TL;DR
- Rayquaza dominates five-star raids requiring Steel-type counters and coordinated teams
- Ruby vs. Sapphire choice determines exclusive Pokemon encounters and Primal raid access
- Hoenn starters and evolutions appear across wild spawns and tiered raid battles
- Mega Latias and Latios present additional high-difficulty raid challenges
- Event runs February 25-26 with shiny Rayquaza hunting opportunities

The Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn Global event showcases Rayquaza as the premier five-star raid boss, accompanied by multiple exclusive Pokemon appearances throughout the weekend celebration.
Rayquaza represents one of the most significant Legendary Pokemon from Generation III, originally serving as the flagship creature for Pokemon Emerald. This majestic dragon first appeared in Pokemon Go during February 2018’s Hoenn Celebration Event, with its coveted shiny variant debuting the following year. Throughout its presence in the game, Rayquaza has featured in four distinct events, establishing its popularity among trainers. Notably, Rayquaza possesses a Mega Evolution capability that remains unreleased in Pokemon Go, creating anticipation for future updates.
The Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn Global occurs across Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26, operating from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM according to your local timezone. Prepare for extensive exploration as this event demands substantial walking to maximize participation opportunities.
Rayquaza Five-Star Raid Battle Strategy
Rayquaza commands the five-star raid battles during the Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn Global, representing the pinnacle of raid difficulty within the game’s current structure. Successfully challenging this formidable opponent typically necessitates coordination with at least three additional trainers who have achieved level 40 or higher, though larger groups significantly improve success probabilities.
Rayquaza’s dual Dragon and Flying typing creates specific vulnerabilities that strategic trainers can exploit. Both types demonstrate pronounced weakness against Steel-type attacks, making Steel-type Pokemon particularly effective counters. Magearna stands out as an optimal choice due to its dual Steel and Fairy typing, providing exceptional defensive coverage. Mawile offers similar type advantages with comparable effectiveness. When these premium options prove unavailable, reliable alternatives include Melmetal, Klinklang, and Aggron, though their performance may vary depending on individual Pokemon levels and move sets.
Remember that raid success correlates directly with participant numbers – larger raiding parties dramatically reduce battle difficulty. You can engage in multiple five-star raids throughout the event duration, with each encounter presenting potential opportunities to capture the elusive shiny variant of Rayquaza. For optimal performance, ensure your counter Pokemon possess ideal move sets and are powered up to their maximum potential levels.
Ruby vs. Sapphire Challenge Deep Dive
The event introduces the compelling Ruby versus Sapphire challenge mechanic, requiring participants to select allegiance to one of the two teams. This decision directly influences which Pokemon species you’ll encounter more frequently throughout the event. Trainers complete specialized Field Research tasks representing their chosen faction, with the globally dominant team earning enhanced Primal Raid encounter rates. Primal Raids showcase Primal Kyogre for Sapphire adherents and Primal Groudon for Ruby supporters.
Team Sapphire participants will experience increased spawn rates for these exclusive Pokemon:
- Minun
- Illumise
- Wailmer
- Lunatone
- Castform (Rainy Form)
Trainers aligning with Team Ruby will encounter these alternative Pokemon with heightened frequency:
- Plusle
- Volbeat
- Trapinch
- Solrock
- Castform (Sunny Form)
Complete Hoenn Pokemon Encounter Guide
The weekend event saturates the game environment with Hoenn region Pokemon, prominently featuring the starter trio Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. These foundational Pokemon appear both as wild spawns and within one-star raid battles. Their evolved forms—Grovyle, Combusken, and Marshtomp—appear in three-star raids, with fortunate trainers potentially discovering them in wilderness encounters.
Additional Pokemon exhibiting increased wild spawn frequency include:
- Wurmple
- Whismur
- Numel
- Barboach
- Absol
- Makuhita
- Nincada
- Unown
- Zangoose
- Roselia
- Slakoth
- Mawile
- Clamperl
- Feebas
- And many more
If the legendary trio proves insufficient challenge, ambitious trainers can test their skills against Mega Latias and Mega Latios in specialized Mega Raids. These encounters present substantially greater difficulty, comparable to seven-star raid challenges in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet titles.
Action Checklist
- Assemble Steel-type counter Pokemon team with optimal movesets
- Coordinate with local trainers to ensure adequate raid participation numbers
- Choose Ruby or Sapphire team based on desired exclusive Pokemon encounters
- Plan event route to maximize wild spawn and raid participation
- Complete Field Research tasks for chosen team to boost Primal raid chances
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Rayquaza featured in Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn Global Master Rayquaza raids, team selection strategies, and exclusive Hoenn Pokemon encounters during the global event
