How to Get Solgaleo in Pokemon GO & Solgaleo vs. Lunala Guide
Join global Solgaleo raids without needing a Raid Pass. Fly in Pokemon GO to explore different time zones and experience day or night evolutions.

Pokemon GO Solgaleo is a Legendary Pokemon known as the “Sunne Pokemon”. It offers unique Psychic and Steel-type coverage, making it a strong contender in both PvP and PvE battles. But unlike most Legendaries, you can't catch it in raids - you need to evolve Cosmog correctly to get Solgaleo.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to get Solgaleo in Pokemon GO, whether Solgaleo or Lunala is the better choice, and how to prepare the best moves for Solgaleo in different formats. If you’re also wondering about shiny Solgaleo in Pokemon GO, we’ve got answers to that too. Let’s dive in!
In this article:
What is Pokemon GO Solgaleo?
Solgaleo Pokemon GO is a Legendary Pokemon from the Alola region (Generation VII). It is a Psychic and Steel-type Pokemon that looks like a glowing lion. Because of its strong typing, Solgaleo can resist many attacks and is useful in some battles.

In Pokemon GO, you cannot catch Solgaleo in the wild or in raids. The only way to get Solgaleo is by evolving Cosmog, a special Pokemon you receive during certain research tasks.
Many Trainers want to know more about Pokemon GO Solgaleo, including how to get it, if it can be shiny, and how it compares to Lunala. We’ll answer all of these questions next!
How to Get Solgaleo in Pokemon GO?
We mentioned earlier that you can only get Solgaleo by evolving Cosmog - but that’s no longer the only way! In July 2025, Solgaleo will appear as a 5-star raid boss for a limited time. That means Trainers now have two ways to get Solgaleo in Pokemon GO:
Method 1 5-Star Raid Battles (July 8 - 14, 2025)
According to the latest Pokemon GO raid schedule, Solgaleo will be available in 5-star raids for the first time ever from July 8, 2025, to July 14, 2025. You don’t need to evolve Cosmog - just team up with other Trainers, defeat Solgaleo in a raid, and try to catch it afterward.
How to Beat Solgaleo in 5-Star Raids:
Solgaleo’s Weaknesses: Ground, Ghost, Fire, and Dark
Solgaleo’s Top Counters:
Pokemon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Darkrai | Snarl | Shadow Ball |
Chandelure | Hex | Shadow Ball |
Garchomp | Mud Shot | Earth Power |
Hydreigon | Bite | Brutal Swing |
Giratina (Origin) | Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball |
1. Join a raid group with 4 - 6 high-level Trainers if possible.
2. Use a Mega or Shadow Pokemon to boost damage.
3. Raid during Partly Cloudy or Windy weather to power up Solgaleo’s moves.
4. Use LocaChange to join global Solgaleo raids without needing a Raid Pass.
Once you defeat Solgaleo, you’ll get the chance to catch it using Premier Balls. Use Golden Razz Berries and throw curveballs to increase your catch rate.
Method 2 Evolve Cosmog into Solgaleo
If you’ve already started the Special Research “A Cosmic Companion”, you can evolve Cosmog into Solgaleo by following these steps:
Step 1: Get Cosmog Complete the “A Cosmic Companion” special research. If you don’t have it yet, it may return in future events.
Step 2: Evolve Cosmog into Cosmoem Use 25 Cosmog Candy to evolve Cosmog into Cosmoem.
Step 3: Evolve Cosmoem into Solgaleo Use 100 Cosmog Candy. You must evolve during daytime in your local time. If you evolve at night, you’ll get Lunala instead!

Both methods allow you to obtain Solgaleo in Pokemon GO, so if you missed the special research, now is your chance to catch up through raids. And if you already evolved Cosmog into Lunala, this July raid is your best opportunity to get Solgaleo too.
Can Solgaleo Be Shiny in Pokemon GO?
Not yet. As of July 2025, the shiny Solgaleo is not available in the game. Even if you evolve Cosmog into Solgaleo, or catch it during the 5-star raids, it will always be the regular version.

