Staraptor has always been a solid attacker in Pokemon Go, but its Mega Evolution takes things to a different level entirely. The bird gets a full type overhaul upon Mega Evolving, ditching normal/flying for a fighting/flying combo that makes it one of the more threatening Raid bosses the game has fielded in a while.
The Super Mega Raid Day featuring Mega Staraptor runs on Saturday, September 19, from 2 to 5 PM local time. That three-hour window is your shot at the new Raid boss, and Niantic is stacking the event with enough bonuses to make it worth showing up. Remote Raid limits jump to 20 (active September 18-19), you can grab up to 6 free Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs, and any Staraptor caught during the event will have Mega Level 1 already unlocked. Shiny odds are boosted too.
A Timed Research runs alongside the Raids, and completing it nets you an encounter with Gardevoir, the psychic/fairy Pokemon who first appeared in Pokémon Gold Version and remains one of the more useful counters against this particular Raid boss.
Why the type change matters
Here's the thing: most players planning their counter teams based on Staraptor's standard normal/flying typing will be caught off guard. Mega Staraptor is a fighting/flying type, which opens up new vulnerabilities and closes others.
The types that hit it for super-effective damage are fairy, psychic, flying, electric, and ice. That is a wider weakness pool than you might expect, which is good news for players with deep rosters. The key caveat is ice types: they will deal super-effective damage, but they will also eat super-effective hits right back from Mega Staraptor's fighting moves. Bring ice at your own risk.
Rock types are a trap. They usually have an edge over flying Pokemon, but against Mega Staraptor they deal only neutral damage and take a beating from Close Combat if the Raid boss has it equipped. Skip them entirely.
The counters worth building around
For pure damage output, Mega Gardevoir is the standout pick. Charm into Dazzling Gleam hits both of Mega Staraptor's types for super-effective damage, and Mega Gardevoir's psychic/fairy dual typing means it resists most of what the Raid boss can throw back. Pair it with Togekiss (Charm, Dazzling Gleam) and Sylveon (Charm, Dazzling Gleam) for a fairy-heavy core that will clear the damage check comfortably.
On the flying side, Mega Rayquaza running Air Slash and Dragon Ascent is the ceiling option if you have it powered up. Tornadus in Therian Forme with Gust and Bleakwind Storm is a strong free-to-play alternative. Mega Pidgeot and Mega Skarmory round out the flying options for players who prefer Mega-boosted raid damage.
Electric types bring serious firepower without the ice-type risk. Zekrom (Charge Beam, Wild Charge) and Zapdos (Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt) are the most accessible legendaries here. Xurkitree and Zeraora punch above their weight if you have them built.
For psychic coverage, Mega Mewtwo Y with Psycho Cut and Future Sight is the obvious top-end pick. Mega Alakazam and Lunala are viable alternatives, and Mega Gallade is worth noting for players who want a psychic/fighting counter that also benefits from Mega Evolution damage bonuses.
Getting the most from your own Staraptor
Winning the Raid is only half the equation. Once you have Mega Staraptor in your collection, the best moveset leans into its flying typing: Gust as the Fast Attack and Fly as the primary Charged Attack. That combination makes it one of the better flying attackers currently available in the game.
The fighting typing also opens up Close Combat as a Charged Attack alternative, which gives Staraptor real coverage against steel and ice types. Since Staraptor cannot learn any fighting-type Fast Attacks, Gust stays in that slot regardless of which Charged Attack direction you go.
Pokemon Go has more September content on the horizon beyond this Raid Day, including a Phantump-focused Catch Mastery event and a Harvest Festival celebration. For the full breakdown of what the franchise has to offer across its history, the Pokémon Gold Version strategy guides are a good place to revisit the roots of many of these Pokemon before heading into the weekend's Raids. You can also browse the broader gaming guides library for more Pokemon Go coverage as the month wraps up.
