Catching rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO is always a thrill, and when that Pokémon happens to be Dondozo—the Big Catfish Pokémon— trainers everywhere are eager to dive in. With its bulky Water-type build, strong stamina, and shiny variant available from day one, Dondozo has become one of the most talked-about raid bosses in recent events.
If you’re wondering how to catch Dondozo in Pokémon GO, how to defeat it in raids, and how to maximize your chances of finding its Shiny version, this in-depth guide has everything you need.
We’ll cover:
- Event timing and availability of Dondozo
- Best raid counters and team-building tips
- Step-by-step catching guide
- Shiny Dondozo odds and hunting tips
- Extra strategies, research tasks, and gameplay advice
By the end of this article, you’ll be fully prepared to add Dondozo to your Pokédex.
🐟 What is Dondozo in Pokémon GO?
Dondozo is a pure Water-type Pokémon introduced during the Sunkissed Shores event in Pokémon GO. In the mainline games (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet), it’s known as the guardian of Tatsugiri, often battling alongside it.
- Pokédex Category: Big Catfish Pokémon
- Typing: Pure Water
- Strengths: High HP and defensive bulk
- Weaknesses: Electric and Grass moves
- Debut: Pokémon GO Sunkissed Shores event (August 25 – August 31)
Dondozo’s stats emphasize stamina and endurance, making it a fun yet challenging raid boss. Trainers also love it because its Shiny form is available from day one, giving collectors extra motivation to farm raids.
⏳ When and Where to Find Dondozo
The Sunkissed Shores event is your main opportunity to encounter Dondozo.
- Event Dates: August 25 – August 31
- Raid Tier: 3-star raid boss
- Post-event Availability: Possible in future raids, though rarer
👉 During the event, Dondozo will appear more frequently in gyms as a 3-star raid boss, which makes farming encounters much easier. After the event, Dondozo will likely return occasionally in raid rotations, but opportunities will be less predictable.
Pro Tip: Turn on Nearby Raid Notifications and follow local raid communities (Discord, WhatsApp, or Facebook groups) to track where Dondozo is spawning in real time.
⚔️ How to Beat Dondozo in Raids
Since Dondozo is a Water-type Pokémon, you’ll want to focus on Electric and Grass attackers.
Best Counters for Dondozo
Here are the top-performing counters to defeat Dondozo efficiently:
- Mega Sceptile – Razor Leaf / Frenzy Plant
- Shadow Raikou – Thunder Shock / Wild Charge
- Thundurus (Therian Forme) – Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
- Zarude – Vine Whip / Power Whip
- Mega Venusaur – Vine Whip / Frenzy Plant
- Electivire (Shadow) – Thunder Shock / Wild Charge
- Tapu Bulu – Bullet Seed / Grass Knot
- Xurkitree – Spark / Discharge
If you don’t have shadows or legendaries, even standard options like Roserade, Luxray, Jolteon, or Tangrowth can work when leveled up.
Raid Difficulty and Team Size
- Recommended Trainers: 2–3 experienced players with proper counters
- Soloing: Possible if you have maxed-out counters (Shadow Raikou, Mega Sceptile, etc.), but risky
- Best Strategy: Go in with a full squad of Electric and Grass Pokémon
Dondozo has high stamina but lacks strong offensive pressure. This makes it a tanky raid boss but not overly dangerous, especially when countered properly.
🎯 Step-by-Step Guide to Catch Dondozo
- Find a Dondozo Raid
Open the “Nearby” raid feature or use local raid groups to locate gyms hosting Dondozo. - Assemble Your Raid Team
Choose Grass and Electric types with strong moves. Boost your team with Mega Evolutions like Mega Sceptile or Mega Venusaur to benefit from attack bonuses. - Defeat Dondozo in the Raid
Work with 2–3 players or solo with strong counters. Focus on fast DPS moves to shorten the battle. - Catch Encounter
After victory, you’ll face Dondozo in the catch screen. Use:- Golden Razz Berries (best catch rate boost)
- Curveball throws for increased catch chance
- Aim for “Great” or “Excellent” throws to maximize success
- Claim Rewards
Completing the raid gives you XP, Stardust, and the chance to encounter a Shiny Dondozo.
✨ Shiny Dondozo in Pokémon GO
One of the most exciting aspects of Dondozo’s debut is the availability of its Shiny variant.
- Shiny Availability: Yes, from day one
- Shiny Odds: Standard legendary/raid boss shiny rates (~1 in 20 for raids, though not officially confirmed)
- Shiny Appearance: Dondozo’s shiny form features a paler, more vibrant color compared to its standard blue tone
👉 If you’re a shiny hunter, the best strategy is to do multiple raids during the Sunkissed Shores event. The more encounters, the higher your odds.
🎟️ Timed Research and Paid Bonuses
During the Sunkissed Shores event, Niantic also released a Paid Timed Research Ticket that offers:
- Extra Dondozo encounters
- XP and Stardust rewards
- Additional raid passes
While optional, this is a great way to stack more encounters, especially if you’re targeting Shiny Dondozo or want to maximize raid loot.
🧠 Additional Tips for Trainers
- Remote Raids: Use Remote Raid Passes to join Dondozo raids from anywhere if local spawns are limited.
- Weather Boosts: Rainy weather boosts Dondozo’s CP, making it stronger but also offering higher catch CP. Sunny weather benefits Grass counters, making raids easier.
- Pinap Berry Trick: If you’re not worried about catching, use a Pinap Berry to double candy rewards.
- XL Candy Grind: Use Dondozo raids to farm XL candy, which is crucial if you plan to max it for PvP or Master League play.
- Save Raid Passes: If you only care about shiny hunting, focus on raids during the event week to maximize efficiency.
📊 Is Dondozo Worth Using in Battles?
While Dondozo is bulky, it isn’t currently a top meta Water-type attacker in raids or PvP compared to options like Kyogre or Swampert. However, it has niche value:
- PvE Raids: Not top-tier, but usable if powered up.
- PvP: Could see play in certain leagues thanks to its stamina, though it lacks versatile moves.
- Collector’s Value: High—especially with Shiny availability at launch.
For most trainers, Dondozo is more of a Pokédex filler and shiny hunt target, rather than a must-use battle Pokémon.
📌 Final Thoughts
Dondozo’s arrival in Pokémon GO brings a refreshing addition to raid battles and shiny hunting. With its limited-time debut during the Sunkissed Shores event (Aug 25–31), trainers should seize the chance to raid it heavily.
- Focus on Grass and Electric counters for efficiency
- Take advantage of Mega Evolutions for bonus damage and candy
- Hunt for Shiny Dondozo while the odds are fresh
- Consider the Timed Research ticket for extra encounters
Even if Dondozo doesn’t dominate the battle meta, its unique design, tanky stats, and shiny appeal make it a Pokémon worth catching while you can.
So, grab your Poké Balls, rally your raid group, and dive into the waters—Dondozo is waiting to be caught!
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