Trainers, get ready! Tapu Lele, the guardian deity of Akala Island, graces Pokemon Go once more! This Psychic/Fairy Legendary Pokemon offers a powerful addition to any trainer's roster. With the recent update in March 2024, Niantic has unveiled the lineup for March's Raid bosses, and it includes Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko.
Tapu Lel is a powerful Legendary Pokemon that’s extremely hard to encounter and capture. This guide will go over how to catch Tapu Lele, its Shiny variant, and guide you on the best teams and equipment to overcome counter it.
Check out our other guides revealing how to get a party hat and the upcoming Community Day dates.
How to find Tapu Lele
Unlike some Pokemon, encountering Tapu Lele in the wild isn't possible. As a Legendary Pokemon, Tapu Lele appears exclusively in Tier 5 Raids. This means teaming up with other trainers is crucial to defeating and capturing this powerful creature. Luckily, Tapu Lele will be featured in 5-star Raids from Thursday, March 21, 2024, to Thursday, April 4, 2024, as part of the ongoing World of Wonders season. Don't miss this opportunity to add Tapu Lele to your collection!
Can you catch Shiny Tapu Lele?
Great news for Shiny hunters! The Shiny version of Tapu Lele is currently available in Pokemon Go. It was first introduced back in February 2023, so you have a chance of encountering it during its 5-star Raid run. However, be aware that Shiny rates in Pokemon Go are notoriously low. There's no guaranteed method to snag a Shiny Tapu Lele, so persistence and a touch of luck are key.
Best Pokemon against Tapu Lele
Since Tapu Lele is a Psychic/Fairy-type Pokemon, it's weak against Steel, Poison, and Ghost-type attacks. Here are some strong contenders to bring to the Raid battle:
- Mega Gengar: This powerful Mega Evolution boasts potent Ghost-type attacks that deal significant damage to Tapu Lele.
- Shadow Metagross: A Shadow variant of Metagross packs a serious punch with its Steel-type moves.
- Dialga: This Legendary Steel/Dragon-type Pokemon offers both offensive and defensive capabilities against Tapu Lele.
- Giratina (Origin Forme): Another Ghost/Dragon-type option, Giratina's Origin Forme delivers strong attacks effective against Tapu Lele.
Tips to capture Tapu Lele
Once you've defeated Tapu Lele in the Raid, you'll have a chance to capture it. Here are some tips to increase your odds:
- Golden Razz Berries: These berries offer the highest catch rate boost, so use them whenever possible.
- Curveballs & Great/Excellent Throws: Mastering curveballs and landing precise throws significantly improve your capture rate.
- Nanab Berries (Optional): If Tapu Lele is proving particularly elusive, Nanab Berries can calm its movements, making throws easier to land.
By following these steps and having a team full of counters, you'll be well on your way to capturing Tapu Lele and adding a legendary guardian to your Pokemon Go collection.
You might also want to check our guides on how to catch Charcadet and Chinchou while you’re here.