The source's August 2026 Pokémon GO raid calendar featured Groudon, Lunala, Mega Garchomp, Mega Swampert, and Mega Starmie. Those event windows have ended; this guide preserves the original resource-planning discussion with factual corrections noted below.
There was no need to spend Premium Battle Passes or Remote Raid Passes on every boss. A missing battle role, first Mega Evolution, and Shiny collection are different goals.
Pokémon GO does not use a separate Korean-only raid server for the global rotations discussed here. Global local-time events follow the clock at your play location, including North America. Regional bosses and special events can still differ; this is not a claim that every raid worldwide is identical.
The Source's August Raid Calendar
| Dates in 2026, local time where specified | Legendary raids | Mega raids | Original suggested priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 12–18 | Groudon | Mega Garchomp | Very high |
| August 19–25 | Lunala | Mega Swampert | High |
| August 22, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Starmie Super Mega Raid Day | Mega Starmie | First unlock |
| August 26–30 | Regirock, Regice, Registeel | Mega Gyarados | Depends on your account |
| August 31 | Mega Ascension began | Mega Victreebel, Mega Dragonite, Mega Malamar | Budget passes for selected goals |
Mega Ascension changed the usual raid program from August 31 and led into Mega Finale with Mega Mewtwo X and Y. The source therefore recommended reserving some premium passes rather than spending them all on earlier rotations.
Why Groudon Was a Priority
Groudon for an Actual Ground-Type Need
The source ranked Groudon highly for a reusable Ground-type raid role. Developing it for Primal Reversion can also provide the relevant Fire-, Ground-, and Grass-type team and catching benefits, subject to the applicable bonus rules.
A missing usable Groudon or a planned level-50 build could justify more attempts. An established Primal Groudon and enough Candy XL could instead make free passes sufficient for your goals.
Ordinary Groudon raids did not award Primal Energy. Their suggested goals were:
- A suitable Groudon with good IVs
- A Shiny Groudon
- Groudon Candy
- Groudon Candy XL
- A candidate for a separately funded Primal Reversion project
Groudon Counter Examples
Groudon is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice attacks. Choose an appropriate moveset and team based on the boss's moves, weather, and what you own.
The source's examples included:
- Primal Kyogre
- Mega Swampert
- Mega Sceptile
- Kyogre
- Kartana
- Zarude
- Roserade
- Mamoswine
The source listed Groudon Raid Hour on August 12, 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. Coordinated Raid Hours were one way to concentrate planned attempts; this is an ended calendar entry.
When Mega Garchomp Raids Made Sense
Mega Garchomp offers Dragon/Ground typing, a raid role, and relevant same-type catching bonuses while Mega Evolved. Those uses depend on the actual moves and active Mega Level.
If you had not unlocked it, enough Energy for the first Mega Evolution was a concrete goal.
After unlocking a Mega Evolution in that line, an eligible Buddy can earn more Mega Energy through walking. That can reduce the need to keep spending premium passes after the initial unlock.
Mega Garchomp is doubly weak to Ice. Appropriate Ice attackers from the source's list included:
- Mamoswine
- Baxcalibur
- Galarian Darmanitan
- Weavile
- Glaceon
- Mega Glalie
- Mega Abomasnow
Why Lunala Was a Different Goal
Lunala Collection and a Fusion Component
The source listed Lunala for August 19–25, including a possible Shiny encounter. This is historical lineup information rather than a current raid listing.
Lunala can be used with Necrozma to form Dawn Wings Necrozma when you also have the required Fusion Energy and Candy. Important correction: the fused Pokémon's IVs and Shiny status come from Necrozma, so better Lunala IVs do not improve the fused result.
Repeated Lunala attempts therefore needed a goal of their own, such as:
- A Shiny Lunala for the separate collection
- Good IVs for using Lunala itself
- An available Lunala as a fusion component
- Lunala Candy and Candy XL
The source favored Groudon for an immediate broad Ground role and Lunala for collection or fusion preparation. Neither goal required treating Lunala's IVs as the fused Necrozma's IVs.
Lunala Counter Examples
Psychic/Ghost Lunala is doubly weak to Ghost and Dark attacks.
The source's examples included:
- Mega Tyranitar
- Mega Gengar
- Mega Houndoom
- Hydreigon
- Tyranitar
- Darkrai
- Origin Forme Giratina
- Chandelure
The source listed Lunala Raid Hour on August 19, 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. A coordinated group could support repeated attempts, without guaranteeing a Shiny.
When Mega Swampert Raids Made Sense
Mega Swampert offers a Water/Ground raid option and applicable same-type catching benefits. The exact Candy XL bonus depends on the relevant Mega rules and level.
A first unlock was a useful Energy target. If you already had a developed individual, extra raids could be a lower priority.
Owning developed Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon could reduce the urgency of another Water/Ground Mega project. The source suggested using free passes before committing more premium resources.
