Pokemon Go raids are an exciting aspect of the game that allows players to battle and catch rare and powerful Pokemon. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about Pokemon Go raids, including raid schedules, raid boss guides, raid hours, and how to obtain raid passes. So, grab your Pokeballs and get ready to dive into the world of raid battles!
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Pokemon Go Raids
- Raid Schedules
- Raid Boss Guides
- Raid Hours
- What are Raid Battles?
- Obtaining Raid Passes
- Catching Pokemon in Raid Battles
- Shiny Pokemon in Raids
- Recent Events
- Tips and Strategies for Raid Battles
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Introduction to Pokemon Go Raids
Pokemon Go raids are special battles that take place at Gyms, where players can team up to defeat powerful raid bosses and earn rewards. Raids come in different tiers, ranging from 1-star to 5-star raids, with 5-star raids featuring legendary Pokemon. These raid battles provide an opportunity to catch rare and powerful Pokemon that are not easily found in the wild.
Raid Schedules
Niantic, the developer of Pokemon Go, releases monthly raid schedules that outline the raid bosses available during that period. The raid boss lineup changes each month, offering players new challenges and opportunities to catch different Pokemon. It’s important to stay updated with the latest raid schedule to make the most of your raid battles.
Here is a preview of the Pokemon Go raid boss scheduled for 2024:
| Raid Tier | Pokemon |
| Mega Raids | Mega Steelix |
| Mega Medicham | |
| 5-Star Raids | Buzzwole |
| Landorus | |
| 3-Star Raids | – |
| 1-Star Raids | – |
Please note that while the schedule for Mega Raids and 5-Star Raids follows a fixed pattern, 1-Star, and 3-Star Raids can vary, especially during special events. It is advisable to check regularly for any updates or changes to raid opportunities.
Raid Boss Guides
If you’re new to raid battles or need some guidance, we have compiled a set of comprehensive guides to help you defeat the Mega and 5-Star raid bosses. These guides provide valuable tips, recommended counters, and strategies to increase your chances of victory.
Here are some of the raid boss guides available:
- How to Beat Mega Ampharos
- How to Beat Mega Steelix
- Mega Medicham Counters
- Buzzwole Counters
- Xurkitree Counters
- Pheromosa Counters
- How to Beat Tornadus Therian Forme
- How to Beat Thundurus Therian Forme
- Landorus Counters
Make sure to study these guides and prepare your team accordingly before taking on the raid bosses. With the right strategy and counters, victory will be within your grasp!
Raid Hours
Niantic hosts special Raid Hours every week, providing players with an increased chance to encounter the current 5-Star raid boss. During Raid Hours, all Gyms with raids will feature 5-star raid bosses. These Raid Hours occur every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM, local time. This is the perfect opportunity to gather your friends or fellow trainers and attempt to catch a legendary Pokemon.
What are Raid Battles?
Raid battles in Pokemon Go occur when a powerful raid boss takes over a Gym. You can identify raid battles by locating Gyms with eggs about to hatch or by spotting the raid boss icon displayed on a Gym. Raid battles come in four tiers: 1-Star, 3-Star, 5-Star, and Mega Raids. The higher the tier, the more challenging the battle.
To increase your chances of success, it is recommended to team up with other trainers and coordinate your attacks. Raid battles offer a unique opportunity to catch rare and powerful Pokemon, making them worth the time and effort.
Obtaining Raid Passes
To participate in raid battles, you will need a Raid Pass. You can obtain one free Raid Pass daily by spinning the Photo Disc at any Gym. If you run out of Raid Passes, you can purchase additional ones from the in-game shop. Premium Raid Passes are available for purchase and grant you access to more raid battles.
For trainers who are unable to leave their homes, remote Raid Passes are available. These passes allow you to join any raid battle that appears on your Nearby screen or on the Map View. Remote Raid Passes can be bought from the shop or received as free gifts.
Catching Pokemon in Raid Battles
After successfully defeating a raid boss, you will have the opportunity to catch it using Premier Balls. The number of Premier Balls you receive depends on various factors, including the damage dealt to the raid boss, your team’s performance, and controlling the Gym where the raid takes place.
To increase your chances of catching the raid boss, consider using Razz Berries or Golden Razz Berries to make it easier to catch. Additionally, aiming for excellent throws or spinning curveballs can further improve your catch rate. Keep in mind that catching legendary Pokemon may be more challenging due to their low catch rates.
Shiny Pokemon in Raids
One exciting aspect of raid battles is the possibility of encountering shiny Pokemon. Shiny Pokemon have different colorations and are highly sought after by trainers. During special events or certain raid boss encounters, there is a chance of encountering a shiny version of the Pokemon.
In 2024, trainers have the opportunity to encounter shiny Therian Formes of Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus during raid battles. These shiny Pokemon come with unique featured attacks, adding an extra layer of excitement to raid battles.
Recent Events
2024 is expected to be an eventful month for Pokemon Go players. Trainers can participate in events such as Lustrous Odyssey, Dazzling Dream, and Taken Treasures. These events offer unique challenges, rewards, and opportunities to catch rare Pokemon.
Additionally, Rowlet Community Day was recently celebrated, allowing trainers to enjoy special bonuses and catch the featured Pokemon. On 2024, a Porygon Community Day Classic is scheduled, providing another chance to catch this fan-favorite Pokemon.
Tips and Strategies for Raid Battles
To maximize your success in raid battles, here are some tips and strategies to keep in mind:
- Build a diverse team: Create a team of Pokemon with different types and movesets to cover a wide range of raid boss weaknesses.
- Coordinate with other trainers: Team up with fellow trainers to increase your chances of victory. Communication and coordination are key.
- Research raid bosses: Study the raid boss’s weaknesses and recommended counters to optimize your team composition.
- Utilize weather boosts: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost certain Pokemon types, as they will deal extra damage in battle.
- Power up your Pokemon: Invest in powering up your Pokemon to increase their combat power and survivability in raid battles.
- Time your attacks and dodges: Master the timing of your attacks and dodges to maximize damage dealt and minimize damage taken.
- Keep an eye on the raid boss’s charge moves: Anticipate and dodge the raid boss’s powerful charge moves to keep your Pokemon alive.
By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your raid battle experience and increase your chances of capturing rare and powerful Pokemon.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I participate in raid battles alone?
- While some raid tiers can be completed solo, higher tier raids usually require a team of trainers to defeat the raid boss.
- Can I use remote raid passes for all raid battles?
- Remote raid passes can be used for any raid battle that appears on your Nearby screen or Map View, regardless of location.
- How often do raid boss lineups change?
- Raid boss lineups change monthly, offering players new challenges and opportunities to catch different Pokemon.
- Are shiny Pokemon guaranteed in raid battles?
- Shiny Pokemon have a chance of appearing during raid battles, especially during special events or specific raid boss encounters.
Conclusion
Pokemon Go raids provide an exciting and challenging gameplay experience for trainers worldwide. By participating in raid battles, you can team up with other trainers, defeat powerful raid bosses, and catch rare and powerful Pokemon. Stay updated with the raid schedules, utilize raid boss guides, and strategize your team composition to maximize your chances of success. So gear up, gather your friends, and embark on thrilling raid battles in Pokemon Go!
Check for the latest raid boss lineups, upcoming events, and shiny Pokemon encounters to make the most of your raiding adventures.