Pokemon Go: Shiny Rayquaza Available Now In Raids

Another popular Legendary has arrived in Pokemon Go. Following Armored Mewtwo's departure from the game earlier this week, Rayquaza, the Legendary cover monster from Pokemon Emerald Version, has returned to Raid Battles, and this time, you'll have your first chance to capture its Shiny form.

Rayquaza will appear in five-star Raids from now until 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM BST on September 2, giving you a little over a month to add one to your collection. The Shiny version of the Legendary has black scales rather than green ones, although you'll need to be pretty persistent to come across one, as Shiny Pokemon don't appear in the game very often.

To catch Rayquaza, you'll first need to team up with other players in-person and defeat it in battle. Rayquaza is a dual Dragon/Flying Pokemon, which makes it particularly susceptible to Ice-types such as Mamoswine, Lapras, and Weavile. Rock, Fairy, and other Dragon Pokemon will also prove effective against Rayquaza in battle. You can read more tips on how to catch Rayquaza in our guide.

Rayquaza forms part of what's known as the Legendary "weather trio" together with Groudon and Kyogre. In Pokemon lore, Rayquaza only emerges when the other two Legendaries are warring, which makes its return to Raid Battles fitting, as both Groudon and Kyogre recently appeared in Raids as well. You can read more about the Legendary Pokemon on the official Pokemon Go website.

As previously mentioned, Armored Mewtwo has left Raid Battles the same day that Rayquaza returned, July 31. This version of the Legendary Psychic Pokemon is wearing the armor it dons in the Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution movie, and it has a different movepool and more defense-oriented stats than a standard Mewtwo.

In other Pokemon Go news, Team Rocket recently made their long-awaited debut in the mobile game. The villainous trainers can be fought at certain PokeStops, and they use Shadow Pokemon in battle, which you can rescue and purify for various bonuses. The game's August Community Day is also just around the corner. That event takes place Saturday, August 3, and will feature Ralts, the Gen 3 Psychic/Fairy Pokemon.