Deciding whether to choose Black or White Pokemon Go during a GO Fest event or a special research drop feels like a massive weight on your shoulders. It’s not just a cosmetic choice. Honestly, it’s one of the few times Niantic actually forces a branch in the road that has long-term consequences for your Raid team and your Master League ranking. You aren't just picking a color; you’re picking between two completely different playstyles centered around Necrozma’s fusions.
The choice usually boils down to the "Crowned" forms: Dusk Wings Necrozma (the Ghost/Psychic fusion with Lunala) or Dusk Mane Necrozma (the Steel/Psychic fusion with Solgaleo).
The Dawn of the Fusion Mechanic
If you’re staring at your screen wondering which path to take, you’ve gotta understand how we got here. Fusion isn't like Mega Evolution. It's permanent-ish, but it costs a staggering amount of resources—specifically Fusion Energy. When Niantic introduced the "A Radiant World" or "Sighting Sun/Moon" research tracks, they basically split the player base down the middle. One path gives you the cosmog candy and energy for the "Solar" route, and the other for the "Lunar" route.
It's stressful.
Why Most Players Choose Black or White Pokemon Go for Raids
Dusk Mane Necrozma—the "White" or "Sun" version—is widely considered the gold standard for PVE. Why? Because Steel-type attackers that actually deal massive damage are surprisingly rare. Beyond Meteor Mash Metagross, the field is thin. Dusk Mane comes in with Sunsteel Strike, a move so powerful it basically deletes Fairies and Ice types from the game. If you care about short-manning raids or being the MVP in your local group, the "Sun" path is almost always the "correct" answer from a pure utility standpoint.
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But wait.
Dusk Wings (the "Black" or "Moon" version) isn't exactly a slouch. It uses Moongeist Beam. In the current meta, Ghost damage is incredibly versatile because so many Legendary raid bosses are Psychic types. Think Mewtwo. Think the Lake Trio. While Dusk Mane is a specialist, Dusk Wings is a generalist power house. You’ll find yourself using it more often, even if it doesn't "break" its type category quite as hard as the Steel fusion does.
The Master League Problem
PVP is a different beast entirely. In the Master League, the meta is a shifting desert of Groudons, Dialgas, and Zacians.
Dusk Mane Necrozma (White) acts as a hard wall to many of the Dragon and Fairy types that dominate the upper Echelons. It has the bulk. It has the typing. However, it fears the ever-present Ground-type moves from Landorus-T.
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Dusk Wings (Black) is the high-risk, high-reward play. It hits like a freight train, but that 4x weakness to Ghost and Dark moves means a single Shadow Ball from an opposing Mewtwo or a Foul Play from Yveltal will send you packing. You have to be better at counting moves and shielding if you go the "Black" route in Pokemon Go. It's for the players who like to play aggressively.
Breaking Down the Research Rewards
When you make the choice in the research menu, you aren't just picking a form. You’re picking your rewards.
- The Sun Path (White): You typically get Solgaleo encounters or enough candy to evolve your existing Cosmog into the lion. You also bank that precious Solar Fusion Energy.
- The Moon Path (Black): This leads to Lunala. You get Lunar Fusion Energy.
A lot of people forget that you need 1,000 Fusion Energy to make this happen. If you choose the path where you don't have a local raid group to grind the opposite energy later, you’re stuck. Look at your local Discord or Campfire groups. If everyone in your town is going "Sun," maybe go "Moon" so you guys can trade or at least have variety when tackling different raid bosses.
Honestly, the "best" choice is often just the one you’re missing. Do you already have a level 50 Metagross? Then maybe you don't need another Steel attacker immediately. Do you lack a strong Ghost-type counter for Mewtwo raids? Go with the "Black" version.
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Does the "Background" Matter?
During GO Fest events, Niantic often includes special backgrounds for these catches. If you're a collector, this is a nightmare. Some people choose based purely on the aesthetic of the Special Research medal or the location background on the Pokemon's profile. It's a valid way to play. Pokemon Go is a collection game first for many. If you think the Moon background looks cooler behind a Necrozma, just do it. The power difference between the two fusions isn't large enough to ruin your account if you pick the "wrong" one.
Practical Steps for Your Decision
Stop overthinking and look at your storage. Filter by your top Steel and Ghost attackers.
- Count your high-IV Metagross. If you have three or more at level 40+, your need for Dusk Mane (White) is lower.
- Check your Ghost team. If you're still relying on Chandelure or Gengar because you missed out on Origin Forme Giratina, then Dusk Wings (Black) is a massive upgrade for your account.
- Assess your XL Candy. Fusion forms require a lot of investment. If you have more Necrozma XL candy than Cosmog candy, you need to pick the path that aligns with the energy you can actually earn during the event window.
The "Black" version (Dusk Wings) offers a higher Neutral DPS (Damage Per Second) in many scenarios, making it a "safe" pick for people who don't want to swap teams constantly. The "White" version (Dusk Mane) offers the highest Peak DPS against specific targets, making it the "pro" pick for optimized raiding.
How to Handle the "Regret" Factor
What if you choose and hate it? Well, you can unfuse. But it's expensive. You don't get your energy back. It’s a "sunken cost" trap.
Most veteran players I’ve talked to—people like PokeDaxi or the researchers at Silph (RIP)—suggest that for the average player, the "White" (Dusk Mane/Solgaleo) path offers slightly more survivability in both Raids and PVP. In a game where lag can kill you, bulk is king. Dusk Mane is tanky. It survives mistakes. Dusk Wings is a glass cannon by comparison; if you miss a dodge in a raid, it’s over.
Your Actionable Move: Open your game right now. Look at your Necrozma. If it has a high Attack stat but low Defense, it’s a better candidate for the "Black" (Dusk Wings) fusion to maximize that raw damage. If it's a balanced "Hundo" or high-bulk specimen, go "White" (Dusk Mane) to create an unkillable tank for the Master League. Make your choice based on the IVs of the Necrozma you actually own, rather than a theoretical guide. If you have two good ones, plan to eventually get both, but prioritize the Solar/White path first if you need a reliable carry for future Tier 5 raids.