Pokemon Go current Raid bosses: May 2023 schedule for Mega Raids, 5-Stars & more

Raids are an essential part of the Pokemon Go experience, and each month there’s a new set of Pokemon ranging from common 1-Stars to rare 5-Star Legendaries to battle and catch. Here’s the current line-up of Raid bosses for May 2023.
May is shaping up to be an exciting month for Pokemon Go players. The new Season of Rising Heroes is well underway, there’s another Community Day starring Fennekin to look forward to, and of course, there’s a new set of Spotlight Hour stars to enjoy.
As for Raids, Trainers will be able to catch Genesect (Shock Drive), Tapu Fini, and Regigigas when they return to 5-Star Raids throughout the month. There will also be several Mega-Evolved Pokemon to battle as well as Shadow Pokemon in Shadow Raids.
Contents
- Raid schedule
- Raid Boss guides
- When do Raid Hours take place?
- What are Raid Battles?
- How to get Raid Passes
- How to catch Pokemon in Raid Battles

Pokemon Go Raid Boss schedule May 2023
Niantic have revealed the May schedule for Raids, and there are some exciting battles to be had! Most notable is Regidrago, which will return to Elite Raids for just one day.
Here are the Pokemon you’ll be able to find in Raids this month:
Elite Raids
Pokemon | Dates | |
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Regidrago | May 13 (at 11AM, 2PM, and 5PM) |
Mega Raids
Pokemon | Dates | |
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Mega Slowbro | April 17 – May 2 |
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Mega Scizor | May 2 – May 11 |
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Mega Pinsir | May 11 – May 24 |
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Mega Altaria | May 24 – June 1 |
5-Star Raids
Pokemon | Dates | |
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Tapu Bulu | April 17 – May 2 |
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Genesect (Shock Drive) | May 2 – May 9 |
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Tapu Fini | May 9 – May 24 |
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Regigigas | May 24 – June 1 |
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Shadow Mewtwo | May 27 – May 28 |
3-Star Raids
Pokemon | |||
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Empoleon | Lapras | Magneton | Mawile |
1-Star Raids
Pokemon | ||||
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Clefairy | Marill | Popplio | Skrelp | Tentacool |
During the Rising Shadows event from May 22 to May 28, there will also be Shadow Raids that you can take part in. These won’t appear in every Gym, so regular Raid Bosses will still be available to battle.
You can see the lineup of Shadow Raid Bosses appearing during the Rising Shadows event below:
3-Star Shadow Raids
Pokemon | |||
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Shadow Bayleef | Shadow Croconaw | Shadow Quilava | Shadow Sneasel |
1-Star Shadow Raids
Pokemon | |||
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Shadow Beldum | Shadow Bellsprout | Shadow Machop | Shadow Poliwag |
Mega Raids and 5-Star Raids will follow the schedule above, but 1-Star and 3-Star Raids often change at random, especially during special events. Check back regularly for the latest Raid opportunities!
All Pokemon Go Raid Guides May 2023
If you’re new to Raids or just need a bit of a helping hand, then look no further! We’ll be compiling guides on how best to get the Mega and 5-Star Raid Pokemon below:
- How to beat Tapu Bulu
- Best moveset for Genesect (Shock Drive)
- How to beat Tapu Fini
- How to beat Regigigas
- How to beat Mega Scizor
- How to beat Mega Altaria
When do Raid Hours take place?
Each week, Niantic hosts a special Raid Hour to give players a better chance at catching the current 5-Star Raid Pokemon. All of the gyms that have Raids in them will be 5-Star, so that’s Tapu Fini right now.
Raid Hours take place every Wednesday from 6PM to 7PM, and you won’t have to worry about time zones as it will always be your local time. This is the perfect chance to get out there and catch yourself a Legendary.
What are Raid Battles in Pokemon Go?

Raid Battles occur when a Boss Pokemon takes over a Gym. You can find them by walking around local Gyms and keeping an eye out for eggs that are about to hatch, or Boss Pokemon that are part of a currently ongoing Raid.
These Pokemon are very powerful, so it’s recommended that you team up with a few other trainers in order to secure a victory. There are four tiers: 1-Star, 3-Star, 5-Star, and Mega Raids. The higher the tier, the harder the battle.
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Raid Battles are worth the time and effort to complete, though. As well as earning special items, you’ll also get a chance to catch the Pokemon you beat. In the case of 5-Star Raids, these will be Legendaries you can’t get anywhere else.
How to get Raid Passes in Pokemon Go

In order to take part in a Raid Battle, you’ll need a Raid Pass. You can earn one Raid Pass each day by spinning the Photo Disc at any Gym. If you run out, you can purchase a Premium Raid Pass from the Shop.
There are now also Remote Raid Passes available in Go. These are ideal for trainers who can’t leave the house, as they let you join any Raid Battle that’s on the Nearby screen or tappable from the Map View.
Remote Raid Passes can be bought from the Shop, or received as free gifts every now and then.
How to catch Pokemon in Raid Battles

When you successfully defeat a Raid Boss, you’ll get the chance to catch it. You’ll be given a set number of Premier Balls to use, but it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to catch it, especially if it’s a Legendary.
Here are some ways to increase the number of Premier Balls you’ll get:
- Deal a high amount of damage to the Raid boss.
- Your team deals a high amount of damage to the Raid boss.
- Controlling the gym that the Raid takes place in.
- Participating in Raids with friends.
Remember, you can also use Razz Berries, or even better Golden Razz Berries, to help catch Raid bosses. Getting excellent throws or spinning curveballs will increase your chances, too.
Now you’re all clued up on Raids and the creatures you can battle at Gyms this month, it’s time to get out there and catch yourself some Pokemon – and maybe even a Legendary. Good luck, trainers!
For more tips and tricks covering all things Pokemon Go, make sure to check out our guides:
Spotlight Hour guide | Current Raid Bosses | Best Pokemon in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go Spotlight Hour | Arlo counters guide | Cliff counters guide | How to get Remote Raid Passes | Sierra counters guide | How to catch Ditto | Pokemon Go Shop: Items list, prices, box changes