Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Xerneas
Say it: ZUR-nee-iss
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Xerneas is the Life Pokémon — pure Fairy Legendary from Kalos. In Pokémon GO it is a top Fairy attacker with Tackle / Zen Headbutt + Moonblast / Close Combat / Megahorn / Giga Impact / Thunder. Fairy helps against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting; Poison and Steel hit Fairy hard. Catch from Legendary raids and special events.
Say it: ZUR-nee-iss
Xerneas (#716) is a Fairy Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Trainers use it as a premier Fairy raid attacker with Tackle / Zen Headbutt + Moonblast / Close Combat / Megahorn / Giga Impact / Thunder. Against Xerneas, lead with Poison or Steel. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Xerneas is a Fairy-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0716. Legendaries shine in Master League and 5-star raids when IVs and moves align.
Where in GO: Legendary raids, research breakthroughs, and GO Tour events
Invest tip: Geomancy is a form change in raids — not a move unlock. Tackle / Zen Headbutt + Moonblast / Close Combat is the usual kit. Shadow Xerneas is the DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing.
Type matchups
- Fairy moves hit Fighting, Dragon, and Dark hard.
When Xerneas is your opponent, Poison, Steel hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 250
- Defense
- 185
- Stamina
- 246
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Nihilego · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 2. Mega Gengar · beats Poison
Lick + Sludge Bomb
- 3. Shadow Gengar · beats Poison
Lick + Sludge Bomb
- 4. Roserade · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 5. Toxicroak · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 6. Scolipede · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 7. Gengar · beats Poison
Lick + Sludge Bomb
- 8. Nidoking · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Wave
- 9. Nidoqueen · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Wave
- 10. Victreebel · beats Poison
Acid + Sludge Bomb
- 11. Dragalge · beats Poison
Acid + Gunk Shot
- 12. Salazzle · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Roserade · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 2. Victreebel · beats Poison
Acid + Sludge Bomb
- 3. Toxicroak · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 4. Muk · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Gunk Shot
- 5. Weezing · beats Poison
Infestation + Sludge Bomb
- 6. Seviper · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Poison Fang
- 7. Skuntank · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
- 8. Garbodor · beats Poison
Infestation + Gunk Shot
- 9. Ariados · beats Poison
Poison Sting + Cross Poison
- 10. Qwilfish · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Aqua Tail
- 11. Crobat · beats Poison
Air Slash + Sludge Bomb
- 12. Tentacruel · beats Poison
Poison Jab + Sludge Wave
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Xerneas’s always-available TM pool. Tackle + Moonblast covers most Fairy needs.
Fast
- Tackle · Standard
Normal energy / default
- Zen Headbutt · Standard
Psychic energy
Charged
- Moonblast · Standard
Fairy nuke
- Close Combat · Standard
Fighting coverage
- Megahorn · Standard
Bug coverage
- Giga Impact · Standard
Normal heavy
- Thunder · Standard
Electric coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- tackle
- zen headbutt
Charged
- moonblast
- megahorn
- close combat
- giga impact
- thunder
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #747 of 954 · CP 1458
Zen Headbutt + Close Combat
- Ultra League · rank #499 of 747 · CP 2485
Zen Headbutt + Close Combat
- Master League · rank #111 of 1023 · CP 4275
Zen Headbutt + Close Combat
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
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Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
Recommended vs these bosses
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 4: Best Raid Attackers by Type
…ardevoir / Charm + Type Top Pick Best Moveset Shadow Upgrade Budget Option Budget Moveset Xerneas Dazzling Gleam / Geomancy + Moonblast Gardevoir Granbull Dazzling Gleam Bug Mega Pinsir F…
- Ch. 12: Raid Counters — 5-Star Legendaries
…Claw Behemoth Bash Fairy/Steel Fairy hits Dragon/Water; resists Dragon moves with Steel 3 Xerneas Geomancy Moonblast Fairy Top Fairy attacker; Moonblast is powerful nuke 4 Togekiss Charm …
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.
Related species
Also named in the same guide chapters (text only).