Giratina Pokémon GO is a Ghost and Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon available in two distinct formes: Altered Forme Giratina and Origin Forme Giratina. Both formes can be shiny and share the same weaknesses, but they have different stats, movesets and uses across raids and the GO Battle League.
Giratina
Renegade Pokémon
This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Renegade Pokémon This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Giratina Origin
This Giratina Pokémon GO guide covers the best moveset, shiny availability, weaknesses, raid counters, maximum CP, Shadow Force and the differences between Altered Forme and Origin Forme Giratina.
Giratina at a glance
- Type
- GHOSTDRAGON
- Weak to
- ICE2×GHOST2×DRAGON2×DARK2×FAIRY2×
- Best base stat
- Hp — 150
Giratina Origin at a glance
Giratina Pokémon GO quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pokédex number | #487 |
| Type | Ghost and Dragon |
| Classification | Legendary Pokémon |
| Available formes | Altered Forme and Origin Forme |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Evolves | No |
| Altered Forme maximum CP | 3,820 at Level 50 |
| Origin Forme maximum CP | 4,164 at Level 50 |
| Best Altered Forme use | Ultra League and Master League |
| Best Origin Forme use | Ghost-type raids and Master League |
| Weaknesses | Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost and Ice |
| Weather boost | Fog and Windy |
| Buddy distance | 20 km |
Altered Forme Giratina has higher defensive bulk, while Origin Forme Giratina has a higher Attack stat. This difference is why the two Giratina Pokémon GO formes perform so differently despite sharing the same typing and many of the same moves.
Can Giratina be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, shiny Giratina is available in Pokémon GO.
Both Altered Forme Giratina and Origin Forme Giratina have released shiny versions. Trainers must catch the shiny version of each forme separately because Giratina cannot freely change between its Altered and Origin formes in Pokémon GO.
Shiny Giratina replaces much of its usual black, grey and red colouring with cream, silver and blue. The colour change is especially noticeable around its striped body and the tips of its wings or tendrils.
Shiny Giratina can normally be encountered after an eligible five-star Raid Battle when the shiny form is enabled. Special research and other limited encounters may also provide a shiny chance when specifically announced.
Whether Giratina is shiny is decided when the encounter begins. Raid speed, Premier Ball numbers, berries and throw quality do not affect the shiny result.
What is the difference between Giratina’s formes?
Giratina Pokémon GO has two primary formes:
- Altered Forme Giratina
- Origin Forme Giratina
Altered Forme Giratina is the version with six legs and large black wings. It has greater Defense and is mainly valued for the GO Battle League.
Origin Forme Giratina has a longer, serpentine body with tendril-like wings. It has a higher Attack stat and is much more useful as a Ghost-type raid attacker.
The two formes cannot currently be transformed into one another. Catching Altered Forme Giratina does not unlock Origin Forme Giratina, and neither forme evolves.
Which Giratina forme is better in Pokémon GO?
The better Giratina Pokémon GO forme depends on how it will be used.
Altered Forme Giratina is generally better for the Ultra League. Its high Defense and Stamina allow it to survive for a long time, repeatedly use Dragon Claw and pressure opponents with Ghost or Dragon-type Fast Attacks.
Origin Forme Giratina is generally better for raids. Its higher Attack stat and access to Shadow Ball or Shadow Force make it a substantially stronger Ghost attacker.
Both can be used in the Master League, although their different moves and stats give them different matchups.
For most trainers, it is worth keeping at least one strong example of each forme rather than treating one as a replacement for the other.
What is the best Altered Forme Giratina moveset?
The best Altered Forme Giratina moveset for the Ultra League is usually:
Fast Attack: Shadow Claw or Dragon Breath
Charged Attacks: Dragon Claw and Shadow Sneak
Dragon Breath provides heavy Dragon-type Fast Attack pressure, while Shadow Claw generates energy quickly and deals Ghost damage. The best choice can depend on the rest of the team and the opponents Giratina is expected to face.
Dragon Claw is Altered Forme Giratina’s most important Charged Attack because it requires relatively little energy and can be used repeatedly.
Shadow Sneak gives Giratina Ghost-type coverage. Ancient Power can be used instead for Rock-type coverage against Flying and Ice-type opponents, although its value depends heavily on the current PvP balance.
