Rayquaza Guide: How to Steal and Buffs

Rayquaza is a Boss Pokemon in Pokemon UNITE. Read on to know what buff Rayquaza gives, its spawn time, spawn locations, the effective strategy to take Rayquaza, as well as the limited-time Shiny Rayquaza!

Shiny Rayquaza Comes to UNITE!

On a post from Pokemon UNITE's official X (formerly known as Twitter) account, Shiny Rayquaza will appear in the game starting from February 22 to March 7, 2024. The Pokemon will spawn as usual during the last two (2) minutes of the game.

Rayquaza Wild Pokemon Information

Rayquaza
	Points Generated: 30 / 15 pts Wild Pokemon Type: Boss
Effects / Description	Appears during the Final Stretch (2:00). Grants a shield to the allied team that negates damage, protects the Pokemon from getting interrupted when scoring, and reduces the charge time by half. As Rayquaza appears, air currents appears in fixed areas of the map that grants movement speed increase. The number of air currents depends on the number of goal zones destroyed.
Spawn Time / Conditions	2:00
Map Availability	Theia Sky Ruins

Rayquaza Spawn Details

Rayquaza Detailed Spawn Location

Theia Sky Ruins
See Full Image
Red	Spawns at the center of the map.

Rayquaza Spawn Time

Rayquaza spawns at the center of the map at the two-minute (2:00) mark of the match.

Rayquaza Respawn Details

Rayquaza does not respawn when it is defeated. It will only spawn once.

Rayquaza Buffs and Rewards

Increases Goal Scoring Speed

Taking a Rayquaza increases your team's goal scoring speed while the buff is active. Make sure to take it to your opponent's goals to not waste it!

Provides A Shield

In addition, Rayquaza's buff also provides a shield that not only provides a general shield for the Pokemon but also protects them from being hit while scoring. This partnered with the goal scoring speed buff would make scoring easier!

You know you still have the shield when a green orb still surrounds your Pokemon.

Shields ONLY Deplete with Damage

Once your team receives the bonus shields, they will stay with you for the rest of the match until it is depleted by damage.

Effects are Active as Long as the Shield is Present

Protection from scoring goals and faster score time will only take effect if the shields from Rayquaza are still intact. So, it is best to focus on scoring goals once you secure Rayquaza to get the most value out of the effect.

Knowing that the shield only depletes with damage, players may maintain the shield throughout the remaining minutes to retain the effects.

Rayquaza Spawns Air Currents

Air Current Spawn Locations
See Full Image
Orange	Spawns in that location when Rayquaza appears at 2:00.
Blue	Will only spawn if the Goal Zone is destroyed.

As Rayquaza spawns in the map, it will also randomly spawn air currents in fixed locations around the map. The number of air currents depends on the number of destroyed goal zones. The air currents ALWAYS appear in the same location as a destroyed goal zone!

Full Points Only Given to Final Hit

The full 30-points carried by Rayquaza is only be given to the player who dealt the final hit. On top of that, allied Pokemon will also be given 15 points.

However, if that player's Aeos Energy is at full capacity when it defeats Rayquaza, the points are dropped instead and can be picked up by other players.

Strategy to Beat Rayquaza

Basic Rayquaza Strategy

Adjust Offense Based on Attack Range

Once the match reaches the two-minute (2:00) mark, the wall above Rayquaza's spawn location will rise. This significantly hinders your targetting as the only point of entry will be in front of the boss Pokemon. It is best to approach the situation depending on your Pokemon's attack type so you can get the best value out of your attacks while also protecting you from unnecessary damage.

Face Directly with Melee Attacks

For melee Pokemon, your only entry point to Rayquaza will be the opening in front of the boss area. If your Pokemon has dash moves, you can jump over the walls to get in range quicker. For most situations, it is best not to get aggressive early on and rely on your ranged allies to provide suppressing fire.

On that note, Rayquaza also deals damage using two close range attacks. If you see a circle on the ground, try dashing out of them before Rayquaza drops the move.

Kite From Behind using Ranged Attacks

Cinderace positions itself behind the wall then attacks Rayquaza from long range.

For ranged Pokemon, it is best to position them behind Rayquaza. This way, they will have full knowledge of Rayquaza's HP throughout the battle while also keeping them from getting flanked. They can then change targets on the fly, depending on the situation. Moreover, they will be able to kite down or even steal Rayquaza when they need to.

The only Rayquaza attack that ranged attackers need to think about is the tornado-like Twister move. You'll know that you're being targeted if a small circle appears on where you are. Thankfully, it is fairly easy to avoid!

Optimize Your Attack Controls

You can set your attack controls to Advanced Attack Controls, which allows you to separate your basic attacks for opponents and Wild Pokemon. This ensures that all your attacks will be focused on either Rayquaza or an opponent when the situation demands it.

Targeting and Aim Assist: How to Aim Well

How to Steal Rayquaza

Rayquaza is situated inside walls that have a small opening at the front. Since contesting Rayquaza is a team effort, expect most of the enemy team to be present during the fight.

