How to Get Drakrai in Pokémon GO: Full Raid Guide

For Pokémon GO trainers, capturing the nightmarish Mythical Pokémon, Darkrai, remains a top priority. Known for its shadowy appearance and immense power as a Dark-type attacker, adding Darkrai to your collection is a top priority for many Trainers. However, unlike common Pokémon, Darkrai isn't found in the wild. Getting this Mythical Pokémon requires timing, strategy, and preparation.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to get Darkrai in Pokémon GO, focusing on its upcoming appearance in 2025. We will break down the best battle strategies, and tips for a successful catch.

Part 1. When Can You Get Darkrai in Pokémon GO? The Special Event

Darkrai is an event-exclusive Pokémon, meaning it only appears during specific, limited-time windows.

During this week-long Halloween-season event, Darkrai will take over most 5-star raid eggs at Gyms. This will be your prime opportunity in 2025 to battle and catch this powerful Mythical Pokémon. Mark your calendars and prepare your teams, as you won't want to miss it.

Part 2. Complete Darkrai Raid Guide

Succeeding in a 5-star raid requires more than just showing up; it demands a solid game plan. As a pure Dark-type Pokémon, Darkrai has specific weaknesses you can exploit. This section will guide you through raid preparation, from finding a battle to choosing the right counters.

Finding and Joining Darkrai Raids

Once the event is live, Darkrai raids will become a common sight, dominating the landscape of local Gyms. Here's how:

Access the raid list by tapping the Nearby tracker in the screen's bottom-right corner and selecting the Raid tab. This will show you all active and upcoming raids near your location. Look for the 5-star egg or Darkrai's silhouette.

Gym Notifications: If you have Pokémon defending a Gym, the game may notify you when a raid is starting there.

In-Person vs. Remote Raids: You can join raids in two ways:

• In-Person: Use a free daily pass (from a Gym spin) or a Premium Pass for any local raid.
• Remote: If you see a Darkrai raid on your screen that is too far away, or if a friend invites you, you can use a Remote Raid Pass to join from anywhere. Stock up on these in advance from the in-game shop.

Building Your Team: Best Darkrai Counters

As a pure Dark-type Pokémon, Darkrai is vulnerable to Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type attacks. Your primary goal is to build a team of powerful Pokémon that know moves of these types.

Fighting-Type Attackers: This is arguably Darkrai's most significant weakness. Pokémon with powerful Fighting-type Fast and Charged Moves like Counter, Dynamic Punch, and Aura Sphere will deal massive damage. Prioritize your strongest Fighting-type Pokémon.

Fairy-Type Attackers: Fairy-types are excellent against Darkrai. They resist its Dark-type moves while dealing super-effective damage in return. Look for Pokémon with moves like Charm and Dazzling Gleam.

Bug-Type Attackers: While often overlooked, Bug-types are also a fantastic choice. Strong Bug-type Pokémon with moves such as Bug Bite and X-Scissor can effectively chip away at Darkrai's health.

Team-Building Tips:

Focus on Movesets: When evaluating a Pokémon for battle, its equipped moves should be your primary consideration, often superseding its species. Ensure both the Fast Move and Charged Move are super-effective.
High CP and IVs: To maximize your battle contribution, choose fighters with elite CP and stats.
How Many Trainers: A team of 3-5 well-prepared, high-level trainers can defeat Darkrai. If your group has lower-level players or less optimal counters, aim for a group of 6-8 trainers to be safe.

Essential Items for Success

Before heading into battle, make sure your inventory is stocked:

• Raid Passes: Entry into a raid lobby is contingent upon having a valid pass. Confirm that you possess either a free daily pass, a Premium Battle Pass, or a Remote Raid Pass.
• Revives and Potions: Your Pokémon will likely faint. Have plenty of Max Revives, Revives, and Potions to heal your team between raids.
• Golden Razz Berries: These are crucial for the catching phase after you win the battle.

Part 3. How to Catch Darkrai After Winning the Raid

Defeating Darkrai is only half the battle; now you have to catch it. After a successful raid, you'll be taken to a catch screen with a limited number of Premier Balls. The number of Premier Balls awarded is a direct reflection of your performance. The game rewards you for your individual damage, your team's collective damage, and controlling the Gym.

Here are some tips to maximize your chances:

• Use a Golden Razz Berry: Start every throw with a Golden Razz Berry. It significantly increases your catch probability.
• Aim for Excellent Throws: The smaller the target circle, the higher the catch bonus. Practice hitting "Excellent" or at least "Great" throws consistently.
• Set the Circle and Wait: Hold your finger on the Premier Ball until the target circle is the size you want (Excellent size). Release your finger without throwing. Patience is your best friend here. Watch for Darkrai's attack, and as soon as it's over, that's your signal to throw. As the animation is ending, spin and throw the ball so it lands right as the circle reappears. This "set the circle" trick prevents the Pokémon from attacking or jumping while you throw.

Part 4. How to Get a Shiny Darkrai

During its raid event, you will have a chance to encounter a Shiny Darkrai. A Shiny Darkrai has a distinct, deeper purple and magenta color scheme.

Shiny Odds: The odds of encountering a Shiny legendary or mythical Pokémon in a 5-star raid are approximately 1 in 20. This means you may need to complete several raids to find one.

Guaranteed Catch: If you are lucky enough to encounter a Shiny Darkrai after a raid, it is a guaranteed catch as long as you hit it with a Premier Ball. Use a Pinap Berry instead of a Golden Razz Berry to get extra candy!

Bonus Tip: How to Get Darkrai in Pokémon GO without Going Out

Want to catch Darkrai without leaving the comfort of your home? With a third-party tool like TunesKit Location Changer, you can easily catch Darkrai without the need to venture outside. TunesKit Location Changer is a powerful solution that allows you to change the GPS location on your iOS or Android device quickly and effortlessly. By changing the GPS location on your device, the Pokémon GO location will update automatically, allowing you to participate in raids, engage in PVP battles, and catch Darkrai—all with just a few simple clicks and without ever leaving your home.

Part 5. FAQs about Darkrai in Pokémon GO

Part 6. Conclusion

Getting Darkrai in Pokémon GO is an achievable goal for any prepared Trainer. By understanding its weaknesses, assembling a strong team of Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type attackers, and mastering the catch mechanics, you can add this formidable Mythical Pokémon to your roster.
Start powering up your best counters now, coordinate with your local raid group, and get ready for a week of thrilling battles. With the help of TunesKit Location Changer, you can easily get Darkrai during the event without going out.