Altered Forme Giratina can also learn Shadow Force, but the move’s high energy requirement generally makes cheaper attacks more practical in many Trainer Battles. Current recommendations favour Dragon Breath with Dragon Claw and Shadow Sneak in the Ultra League.
What is the best Origin Forme Giratina moveset?
The best Origin Forme Giratina moveset for Ghost-type raid damage is:
Fast Attack: Shadow Claw
Charged Attack: Shadow Force
Shadow Claw and Shadow Force give Origin Forme Giratina a complete Ghost-type moveset with the Same-Type Attack Bonus.
Shadow Force deals 140 damage in Gyms and Raid Battles. It was introduced as a featured move for Origin Forme Giratina during the 2022 Halloween event.
A strong alternative is:
Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Shadow Ball requires less energy than Shadow Force, making it more consistent in situations where Giratina may faint before reaching a more expensive attack.
For Master League battles, Origin Forme Giratina can use:
Shadow Claw or Dragon Tail
Shadow Ball and Ominous Wind
Shadow Ball provides reliable Ghost damage, while Ominous Wind is the cheaper move and has a chance to increase Giratina’s Attack and Defense.
Is Shadow Force worth an Elite Charged TM?
Shadow Force can be worth an Elite Charged TM on a strong Origin Forme Giratina intended for raids.
The best candidates include:
- A perfect Origin Forme Giratina
- An Origin Forme Giratina with 15 Attack
- A shiny Origin Forme Giratina with strong IVs
- An Origin Forme Giratina already powered up for raids
- A Giratina regularly used against Ghost or Psychic-type bosses
Shadow Force is less important on Altered Forme Giratina because that forme is primarily used for PvP, where cheaper Charged Attacks are generally easier to use.
Shadow Ball remains an excellent alternative for Origin Forme Giratina. Trainers with few Elite Charged TMs do not necessarily need to replace Shadow Ball immediately.
During Road of Legends in July 2026, Altered Forme and Origin Forme Giratina were among the Pokémon whose featured moves became available through Elite TMs during the event. Future availability may depend on current event rules, so trainers should inspect the Elite TM move list before confirming its use.
Is Giratina good in Pokémon GO?
Giratina is very good in Pokémon GO, but the chosen forme matters.
Altered Forme Giratina is valued for its bulk and PvP performance. Origin Forme Giratina is valued for its higher Attack and Ghost-type raid damage.
The main reasons to invest in Giratina Pokémon GO include:
- Both formes have useful but different roles
- Altered Forme Giratina is strong in the Ultra League
- Origin Forme Giratina is a useful Ghost raid attacker
- Both formes can compete in the Master League
- Giratina has eight resistances
- Shadow Force provides powerful Ghost damage
- Giratina can counter Psychic and Ghost-type raid bosses
- Both formes can be shiny
- Giratina remains relevant whenever it returns to five-star raids
Trainers should avoid transferring every example of one forme simply because the other has a higher maximum CP. Their roles are different enough to justify keeping both.
Is Altered Forme Giratina good for raids?
Altered Forme Giratina is not a leading raid attacker.
Its high Defense and Stamina make it extremely bulky, but its lower Attack limits how quickly it can defeat raid bosses. Raid performance places significant value on damage dealt within the time limit, making Origin Forme Giratina the better choice for Ghost-type raids.
Altered Forme Giratina can use Shadow Claw and Shadow Force, but other Ghost Pokémon generally deal damage faster. Current performance data places Altered Forme Giratina well below Origin Forme Giratina as a raid attacker.
Trainers should power up Altered Forme Giratina primarily for the GO Battle League rather than raid damage.
Is Origin Forme Giratina good for raids?
Origin Forme Giratina is a strong Ghost-type raid attacker.
Its best Giratina Pokémon GO raid moveset is Shadow Claw with Shadow Force or Shadow Ball.
Origin Forme Giratina is useful against Pokémon weak to Ghost attacks, particularly Psychic and Ghost-type raid bosses. Potential targets include:
- Mewtwo
- Deoxys
- Cresselia
- Lunala
- Necrozma
- Latias
- Latios
- Other Giratina raids
Ghost-type attackers are also weak to Ghost damage, so Origin Forme Giratina may take heavy damage when fighting another Ghost Pokémon.
Origin Forme Giratina is not always the highest-damage Ghost attacker available, but its excellent Stamina gives it strong total damage output and helps it remain in battle longer. Current rankings place Shadow Claw and Shadow Force as its strongest dedicated Ghost combination.
