Can you defeat Shadow Latios in a "5-Star Shadow Raid" in Pokémon GO solo?

1. What is Shadow Latios? Event Overview and Basic Information

Shadow Latios is the shadow form of the legendary Dragon/Psychic-type Pokémon Latios, appearing as the boss in "5-star Shadow Raids" in Pokémon GO.

As a raid boss, Shadow Latios has higher attack power than regular Latios, and the shadow bonus increases the damage you receive, making it a very challenging battle in terms of endurance.
According to data from the overseas site GO Hub, Shadow Latios has a maximum CP of 4310, with attack 268, defense 212, and HP 190, further enhancing its legendary-class stats with shadow specifications.Pokémon GO Hub

From November to December 2025, Shadow Latios will appear as a 5-star Shadow Raid every weekend, with an event where you might encounter a Shiny Shadow Latios if you're lucky.Leek Duck
Shadow Raids cannot be participated in with Remote Raid Passes and can only be challenged locally, which is why there is a significant difference between "gyms where people gather" and "gyms where they don't" in Japan.

2. Conclusion: "Solo Defeat" of Shadow Latios is Basically Impossible

2-1. Foreign Media Also Clearly State "Solo Impossible"

According to an article on Sportskeeda, it is clearly concluded that it is not possible to defeat Shadow Latios in a 5-star Shadow Raid solo.Sportskeeda
The article analyzes that even with top-level trainers and the strongest class Pokémon, solo defeat is not expected in the current environment, considering theoretical DPS (damage per second), the boss's HP and defense, and the mechanics of enrage and purified gems.

Similarly, GO Hub's raid guide recommends "3-5 people with top counters and purified gems, 5-10 people for general trainers" when challenging Shadow Latios, and the idea of solo defeat is outside the guide's assumptions.Pokémon GO Hub
Furthermore, in the community of the overseas forum The Silph Road, which is active in raid research, Shadow Latios is not included in the "solo possible raid list of the month," repeatedly pointing out that "Shadow 5-star is not for solo."Reddit

2-2. Enrage and Purified Gem Mechanics are the Biggest Barrier

A unique gimmick of Shadow Raids is that when the boss's HP drops below one-third, it enters an "enrage" state.
In this state, attack power increases by about 80%, defense by nearly 200%, and it gradually recovers HP, resulting in an extraordinary enhancement.Pokémon GO Wiki+1

There are two ways to remove this enrage.

1. Use a total of 8 purified gems to return the boss to a "subdued" state

2. Push through and reduce the boss's HP to around 15%, continuing to attack until enrage is automatically removedPokémon GO Wiki+1

However, there is a restriction on purified gems: "A single trainer can use up to 5 in one battle."Pokémon GO Wiki+1
This means that in solo play, no matter how many gems you prepare, you cannot meet the condition of "using 8 to remove enrage," and you must fight while the boss remains enraged.

3. Why is it "Theoretically" Difficult to Solo? — Three Reasons

3-1. The Barrier of DPS and Time Limit

The time limit for a 5-star raid is 300 seconds (5 minutes), and considering Shadow Latios's HP and defense coefficient, an extremely high average DPS is required for a solo defeat.Pokémon GO Hub+1

In GO Hub's simulator, even when assembling top-tier Dragon, Ghost, and Dark attackers like Mega Rayquaza, Mega Garchomp, Eternatus, Shadow Salamence, and Shadow Dragonite, it is assumed to be defeated by 3-5 people.Pokémon GO Hub
To shoulder this alone, you would need unrealistic conditions such as "constant mega boost," "all level 50 and perfect IVs," "ideal move sets," and "constant weather boost."

Moreover, if the boss becomes enraged midway, your damage efficiency decreases further, and the damage you receive skyrockets.
Theoretically, while it's not entirely impossible with extreme conditions, considering the game's design and the views of the official and community, it's reasonable to think that "solo is not intended difficulty."Sportskeeda+1

3-2. Damage Taken During Enrage is Fatal

In the enrage state, the boss's attack power significantly increases, making Dragon moves like "Dragon Claw" and "Dragon Breath," Psychic moves like "Psychic," and depending on compatibility, "Focus Blast" and "Solar Beam" deal fatal damage with each hit.Pokémon GO Hub+1

Your party will also be composed of types that can exploit weaknesses like Dragon, Dark, and Ghost, but in a Dragon-on-Dragon fight, the damage you take increases, and the time spent reviving and healing significantly lowers overall DPS.
In a multi-person challenge, others can continue dealing damage while someone is down, but in solo, "the moment you fall, DPS becomes 0," making this gap a significant hindrance to reaching the defeat line.

3-3. Community Verification Results Also Indicate "Solo Impossible"

There are players worldwide who enjoy solo or small group raid challenges, and infographics summarizing "which bosses are soloable" are updated monthly.Reddit
Among them, legendary Pokémon in 5-star Shadow Raids (especially high-endurance ones like Shadow Latios) are categorized as "solo impossible," with "duo (2 people)" or "3 or more" being realistic lines for strategy.Reddit+1

These verification results are based on top-tier players' holdings, move sets, weather, and friend bonuses, assuming nearly optimal conditions.
Considering that even top players judge "solo is impossible," it's fair to say that aiming for solo defeat as an average player is not worth the effort compared to the return.

4. Realistic Number of People: How Many Are Needed for a Stable Defeat?

4-1. For Hardcore Players (Level 40-50, Optimal Move Sets)

GO Hub's guide recommends 3-5 people, assuming trainers who can prepare fully powered top counters and purified gems.Pokémon GO Hub

• Level 40-50

• Bring multiple Mega Rayquaza/Mega Garchomp

• Optimal move sets for Dragon, Dark, and Ghost

• Prepare a sufficient number of purified gems in advance

If these conditions are met, it is possible to barely reach the defeat line with 3 people.
However, since the difficulty can vary greatly depending on the boss's move set, weather, and actual play accuracy (such as dodging), 4-5 or more people are safer for stability.

4-2. When Intermediate to Casual Players Are Mixed

When the enhancement status of holdings is varied, 5-8 people is a realistic line.Pokémon GO Hub+1

• Some have top counters, but there are also unenhanced Pokémon

• Only 1-2 people have mega slots

• The number of purified gems brought varies by player

In such situations, there are often cases where the defeat is barely achieved due to lack of firepower during enrage and variations in gem usage timing.
The more people there are, the easier it is to use purified gems, and as a result, the success rate of defeat increases.

4-3. In Community Raids or Crowded Gyms

In popular local gyms or during events in busy areas, it's not uncommon for more than 10 people to gather.
With this level of numbers, even if your holdings are somewhat weak, you can stably defeat the boss by using purified gems strategically.

Especially in Japan, people tend to gather at gyms near train stations or large shopping malls, so if you want to challenge Shadow Latios, it's a good idea to identify "gyms where people tend to gather" in advance.

5. Recommended Counter Pokémon: What Should You Train?

5-1. Top Tier (Mega, Legendary, Shadow)

Based on GO Hub's simulation, the following Pokémon are particularly powerful as counters to Shadow Latios.##HTML