Just like Articuno and Zapdos, Pokémon Go is expected to you Moltres, another of the Legendary Birds, as a Global Research Challenge reward. This time for Safari Zone Japan.
Here's everything we know, and what you need to do to prepare — and get that Shiny Moltres!
When is Moltres Raid Day?
Pokémon Go hasn't announced it but it's expected to be in August, the week after Safari Day Japan.
What time do the Moltres Day Raids start and end?
Typically, it's the same as Community Day:
- Asia-Pacific: 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. JST (GMT +9)
- Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India: 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. UTC (GMT +0)
- Americas and Greenland: 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. PST (GMT -8) / 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST (GMT -5)
Will any bonuses be in effect?
Stardust bonuses should be up and running, and that will mean bonuses for both the raid itself and catching Moltres.
What is Moltres Day?
Pokémon Go has been doing Community Day for a while now but these new Legendary Raid Days have just started, so it's hard to tell what it means or how long it will last yet.
But, there's been both an Articuno Day and a Zapdos Day, so it makes sense there'll be a Moltres Day next.
All you have to do to get your free Raid Passes is spin the Photo Disc on a Gym?
Yes, though you only get one at a time. So, go to a Raid, spin the Photo Disc on the Gym, get your pass, complete the Raid, and then go on to the next Raid and repeat the process. You can do this up to five times for free passes, then you need to start using premium (paid) raid passes.
Will Moltres be the only Raid during Moltres Day hours?
Also yes! Moltres will spawn at every Gym — with the exception of Gyms with active Ex Raid passes for next week — and stay spawned for the full three hours.
So, if you can get a group together, go from Gym to Gym and Raid to Raid as often as you want to or can for the full three hours.
Is it true Moltres Raids will have Tier 4 CP and timers?
No word yet, but that's what happened with Articuno Day and Zapdos Day. 180 seconds per Raid instead of 300, and the CP to match.
It shouldn't change the size of the Raid group you need, but it should let you get in more Raids.
But you still get Tier 5 XP and rewards?
Again, that's what happened with Articuno Day and Zapdos Day, but there's no way to know for sure until Moltres Day starts. If it's on, you'll get 10,000 XP per raid, double candy, and extra Rare Candy.
Plus all the usual Tier 5 item drops.
How many players do you need to beat Moltres?
It's possible with two people, especially if they're high level, have high-level Smack Down Tyranitars and Stone Edge Golems, and/or have the weather and friendship bonuses.
Three people should be fine regardless of weather, again with high-level Smack Down Tyranitars and Stone Edge Golems.
It won't be fast and things could go wrong, though. So, if you're looking to maximize speed and ensure victory, having a slightly larger group is the best strategy.
What's the best way to get in the most Moltres Raids?
You don't have to think about speed and quantity. You can play at a relaxed pace, get in your five free Raids, and totally not stress about it.
If you want to maximize your chances of scoring a 100% or Shiny, though, you'll have to go all-in on Wafu style Raiding.
Basically, get a team together that can take down the Raid Boss without any problems. Have someone in charge of finding the next Raid, someone in charge of getting you there, and someone in charge of starting the timer as soon as possible.
Then, you make sure everyone gets in, do the Raid, and immediately head to the next one.
If someone wants to catch a Shiny or high IV Raid Boss, and they aren't fast enough between Raids, they miss a Raid while catching, then jump back in.
It's relentless, it's exhausting, but it's what lets people get 50+ Raids done in 3 hours.
Just think twice before putting yourself (and your wallet and stress levels) through it
What are the best counters for Moltres?
Moltres is a Flying- and Electric-type Pokémon, so here's what you want to set up for your Raid Teams:
- Tyranitar with Smack Down + Stone Edge (if you managed to score them during the June Community Day).
- Golem (incl. Alolan) with Rock Throw + Stone Edge.
- Kyogre with Waterfall + Hydro Pump.
Having at least two teams set up, a primary and a backup, can help you get back in quickly if you faint out, or still have strong counters if you forget to heal up between Raids.
What's a 100% perfect Moltres?
- 1870: Regular
- 2337: Sunny or Windy weather boost
Is Shiny Moltres coming for Raid Day?
Probably! Both Articuno and Zapos had high shiny rates.
Also hopefully, Shiny Moltres will have the same 100% catch rate as other Shiny Legendary so, if you do encounter one, a Pinap Berry will nab you even more extra candy.
What's the best moveset for Moltres?
Moltres is a Flying/Fire type, just like Charizard, but with a CP that can reach over 3000. It currently doesn't have any Flying-type movesets assigned to it, but it has Fire Spin + Overheat, which is the best Fire-type moveset in the game. That makes Moltres, essentially, a super-Charizard. Use it to burn Bugs Grass-types down to ash.
- Best Movesets: Fire Spin + Overheat. It's not fast but it hits like the inferno.
Can you Fast TM Thundershock onto your existing Moltres?
Not so far, which is upsetting a lot of people who invested rare candy and stardust in powering up their current Moltres.
Moltres has been available before, right?
Right. Moltres was the second of the Legendary Birds unlocked following the original Pokémon Go Fest Chicago 2017, and has popped back into Raids in the past as well as been available as the Field Research reward for May, 2018.
Wait, what is Moltres?
Moltres is one of the Legendary Birds of Gen 1, originally discovered in the Kanto Region. In Pokémon Go, it's also the symbol of Team Instinct.
From Pokémon:
Moltres is a legendary bird Pokémon that has the ability to control fire. If this Pokémon is injured, it is said to dip its body in the molten magma of a volcano to burn and heal itself.
From Bulbapedia):
Moltres is a large, avian Pokémon with orange or golden plumage. It has a long, flowing head crest and a billowing tail, both made of flames. Additionally, its wings are also shrouded in fiery plumage. Its straight, pointed beak is brown, as are its anisodactyl feet. It has short talons.Moltres sheds embers with every flap of its wings, creating a brilliant flash of flames. By dipping itself into the magma of an active volcano, this Pokémon can heal itself. It migrates to the south with the coming of spring, and is said to bring an early springtime to cold lands. Moltres is rarely seen by Trainers.
Any Moltres Day Raid questions?
If you have any questions about Moltres Day or Raids, drop them in the comments below!
