The Legendary Ultra Beast, Celesteela is coming back to Pokémon Go. For a limited time, you can challenge this powerful Pokémon in Legendary raids. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to beat Celesteela and add it to your team!
Who is Celesteela in Pokémon Go?
UB-04 Blaster, Celesteela is the fourth Ultra Beast, a special class of Legendary Pokémon found only in Ultra Space. Very rarely, Ultra Wormholes will appear in the Alola region, providing people and Pokémon alike with the ability to cross between the Pokémon world and Ultra Space. Now the Ultra Beasts have made their way into Pokémon Go raids.
In terms of gameplay, Celesteela has fewer uses than some of its fellow Ultra Beasts. Its typing and stats mean it will have a place in the Pokémon Go Battle League though, so this is a raid worth investing in, and be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon journey!
Mega counters
There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Celesteela, focusing on both of its weaknesses: Fire and Electric.
Mega Charizard Y
If you're looking to build a Fire based team, Mega Charizard Y is the best Mega for the job. This Fire and Flying type resists Ground and Steel type damage, but Rock type moves hit extra hard. Fire Spin and Blast Burn are the moves you'll want your Mega Charizard to know for this fight.
Mega Manectric
For an Electric based offensive, Mega Manectric is the top performing Mega. It's a pure Electric type, so it resists Flying and Steel type damage, but Ground type moves deal super effective damage. If you add Mega Manectric to your team, it should know Thunder Fang and Wild Charge.
Mega Charizard X
Although Y performs better, Mega Charizard X is another option for beating Celesteela. It's a Fire and Dragon type, so its weak against both Ground and Rock type moves, while resisting Steel type damage. Fire Spin and Blast Burn is also the ideal moveset for this Charizard.
Honorable mentions
While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:
- Mega Houndoom with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
- Mega Ampharos with Volt Switch and Zap Cannon
- Mega Alakazam with Counter and Fire Punch
Top counters
Celesteela is a Steel and Flying type with access to Steel, Flying, Normal, Rock, and Ground type moves. Its weaknesses include Fire and Electric type moves leaving room for a couple winning strategies.
Xurkitree
Fellow Ultra Beast, Xurkitree is the top standard counter for Celesteela. Xurkitree is a pure Electric type, so Ground type moves hit for super effective damage, but it resists Flying and Steel type damage. Unfortunately, Xurkitree has had pretty limited availability, so many players haven't even encountered it, but if you have one, Spark and Discharge are its best moves.
Reshiram
Next up is the Legendary mascot of Pokémon Black, Reshiram. It's a Dragon and Fire type, so it resists Steel type damage, but is weak against Rock and Ground type moves. Reshiram has had a few runs if raids, so if you have one powered up, Fire Fang and Overheat are its best moves for fighting Celesteela.
Thundurus (Therian)
One of the Forces of Nature, Thundurus (Therian) is our next top counter. This Electric and Flying type resists Flying, Steel, and Ground type damage, but he takes super effective damage from Rock type moves. Although the Therian forme hasn't been in raids as often as the Incarnate forme, both share candy. Volt Switch and Thunderbolt is the moveset your Thundurus should know going up against Celesteela.
Zekrom
Fellow Ultra Beast, Xurkitree is the top standard counter for Celesteela. Xurkitree is a pure Electric type, so Ground type moves hit for super effective damage, but it resists Flying and Steel type damage. Unfortunately, Xurkitree has had extremely limited availability, so only players who participated in specific Pokémon Go Fest 2022 events have even encountered it, but if you have one, Spark and Discharge are its best moves.
Ho-Oh
The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Gold, Ho-Oh is the next top counter, but specifically Apex Ho-Oh. This Ho-Oh is limited to one per account and only to players who completed the lengthy Apex Masterwork Research. It's a Flying and Fire type, so it resists Steel and Ground type damage, but Rock type moves hit extra hard. Incinerate and Sacred Fire++ is the moveset you're looking for. A Ho-Oh with the standard Sacred Fire is not worth adding to your team here.
