Pokemon Go Mega Banette Raid guide: Weaknesses & best counters
DEXERTOMega Banette is returning to Pokemon Go to haunt the competition in December 2024, so we put together its weaknesses and counters to help players defeat this Mega Raid boss.
After making a special appearance during Halloween, Mega Banette is returning to the game to celebrate both the newest Dual Destiny season and the end of another incredible year.
This Mega Evolution will be faced as part of Mega Raids, notorious for having some of the trickiest battles in the game. Those who want to take down this cloth behemoth should prepare carefully, as it’s not to be trifled with.
Mega Banette weaknesses in Pokemon Go
Unlike some of the Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Go, Mega Banette doesn’t gain any new types with its stronger form. This means that as a pure Ghost-type Pokemon is weak against Dark and Ghost-type moves.
Mega Banette is a bit beefier when it comes to taking damage. Due to its resistances to Bug, Poison, Fighting, and Normal-type moves, avoid at all costs taking those types to battle as they won’t deal much damage at all.
Mega Banette best counters
These are some of the best Pokemon and their matching movesets to counter Mega Banette in Pokemon Go:
| POKEMON | SPRITE | BEST MOVESET |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Tyranitar |  | Bite & Brutal Swing |
| Mega Gengar |  | Lick & Shadow Ball |
| Shadow Mewtwo |  | Psycho Cut & Shadow Ball |
| Shadow Weavile |  | Snarl & Foul Play |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma |  | Psycho Cut & Moongeist Beam |
| Darkrai |  | Snarl & Shadow Ball |
| Giratina Origin Forme |  | Shadow Claw & Shadow Ball |
| Hydreigon |  | Bite & Brutal Swing |
| Incineroar |  | Snarl & Darkest Lariat |
| Houndoom |  | Snarl & Foul Play |
We’ve included a mix of Megas, Legendaries, Shadow, and more common Pokemon in the table above so there should be something for trainers of all levels.
As is the case with all Pokemon Go Mega Raid battles, you won’t necessarily have the best counters available to face your opponent. Just bring something that hits Mega Banette’s weaknesses while resisting its strengths, and you should have a shot at taking it down.
How to get Mega Banette in Pokemon Go
As part of the Dual Destiny season celebrations, Mega Banette will be back in Pokemon Go as a Mega Raid boss from December 3, 2024, until December 12, 2024. However, just like all Mega Evolutions, you can’t catch Mega Banette in its Mega Evolved form.
Instead, you’ll need to defeat Mega Banette to catch its regular form. Then, stock up on the Mega Energy you’ll receive as a reward for doing so, and use it to temporarily Mega Evolve your strongest Banette.
NIANTIC/DEXERTOThe first time you Mega Evolve Banette into Mega Banette, you’ll require 100 Mega Energy. Afterwards, the cost will drop to 20, 10, and eventually 5. Other ways to gather Mega Energy include completing Special Research Tasks and setting Banette as your walking buddy.
Mega Banette CP in Pokemon Go
As with every Raid Boss in the game, the CP Mega Banette has during a Mega Raid battle won’t be the same once you manage to catch its regular form. Plus, certain types of weather can increase such CP.
| Raid Boss CP | 41,038 |
| CP range once captured | 1965 – 2053 |
| Fog weather CP range | 2456 – 2567 |
| Field and Special Research CP range | 1473 – 1540 |
| Egg CP range | 1965 – 2053 |
| Mega Banette max CP (Level 50) | 4063 |
Can Mega Banette be Shiny?
Yes, Mega Banette can be Shiny in Pokemon Go thanks to this special variation making its debut on the same day the Pokemon was added to the game.
NIANTIC/DEXERTOShiny Mega Banette is easily recognizable due to its shiny turquoise body, which differs a lot from its usual dark gray one.
It’s worth noting that the odds of encountering a Shiny Mega Evolution are really low. However, the more Mega Banette raids you take on, the more chances you’ll have.
Players can also get themselves a regular Shiny Banette in other special events and then Mega Evolve it to get what they are looking for.
That’s everything you need to know to counter Mega Banette in Pokemon Go’s Mega Raids. Be sure to check out the latest Spotlight Hour and Community Day schedules, plus what the Go shop looks like right now.