Is Giratina good in the GO Battle League?
Giratina is one of the most recognisable Legendary Pokémon used in the GO Battle League.
Altered Forme Giratina is most closely associated with the Ultra League. Its bulk, resistances and access to Dragon Claw allow it to pressure a large number of opponents.
Origin Forme Giratina is more commonly used in the Master League, where its higher Attack and Ghost-type damage can threaten Psychic, Ghost and Steel-type Pokémon.
The best Giratina Pokémon GO forme for PvP depends on the league:
| League | Preferred forme |
|---|---|
| Great League | Limited availability and specialist use |
| Ultra League | Altered Forme Giratina |
| Master League | Either forme, depending on the team |
| Raids | Origin Forme Giratina |
PvP rankings and moves can change when Pokémon GO adjusts attack power or energy costs. Trainers should check the current league before investing large amounts of Rare Candy XL.
Giratina Pokémon GO weaknesses
Both Giratina formes are Ghost and Dragon-type Pokémon. They are weak to:
- Dark-type attacks
- Dragon-type attacks
- Fairy-type attacks
- Ghost-type attacks
- Ice-type attacks
Giratina has no double weakness.
Dragon and Ghost-type counters can deal excellent damage, but they may also receive super-effective damage from Giratina’s own attacks.
Dark and Fairy-type Pokémon can often provide safer alternatives because they resist or take neutral damage from more of Giratina’s moves.
Damage taken when Giratina is hit by each type:
Weak to
Resists
Immune to
Based on Ghost / Dragon typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
Damage taken when Giratina Origin is hit by each type: Weak to Resists Immune to Based on Ghost / Dragon typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
Giratina Pokémon GO resistances
Giratina resists attacks from:
- Bug
- Electric
- Fighting
- Fire
- Grass
- Normal
- Poison
- Water
It has particularly strong resistance to Fighting and Normal-type attacks because of its Ghost typing.
Pokémon GO does not use complete type immunities in battle. Types that would be immune in the main Pokémon games instead deal heavily reduced damage.
Giratina’s extensive resistance profile contributes heavily to Altered Forme Giratina’s PvP success. It can absorb many common attacks while repeatedly applying pressure with Dragon Claw.
Best Giratina Pokémon GO counters
The best Giratina Pokémon GO counters use Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost or Ice-type attacks.
Strong options can include:
| Pokémon | Recommended attack type |
|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Dragon |
| Mega Tyranitar | Dark |
| Mega Gengar | Ghost |
| Mega Gardevoir | Fairy |
| Mega Garchomp | Dragon |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Ghost |
| Origin Forme Palkia | Dragon |
| Hydreigon | Dark |
| Rayquaza | Dragon |
| Mamoswine | Ice |
Dark-type Pokémon are often among the safest Giratina counters because they resist Ghost-type attacks.
Dragon-type Pokémon can deal very high damage but will be vulnerable to Giratina’s Dragon moves.
Ghost attackers face a similar risk because Ghost is super effective against itself. Mega Gengar can deal enormous damage but may faint quickly if Giratina uses a Ghost-type Charged Attack.
The best counter team depends on Giratina’s forme, moveset, weather, friendship bonuses, Party Power and the levels of each attacker.
Altered Forme Giratina raid CP and perfect IV CP
A perfect Altered Forme Giratina caught after a five-star Raid Battle will have:
| Encounter | Perfect IV CP |
|---|---|
| Level 20, no weather boost | 1,931 CP |
| Level 25, weather boosted | 2,414 CP |
The complete catch range is 1,848 to 1,931 CP without weather boost and 2,310 to 2,414 CP during Fog or Windy weather.
Altered Forme Giratina reaches 3,379 CP at Level 40 and 3,820 CP at Level 50.
Origin Forme Giratina raid CP and perfect IV CP
A perfect Origin Forme Giratina caught after a five-star Raid Battle will have:
| Encounter | Perfect IV CP |
|---|---|
| Level 20, no weather boost | 2,105 CP |
| Level 25, weather boosted | 2,631 CP |
Origin Forme Giratina can reach approximately 3,683 CP at Level 40 and 4,164 CP at Level 50.
Both formes receive a weather boost during Fog or Windy weather because of their Ghost and Dragon typing.
How to get Giratina in Pokémon GO
Giratina is mainly obtained from five-star Raid Battles when either Altered Forme or Origin Forme returns to the active raid rotation.
