This list is valid from December 18th 2018 to January 2nd 2019. Heatran is available until January 15th 2019.
Short version:
- Tier 1: Shinx (Shiny), Shellder (Shiny), Magikarp (Shiny), Buizel, Snorunt (shiny)
- Tier 2: Dewgong, A-Exeggutor, Mawile (Shiny), Sneasel
- Tier 3: Piloswine, Jynx, Machamp, A-Raichu (Shiny)
- Tier 4: Walrein, A-Marowak (Shiny), Lapras, Tyranitar
- Tier 5: Heatran
Tier 1: shiny hunting zone
 Shinx |
 Shellder |
 Magikarp |
 Buizel |
 Snorunt |
Tier 1, also known as the “easy solo raid” tier, is filled with a few winter themed Pokemon and is mostly useful for shiny hunting in Pokemon GO. If you forgot, the chance to encounter a shiny version of a raid boss is greater than the chance to encounter a shiny version of that Pokemon in the wild. Shinx, Shellder, Magikarp and Snorunt can be shiny in this tier! We don’t maintain raid guides for Tier 1 Pokemon as they are incredibly easy to complete.
Tier 2: the filler tier
 Dewgong |
 Exeggutor (Alola) |
 Mawile |
 Sneasel |
Tier 2, also known as the “hard solo raid” tier, has an interesting selection of familiar faces in December. Dewgong likely won’t be a popular choice, especially with Sneasel in the same Tier, but Alolan Exeggutor is always a popular option. Mawile is the only shiny option in this tier. This month’s Tier 2 can actually be useful to get a few L25 attackers for the Great League:
- Weather boosted Sneasel can be caught from 1384 to 1465 CP
- Weather boosted Dewgong can be caught from 1339 to 1418 CP
Tier 3: soloable
 Piloswine |
 Raichu (Alola) |
 Jynx |
 Machamp |
Tier 3, also known as the “yet another hard solo raid” tier, is very familiar, as these raid bosses have been available for months now. All of the Pokemon featured in this month’s Level 3 raids can be easily solo raided with a team of Level 30-ish counters. With the recent Type Effectiveness change, Jynx, Machamp and Alola Raichu should be significantly easier than before.
Raid guides:
- Piloswine Solo Raid Counters Guide
- Jynx Raid Boss Solo Guide
- Machamp Solo Raid Guide
- Alolan Raichu Raid Guide
Tier 4: summoning Tyranitar
 Tyranitar |
 Marowak (Alola) |
 Lapras |
 Walrein |
The only T4 raid boss that’s actually worth spending a raid pass is Tyranitar. Lapras and Walrein pale in comparison to Piloswine and it’s future evolution – Mamoswine. The only reason why you would consider raiding Lapras and Walrein is for their potential in the Ultra League, as both cap out at just over ~2500 CP at max level. Alolan Marowak can be shiny, but don’t recommend spending raid passes at it if you are not happy with your Tyranitar lineup. Trainers sometime forget how good Tyranitar is, so let us remind you: it’s a pseudo legendary giant dinosaur that is able to crush a mountain with one hand. A mountain.
Raid guides:
- Tyranitar Raid Guide: counters, combat power, weather
- Lapras Raid Boss
- Walrein Raid Counters Guide
- Alola Marowak Raid Counters Guide
Tier 5: Ring of fire
 Heatran |
Heatran can easily be grounded with a team of Groudon, Rhyperior and Rhydon. We won’t go in-depth here, but be sure to read our massive Heatran Raid Counters Guide.