The Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 raids are bringing event-themed bosses into Gyms for a limited time, giving Trainers the chance to farm candy, hunt shinies, and strengthen their Fire-type lineups. Alongside boosted Lucky trade odds and Stardust bonuses, raids during the Lunar event are one of the smartest ways to maximise progress before the event ends.
If you are deciding where to spend your daily raid passes, here is everything you need to know about the Lunar New Year Pokemon Go raid bosses and which ones are worth prioritising.
Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 Raid Bosses
During the event window, themed Pokémon are appearing in raids to match the Lunar celebration. Featured raid bosses include:
• Darumaka*
• Ponyta*
• Galarian Ponyta*
The asterisk indicates shiny availability.
Darumaka is one of the most valuable raid targets during the Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 raids. Its evolution, Darmanitan, remains a powerful Fire-type attacker, making this a strong opportunity to farm high IV versions and candy.
Ponyta and Galarian Ponyta also feature in raids, offering shiny hunters additional encounter opportunities beyond wild spawns. Galarian Ponyta in particular is desirable thanks to its unique typing and distinctive shiny form.
Raid tiers may vary depending on overall event rotation, so checking nearby Gyms regularly is important, especially if you are targeting a specific shiny.
READ MORE Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026: Full Event Guide, Bonuses, Raids, Shiny Pokemon and Trading Tips
Are the Lunar New Year 2026 Raids Worth Doing?
Yes, especially if you are farming Darumaka.
While some event raids are purely cosmetic, the Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 raids offer practical value. Darumaka evolves into a raid-relevant Fire attacker, and this event gives one of the easier windows to stockpile candy.
If you are a shiny collector, raids also increase your encounter count per hour compared to relying solely on wild spawns.
Even 1-star raids can be worthwhile during this event if you are efficiently cycling daily free passes.
Best Counters for Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 Raids
Many of the featured raid bosses lean toward Fire typing, so strong counter categories include:
Water-type attackers
Rock-type attackers
Ground-type attackers
Reliable options already in most players’ collections include high-level Water-types or Ground-types built for raid damage. If you have access to Mega Evolutions, activating one during raid sessions can boost your team’s overall performance.
Because several Lunar event bosses are lower-tier raids, many can be completed solo at higher levels, making this event accessible even if you are not coordinating with a large group.
Shiny Chances in Lunar Event Raids
Shiny rates are not dramatically boosted unless specifically stated, but raid encounters offer controlled, repeatable chances at shiny Pokémon.
If you are targeting shiny Darumaka or Ponyta, raids can be more efficient than chasing scattered wild spawns. The key is volume — the more raids completed, the more shiny rolls you generate.
Pairing raid sessions with Lucky Eggs can also maximise XP gains, especially if you are chaining multiple raids in one outing.
READ MORE: Best Pokemon to Catch During Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026
How to Maximise Value From Lunar New Year 2026 Raids
To get the most from the Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 raids:
Use your free daily pass every day
Prioritise Darumaka for long-term Fire-type value
Stack raid sessions during Lucky Egg windows
Check Gyms regularly for rotation updates
Even short raid sessions during the event can translate into strong candy gains and potential shiny additions.
The Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 raids are not just filler content, they offer real value for Trainers who focus on the right targets. Darumaka is the clear priority for battle strength, while Ponyta and Galarian Ponyta appeal to collectors and shiny hunters.
If you are already playing during the Lunar event for Stardust and Lucky trades, adding daily raids into your routine is an easy way to multiply your rewards before the celebration ends.
