantic frequently rotates the Pokémon available in raids. Latios is typically featured for a week or two at a time as part of a specific event or a general raid rotation. The best way to know when Latios is coming is to follow the official Pokémon Go news blog and in-game announcements. Sometimes, special events like Pokémon Go Tour can also offer unique encounters with Latios, occasionally through Timed or Special Research tasks.

What About Wild Spawns?

It's important to set expectations: Latios does not spawn in the wild. Your only reliable methods for an encounter are the raids and special events mentioned above.

Part 2. Preparing Your Team for the Latios Raid

Once you've found a Latios raid, the real challenge begins. As a Dragon and Psychic-type, Latios has a specific set of vulnerabilities you must exploit to win.

Latios's Weaknesses: Your Key to Victory

Latios is weak to the following types:

  • Dragon
  • Ice
  • Ghost
  • Dark
  • Fairy
  • Bug

You should build your battle party using Pokémon with Fast and Charged Attacks of these types to deal super-effective damage.

Best Counters to Use Against Latios

Using high-level Pokémon with the right movesets is critical. You don't need a full team of shadow legendaries, but the stronger your counters, the fewer trainers you'll need.

Here is a list of top-tier and more accessible counters for a Latios raid:

Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move
Mega Rayquaza Dragon Tail Breaking Swipe
Mega Garchomp Dragon Tail Outrage
Mega Tyranitar Bite Brutal Swing
Shadow Salamence Dragon Tail Outrage
Shadow Dragonite Dragon Tail Outrage
Mega Gengar Lick Shadow Ball
Rayquaza Dragon Tail Breaking Swipe
Salamence Dragon Tail Outrage
Garchomp Dragon Tail Outrage
Dialga Dragon Breath Draco Meteor
Zekrom Dragon Breath Outrage
Gengar Lick Shadow Ball

Recommended Group Size

The number of trainers needed depends heavily on their level and the quality of their counters.

3-5 High-Level Trainers: A small group of level 40+ trainers with optimal counters can defeat Latios.
6-8 Mid-Level Trainers: This is a safer number for trainers with good, but not perfect, counter teams.
9+ Trainers: Larger groups will ensure a quicker, easier victory with fewer fainted Pokémon.

Part 3. Catch Latios in Pokémon GO

Defeating Latios in the raid is only half the battle. You'll then be taken to the bonus challenge: the catching screen. This is where your skill truly matters.

Maximizing Your Premier Balls

The number of Premier Balls you receive is based on your damage contribution, team contribution, and whether you battled with friends. To maximize your chances, try to raid with friends and deal as much damage as possible. Every ball counts.

premier balls

tipsPro-tip:

How to Get More PokéBalls in Pokémon GO

The Golden Razz Berry is Your Best Friend

Unless you encounter a shiny Latios (more on that below), you should use a Golden Razz Berry for every single throw. This item significantly increases your catch chance and is the most valuable tool at your disposal.

golden razz berry

Mastering the "Set Circle" Throwing Technique for Latios

The most significant skill-based factor in catching a legendary Pokémon is the accuracy of your throw. You'll see a colored circle shrinking on Latios. Landing the Poké Ball inside this circle results in a "Nice," "Great," or "Excellent" throw, with each providing a progressively higher catch bonus. Aim for the smallest circle you can consistently hit to get a Great or Excellent throw.

tipsPro-tip:

How to Throw a Curveball in Pokémon Go

Latios IVs and Shiny Odds

After a successful catch, it's time to see how good your new Latios is.

Perfect CP Chart

The Combat Power (CP) of the Latios you encounter determines its Individual Values (IVs). A 100% perfect IV Latios will have the following CP values:

latios iv chart

  • 2178 CP: Level 20, no weather boost.
  • 2723 CP: Level 25, with Windy weather boost.

The Shiny Latios Guarantee

Like many legendaries, you have a chance to encounter a Shiny Latios after a raid. You'll know it immediately by its mint-green color instead of the usual blue.

If you are lucky enough to encounter a Shiny Latios, it has a 100% catch rate as long as you land a ball on it. Therefore, do not use a Golden Razz Berry. Instead, use a Pinap Berry or Silver Pinap Berry to double the amount of Latios Candy you receive from the catch!

shiny latios

Part 4. How to Catch Latios without Walking

Want to get Latios in Pokemon GO thourgh 5-star raids or special events just at your home? Try using TunesKit Location Changer! TunesKit Location Changer is a software tool for iOS and Android that modifies your device's GPS location with a single click. It allows you to teleport your location to anywhere in the world, letting you access and catch rare or region-specific Pokémon from home. The tool includes a "Game Mode" and features like Joystick Movement to simulate realistic walking and a cooldown timer to help prevent your account from being banned.

Effectively Catch Latios via TunesKit Location Changer

Catch Latios from the comfort of your home using TunesKit Location Changer—no need to move a step! Compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Try It Free safe 600,000+ Downloads

Let's learn how to use TunesKit Location Changer to catch Latios in Pokémon Go.

Step 1Connect phone to PC

First, download and install the TunesKit Location Changer onto your computer. With the installation complete, plug in your iPhone and launch the program. From the main screen, simply click the Start.

For Android users, you will need to select the Game mode; For iPhone users, you will enter the map automatically.

connect device to pc

Step 2Catch Latios in Pokémon GO

TunesKit Location Changer offers 5 location changing modes. To play Pokemon GO, just select Multi-Spot Movement.

select multispot movement

Then, you can now set the start and end points in the map. After setting up the locaiton, click on the Start Moving button. Then, TunesKit Location Changer will start to simulate the GPS movement on your iPhone, and you can then catch Latios through the 5-star raids or special events.

start movement

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Conclusion

Absolutely. Latios is a powerful Dragon-type attacker, and its Mega Evolution, Mega Latios, is one of the top Pokémon in the entire game. Even if you don't get a perfect one, catching Latios provides valuable candy that can be used to power up your best specimen.

By understanding how to find it, preparing a strong counter team, and mastering the art of the catch, you can successfully add this legendary Eon Pokémon to your collection.

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