It may also occasionally be available through:
- Special Research
- Timed Research
- GO Battle League reward encounters
- Major ticketed events
- Special raid events
Giratina is a Legendary Pokémon and does not normally appear in the wild.
The active raid boss determines which forme trainers can catch. Defeating Altered Forme Giratina will not provide an Origin Forme encounter, and defeating Origin Forme Giratina will not provide Altered Forme.
Does Giratina evolve in Pokémon GO?
Giratina does not evolve in Pokémon GO.
Altered Forme Giratina and Origin Forme Giratina are separate formes rather than evolutions.
There is currently no item or in-game mechanic that allows trainers to switch an existing Giratina between its two formes.
Should you power up Altered Forme Giratina?
Altered Forme Giratina is worth powering up when it will be used in the Ultra League or Master League.
For the Ultra League, trainers generally want a Giratina with lower Attack and higher Defense and Stamina IVs. This allows Giratina to reach a greater overall stat product while remaining below the 2,500 CP limit.
For the Master League, a perfect or near-perfect Giratina is preferable because there is no CP limit.
Do not power Altered Forme Giratina up beyond 2,500 CP when it is intended for the Ultra League. Doing so permanently removes that individual Pokémon from the format.
Should you power up Origin Forme Giratina?
Origin Forme Giratina is worth powering up when it will be used for Ghost-type raids or the Master League.
The best investment candidates include:
- A perfect Origin Forme Giratina
- An Origin Forme Giratina with 15 Attack
- A shiny Origin Forme Giratina with strong IVs
- An Origin Forme Giratina that knows Shadow Force
- A Giratina already powered up for Ghost-type raids
- A Master League Giratina with two Charged Attacks
Origin Forme Giratina benefits more from high Attack than Altered Forme because raid performance is one of its main uses.
Shadow Ball remains a strong move, so an Origin Forme Giratina without Shadow Force can still be worth powering up.
How much does a second Giratina Charged Attack cost?
Unlocking a second Charged Attack on either Giratina forme costs:
- 100 Giratina Candy
- 100,000 Stardust
This is a substantial investment.
A second Charged Attack is normally most valuable for PvP. Altered Forme Giratina benefits from having Dragon Claw alongside Shadow Sneak or Ancient Power, while Origin Forme Giratina can pair Shadow Ball with Ominous Wind or another coverage move.
Raid-only Giratina generally needs just one suitable Charged Attack.
Giratina Pokémon GO frequently asked questions
Can Giratina be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes. Both Altered Forme Giratina and Origin Forme Giratina can be shiny when their shiny forms are enabled for the encounter.
What is the best Giratina Pokémon GO forme?
Altered Forme Giratina is generally better for the Ultra League. Origin Forme Giratina is generally better for Ghost-type raids.
What is the best Altered Forme Giratina moveset?
For the Ultra League, use Shadow Claw or Dragon Breath with Dragon Claw and Shadow Sneak.
What is the best Origin Forme Giratina moveset?
For Ghost-type raids, use Shadow Claw with Shadow Force or Shadow Ball.
What is Giratina weak against?
Giratina is weak to Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost and Ice-type attacks. It has no double weakness.
What is Altered Forme Giratina’s maximum CP?
Altered Forme Giratina can reach 3,820 CP at Level 50.
What is Origin Forme Giratina’s maximum CP?
Origin Forme Giratina can reach 4,164 CP at Level 50.
What CP is a perfect Altered Forme Giratina?
A perfect Altered Forme Giratina is 1,931 CP without a weather boost or 2,414 CP during Fog or Windy weather.
What CP is a perfect Origin Forme Giratina?
A perfect Origin Forme Giratina is 2,105 CP without a weather boost or 2,631 CP during Fog or Windy weather.
Can Giratina change formes?
No. Altered Forme and Origin Forme Giratina cannot currently be changed into one another in Pokémon GO.
Is Shadow Force worth an Elite Charged TM?
It can be worth using on a strong Origin Forme Giratina intended for raids. Altered Forme Giratina generally receives more PvP value from cheaper Charged Attacks.
Is Giratina good for raids?
Origin Forme Giratina is a strong Ghost-type raid attacker. Altered Forme Giratina is too defensively weighted to rank among the best raid attackers.
Is Giratina good in PvP?
Yes. Altered Forme Giratina is particularly useful in the Ultra League, while both formes can have roles in the Master League.
