Ready to add one of Pokémon GO’s most majestic and formidable Legendaries to your collection? Solgaleo, the Sunne Pokémon, with its unique Psychic and Steel typing, is a game-changer. For the very first time, this magnificent beast is appearing as a 5-star raid boss in July 2025 – a truly unprecedented event! This ultimate guide will walk you through exactly how to get Solgaleo in Pokémon GO right now, delve into its power, and even address whether you can find its coveted shiny form.
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What is Solgaleo in Pokémon GO?
Solgaleo is a revered Legendary Pokémon hailing from the Alola region (Generation VII). Known as the “Sunne Pokémon,” its very presence radiates power. Many trainers often wonder what type Solgaleo is; it boasts a unique Psychic and Steel-type combination. This potent dual typing grants it exceptional offensive capabilities and robust defensive resistances, making it a formidable contender across diverse battle scenarios in Pokémon GO.
How to Get Solgaleo in Pokémon GO (2025’s Prime Methods)
Historically, acquiring Solgaleo in Pokémon GO demanded a lengthy evolution journey. However, July 2025 brings a monumental shift, offering a rare direct capture opportunity!
Method 1: Catching Solgaleo in 5-Star Raids (July 8 – 14, 2025)
Mark your calendars! For the first time, Solgaleo is making its grand debut as a 5-star raid boss from July 8, 2025, to July 14, 2025. This is your golden opportunity to bypass the intricate evolution chain and catch Solgaleo directly. Don’t let this limited-time event slip by!
To triumph in these challenging encounters, arm yourself with this knowledge:
Solgaleo’s Core Weaknesses: Ground, Ghost, Fire, and Dark-type moves. Exploit these to deal massive damage.
Top-Tier Counters for Solgaleo Raids:
- Darkrai: Snarl (Fast), Shadow Ball (Charged)
- Chandelure: Hex (Fast), Shadow Ball (Charged)
- Garchomp: Mud Shot (Fast), Earth Power (Charged)
- Hydreigon: Bite (Fast), Brutal Swing (Charged)
- Giratina (Origin Forme): Shadow Claw (Fast), Shadow Ball (Charged)
Essential Raid Strategies:
- Team Up: Gather 4-6 high-level trainers. Strength in numbers is key against a Legendary.
- Mega/Shadow Boosts: Deploy Mega-Evolved or Shadow Pokémon to amplify your team’s damage significantly.
- Weather Advantage: Raid during Partly Cloudy or Windy weather to boost Solgaleo’s Psychic-type moves, increasing your challenge – but also your rewards!
- Post-Raid Capture: After defeating Solgaleo, use Golden Razz Berries and aim for excellent curveballs with your Premier Balls to maximize your catch rate.
Method 2: Evolving Cosmog into Solgaleo
Even if you miss the exhilarating raid event, the traditional evolution path for Pokémon GO Solgaleo remains a viable option. This intricate journey begins with the elusive Mythical Pokémon, Cosmog.
1. Secure Your Cosmog: Cosmog is typically acquired by completing specific Special Research quests. The “A Cosmic Companion” and “Starry Skies” Special Researches have historically been the gateways to obtaining Cosmog. Keep a vigilant eye on future in-game announcements for any re-runs of these vital research lines.
2. Cosmog to Cosmoem: With your Cosmog in hand, the first step is to evolve it into Cosmoem. This requires a modest 25 Cosmog Candy.
3. Cosmoem to Solgaleo: The final, decisive evolution! You’ll need an additional 100 Cosmog Candy for this stage. Crucially, to successfully get Solgaleo, you must initiate the evolution process during the daytime in your local Pokémon GO time zone. Attempting this evolution at night will result in the acquisition of Lunala instead!
Both methods offer a distinct path to adding the majestic Solgaleo to your Pokédex. Choose the one that best fits your current resources and gameplay style!
Can Solgaleo Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
As of July 2025, Shiny Solgaleo remains one of the most highly anticipated, yet unavailable, shiny forms in Pokémon GO. Whether you catch Solgaleo from its debut raids or evolve it from Cosmog, it will currently appear only in its standard colors.
Niantic, the developers, typically release the shiny variants of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon during special events or subsequent appearances, often a significant period after their initial introduction. While Shiny Solgaleo isn’t here yet, anticipation is high. Stay connected to official Pokémon GO channels – their website, Twitter, and in-game news – for the momentous announcement of its shiny debut!
Solgaleo vs. Lunala: Which is Better for Your Team?
Once your Cosmoem is ready for its final evolution, you’ll face a pivotal decision: Solgaleo or Lunala? As trainers typically receive only one Cosmog per research line, this choice carries significant weight! So, when pondering whether Solgaleo or Lunala is better, remember both are incredibly powerful, but their optimal roles in Pokémon GO can differ.
