Cresselia is a tank. There is really no other way to put it. If you’ve spent any time in the Ultra League or tried to duo a Tier 5 raid, you know exactly how painful that defense stat can be. This floating, crescent-moon-shaped legendary isn't here to one-shot you with raw power. No, it’s here to outlast you. It's here to make you burn through your clock and your patience.
Understanding the Cresselia weakness Pokemon GO players struggle with isn't just about knowing which types are "super effective." It’s about timing and moveset coverage. Because honestly? If you bring a Dark-type thinking it's an easy win, and that Cresselia is packing Moonblast, you’re going to have a very bad time.
The Basic Math of Beating Cresselia
Cresselia is a pure Psychic-type. In the world of Pokemon GO, that keeps things relatively simple on paper. You have three primary avenues for dealing real damage:
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- Ghost
- Dark
- Bug
Each of these deals 1.6x damage. On the flip side, don't even bother with Fighting or Psychic moves. Cresselia eats those for breakfast, resisting them at a 0.625x modifier.
But here is the catch. Unlike some glass cannons, Cresselia has a base defense of 258. For context, that is significantly higher than most other legendaries you'll encounter in raids. You aren't just fighting a type; you're fighting a brick wall that occasionally hits back with Fairy or Ice-type coverage.
Why Your Dark-Types are Secretly in Danger
Most guides tell you to just "use Tyranitar" and call it a day. That’s dangerous advice. While Dark-types are theoretically the best counters because they resist Psychic attacks, Cresselia almost always runs Moonblast.
Moonblast is a Fairy-type move. Dark-types are weak to Fairy.
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If you are going into a raid or a PvP match with a Hydreigon, one Moonblast will basically delete you from the map. It’s a classic bait. This is why many high-level players are shifting their priority toward Ghost-types in 2026. Ghosts take neutral damage from Moonblast and deal massive STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage in return.
The Top-Tier Ghost Response
If you want to end the fight quickly, you need the big hitters. Dawn Wings Necrozma with Shadow Claw and Moongeist Beam is currently the undisputed king of this matchup. It’s not even close. The raw DPS output allows you to cut through that massive defense before the raid timer becomes an issue.
Mega Gengar is another fantastic option, but it’s the definition of a glass cannon. You’ll deal incredible damage with Lick and Shadow Ball, but you’ll be dodging for your life. If you aren't great at the "swipe to dodge" mechanic, you might find your Gengar fainting before it even gets a second Shadow Ball off.
The "Bug" Meta: More Useful Than You Think
People laugh at Bug-types. I get it. Usually, they’re fodder. But against Cresselia, they have a very specific niche. Bug-type attacks like X-Scissor and Megahorn are highly effective, and importantly, Bug-types don't share the same weaknesses to Cresselia’s coverage moves that Dark-types do.
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Mega Beedrill and Pheromosa are surprisingly viable here. Pheromosa, in particular, has an attack stat that makes Cresselia’s defense look like wet paper. The problem? Pheromosa has the durability of a soap bubble. If you’re using it, you need to be part of a large raid group where you aren't the sole focus of the boss's attacks.
Shadow Cresselia: A Different Beast Entirely
In early 2026, Shadow Cresselia has been rotating through raids, and it changes the math. Shadow Pokemon deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage. When you're facing an "enraged" Shadow Cresselia, those Purified Gems aren't just a suggestion—they are a requirement.
Without subduing it with gems, Cresselia’s defense becomes so high that even a group of five experienced trainers might time out. You need at least eight gems used collectively by the team to break that enraged state. If you’re short on gems, don't even bother starting the lobby. You’ll just waste a raid pass.
Best Movesets to Watch Out For
Cresselia's versatility is what makes it a top-tier pick in the Ultra League. When you're prepping your counters, you need to know what’s coming at you.
- Grass Knot (Elite TM): This is the move that catches Swampert and Ground-types off guard. If you see Cresselia charging up quickly, it’s probably this.
- Future Sight: The heavy-hitting Psychic nuke. If you aren't a Dark-type, this will hurt.
- Aurora Beam: An Ice-type move. It's not particularly strong, but it can ruin a Dragon-type's day.
- Moonblast: The primary reason your Dark-types need to be careful.
How to Win the Raid (Actionable Strategy)
If you are looking to secure a catch, especially a shiny (which is about a 1 in 20 chance from raids), you need to optimize your team.
Stop using "Auto-Select." The game's auto-selector loves picking high-HP Aggron or Lugia because they survive a long time. They do zero damage. You will lose the raid because you ran out of time, not because your Pokemon fainted.
Instead, build a dedicated tag in your storage for Cresselia counters. Fill it with:
- Mega Tyranitar (Bite/Brutal Swing) - Still great, just watch for Moonblast.
- Shadow Chandelure (Hex/Shadow Ball) - Incredible Ghost damage.
- Gholdengo (Hex/Shadow Ball) - The Steel typing gives it extra resistances that make it much tankier than Gengar.
- Darkrai (Snarl/Dark Pulse or Shadow Ball) - A very reliable backup.
If you have a group of 3-4 high-level trainers (Level 40+), you can take down a regular Cresselia comfortably. For Shadow Cresselia, try to get a group of at least 6 people to ensure you have enough gems to keep the boss subdued.
The real secret to winning is the Circle Lock Technique. Cresselia sits a bit further back on the screen than you’d expect. Wait for its attack animation—where it leans forward and swirls—then throw your curveball just as it's finishing. Aim for the "Excellent" window. Since its catch rate is traditionally low (around 2%), every throw counts.
Once you've caught a high-IV one, save those Rare Candies. Unless you're a hardcore PvP player, you really only need one solid Cresselia for your Ultra League roster. It’s a resource sink, but in the right hands, it’s a win condition.
The next step is to check your storage for a Sableye or Spiritomb. These "Ghost/Dark" dual types are actually some of the safest switches against a Psychic attacker because they negate many of the traditional weaknesses. Open your Pokemon storage, search "Ghost", and start power-leveling that Chandelure for the next raid rotation.