Xerneas and Yveltal made their debut in Pokemon Go a while back, and since then, they have solidified their place as one of the most popular legendaries. While fans weren't happy with Xerneas' moveset at launch, over time, it has managed to make its place in a number of impressive teams.

RELATED: Pokemon GO: Yveltal Raid Guide - Best Counters & Weaknesses

Xerneas' design is one of the reasons why it is so popular, with the mythical-deer-like appearance making it a sight to behold. Not to forget, its Fairy type ensures that it holds the upper hand when it comes to cracking the type-matchup game. Xerneas is also one of those unique Pokemon that has two forms — a Neutral and an Active one — which changes it appearance quite a bit. If you are looking for the best way to take down Xerneas in a raid, here is everything you need to know.

Updated By Md Armughanuddin on August 27, 2023: This guide has been updated to include current and correct information on the Xerneas Raid in Pokemon Go.

Xerneas Weakness & Shiny Status Pokemon GO

Xerneas only has two weaknesses in Pokemon, and they are quite interesting ones. Normally, you're likely to bring the usual Water/Fire/Fighting types to battle; however, Xerneas will shake that up with only Poison and Steel-type weaknesses to exploit. Additionally, when it comes to Pokemon you shouldn't bring around Xerneas, these consist of Dragon, Bug, Dark, and Fighting types. Of these, Dragon types are extremely ineffective against Xerneas, so you should definitely steer clear of that.

Xearneas Shiny Status

For players looking for a shiny variant of Xerneas, there is some good news as Xerneas will be featured in its shiny form in Pokemon Go. The hallmark of Xerneas' appearance is its rainbow antlers while in battle, and those remain the same between regular and shiny forms, but the body turns from black to white. When not activated in battle, the body undergoes a similar change, and the antlers have a much darker appearance instead.

Best Counters to Exploit Xerneas' Weakness in Pokemon GO

While Poison and Steel-type Pokemon aren't the most common (or conventional), there are still a range of really good counters for this battle. In terms of Mega Pokemon, there are two that are worth considering in Xerneas raids: Mega Gengar and Mega Beedrill. Following those, you're most likely going to want to bulk your party out with Steel types. The best options here are Metagross, Dialga, Genesect, and Excadrill. In terms of Poison-types, Gengar and Roserade present good options. You can find the best movesets for these Pokemon below:

Xerneas could prove to be a particularly difficult battle, so it's recommended that a minimum of 4-5 trainers take part in the raid.

NEXT: Pokemon Go Fest 2023: Mega Rayquaza Raid Guide - Weakness, Counters & Shiny Status