Lunala 5 Star Raid Battles Best Counters and Moveset Guide
Lunala 5 Star Raid Battles: Best Counters and Moveset Guide
Lunala, the Psychic/Ghost-type Legendary Pokémon from the Alola region, has arrived in 5-Star Raid Battles in Pokémon GO, and US trainers need to be fully prepared before stepping into battle. As one of the most visually iconic Legendaries in the franchise, Lunala is no pushover — its dual typing, high base stats, and powerful moveset make it a formidable raid boss that demands strategic team building. This comprehensive guide covers everything from Lunala’s core weaknesses and best counters to CP ranges, IVs, and tactical raid execution so you can maximize your chances of catching this rare Legendary.
Lunala 5-Star Raid Battle Weaknesses Explained
Core Type Vulnerabilities
Lunala’s Psychic/Ghost dual typing creates a very specific and exploitable weakness profile. It is double weak to Ghost-type attacks, taking 160% damage from Ghost moves due to both its Psychic and Ghost typing being vulnerable. Additionally, Lunala takes super effective damage from Dark-type attacks, making Dark the second most reliable damage category to exploit. Understanding this damage multiplier is critical — Ghost-type attackers will consistently outperform all other types in both DPS and overall raid efficiency.
Resistances to Account For
On the defensive side, Lunala carries notable resistances that trainers must respect. It resists Normal and Fighting-type attacks due to its Ghost typing, and it resists Psychic-type moves because of its dual Ghost typing neutralizing that interaction. Trainers who bring Fighting-type heavyweights like Machamp or Conkeldurr will find their damage output significantly diminished. Building a team without accounting for these resistances is one of the most common mistakes made in Lunala raids, especially for newer US trainers unfamiliar with Ghost-type dual typing interactions.
Practical Weakness Exploitation in Raids
The double weakness to Ghost-type moves is the primary strategic foundation of any Lunala raid team. Pokémon like Mega Gengar, Shadow Chandelure, and Giratina (Origin Forme) all exploit this vulnerability to devastating effect. Dark-type attackers such as Mega Tyranitar and Shadow Weavile serve as excellent secondary options. The key takeaway: never enter a Lunala raid without at least four Ghost or Dark-type attackers in your lineup, and always prioritize Mega-evolved Ghost types for the attack buff they provide to your entire raid party.
Best Counters and Moveset Guide for Lunala
Top Raid Counters
The following are the highest-performing counters for Lunala in 5-Star Raids, ranked by DPS and TDO (Total Damage Output):
- Mega Gengar — Shadow Claw / Shadow Ball (Best overall DPS counter)
- Shadow Chandelure — Hex / Shadow Ball (Top non-mega option)
- Giratina (Origin Forme) — Shadow Claw / Shadow Force (High TDO tank)
- Mega Tyranitar — Bite / Crunch (Best Dark-type option)
- Shadow Weavile — Snarl / Foul Play (Fast and efficient)
- Darkrai — Snarl / Shadow Ball (Excellent Dark attacker)
- Hoopa (Unbound) — Astonish / Shadow Ball (Strong Psychic/Ghost attacker)
- Shadow Mewtwo — Psycho Cut / Shadow Ball (Viable with Shadow Ball)
Optimal Moveset Recommendations
For Mega Gengar, the ideal moveset remains Shadow Claw paired with Shadow Ball — this combination delivers the highest DPS against Lunala’s dual typing. Shadow Chandelure running Hex and Shadow Ball is the strongest non-mega alternative and should be your primary budget pick if Mega Gengar isn’t available. For Giratina Origin Forme, Shadow Claw and Shadow Force provides outstanding TDO, making it the best choice for extended battles or underpowered raid groups that need sustained damage rather than burst output.
Budget and Accessible Counter Options
Not every US trainer has access to Shadow Legendaries or Mega-evolved powerhouses. For accessible alternatives, consider Gengar (non-mega) with Shadow Claw / Shadow Ball, Mismagius with Hex / Shadow Ball, or Banette with Shadow Claw / Shadow Ball. These Pokémon are farmable through community events and can still contribute meaningfully in larger raid groups. If you’re looking to fast-track your Legendary hunting without the grind, boostmypoke.com is a trusted, safe platform where US trainers can access raid passes, stardust farming, PokéCoins, and account boosting services to accelerate their progression.
