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Deoxys is a pure Psychic-type raid boss, so Bug-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks are the key weaknesses to exploit. Attack Forme hits hard but is less durable; Defense Forme is exceptionally bulky and may take longer to defeat. Build around your strongest Pokémon with matching attacks, then save time to make careful curveball throws with your limited Premier Balls. The official guide cited below was published in 2023, so it does not establish which Deoxys formes are in raids or whether Deoxys can currently be shiny in 2026.
Best Deoxys raid counters
Use strong Bug-, Ghost-, or Dark-type Pokémon with attacks of the same type. The Pokémon Company International’s Deoxys raid guide, published February 24, 2023, names these examples:
- Dark: Darkrai, Hydreigon, Yveltal, Mega Gyarados, Houndoom, Tyranitar, and Absol.
- Ghost: Origin Forme Giratina, Chandelure, Gengar, Banette, and Mismagius.
- Bug: Mega Beedrill, Pinsir, and Scizor.
These are examples from that dated guide, not a current ranking or a guarantee that every listed Pokémon or move is available to every player. Choose the strongest options in your own roster with suitable Bug-, Ghost-, or Dark-type Fast and Charged Attacks. Some move recommendations in the official article carry an Elite TM caveat; check the move’s current availability before spending resources to build a counter.
Defeating a raid boss faster can contribute to a larger possible Premier Ball award, according to the guide. That makes damage a practical priority, especially when choosing between a high-level counter with effective attacks and a weaker Pokémon selected only for its species name.
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Both formes are Psychic-type and share the same listed weaknesses. Their different stat profiles change what to expect during the raid and how useful a catch may be afterward. The comparisons and moves below are those in the Pokémon Company International guide dated February 24, 2023; they have not been freshly verified against 2026 game data.
| Forme | Raid profile | Fast Attacks listed in the 2023 guide | Charged Attacks listed in the 2023 guide | Post-catch role described in the guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack Forme | High Attack and low Defense | Poison Jab; Zen Headbutt | Dark Pulse; Psycho Boost; Zap Cannon | The guide describes the other formes besides Defense Forme as having limited use in raids and GO Battle League. |
| Defense Forme | Very high Defense and lower Attack | Counter; Zen Headbutt | Psycho Boost; Rock Slide; Thunderbolt | The guide describes it as strong in Great League and Ultra League. |
The CP intervals in that same source are initial catch ranges, not raid-boss CP:
Rank #2
- ICONIC POKÉMON: Choose Deoxys (Normal Form), the DNA Pokémon.
- SUPER ARTICULATED: 6-inch highly detailed figure features over 15 points of articulation.
- PLAY AND DISPLAY: Display Deoxys (Normal Form) in dynamic poses with a special posing arm stand.
- SELECT SERIES: Boxed in the Pokémon Select Series signature Black and Silver packaging.
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Deoxys (Normal Form) looks like it jumped right out of the Pokémon Animated Series.
| Forme | Initial catch CP | Weather-boosted catch CP |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Forme | 1,372–1,474 | 1,716–1,842 |
| Defense Forme | 1,228–1,299 | 1,535–1,624 |
These ranges are stated in the February 24, 2023 guide and are not a fresh confirmation of 2026 encounter values. Deoxys Candy is shared across its formes, according to that guide.
Can Deoxys be shiny in Pokémon GO?
The available official information here does not confirm Deoxys-specific shiny eligibility or odds. Niantic says Raid Boss encounters can be a source of Shiny Pokémon, but also notes that not every Pokémon has an available shiny variant. Its Shiny Pokémon help page directs players to official Pokémon GO announcements for species-specific availability. Check current official announcements before planning a raid around a shiny Deoxys; do not assume a forme is currently shiny-eligible or quote an odds figure without confirmation.
Rank #3
- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon.
- SPECIAL MATERIAL: Snuggly 12-inch Pokémon plush is made with super soft material.
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Gengar looks like it jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series.
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 12-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team.
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares.
How to catch Deoxys after the raid
A successful raid leads to a limited-ball encounter using Premier Balls. The Pokémon Company International recommends curveballs and reliable Great or Excellent throws; it notes, “Throwing Curveballs can improve your chances even more.” Use the movement pause to reduce the chance of wasting a ball.
- Pick a berry before throwing. Use a Golden Razz Berry when catch chance is the priority. A regular Razz Berry is another catch aid; a Silver Pinap Berry can award extra candy if the catch succeeds. Niantic’s Gyms & Raids help section also supports using Razz or Golden Razz Berries to increase the chance of catching a raid boss.
- Watch Deoxys’s movement cycle. Wait for it to finish moving and pause. If movement makes your throws unreliable, a Nanab Berry can calm it.
- Set the throw timing. Let the target ring reappear, then throw a curveball as the ring begins to shrink. Aim for a Great or Excellent throw only if you can do so consistently; a reliable hit is preferable to missing while chasing a smaller ring.
- Use Catch Assist if available. The official Deoxys guide says a Great Buddy or higher may provide Catch Assist if Deoxys deflects a ball.
Because the encounter has a limited number of balls, balance the berry’s benefit against your goal: Golden Razz for catch probability, Silver Pinap for candy if successful, and Nanab when movement is causing missed throws.
Rank #4
- The Giratina (Altered Forme) Sitting Cuties Plush is weighted with microbeads, so it sits up when you put it on a flat surface. This palm-sized plush is a fun, charming way to show off a favorite Ghost- and Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon originally discovered in Sinnoh!
- Includes Giratina (Altered Forme) Sitting Cuties Plush
- Care Instructions: Hand-wash only. Dry flat in shade.
- Item Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.9 x 6.3 inches (24.1 x 14.9 x 16 cm)
- Pokémon Center Original
Is Deoxys currently in raids?
The official Deoxys guide documents a past raid window and past appearances, not the 2026 schedule. It cannot establish whether Attack Forme or Defense Forme is currently available. Check the in-game raid listings or a current official Pokémon GO announcement for the live rotation rather than relying on the dates in the 2023 article.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This palm-sized plush is a fun, charming way to show off a favorite Dragon- and Flying-type Legendary Pokémon originally discovered in Hoenn!
- Part of the Sitting Cuties collection—known as Pokémon fit in Japan
- Care Instructions: Surface wash only.
- Item Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.3 x 5.9 inches (14.9 x 13.4 x 14.9 cm)
- Pokémon Center Original
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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