How to solo defeat Sharpedo in Pokemon GO 3-star raids

Wondering if you can solo defeat Sharpedo in a 3-star raid in Pokemon GO? The answer is yes, but it requires careful planning and the right Pokemon to get the job done. Sharpedo is currently appearing in 3-star Raids as of October 3, 2024, and while it's a challenging opponent, it’s definitely possible to defeat it alone if you're well-prepared.

In this guide, we’ll break down the strategies, key counters, and tips you’ll need to solo defeat Sharpedo and come out on top in Pokemon GO 3-star raids.

NOTE: Parts of this article is subjective and reflect the writer's opinion.

How to solo defeat Sharpedo in Pokemon GO Shadow Raids

Sharpedo as seen in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Before diving into the best counters, it’s important to understand Sharpedo’s stats and moveset in order to build an effective team.

Type: Water and Dark
Combat Power: 15,324
Attack: 243
Defense: 83
Stamina: 3,600 HP
Fast Attacks: Bite, Waterfall
Charged Attacks: Poison Fang, Hydro Pump, Crunch
Weaknesses: Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Grass
Resistances: Psychic, Dark, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Steel, Water

Note: The recommended solo-capable counter Pokemon are based on simulated game data, and results may vary. For best results, it's advised for the recommended Pokemon below to have the highest possible IV stats and be powered up to the highest possible CP to successfully clear the raid solo.

Without any Weather Boosts in play

In neutral weather, several Pokemon can give you the best chance to solo defeat Sharpedo in Pokemon GO. Each of these Pokemon has specific moves that exploit Sharpedo’s weaknesses and maximize damage.

Mega Lucario with Force Palm and Aura Sphere is one of the top choices. Lucario’s Fighting-type moves take advantage of Sharpedo’s double weakness to Fighting, making it an optimal choice for this raid. With Lucario, you can defeat Sharpedo in approximately 49.1 seconds.

Another great option is Mega Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant. Sceptile’s Grass-type moves effectively target Sharpedo’s Water-type weakness, especially with the powerful Frenzy Plant move. This setup allows Sceptile to defeat Sharpedo in 51 seconds.

For Electric-type counters, Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge is a fantastic choice. Raikou’s fast and powerful Electric-type moves exploit Sharpedo’s Water-type weakness, making it a strong counter with an estimated defeat time of 55.2 seconds.

While not hitting Sharpedo’s weaknesses directly, Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Dragon Ascent can still be a viable option. Rayquaza’s raw damage output and speed make it a solid counter, with a time to defeat of 57.4 seconds.

Finally, Mega Heracross with Counter and Megahorn offers another excellent option. Heracross utilizes its moves to capitalize on Sharpedo’s Dark-type weakness, bringing it down in 57 seconds.

Also read: Pokemon GO Evolution Calculator

Additional solo counters to Pokemon GO Sharpedo raids based on Weather Boosts

Some viable Sharpedo solo raid counters (Image via The Pokemon Company)

If weather boosts are in play, certain Pokemon can gain extra power, making the raid a bit easier. These boosted conditions can help maximize damage:

Zekrom with Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt (Rainy weather)
Shadow Magnezone with Spark and Wild Charge (Rainy weather)
Mega Manectric with Thunder Fang and Wild Charge (Rainy weather)
Shadow Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch (Cloudy weather)
Shadow Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge (Rainy weather)
Xurkitree with Spark and Power Whip (Rainy or Sunny weather)
Mega Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant (Sunny weather)
Kartana with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade (Sunny weather)
Shadow Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt (Rainy weather)
Mega Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam (Cloudy weather)
Zarude with Vine Whip and Power Whip (Sunny weather)
Shadow Luxray with Spark and Wild Charge (Rainy weather)
Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword (Cloudy weather)
Shadow Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch (Cloudy weather)
Keldeo with Low Kick and Sacred Sword (Cloudy weather)
Tapu Koko with Volt Switch and Nature’s Madness (Rainy weather)
Thundurus Therian with Volt Switch and Wildbolt Storm (Rainy weather)

Also read: Pokemon GO CP calculator

Sharpedo may be a formidable 3-star Raid boss in Pokemon GO, but with the right team of counters and moves, soloing this raid is definitely possible.

Whether you opt for Mega Evolutions like Lucario and Sceptile, or powerful Shadow Pokemon like Raikou and Electivire, these choices will give you the best chance at victory.

Keep an eye on weather boosts to maximize your damage, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different counters.