How to Evolve and Use Ursaluna in Pokemon GO Right Now

Ursaluna stands as one of the most mechanically unique additions to the Pokemon GO roster. Originating from the Hisui region, this Normal and Ground-type powerhouse brought a specific evolution requirement that still catches many trainers off guard: the lunar cycle. As of April 2026, successfully adding this beast to your team or optimizing one for the Master League requires more than just candy; it requires timing, resource management, and a clear understanding of its niche in the current competitive environment.

The Moon Phase Evolution Requirement

Evolving Ursaring into Ursaluna is not a simple button press. It remains locked behind the in-game Full Moon mechanic. Even if you have the required 100 Teddiursa Candies, the evolution button will only appear when the night sky in the game reflects a full moon.

This mechanic mimics the lore from Pokemon Legends: Arceus, where the Peat Block item was used under a full moon. In Pokemon GO, the game follows real-world lunar cycles quite closely, though there is often a grace period where the evolution remains active for about 24 to 36 hours around the peak of the full moon.

2026 Full Moon Evolution Schedule

Since today is April 15, 2026, the Pink Moon of April 1 has already passed. Trainers who missed that window must now prepare for the upcoming opportunities. Based on astronomical cycles integrated into the game, here are the projected dates for the remainder of the year:

Flower Moon: May 1, 2026
Blue Moon: May 31, 2026
Strawberry Moon: June 29, 2026
Buck Moon: July 29, 2026
Sturgeon Moon: August 28, 2026
Harvest Moon: September 26, 2026
Hunter’s Moon: October 26, 2026
Beaver Moon: November 24, 2026
Cold Moon: December 23, 2026

It is advisable to check your Ursaring the evening before these dates. Sometimes the "lunar toggle" in the game's backend activates early. If the evolve button is glowing, do not wait—server-side updates can occasionally end the window prematurely.

Base Stats and Combat Potential

Ursaluna’s stat distribution makes it a natural tank with significant offensive pressure. At Level 50, its Combat Power (CP) reaches a staggering 4,358, placing it among the elite non-legendary options for the Master League.

Attack: 243
Defense: 181
Stamina: 277

With a massive HP pool (reaching 230 at Level 40), Ursaluna can survive powerful neutral hits that would fold other Ground types. Its typing, however, is a double-edged sword. Being Normal/Ground gives it a triple resistance to Ghost-type moves and a double resistance to Electric, making it a nightmare for Pokemon like Gengar or Heliodisk. Conversely, it inherits vulnerabilities to common offensive types: Fighting, Water, Grass, and Ice.

Optimal Movesets for 2026 Meta

The primary critique of Ursaluna since its debut has been its fast move pool. It lacks a high-energy Ground-type fast move like Mud Shot, which forces it into specific tactical roles.

Best Moveset for Raids (PVE)

In raid scenarios, you want to maximize damage per second (DPS) against bosses weak to Ground moves, such as Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, or Steel types.

Fast Move: Tackle
Charged Move: High Horsepower (Elite TM required)

High Horsepower is the cornerstone of Ursaluna's viability. Without it, the Pokemon loses its identity as a top-tier Ground attacker. If you are using Ursaluna for Raids, an Elite Charged TM is almost mandatory if you did not evolve it during its original Community Day event.

Best Moveset for GBL Master League (PVP)

In the Master League, Ursaluna acts as a "core breaker" that can dismantle common Steel and Ghost cores.

Fast Move: Tackle
Charged Move 1: High Horsepower
Charged Move 2: Ice Punch or Fire Punch

Tackle provides the best neutral energy generation currently available to it, though it offers zero type coverage. High Horsepower is your primary nuke. The choice of the second charged move depends on your team composition:

Ice Punch: Essential for threatening Dragonite, Rayquaza, and Landorus.
Fire Punch: Useful for chipping away at Zacian or catching Metagross off-guard.
Thunder Punch: A niche choice to surprise Kyogre or Ho-Oh, though usually less consistent than Ice Punch.

Shadow Ursaluna: High Risk, High Reward

If you possess a high-IV Shadow Teddiursa, the investment cost is immense but potentially game-changing. Shadow Ursaluna receives a 20% boost to its Attack stat, pushing its damage output into the realm of Mega Evolved Pokemon.

However, the 20% Defense penalty makes its Fighting and Water weaknesses even more glaring. A Shadow Ursaluna with High Horsepower can nearly one-shot a Metagross or Dialga, but it will succumb quickly to a Kyogre's Waterfall or a Zacian's Close Combat. This variant is best used as a "closer" when shields are down, rather than a lead.

Master League Strategy and Counters

In the 2026 Master League meta, Ursaluna occupies a unique position. It is one of the few Pokemon that can comfortably switch into a Giratina (Origin Forme) due to its triple Ghost resistance.

Favorable Matchups

Dialga / Dialga (Origin): Ursaluna resists Thunder and takes neutral damage from Dragon Breath, while High Horsepower deals massive super-effective damage.
Giratina: Because Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball do almost no damage, Ursaluna can farm energy or land a heavy High Horsepower while only fearing the occasional Dragon Pulse.
Metagross: A classic matchup where Ursaluna’s Ground typing dominates the Steel/Psychic titan.

Dangerous Counters

Kyogre: Surf or Origin Pulse will likely one-shot Ursaluna. Avoid this matchup at all costs.
Zacian: While Ursaluna isn't weak to Fairy moves, Zacian often carries Close Combat or Wild Charge. Close Combat will shred Ursaluna’s defense.
Palkia (Origin): Its high-pressure Water and Dragon moves make it difficult for Ursaluna to reach its charged attacks in time.

Tips for Resource Management

Since Teddiursa is a 3km buddy walk distance Pokemon, farming candy isn't as difficult as it is for Legendaries. However, the XL Candy requirement for Level 50 is steep (296 XL Candies). To optimize your grind:

Mega Evolution Bonus: While catching Teddiursa during events, have a Level 3 Mega Pidgeot or Mega Kangaskhan active to maximize XL Candy drops.
Shadow Purification: Unless the IVs are perfect, avoid purifying Shadow Ursaluna. The raw power of the Shadow variant is much harder to replace than a standard high-IV specimen.
Elite TMs: Save your Elite Charged TMs for the next Full Moon window. There is no point in teaching High Horsepower to an Ursaring if you cannot evolve it for another three weeks.

Final Verdict for 2026

Ursaluna remains a high-tier investment for players who participate in the Master League or need a bulky Ground-type for their raid parties. While its reliance on Tackle as a fast move prevents it from reaching the absolute pinnacle of the meta (S-Tier), its unique resistances and the sheer power of High Horsepower make it a reliable B+ or A-Tier pick.

Keep an eye on the calendar for May 1, 2026. That will be your next chance to bring the Peat Pokemon into your collection. Ensure you have your 100 candies ready and your high-IV Ursaring selected. In a game where timing is everything, Ursaluna is the ultimate test of a trainer's patience and planning.