The December Pokemon GO 5-star raids have begun, as Niantic kicks off a month of Gen 5 legendaries and one all-powerful monster from Gen 4. Each week in the Pokemon game features a different 5-star raid, and you have the whole week to take part in as many raids as you have passes for. That’s handy, since most of them have a chance of being shiny as well – more raids mean a better likelihood of running into a shiny legendary. 5-star raids also come with bonus Candy and other useful items, so whether you want the featured Pokemon or not, it’s usually worth joining at least one.
A new raid boss always replaces the previous one at 10 a.m. local time on the raid’s start date.
5-star Reshiram raid
First up is the 5-star Reshiram raid, and you might get lucky and find a Shiny Reshiram.
- Starts: Dec. 1, 2023
- Ends: Dec. 9, 2023
There’s also a Raid Hour featuring Reshiarm on Dec. 6, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
Reshiram is a Dragon and Fire type, so bear that in mind when deciding on your teams and avoid relying solely on Ice types.
5-star Zekrom raid
Zekrom follows right behind. This Raid could throw up a shiny ‘mon as well.
It:
- Starts: Dec. 9, 2023
- Ends: Dec. 16, 2023
You get another raid hour for this run as well. It starts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2023, and lasts until 7 p.m. local time on the same day.
Zekrom is an Electric/Dragon Pokemon, so you’re safer bringing Ice types along, assuming they aren’t dual-typed with Water.
5-star Kyurem raid
Capping off the trio of Unova legendaries is the 5-star Kyurem raid. This one:
- Starts: Dec. 16, 2023
- Ends: Dec. 20, 2023
There’s no chance of Kyurem being shiny. However, there is a raid hour for it, on Dec. 20, 2023, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. local time.
Kyurm is an Ice/Dragon type. Fairy and Steel are your best bets for this one.
5-star Regigigas raid
Finally is the 5-star Regigigas raid, featuring the elusive fourth Regi ‘mon who hails from Sinnoh, and it has a chance of turning up shiny. This one:
- Starts: Dec. 23, 2023
- Ends: Jan. 1, 2024
Regigas’ raid hour runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Dec. 27, 2023. Regigigas is a Normal type, which means it has no big type advantages – but also that it has just one weakness, Fighting.
Pokemon GO Mega Raids December 2023
Here’s what to expect on the Mega Raid front.
- Mega Scizor – Dec. 1 through Dec. 9
- Mega Altaria – Dec. 9 through Dec. 16
- Mega Abomasnow – Dec. 16 through Dec. 23
- Mega Glalie Dec. 23 through Jan. 1, 2024
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
