Mega Starmie's September 5 raid windows have ended. It appeared in standard Mega Raids during Mega Finale from 11:00 a.m. to noon and again from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time. The linked Mega Finale schedule does not list a later Mega Starmie date. An optimized high-level player can solo this version; 2–3 Trainers is the safer target for ordinary groups.
Standard Mega Raid target: bring 2–3 Trainers for a safe standard Mega Raid clear. The old 7–10-player advice applied to the August 22 shield-based Super Mega Raid.
Is Mega Starmie's September 5 raid event over?
Yes. Mega Starmie returned on Saturday, September 5, 2026, during Pokémon GO Fest: Mega Finale. It rotated into standard Mega Raids during the Mindworks Canal habitat from 11:00 a.m. to noon and again from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time. The August 22 Raid Day ticket, research, and Super Mega bonuses are over; September 5 was a separate return in the normal Mega Raid format.
The official schedule distinguishes the rotating Mega Raids at regular Gyms from Mega Mewtwo X Super Mega Raids at selected Gyms. Mega Starmie was in the regular Mega Raid pool for its two September 5 Mindworks Canal windows. Those Saturday hours do not repeat on Sunday, whose habitat lineup is different.
The Pokémon GO Mega Ascension raid schedule covers the lead-in and Mega Finale rotation, while the Pokémon GO events guide keeps the broader monthly calendar together.
How many players do you need for Mega Starmie?
Pokémon GO does not publish a fixed minimum. Mega Starmie’s September 5 appearance was a standard Mega Raid, not the August 22 Super Mega Raid. The PokéBattler simulation checked September 4 showed that an optimized high-level player can solo the standard version.
For most players, two or three Trainers is the safer practical target. Solo attempts need strong high-level counters with the correct moves and little room for mistakes. Do not reuse the old 7–10-player target for the standard version: that number belonged to the shield-based Super Mega Raid Day format.
For more team-building help, read the Pokemon GO raids guide.
Mega Starmie weaknesses
Mega Starmie is a Water- and Psychic-type Pokémon. It is weak to:
- Bug
- Dark
- Electric
- Ghost
- Grass
Dark and Ghost teams have several strong choices, while Electric and Grass give more players accessible alternatives. Weather and Starmie's own moves can change which counter survives the longest, so build more than one type if possible.
Best Mega Starmie counters
These counters were checked for Mega Starmie’s September 5 standard Mega Raid appearance:
- Mega Raichu Y with Thunder Shock and Zap Cannon+
- Dawn Wings Necrozma with Shadow Claw and Moongeist Beam
- Mega Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant
- Mega Chesnaught with Vine Whip and Seed Bomb+
- Mega Raichu X with Thunder Shock and Volt Tackle+
- Mega Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball
- Mega Mewtwo Y with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
- Shadow Darkrai with Snarl and Shadow Ball
- Kartana with Fury Cutter and Leaf Blade
- Mega Absol with Snarl and Brutal Swing
Other useful attackers include Mega Tyranitar, Shadow Hydreigon, Mega Heracross, Zeraora, Shadow Raikou, Xurkitree, Mega Manectric, Zekrom, and Shadow Magnezone.
Use the correct moves before spending Stardust. Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, and Mega Chesnaught rank highly with their new plus attacks, but a powered-up attacker with matching super-effective moves is still more useful than a famous Pokémon carrying the wrong attacks.
Only one Mega-Evolved Pokémon can be active at a time. Coordinate with nearby players when possible so the group can benefit from different type boosts instead of everyone bringing the same Mega.
Starmie catch CP and weather boost
After winning, players catch regular Starmie rather than Mega Starmie. Expected catch ranges are:
- 1,404 to 1,476 CP without weather boost
- 1,756 to 1,846 CP in Rainy or Windy weather
Starmie caught from Super Mega Raids during the August 22 debut had Mega Level 1 unlocked. Mega Starmie also knows Liquidation+ while Mega Evolved, with the move becoming stronger as its Mega Level increases.
Can Mega Starmie be Shiny?
Yes. Shiny Starmie remains available from Mega Raids. During Mega Finale, Deluxe GO Pass holders who reach Rank 2 receive an increased chance of encountering Shiny bosses from four-star Mega Raids.
Pokémon GO has not published an exact Mega Finale rate. Pokémon GO Hub estimated about 1 in 10 for the August 22 Raid Day, but that event-specific estimate should not be treated as the rate for the September 5 return.
You catch Starmie in its normal form. Its Shiny appearance remains when it is Mega Evolved.
What the August 22 Raid Day included
During the event, all players received:
- An additional 5,000 XP from every raid
- An increased chance to receive Rare Candy XL from raids
- A Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20 during the announced global window
- Up to six free Raid Passes from Gym Photo Discs
- An increased chance to encounter Shiny Starmie
- Mega Level 1 unlocked on Starmie caught from Super Mega Raids
The free Timed Research awarded a Premium Battle Pass and an encounter with Scizor. It expired at 5:00 p.m. local time on August 22 and can no longer be claimed.
The free passes had to be collected from Gyms one at a time: after using one pass, players could spin another Gym Photo Disc before entering the next raid.
What the paid Raid Day ticket included
The expired ticket cost US$4.99, or the equivalent local price. It provided:
- Another 5,000 XP from every raid
- Up to 14 Raid Passes from Gym Photo Discs for the day
- A higher chance to receive Rare Candy XL
- Guaranteed Rare Candy XL after successfully catching Starmie from a raid
Its value depended on how many raids a player completed. Players who stayed for several hours could use more of the extra passes, while shorter sessions could rely on the six free passes and free Timed Research.
The Web Store Ultra Ticket Box included the event ticket and one bonus Premium Battle Pass at the same listed US$4.99 price. Both offers ended with Raid Day.
Where Mega Starmie appeared on September 5
Mega Starmie appeared at regular Mega Raid Gyms during the September 5 Mindworks Canal habitat, from 11:00 a.m. to noon and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time. Both windows have ended.
The September 5–6 Mega Finale weekend removes the usual Remote Raid limit, but that bonus does not extend Mega Starmie's Saturday habitat windows. Check the live Nearby tab before travelling or spending a pass.
Players unfamiliar with Gyms, passes, and catching can review the Pokemon GO beginner guide.
Mega Starmie standard Raid team checklist
For a future standard Mega Raid appearance, confirm the date and format first, then:
- Build two teams of Bug, Dark, Electric, Ghost, or Grass counters
- Set the correct Fast and Charged Attacks
- Check the format before choosing a group size: September 5 used standard Mega Raids; August 22 used shield-based Super Mega Raids
- Clear Pokémon and item storage
- Save Revives, Max Potions, and Remote Raid Passes
- Check the newly announced rotation and nearby Gyms; do not reuse the ended September 5 habitat hours
- Bring 2–3 Trainers for a comfortable clear unless your solo team is fully optimized
Pokémon GO can change raid rotations and bonuses. The Mega Finale schedule lists Mega Starmie only for the two September 5 Mindworks Canal windows. It does not give a later return date; use a new official rotation announcement and the live Nearby screen before spending a pass.