Darmanitan
Unovan native, Darmanitan is our next top counter for Celesteela. This pure Fire type resists Steel type damage, but takes super effective damage from Ground type moves. The Darmanitan line is readily available, having multiple formes that often show up in eggs and events, so most active players have had the chance to add it to their roster. If you're bringing Darmanitan for this fight, it should know Fire Fang and Overheat.
Raikou
One of the Legendary beasts of Johto, Raikou is another excellent choice for this raid. It's a pure Electric type, so Ground type moves hit for super effective damage, but it resists Flying and Steel type moves. Raikou has been available so many times, in so many ways that nearly all active players have had the chance to encounter it. Your Raikou should know Volt Switch and Wild Charge before facing Celesteela.
Moltres
Another of the Legendary birds of Kanto, Moltres also does well in this raid. It's a Flying and Fire type, resisting Ground and Steel type damage, but weak against Rock. Moltres has also been available many times and in many different ways, so it's likely you have a couple already powered up. Fire Spin and Overheat are the moves Moltres should know when facing Celesteela.
Zapdos
Part of the Legendary birds of Kanto, Zapdos performs well against Celesteela. As an Electric and Flying type, Zapdos resists Flying, Steel, and Ground type damage, but is weak to Rock type moves. Zapdos has been available in so many times and ways that nearly every active player has had the chance to add it to their team. Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt is the moveset you want.
Blaziken
Finally, we have the Fire starter from Hoenn, Blaziken. This Fire and Fighting type resists Steel type damage, but takes super effective damage from Flying and Ground type moves. The Blaziken line has been available many times over, including during Community Day, so there's a good chance you already have a couple powered up. If you add it to your team, Blaziken should know Fire Spin and Blast Burn in this fight.
Back up counters
Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:
- Chandelure with Incinerate and Overheat
- Entei with Fire Fang and Overheat
- Emboar with Ember and Blast Burn
- Heatran with Fire Spin and Flamethrower
- Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Vikavolt with Spark and Discharge
- Charizard with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
- Victini with Quick Attack and V-Create
- Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Flareon with Fire Spin and Overheat
- Arcanine with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
- Hisuian Arcanine with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
- Thundurus (Incarnate) with Thunder Shock and Thunder
- Zacian (Hero of Many Battles) with Fire Fang and Wild Charge
- Typhlosion with Incinerate and Blast Burn
- Infernape with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
- Tapu Koko with Volt Switch and Thunderbolt
- Pyroar with Fire Fang and Overheat
- Magmortar with Fire Spin and Fire Punch
Shadow counters
The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this raid:
- Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Shadow Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Sacred Fire+
- Shadow Entei with Fire Fang and Overheat
- Shadow Raikou with Volt Switch and Wild Charge
- Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Moltres with Fire Spin and Overheat
- Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge
- Shadow Charizard with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
- Shadow Arcanine with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
- Shadow Typhlosion with Incinerate and Blast Burn
- Shadow Magmortar with Fire Spin and Fire Punch
- Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
- Shadow Houndoom with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
- Shadow Manectric with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge
- Shadow Salamence with Fire Fang and Fire Blast
Note: Shadow Pokémon perform especially well in this raid with nearly all of these performing on par with the top counters. Shadow Electivire and Apex Shadow Ho-Oh outperform everything except Mega Charizard Y.
More details
Under the best conditions, three top level players can take out Celesteela. If you're lower level or lacking the best counters, you may want to have four or five players in your raid party.
Weather conditions that can impact this raid include:
- Wind will boost Celesteela's Flying type move
- Snow will boost its Steel type moves
- Partly Cloudy Weather will boost its Normal and Rock type moves
- Sunny/Clear Weather will boost its Ground type move and your Fire type counters
- Rain will boost your Electric type counters
Don't miss your chance to catch Celesteela in Pokémon Go!
Celesteela will only be available in raids for a limited time so you don't want to miss this chance to battle and catch one. Also, be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!