Mega Starmie Raid Day
Mega Starmie debuted in Super Mega Raids on August 22, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. Starmie is the evolved species, distinct from Staryu.
The announced event bonuses included:
- Up to six free Raid Passes from Gym Photo Discs
- An additional 5,000 XP from all raids
- Increased Rare Candy XL chance from Raid Battles
- Increased Shiny Starmie chance from Super Mega Raids
- Mega Level 1 unlocked on Starmie caught from Super Mega Raids
- Timed Research with a Premium Battle Pass and Scizor encounter
A Starmie caught from these Super Mega Raids had Mega Level 1 unlocked. This special catch benefit was relevant to an initial Mega goal; it did not mean every ordinary Starmie already had that progression.
If you did not need more IV or Shiny attempts, using the free allocation before buying more was a reasonable budget approach.
Super Mega Raids require coordination and may appear only at selected Gyms. The official map and local community meetups helped identify locations and groups.
Regirock, Regice, and Registeel
The source listed all three from August 26 and recommended choosing according to collection and PvP needs rather than farming each equally.
Registeel
The author's preferred PvP project among the three was Registeel, based on its bulk and possible Great or Ultra League roles at the time.
Standard raid IV floors differ from the low-Attack spreads often sought for capped PvP. Trading can change IVs, but does not guarantee the desired spread or CP.
Regirock
The source treated Regirock as a more specialized PvP or collection target. A missing entry or Shiny could justify attempts without making it a mandatory premium-pass spend.
Regice
For an Ice raid role, the source favored alternatives such as Mamoswine, Baxcalibur, and Galarian Darmanitan. That reduced its proposed premium-pass priority for a raid-focused roster.
When Mega Gyarados Raids Made Sense
Mega Gyarados can fill a Dark attacking role or support Water/Dark catching goals while Mega Evolved, with suitable moves and applicable bonuses.
For a first unlock, target the required Mega Energy.
If you already had enough Energy, Mega Tyranitar, or Primal Kyogre, extra Mega Gyarados raids could wait. That was a roster-dependent recommendation rather than a universal ranking.
Shadow Giratina: Corrected Access Rules
The source listed Altered Forme Shadow Giratina in weekend Shadow Raids. Its statement that Shadow Raids were in-person only is outdated: official changes permanently enabled Remote Raid Pass access from May 13, 2025. Check the current boss and normal remote limits rather than using the old restriction.
Shadow bosses still require appropriate preparation. Coordinate enough participants and bring relevant Purified Gems and healing items where the battle mechanics call for them.
A Shadow Shiny or PvP project was one possible goal. For the source's immediate Ground raid need, it preferred Groudon over building Shadow Giratina purely as an attacker.
Why the Source Reserved Passes for Late August
Mega Ascension began August 31 with Mega Victreebel, Mega Dragonite, and Mega Malamar as the announced first-day features.
Mega Dragonite could offer a Dragon raid role and relevant catching bonuses, making its first unlock an option for a roster missing it.
Mega Ascension was followed by Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale.
- Mega Mewtwo X: September 5
- Mega Mewtwo Y: September 6
- Each day's main event: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. local time
- Remote Raid limits removed for that event weekend
- Possible Special Background Mewtwo from the applicable Super Mega Raid catches
The source expected Mega Mewtwo to need coordinated groups and suggested saving premium passes rather than overfarming earlier bosses. A higher remote cap or removed limit still did not supply Remote Raid Passes.
The Original Pass Priority Order
For a limited budget, the source suggested:
- Groudon IVs and Candy XL for a planned build
- Shiny Lunala collecting
- Mega Garchomp's first Mega unlock
- Mega Starmie's free event passes
- Altered Forme Shadow Giratina if it fit your collection or PvP goals
- Missing Mega Swampert and Mega Gyarados unlocks
- Registeel for an intended PvP role
- Reserve premium passes for Mega Dragonite and Mega Mewtwo
Groudon led the source's practical battle-building plan; Lunala led a different collection goal. Your current roster could reasonably change that order.
The overall advice was to use free allocations for selected initial unlocks and save premium resources for clear goals. These August and September event windows are over; use current announcements for your next raid session.
Regional and version notes
English localization reviewed October 23, 2026. Global schedules marked local time use the clock at your play location, including North America. Korean destination activities retain KST. Ended event and reward windows do not reopen through this guide. Recommendations and tier comparisons are the original author’s strategic assessment, not an independently measured current leaderboard or guaranteed outcome. The source’s August rotation table is historical source information; the Starmie event and Mega Finale are checked against their individual notices. The in-person-only Shadow Raid restriction is corrected using the permanent May 2025 update. Lunala’s own IV project is distinct from the attributes inherited from Necrozma in a Dawn Wings fusion. Some illustrations are retained from the Korean edition and may include Korean labels. Use the English article text for instructions.
Localization sources checked October 23, 2026 (Korea time):