The long-awaited debut of Dondozo in Pokemon GO has arrived, making waves as part of the Sunkissed Shores event. Known as the Big Catfish Pokemon from the Paldea region, Dondozo is a Water-type with an impressive bulk, now available for Trainers worldwide. This guide covers everything you need to know about encountering, raiding, and even shiny hunting Dondozo. This guide covers everything you need to know about encountering, raiding, and even shiny hunting dondozo pokemon go players have been waiting for.
Dondozo first appeared in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as Tatsugiri’s loyal companion. In Pokemon GO, it joins the roster through the Sunkissed Shores event. This limited-time event introduces new Pokemon, themed spawns, and a chance to battle Dondozo in raids.
During the event, Dondozo is featured in Tier 3 Raid Battles, making it accessible for most Trainers with a solid team of counters. The event also ties into summer-themed spawns, water-based challenges, and the debut of other Paldean Pokemon such as Shuckle and Marill appearing more often in the wild.
No, Dondozo does not have any evolutions in Pokemon GO. In the mainline Pokemon games, it is known for its synergy with Tatsugiri, but it does not evolve from or into any other Pokemon. In Pokemon GO, it is currently a standalone species, so you will not need to collect extra candy for future evolutions. Instead, you can focus your stardust and candy on powering up Dondozo for raids or PvP battles.
There are two main ways to obtain Dondozo in Pokemon GO:
Defeating it in Raids – Dondozo currently appears as a 3-Star Raid Boss, requiring a team of Trainers with strong Electric or Grass Pokemon. After defeating it, you will get a chance to catch it. Using a Pinap Berry increases your candy rewards, making it easier to power up.
Special Event Research – During the Sunkissed Shores event in August, some special tasks and rewards may include encounters with Dondozo. You may also need to complete field research tasks that reward extra encounters or bonuses like stardust and XP.
If you want to add dondozo pokemon go to your roster, raiding is currently the best method. Once caught, Dondozo can be used in battles, though its performance depends heavily on its move pool and typing advantages.
Yes! Alongside its debut, Shiny Dondozo is available in Pokemon GO. Its shiny form is noticeably different, making it a prized catch for collectors.
Shiny Odds: Like most raid-introduced Pokemon, shiny Dondozo has boosted odds when caught after a successful raid.
Shiny Appearance: Shiny Dondozo features a more subdued coloration compared to its standard deep blue tone.
If you are aiming for the shiny, make sure to participate in as many raids as possible during the event window. Always check your local time for raid windows so you don’t miss your chance.
During the Sunkissed Shores event in August, there are several time-limited bonuses that make catching Dondozo more rewarding. Trainers can earn bonus XP and stardust from raid victories, and special field research tasks may offer encounters with water-type Pokemon, including event-themed spawns. Using a Pinap Berry when catching Dondozo will give you extra candy, which is especially useful if you want to build up its power quickly.
At the moment, Dondozo in Pokemon GO is exclusive to the Sunkissed Shores event raid schedule. You will not encounter it in the wild, and it is not available in eggs or standard research tasks. After the event, Niantic usually rotates new Pokemon into future raid pools, seasonal events, or special research encounters.
This means that if you want to secure dondozo pokemon go during its debut window — especially the shiny variant — it is best to raid now. Once the event ends, there is no confirmed date for when Dondozo will return, though it will almost certainly appear in future events or limited-time raids.
Being a pure Water-type, Dondozo is weak to Electric and Grass-type moves. When preparing your raid team, focus on powerful attackers with these typings. Trainers preparing for dondozo pokemon go raids should bring Electric and Grass counters to maximize efficiency.
Zekrom with Charge Beam / Wild Charge
Xurkitree with Spark / Discharge
Raikou with Thunder Shock / Wild Charge
Electivire with Thunder Shock / Wild Charge
Kartana with Razor Leaf / Leaf Blade
Roserade with Razor Leaf / Grass Knot
Venusaur (Mega) with Vine Whip / Frenzy Plant
Sceptile (Mega) with Bullet Seed / Frenzy Plant
Raid Schedule: Dondozo will appear throughout the raid schedule of the Sunkissed Shores event, so keep an eye on nearby gyms.
Group Size: 2–3 high-level Trainers with optimized teams can defeat Dondozo. Casual players should aim for 4–5.
Weather Boost: Dondozo benefits from Rainy Weather, boosting its Water-type moves. Grass-types are boosted in Sunny weather, while Electric is unaffected.
Dondozo’s role in Pokemon GO is primarily as a bulky Water-type. While it may not dominate PvP, its strong stamina makes it a decent option for certain battles.
Type: Water
Max CP: ~3,200 (at Level 50)
Best Fast Moves: Waterfall, Zen Headbutt
Best Charged Moves: Body Slam, Surf, Hydro Pump
Its wide HP pool makes it a potential tank in battles, though it lacks the offensive presence of stronger Water-types like Kyogre. Choosing the best moveset with Surf or Hydro Pump gives it more coverage.
In PvE raids, Dondozo does not outperform top Water-type attackers such as Kyogre or Swampert, but it is still usable as a bulky alternative.
In PvP, Dondozo may see niche play in the Ultra League, where its bulk and access to Body Slam help it pressure opponents. However, it struggles against Grass- and Electric-type counters.
Overall, Dondozo is more of a collector’s Pokemon and shiny chase rather than a meta-defining battler.
If your main goal is a shiny, consistency is key:
Participate in Multiple Raids: The more raids you complete, the higher your odds.
Use Raid Passes Efficiently: Stack up on remote raid passes if you cannot attend in person.
Check Event Bonuses: Sometimes event bonuses increase shiny rates or provide additional encounter opportunities.
Team Up With Friends: Coordinate with local communities to maximize raid efficiency.
You can also follow official Pokemon GO apps for push notifications and emails announcing featured raid hours and shiny boosts.
Dondozo’s debut is just the beginning. With its unique connection to Tatsugiri in the mainline Pokemon games, there is speculation about future special research tasks or unique raid formats involving both Pokemon. Niantic may later introduce new moves or limited-time bonuses that enhance its usefulness in battles. Some themed avatar rewards, like the Pinap Berry Bag avatar item, may also appear in future events for extra flair.
If you are a collector, shiny hunter, or Water-type enthusiast, Dondozo is worth your time. While it does not stand at the top of the competitive meta, it is a fun addition with solid bulk and an appealing shiny form.
Make sure to take advantage of the Sunkissed Shores event, gather your best Electric and Grass counters, and dive into as many raids as possible. Whether you want the standard or shiny version, Dondozo is a great Pokemon to add to your roster in Pokemon GO. Whether you are a collector or shiny hunter, dondozo pokemon go is worth raiding during the Sunkissed Shores event.
Emerson Gray · Editor
Editor
