In Pokémon GO, the new Crypto Raids will debut next week, where you can face Crypto Mewtwo. One of the developers has revealed in an interview how difficult these battles will really be. We at MeinMMO show you what he said.
Which raids are we talking about? After speculation about new raids in recent weeks, Niantic has confirmed the release. Thus, you can look forward to the start of the event “Rising Shadows” where Crypto Raids will be available for the first time. In these, Team GO Rocket will take over the gyms and deploy strong Crypto Pokémon as raid bosses.
Especially Crypto Mewtwo, which can also be caught as shiny with a bit of luck, will be interesting for many trainers. But how difficult will the new raids really be? We wanted to know in the interview with John Funtanilla, Senior Producer at Pokémon GO. We have summarized his answers for you below.
When do the Crypto Raids run? The Crypto Raids of levels 1 and 3 will be active throughout the “Rising Shadows” event, from May 22 at 10:00 AM local time until May 28, 2023, at 8:00 PM local time. The peak of the Rocket takeover will be Crypto Mewtwo, which you can find in the level 5 Crypto Raids from May 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM local time until May 28, 2023, at 8:00 PM local time.
Developer explains how many trainers you need in the Crypto Raid
Before the release of the new Crypto Raids, we at MeinMMO had the opportunity to conduct a written interview with John Funtanilla, Senior Producer of Pokémon GO, about the new raids.
We wanted to know how difficult the new raids would be, whether they could be completed without the new items, and what impact the new raids would have on the game.
Legendary Pokémon in Crypto Raids: In the coming days, you will have the chance to encounter various Crypto Pokémon in the special Crypto Raids of levels 1, 3, and 5. A special highlight, according to Funtanilla, should be the legendary Pokémon Crypto Mewtwo, which you can also find for the first time in its shiny form.
In the future, there will also be more legendary Crypto Pokémon in this raid format. However, Funtanilla did not want to reveal which ones. He explained:
Yes, there will be Crypto Mewtwo at the start, and for the first time, there is a chance it could be shiny! We have exciting plans to bring other Crypto legends into the Crypto Raids, so stay tuned.
John Funtanilla, Senior Producer at Pokémon GO
How many trainers do you need at least? Unlike normal raids, the new Crypto Raids are supposed to be even more difficult. This is mainly because the raid bosses of levels 3 and 5 become enraged when attacked, which increases their attack and defense. This makes it harder to win against them.
To tame them, Crypto Shards have been introduced, which you need to collect like the mysterious parts and ultimately combine into a redeemed gem. With this, you can calm the raid boss and defeat it more easily. Another hurdle is that you can only participate in the raids on-site.
We therefore wanted to know how many trainers you need at least to defeat one of these bosses. According to Funtanilla, you should have about 8 players and collect enough redeemed gems in advance. He specifically replied:
The Crypto Raids are a new challenge that requires the engagement of your local community and friends. You should gather about eight of your best trainers, but also make sure to stock up on redeemed gems, which make the raids much easier. You can collect Crypto Shards throughout the week, but be prepared to use them on the weekend for Crypto Mewtwo!
John Funtanilla, Senior Producer at Pokémon GO
Can you complete the raid without the gems? Yes, according to Funtanilla, experienced players can complete the new raids without using the new items, although this is not recommended. He wrote to us:
They are indeed possible for experienced players, but we strongly recommend collecting Crypto Shards to defeat them faster!
John Funtanilla, Senior Producer at Pokémon GO
What you should also know about the new raids
In addition to the difficulty of the new Crypto Raids, we wanted to know from Funtanilla whether this new type of Rocket takeover also affects other content in the game.
Content of Team GO Rocket: In the past, there have been several Rocket takeovers that offered the villains new teams. We wanted to know if the content of the new raids will also affect Team GO Rocket’s teams at PokéStops and in balloons.
According to Funtanilla, there will still be the “normal” Rocket takeovers, but these will not be affected by the Crypto Raids. However, the introduction of the new items is intended to link both takeovers in some way. He explains:
There will still be TGR takeovers, and they will not be affected by Crypto Raids. We have even connected the two by offering Crypto Shards as a possible reward for defeating TGR brutes outside of Crypto Raids.
John Funtanilla, Senior Producer at Pokémon GO
You can still track down the bosses of Team GO Rocket with the help of Rocket Radars. We will show you how to do this in the following video:
Does Team Rocket occupy the gyms? After it was revealed that Team GO Rocket will also take over gyms for the first time, we wanted to know from Funtanilla whether this is only a takeover in the sense of raids or whether the villains can also empty the gyms. Everyone worried about their monsters can now breathe a sigh of relief:
When a Crypto Raid starts, the Pokémon of a trainer remain in the gym, but as with other raids, you cannot access them. Once the Crypto Raid expires or you have defeated the boss of the Crypto Raid, the gym will return to its normal raid color, and you will regain access to your Pokémon in the gym.
John Funtanilla, Senior Producer at Pokémon GO
As with any other raid, your Pokémon in the gyms will also remain during the Rocket takeover. However, you will not be able to access them as usual. They will not be ejected from the gym.
Are there plans to adjust the remote raid changes? At the end of our interview, we wanted to know from Funtanilla how the remote raid adjustments are. These have upset the community in recent weeks and have led to a wave of protests, an open letter, and even a petition.
The new Crypto Raids will only be playable on-site, which makes it difficult for many trainers in rural areas to play. However, adjustments are currently not planned, according to Funtanilla. He explains:
Our goal this year is to focus on the magic of playing together and in person with Pokémon GO. The Crypto Raids are one of the new experiences we have been working on to achieve exactly that. We hope that trainers worldwide will rise to the challenge and face this new level of endgame content.
John Funtanilla, Senior Producer at Pokémon GO
What do you think about the new Crypto Raids? Will you secure Crypto Mewtwo? And do you have a large local community to support you? Feel free to let us know here at MeinMMO in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers about it.
Trainers have been frustrated with remote raids for weeks, now Niantic has responded. We show you what they say about the protest.