Lunala Raid CP Range and IV Chart Breakdown
Standard Catch CP Range
Upon defeating Lunala in a 5-Star Raid, the catch CP range is critical for identifying good IVs before attempting the catch. Lunala’s standard catch CP range is approximately 2,193 – 2,293 CP at Level 20 (no weather boost). These values represent the baseline for a 0 IV to 100 IV spread, and trainers should screenshot every Lunala before catching to quickly appraise stat potential.
Weather-Boosted CP Range
Under Windy or Fog weather conditions, Lunala spawns at Level 25, significantly increasing its CP range to approximately 2,741 – 2,866 CP. Weather-boosted Legendaries also have a minimum IV floor of 4/4/4 rather than 10/10/10 (the standard raid floor), but the higher starting CP makes them more powerful out of the gate and requires less Stardust investment to power up to competitive levels. Always check your in-game weather before raiding for maximum efficiency.
IV Floors and Perfect IV Values
The standard raid IV floor is 10/10/10, meaning every Lunala caught from a raid will have a minimum of 10 in Attack, Defense, and HP. A perfect 15/15/15 IV Lunala will have a catch CP of exactly 2,293 CP (standard) or 2,866 CP (weather-boosted). Use Pokémon GO’s built-in Appraisal system immediately after catching — three bars across all three stats with the “Amazing!” rating confirms a 100 IV Lunala. These perfect IVs are rare but highly valuable for both PvP and raid applications.
Top Battle Tactics to Defeat Lunala in Raids
Team Composition and Lobby Strategy
For a successful Lunala raid, the recommended minimum group size is 3–5 high-level trainers using optimal counters, or 6–10 trainers with mixed teams. Always stack your lobby with Ghost-type Mega evolutions first — Mega Gengar’s passive attack buff applies to all Ghost-type moves used by your entire party, dramatically increasing overall group DPS. Coordinate with your raid group beforehand and avoid bringing Psychic or Fighting types that will underperform against Lunala’s resistances.
Dodging and Charge Move Timing
Lunala’s most dangerous raid moves are Shadow Ball and Moonblast. Shadow Ball deals massive Ghost-type damage and can wipe underpowered counters in a single hit, while Moonblast threatens Dark-type attackers with Fairy-type super effectiveness. Dodging Shadow Ball by swiping left or right just after the yellow flash warning is critical for preserving your frontline attackers. Against Moonblast, your Ghost-type Pokémon are neutral, so prioritize energy management and use charge moves aggressively to maximize DPS windows.
Remote Raid Coordination for US Trainers
US trainers in rural areas or smaller communities should leverage Remote Raid Passes to join active Lunala lobbies across the country. Apps like Pokémon GO Discord servers, The Silph Road, and Poke Genie make finding full lobbies significantly easier. Timing your raids during peak US raid hours (12 PM – 8 PM local time) ensures maximum lobby availability. For trainers who want to bypass the remote pass grind entirely, boostmypoke.com provides reliable access to raid passes and Legendary raid coordination — a legitimate time-saving resource for dedicated Pokémon GO players.
FAQ: Lunala Raid Counters, Moveset, and More
What is Lunala’s biggest weakness in Pokémon GO raids?
Lunala is double weak to Ghost-type attacks, making Ghost the single most effective damage type to exploit. Dark-type moves also deal super effective damage and serve as the best secondary option.
How many trainers are needed to beat Lunala in a 5-Star Raid?
With optimal counters at Level 40+, a group of 3–4 experienced trainers can defeat Lunala. For casual or mixed-level groups, 6–8 trainers is the recommended safe threshold.
What is the best moveset for Lunala in Pokémon GO?
For offensive raid and PvP use, Lunala performs best with Shadow Ball as its charge move. Its fast move Confusion provides solid energy generation, while Moonblast offers coverage against Dark types.
What CP is a 100 IV Lunala after a raid catch?
A perfect IV Lunala caught from a standard (non-weather-boosted) raid will be 2,293 CP. Under Windy or Fog weather boost, a perfect Lunala will appear at 2,866 CP.
Is Lunala worth powering up in Pokémon GO?
Yes — Lunala is a top-tier Ghost-type attacker and a strong Psychic-type raid attacker, making it valuable for both raid DPS and Master League PvP. Its high Attack stat and access to Shadow Ball make it a worthwhile Stardust investment for competitive US trainers.
Can you catch a shiny Lunala from 5-Star Raids?
Shiny Lunala availability depends on the active event. Check the official Pokémon GO in-game news or Niantic’s social channels to confirm whether Shiny Lunala is currently enabled during the active raid rotation.