Mega Charizard has always been one of the most iconic Pokémon in Pokémon GO. With two distinct Mega Evolutions—Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y—both versions hold immense power and a special place for collectors. For shiny hunters, the allure goes a step further: unlocking Shiny Mega Charizard X and Shiny Mega Charizard Y. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to catch, evolve, and battle with these shiny legends.
Mega Charizard Forms in Pokémon GO
- Mega Charizard X
- Type: Fire/Dragon
- Appearance: Black-and-blue dragon-like form.
- Strengths: High attack power, unique resistances due to Dragon typing.
- Mega Charizard Y
- Type: Fire/Flying
- Appearance: Retains Charizard’s fiery look but gains massive offensive power.
- Strengths: Exceptional attack stats and high raid damage output.
Both forms require Mega Energy and a base Charizard to evolve. The shiny versions are only possible if your base Charizard is shiny.
See also: How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO (September 2025 Guide & Counters)
Step 1: Catch a Shiny Charmander or Shiny Charizard
The journey begins with obtaining a shiny from the Charmander family:
- Raid Rewards: Win Mega Charizard X or Y raids for a chance to encounter shiny Charizard.
- Wild Encounters: Rarely, Charmander spawns in the wild can be shiny.
- Events & Community Days: Special Pokémon GO events often boost Charmander spawn rates, increasing shiny chances.
Once you have a Shiny Charmander, evolve it into Shiny Charmeleon and then Shiny Charizard.
Step 2: Gather Mega Energy
Mega Evolving requires Mega Energy:
- 200 Mega Energy: Needed for the first Mega Evolution of Charizard.
- Subsequent Evolutions: Cost less Mega Energy, and cooldowns apply.
Ways to earn Mega Energy:
- Win Mega Charizard X or Y raids.
- Complete specific Research tasks.
- Set a Charmander, Charmeleon, or Charizard as your Buddy and walk to earn Mega Energy.
Step 3: Mega Evolve into Shiny Mega Charizard
Once you have:
- A Shiny Charizard, and
- Enough Mega Energy—
Go to your Shiny Charizard’s profile:
- Tap Mega Evolve.
- Choose between Mega X or Mega Y.
You’ll now have your Shiny Mega Charizard ready to battle and show off.
Mega Raid Strategies
Defeating Mega Charizard raids is essential for gathering energy and shiny chances. Here are the best counters:
Mega Charizard X Counters (Fire/Dragon)
- Mega Rayquaza: Dragon Tail + Outrage
- Primal Groudon: Mud Shot + Precipice Blades
- Mega Garchomp: Dragon Tail + Outrage
- Shadow Salamence / Dragonite: Dragon Tail + Outrage
- Mega Diancie: Rock Throw + Rock Slide
Mega Charizard Y Counters (Fire/Flying)
- Mega Diancie: Rock Throw + Rock Slide
- Shadow Rampardos: Smack Down + Rock Slide
- Mega Aerodactyl: Rock Throw + Rock Slide
- Shadow Rhyperior: Smack Down + Stone Edge
- Shadow Tyrantrum: Rock Throw + Meteor Beam
Tip: Use Mega and Shadow Pokémon whenever possible for boosted raid damage.
Raid Tips for Success
- Team Size: 2–3 high-level trainers with top counters can handle the raid; 4–5 are safer for mixed teams.
- Weather Boosts:
- Windy boosts Dragon-type moves.
- Sunny boosts Ground-type moves.
- Dodging: Avoid Dragon-type Charged Attacks from Mega Charizard X to preserve your Dragons.
- Revives: Keep plenty on hand and rejoin quickly if your team faints.
Key CP Values for Raid Catches
After defeating a Mega Charizard raid, you’ll encounter a standard Charizard with these CP ranges:
- Mega Charizard X Raid Encounters
- Level 20 (no boost): 1574–1651 CP
- Level 25 (Sunny/Windy): 1968–2064 CP
- Mega Charizard Y Raid Encounters
- Level 20 (no boost): 1574–1651 CP
- Level 25 (Sunny/Clear): 1968–2064 CP
If you’re lucky, the post-raid encounter can be shiny.
Shiny Mega Charizard X vs Y – Quick Comparison
| Feature | Shiny Mega Charizard X | Shiny Mega Charizard Y |
|---|---|---|
| Typing | Fire/Dragon | Fire/Flying |
| Appearance | Black-and-blue dragon | Fiery orange with larger wings |
| Main Strengths | Dragon resistances, strong attack coverage | Massive attack power, top-tier raid DPS |
| Weaknesses | Dragon, Ground, Rock | Rock, Electric, Water |
| Best Counters | Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, Mega Garchomp | Mega Diancie, Shadow Rampardos, Mega Aerodactyl |
| Shiny Requirement | Must evolve a shiny Charizard | Must evolve a shiny Charizard |
| Mega Energy | 200 for first evolution, less for later | 200 for first evolution, less for later |
To obtain Shiny Mega Charizard X or Y in Pokémon GO, trainers need to follow these steps:
- Catch a Shiny Charmander or Charizard through Mega Raids, wild encounters, or special events.
- Collect enough Mega Energy—200 for the first Mega Evolution—by winning Mega Raids, completing Research tasks, or walking with a Charmander-line buddy.
- Mega Evolve your shiny Charizard into either Mega Charizard X (Fire/Dragon) or Mega Charizard Y (Fire/Flying).
While the process demands persistence in both shiny hunting and Mega Energy farming, the payoff is significant. Shiny Mega Charizard X and Y are not only two of the most visually striking Pokémon in the game, but they also stand among the most powerful Mega Evolutions available, making them highly rewarding additions to any trainer’s roster.