Scopely usually releases shiny Legendary Pokemon during special events or anniversary celebrations. So while shiny Solgaleo in Pokemon GO is not live right now, it may appear in the future.
How to Know When Shiny Solgaleo Is Coming?
Watch official announcements on pokemongolive.com.
Follow Pokemon GO on Twitter, Instagram, or inside the app.
Keep checking upcoming raid events - shinies often debut during reruns.
Best Moves for Solgaleo Pokemon GO
To use Solgaleo in Pokemon GO well, you need to pick the right moves. Solgaleo is a Psychic and Steel-type Pokemon. It can be used in PvP battles (like Ultra League) or in raids. Below is a simple guide to the best moves for Solgaleo in Pokemon GO.
1 Pokemon GO Solgaleo Best Moveset
Type | Move Name | Use | |
---|---|---|---|
Fast Move | Fire Spin | Best overall damage | |
Fast Move (alt) | Zen Headbutt | Matches Psychic type, but slower | |
Charged Move | Psychic Fangs | Low energy, lowers enemy defense | |
Charged Move | Iron Head | Good Steel-type move, strong hit | |
Charged Move | Solar Beam | Big damage, but needs lots of energy |
Best combo for PvP: Fire Spin + Psychic Fangs + Iron Head
Works well in Ultra League and against Fairy-type Pokemon
2 Is Solgaleo Good in Battle?
Yes. Solgaleo is not a top raid attacker, but it is strong in some Trainer Battles. It has many resistances and can beat popular Pokemon like Togekiss or Cresselia. Its Psychic and Steel typing helps it survive longer in battle.
If you want a unique and flexible Legendary, Solgaleo is a good option - especially if you use the right moves.
Solgaleo vs. Lunala: Which One Should You Choose?
When evolving Cosmoem, you must choose: Solgaleo or Lunala Pokemon GO. You can only pick one, unless you get another Cosmog from a future event. So which is better in Pokemon GO?
Let’s compare them:
Feature | Solgaleo | Lunala |
---|---|---|
Type | Psychic + Steel | Psychic + Ghost |
Evolution Time | Daytime only | Nighttime only |
Weak To | Ground, Ghost, Fire, Dark | Ghost, Dark |
Resists | Fairy, Grass, Dragon, Ice, etc. | Fighting, Psychic, Poison |
Best Use | Ultra League, Fairy counters | PvE Ghost attacker, niche PvP |
Looks | Sun-like lion | Moon-like bat |
Is Solgaleo or Lunala Better in Pokemon GO?

Choose Solgaleo if:
You like strong defense and Steel-type coverage
You play Ultra League PvP
You want more resistances in battle
Choose Lunala if:
You prefer high damage in raids (Ghost moves)
You already have many Steel-types
You want a unique Ghost-type Legendary
Both are good, but their roles are different. Solgaleo is better in Trainer Battles, while Lunala can be stronger in PvE raids. Think about your team needs before you evolve!
FAQs About Solgaleo Pokemon GO
1. When is Solgaleo coming to Pokemon GO?
Solgaleo was first added to Pokemon GO through the Cosmog Special Research in 2022. In July 2025, Solgaleo is returning as a 5-star raid boss from July 8 to July 14, giving Trainers another chance to catch it without evolving Cosmog.
2. Can you trade Solgaleo in Pokemon GO?
No, Solgaleo cannot be traded in Pokemon GO. Since it is evolved from a special research Pokemon (Cosmog), it falls under the non-tradeable category, like other Mythical Pokemon and special evolutions.
3. How do you fuse Solgaleo with Necrozma in Pokemon GO?
In the mainline Pokemon games, Solgaleo can fuse with Necrozma to form Dusk Mane Necrozma. However, this feature is not available in Pokemon GO yet. Scopely has not confirmed a date for fusion mechanics, but it may come in a future update.
4. How to evolve Cosmog into Solgaleo in Pokemon GO?
To evolve Cosmog into Solgaleo, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Complete the “A Cosmic Companion” special research to get Cosmog.
- Step 2: Use 25 Cosmog Candy to evolve Cosmog into Cosmoem.
- Step 3: Use 100 Cosmog Candy to evolve Cosmoem into Solgaleo during daytime in your local time.
Conclusion
Solgaleo Pokemon GO is a powerful and unique Legendary Pokemon that every Trainer should try to catch or evolve. Whether you’re battling in Ultra League or filling your Pokedex, Solgaleo offers strong Psychic and Steel-type coverage and solid battle performance.
Now that you know how to get Solgaleo in Pokemon GO, what moves to use, and whether it’s better than Lunala, you're ready to make the best choice for your team. Don’t forget - the 5-star raid event from July 8 - 14, 2025 may be your only chance to catch Solgaleo directly!
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