How to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO is slightly more complicated than Mega Evolving most other Pokémon. Rayquaza cannot Mega Evolve using Mega Energy alone. Before the Mega Evolution option becomes available, Rayquaza must learn the Charged Attack Dragon Ascent using a Meteorite.
Once an eligible Rayquaza knows Dragon Ascent, you can use Rayquaza Mega Energy to Mega Evolve it into Mega Rayquaza. The Meteorite is only needed to teach the move, but you must also collect enough Mega Energy to complete the first Mega Evolution.
This guide explains how to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO, where to get a Meteorite, how to teach Dragon Ascent and what to check if the Mega Evolution option is not appearing.
How to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO
To Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO, you must complete two separate requirements.
First, use a Meteorite to teach your chosen Rayquaza the Charged Attack Dragon Ascent. You must then collect enough Rayquaza Mega Energy to complete its first Mega Evolution.
The full process is:
- Catch or obtain Rayquaza.
- Get a Meteorite.
- Open the storage page for the Rayquaza you want to Mega Evolve.
- Select the option to teach it Dragon Ascent.
- Confirm that you want to use the Meteorite.
- Collect enough Rayquaza Mega Energy.
- Open the same Rayquaza again.
- Select Mega Evolve.
- Confirm the Mega Evolution.
Both requirements must be completed on the same Rayquaza. Teaching one Rayquaza Dragon Ascent will not unlock Mega Evolution for every Rayquaza in your storage.
| Mega Rayquaza requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Eligible Pokémon | Rayquaza |
| Required move | Dragon Ascent |
| Item needed for the move | One Meteorite |
| Additional requirement | Rayquaza Mega Energy |
| Can Mega Energy be used without Dragon Ascent? | No |
| Does every Rayquaza unlock automatically? | No |
Players learning how to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO should choose their Rayquaza carefully before using a Meteorite. Meteorites are limited items and are not usually available through everyday gameplay.
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Why Rayquaza Needs Dragon Ascent to Mega Evolve
Rayquaza is different from most Mega-Evolving Pokémon in Pokémon GO.
Normally, a compatible Pokémon only needs enough species-specific Mega Energy to complete its first Mega Evolution. Rayquaza has an additional move requirement.
The Rayquaza being Mega Evolved must know Dragon Ascent.
Dragon Ascent is a Flying-type Charged Attack. It cannot be taught using an ordinary Charged TM or an Elite Charged TM. The only way to teach Dragon Ascent is by using a Meteorite on Rayquaza.
This means having plenty of Rayquaza Mega Energy is not enough on its own. If Dragon Ascent has not been added to that Rayquaza’s moves, the Mega Evolution option will remain unavailable.
How to Get a Meteorite for Mega Rayquaza
A Meteorite is the special item used to teach Rayquaza Dragon Ascent.
Meteorites are usually distributed through limited Pokémon GO events, research rewards and selected Rayquaza activities. They are not standard drops from PokéStops, Gifts or ordinary Pokémon encounters.
When a Rayquaza or Mega Rayquaza event is announced, players should check whether a Meteorite is available from:
Free Timed Research
Paid Timed Research
Special Research
Event challenges
Raid-related rewards
Ticketed event bonuses
The exact method changes between events. Some players may already have an unused Meteorite in their Item Bag from a previous Rayquaza event.
Before trying to work out how to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO, search your Item Bag for a Meteorite. Owning Rayquaza Mega Energy does not mean you already own the item.
Meteorites should be used carefully because each one teaches Dragon Ascent to only one Rayquaza.
Read More: How to get a Meteorite in Pokemon GO
How to Teach Rayquaza Dragon Ascent
Once you have a Meteorite, open the Pokémon storage page for the Rayquaza you want to Mega Evolve.
Scroll through the available options until you find the section that allows Rayquaza to learn Dragon Ascent. The game will show that a Meteorite is required.
Confirm the choice to consume the Meteorite and replace or add the required Charged Attack.
Check the moves displayed on Rayquaza’s page after using the item. Dragon Ascent should appear as one of its Charged Attacks.
If your Rayquaza has two Charged Attack slots, make sure you understand which move will be replaced before confirming the change. Teaching Dragon Ascent does not require a second Charged Attack slot, but an existing Charged Attack may need to be removed.
| Dragon Ascent question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Dragon Ascent required? | Yes |
| Can a normal Charged TM teach it? | No |
| Can an Elite Charged TM teach it? | No |
| What item teaches Dragon Ascent? | A Meteorite |
| Is the Meteorite consumed? | Yes |
| Can Dragon Ascent be used in battle? | Yes |
Teaching Dragon Ascent is the most important extra step in how to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO.
How to Get Rayquaza Mega Energy
Rayquaza Mega Energy is the second requirement for Mega Rayquaza.
The main source of Rayquaza Mega Energy is usually Mega Rayquaza raids. Players can receive Mega Energy after successfully defeating Mega Rayquaza, with the amount awarded influenced by raid performance and completion speed.
Rayquaza Mega Energy may also appear through event research, paid tickets or other limited rewards.
Possible sources include:
Mega Rayquaza raids
Timed Research
Special Research
Event tickets
Event-exclusive tasks
Promotional rewards
The availability of Mega Rayquaza changes throughout the year. Players who do not currently have enough Mega Energy may need to wait for Mega Rayquaza to return or for another event to offer the required energy.
Regular Rayquaza raids do not always award Mega Energy. The raid or event details must specifically include Rayquaza Mega Energy.
Which Rayquaza Should You Mega Evolve?