Snipe Down From Long Range

Move	Pokemon	Strategy
Spirit Shackle	Decidueye	Take advantage of Spirit Shackles multiple charges to deplete the objective's health. When its HP is low enough, shoot them down with a fully charged shot for a clean steal.
Pyro Ball	Cinderace	Bombard the objective with Standard Attacks. When its HP is low enough, shoot them down with a Pyro Ball. It is best to aim for getting Blaze stacks first before using Pyro Ball.
Flash Cannon	Duraludon	Position Duraludon behind Rayquaza and away from the clash. Plop down and keep attacking with Flash Cannon. Since attacks from the move are considered as Standard Attacks, you may be able to deal high amounts of damage with critical hits!

Easy Secure With Burst Moves

Move	Pokemon	Strategy
Hyper Beam	Dragonite	Cycle between Boosted Attacks and Dragon Dance to charge up Hyper Beam to the max before bursting down the objective.
Brave Bird or Fly	Talonflame	Utilize Brave Bird's long range to target the objective from afar and let the enemy do all the work. When the objective's HP is low enough, activate Brave Bird to swoop down and steal the objective.
Solar Beam	Venusaur	Maneuver around the objective and constantly deal Standard Attacks. Once the objectives HP is low enough, burst them down with a Solar Beam. You can also line up the shot to hit the enemy team to get more value.
Solar Beam	Mew	Like with Venusaur, Mew's Solar Beam functions the same way. We suggest dropping Light Screen first before shooting the beam to amplify the damage.

Increase the Chance to Secure with AoE Moves

Move	Pokemon	Strategy
Hyper Voice	Sylveon	When the objective's HP falls low, activate Hyper Voice behind Rayquaza. The move's range will be enough to reach the target over the wall. The constant ticks of damage may be enough to get the last hit.
Sand Stream	Tyranitar	Sand Stream's wide area is perfect for both pressuring the enemy team and increasing your chance to steal Rayquaza. Position Tyranitar in the middle of the fight and use moves to keep the triggering Sand Stream.
Fanciful Fireworks	Delphox	Position Delphox away from the fight and activate Fanciful Fireworks when Rayquaza's HP falls low. Make place the move in the middle of the fight which will pressure melee enemies.

Disable Opponents with Crowd Control Unite Moves

Move	Pokemon	Strategy
Power Nap	Snorlax	Soak up all the damage you can to protect your allies. Then, get in the middle of the battle near and position near the Rayquaza opening. Activate Power Nap to stun nearby enemies while also blocking their path for your allies to focus their attacks on Rayquaza.
Showtime!	Mr. Mime	Jump in the middle of the clash and activate Showtime! and stun melee opponents. This will open them up for your allies to knock down and take them out of the fight.
Hydro Typhoon	Blastoise	Position Blastoise in the middle of the fight and activate Hydro Typhoon to effectively reset the battlefield. Additionally, the blast can serve as a burst move for getting the last hit on Rayquaza.

When to Take Rayquaza

Bounce Back From a Losing Match

If your team is behind in points during the final stretch of the match, securing Rayquaza should be a top priority. Defeating Rayquaza, combined with the double bonus points bonus in the last 2 minutes, is a great way to turn the tides of a match!

Ambush the Opposing Team

When the enemy team is contesting Rayquaza, capitalize on it by ambushing them from behind. Their moves will most likely be on cooldown and their HP is likely to have sustained damage. This will be the perfect time for your team to take them out of the battle and secure Rayquaza!

Additionally, When you see Rayquaza's HP almost depleted, you can swoop down with a move and hopefully get the final hit! Overall, stealing Rayquaza reward and effect is worth falling in battle for, especially if your team is behind.

Rayquaza Moves

Melee Attack

If a Pokemon gets close, Rayquaza may swipe down and deal damage to them. Although this attack may not deal significant damage, taking too many hits can be dangerous if you are not careful.

Twister

Rayquaza picks up to three (3) targets and launches hurricanes on their location. Getting hit by these will deal a significant amount of damage while also knocking up the Pokemon in place.

Draco Meteor

Rayquaza charges and rains down meteors in an area. Pokemon that are hit by the attack are dealt damage and stunned for a short amount of time.

Dragon Ascent

Rayquaza flies up then slams the ground, dealing damage to neraby Pokemon while also knocking them up for a short amount of time.

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

Wild Pokemon Guide

Theia Sky Ruins Wild Pokemon

Boss Pokemon
Rayquaza			Regieleki
Regirock		Regice		Registeel
Jungle Buff Pokemon
Accelgor			Escavalier
Normal Pokemon
Swablu		Altaria		Xatu
Bunnelby		Indeedee		Baltoy
Evolved Pokemon
Diggersby (from Bunnelby)			Claydol (from Baltoy)

Mer Stadium Wild Pokemon

Boss Pokemon
Zapdos		Drednaw		Rotom
Jungle Buff Pokemon
Ludicolo			Bouffalant
Normal Pokemon
Audino		Combee		Vespiquen
Lillipup		Corphish		Aipom
Evolved Pokemon
Herdier (from Lillipup)		Crawdaunt (from Corphish)		Ambipom (from Aipom)

Auroma Park Wild Pokemon

Boss Pokemon
Regigigas
Normal Pokemon
Abra		Dewpider		Araquanid
Ledyba		Sunkern		Venomoth
Evolved Pokemon
Ledian (from Ledyba)			Sunflora (from Sunkern)

Shivre City Wild Pokemon

Boss Pokemon
Avalugg
Normal Pokemon
Snom		Alolan Meowth		Electrode
Evolved Pokemon
Frosmoth (from Snom)			Alolan Persian (from Alolan Meowth)