Let’s break down their key differences to help you decide:
| Feature | Solgaleo | Lunala |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Type | Psychic + Steel | Psychic + Ghost |
| Evolution Time | Daytime only | Nighttime only |
| Major Weaknesses | Ground, Ghost, Fire, Dark | Ghost, Dark |
| Notable Resistances | Fairy, Grass, Dragon, Ice, Normal, Flying, Rock, Steel, Psychic | Fighting, Poison, Normal, Flying, Psychic, Grass, Electric |
| Best Use Cases | Ultra League PvP, Fairy counters, diverse resistances | PvE Ghost attacker, unique PvP niche |
| Aesthetics | Majestic, sun-like lion | Ethereal, moon-like bat |
- Choose Solgaleo if: You value unparalleled defensive utility and robust Steel-type coverage. Solgaleo excels in Trainer Battles, particularly the Ultra League, where its numerous resistances allow it to wall common threats like Togekiss and Cresselia.
- Choose Lunala if: You’re seeking a high-damage Ghost-type attacker for PvE raids. While it has specific PvP applications, Lunala truly shines when dishing out spectral damage against foes vulnerable to Ghost-type moves.
Ultimately, the choice between Solgaleo and Lunala should align with your existing team’s gaps and your personal playstyle preferences. Both are magnificent, game-changing additions!
Solgaleo’s Best Movesets for Battle
To unleash Solgaleo’s full potential in Pokémon GO, selecting the right moveset is paramount. Its unique Psychic and Steel typing allows it to serve various strategic roles, particularly in Trainer Battles.
Here’s a breakdown of Solgaleo’s most effective moves for optimal performance:
| Move Category | Move Name | Optimal Use & Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Move | Fire Spin | Offers superior overall damage output and excellent energy generation, making it a top pick. |
| Fast Move | Zen Headbutt | A reliable Psychic-type option, though slightly slower in energy generation. |
| Charged Move | Psychic Fangs | Low energy cost and a crucial defense-lowering effect on opponents in PvP. |
| Charged Move | Iron Head | Strong Steel-type hit, providing solid damage and type coverage. |
| Charged Move | Solar Beam | A devastatingly powerful Grass-type attack, though it requires significant energy to charge. |
For PvP battles, especially within the Ultra League, the combination of Fire Spin as your Fast Move and Psychic Fangs alongside Iron Head as your Charged Moves offers formidable coverage and utility. While Solgaleo may not always claim the top spot as a raid attacker, its extensive resistances and unparalleled typing make it a resilient and highly effective presence in many Trainer Battle scenarios.
Bonus: Join Solgaleo Raids Anywhere with LocaRun
For trainers who wish to push the boundaries of their Pokémon GO adventures, tools like LocaRun offer an alternative way to interact with the game world. LocaRun is a location changer designed to simulate GPS movement on your device, empowering you to “travel” to different areas in Pokémon GO without needing to move physically.
This can unlock new dimensions of gameplay, allowing you to:
- Participate in Global Raids: Access Solgaleo raids (or any raid) happening across different time zones, overcoming geographical limitations.
- Explore Diverse Biomes: Discover and catch Pokémon that are region-specific or appear in areas you can’t easily reach.
- Optimize Evolution Timings: Effortlessly shift between day and night cycles in-game to meet specific evolution requirements, like those for Solgaleo (daytime) or Lunala (nighttime).
LocaRun typically provides intuitive features such as joystick mode for manual navigation, multi-spot routing for automated journeys, and instant teleportation to any desired location globally. To begin, download and install the software on your computer, connect your mobile device, and use the user-friendly interface to set your in-game GPS location. This tool offers unparalleled flexibility for how you experience the vast world of Pokémon GO.
FAQs About Solgaleo Pokémon GO
Conclusion
Acquiring Solgaleo is a pinnacle achievement for any Pokémon GO trainer. Whether you’re vying for dominance in the Ultra League or simply enriching your Pokédex, its potent Psychic and Steel typing ensures a powerful addition to your roster. With the unprecedented 5-star raid event (July 8 – 14, 2025) and the reliable evolution pathway, you now possess all the knowledge to capture this magnificent Sunne Pokémon. For those seeking an extra edge in reaching global raids or optimizing gameplay, tools like LocaRun offer unparalleled flexibility. Prepare your team, strategize your approach, and bask in the glory of your newly acquired Solgaleo!
Level up your Pokémon GO game with these guides:
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Hi, I’m Danny, a cybersecurity expert with 15+ years in digital privacy. I lead Locarun’s technical content on geolocation security solutions. My industry background helps me translate complex privacy technologies into practical strategies for protecting your online identity. I’m dedicated to empowering users with effective tools to control their digital footprint through our GPS location changer.