Before using a Meteorite, compare the Rayquaza in your storage and choose the one you are most likely to use.
Important factors include:
Individual Values
Current level
Shiny status
Special Background
Existing Charged Attacks
Stardust and Candy investment
Intended use in raids
A perfect Rayquaza is an obvious choice, but it is not the only sensible option. A high-level Rayquaza with strong Attack, Defence and HP values can still become an excellent Mega Rayquaza.
Some players may prefer to Mega Evolve a Shiny Rayquaza or one with a rare Special Background. Shiny Rayquaza will become Shiny Mega Rayquaza when Mega Evolved.
Players deciding how to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO should avoid using a Meteorite on the first Rayquaza they find without checking the rest of their collection.
Can Shiny Rayquaza Mega Evolve?
Shiny Rayquaza can Mega Evolve in Pokémon GO.
It must meet the same requirements as the standard form. The Shiny Rayquaza must know Dragon Ascent, and the player must have enough Rayquaza Mega Energy.
Mega Evolution does not remove the Pokémon’s shiny status. A Shiny Rayquaza will appear as Shiny Mega Rayquaza while Mega Evolved.
Shiny status does not make Rayquaza stronger. The Pokémon’s battle performance is determined by its level, Individual Values, available moves and Mega form.
Can You Mega Evolve Rayquaza Without a Meteorite?
You cannot Mega Evolve Rayquaza without first teaching it Dragon Ascent.
Because Dragon Ascent can only be taught with a Meteorite, a Meteorite is effectively required for every Rayquaza that you want to make eligible for Mega Evolution.
Having Rayquaza Mega Energy alone will not bypass the move requirement.
A Rayquaza that already knows Dragon Ascent does not need another Meteorite before every Mega Evolution. The item is used to teach the move, not consumed each time the Pokémon changes form.
| Situation | Can Rayquaza Mega Evolve? |
|---|---|
| Has Mega Energy but not Dragon Ascent | No |
| Knows Dragon Ascent but lacks Mega Energy | No |
| Knows Dragon Ascent and has enough Mega Energy | Yes |
| Previously Mega Evolved and still knows Dragon Ascent | Yes |
| Another Rayquaza knows Dragon Ascent | No |
This is one of the most common reasons players struggle with how to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO.
Why Can’t I Mega Evolve Rayquaza?
If the Mega Evolution option is missing or unavailable, check the Rayquaza’s moves first.
The most common problem is that the selected Rayquaza does not know Dragon Ascent.
Other possible causes include:
Not enough Rayquaza Mega Energy
Dragon Ascent was taught to a different Rayquaza
The Meteorite has not been used
Temporary game connection problems
The player is checking the wrong Rayquaza
Another Pokémon is currently Mega Evolved
Rayquaza has Dragon Ascent displayed as a Charged Attack once the Meteorite has been used successfully.
Restarting Pokémon GO may help if all requirements are complete but the Mega Evolution option is not updating. However, restarting will not fix a missing move or insufficient Mega Energy.
Does Rayquaza Keep Dragon Ascent After Mega Evolution?
Rayquaza keeps Dragon Ascent after Mega Evolution ends.
Dragon Ascent is a learned Charged Attack, not a temporary Mega Evolution effect. It remains on Rayquaza unless the player later replaces it.
Players should be cautious when using Charged TMs on a Rayquaza that knows Dragon Ascent. Removing the move may affect that Rayquaza’s eligibility to Mega Evolve.
Because teaching Dragon Ascent requires a limited Meteorite, replacing it carelessly could mean another Meteorite is needed to restore the move.
Does Mega Rayquaza Stay Mega Evolved Forever?
Mega Rayquaza does not stay Mega Evolved permanently.
Like other Mega Pokémon, it remains in its Mega-Evolved form for a limited period before returning to Rayquaza.
After the first Mega Evolution, the same Rayquaza can be Mega Evolved again. A rest period may allow it to Mega Evolve without spending more Mega Energy, while using Mega Energy can activate the form again sooner.
Repeated Mega Evolutions also contribute towards increasing that Pokémon’s Mega Level. Higher Mega Levels can provide improved bonuses and a shorter rest period.
Each Rayquaza is tracked separately, so Mega Level progress on one Rayquaza does not automatically apply to another.
Is Mega Rayquaza Worth Getting?
Mega Rayquaza is worth unlocking for players who regularly take part in raids or want one of the strongest Mega Pokémon available.
Dragon Ascent gives Rayquaza a powerful Flying-type Charged Attack, while Mega Evolution significantly improves its battle performance.
The main restriction is availability. Players need both a Meteorite and Rayquaza Mega Energy, and neither resource is continuously available.
A Meteorite should therefore be used on a Rayquaza that the player expects to keep and invest in.
Even when it is not Mega Evolved, a Rayquaza that knows Dragon Ascent can still use the move in battle.
How to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO Explained
How to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO requires more than collecting Mega Energy. Your chosen Rayquaza must first learn Dragon Ascent, which can only be taught by consuming a Meteorite.
Once Dragon Ascent appears in Rayquaza’s moves and you have collected enough Rayquaza Mega Energy, open its Pokémon page and select the Mega Evolve option.
The Meteorite is not required every time you Mega Evolve the same Rayquaza. However, each additional Rayquaza must learn Dragon Ascent separately before it becomes eligible.
Choose your Rayquaza carefully, collect a Meteorite through an eligible event and make sure you have enough Mega Energy. Once both requirements are complete, you will be able to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokémon GO.
