In Pokémon GO, Team Rocket takes over gyms and starts Crypto Raids. But which ones should you challenge?
What are Crypto Raids? The Crypto Raids started on May 4, 2023, in Pokémon GO as part of the “Rising Shadows” event. Since then, Team Rocket has taken over various gyms where you can face their Crypto Pokémon.
These Crypto Raids have a few peculiarities:
- They can only be completed on-site, not via remote raid
- The raid bosses get angry when you attack them
- You can calm them down with “Redeemed Gems” to make the battle easier
Currently, there are various level-1 and level-3 Crypto Raids that you can challenge. From May 27 to 28, Crypto Mewtwo will also be added as a level-5 boss.
But which monsters from the currently active raids are worth it? Three monsters stand out.
Crypto-Tanhel
Crypto-Tanhel was already a very popular Crypto monster, when you could get it from Rocket leaders. Now you can also challenge the monster directly in the level-1 Crypto Raid and usually defeat it solo.
And it’s worth it, because Tanhel can evolve into Crypto-Metagross. And this is not only the top steel attacker but generally one of the best attackers in Pokémon GO. Additionally, you have the chance for the shiny variant.
If you challenge only one of the current monsters, Crypto-Tanhel is probably a good choice.
Crypto-Sniebel
Crypto-Sniebel is already a level-3 Crypto Raid and therefore harder to defeat. But the effort can be worth it because its evolution Snibunna is one of the currently best dark-type attackers and also a very good ice-type attacker.
Here you can secure a reinforcement for your team if you don’t have it yet. Additionally, Sniebel is also available as shiny.
Crypto-Machollo
Machollo, Maschok, and Machomei have been in the game forever, yet Machomei is still a very good monster when you need a combat attacker. Especially its crypto variant is brutally strong and can be a very good choice in gyms, against raids, or also in battles against Team Rocket.
The shiny version can also be encountered with luck.
What about the other monsters? The other monsters are not bad either, but not quite as powerful as the other three options. Especially Crypto-Knofensa, or its evolution Crypto-Sarzenia, is among the best poison attackers ever – but they are rather rare.
Crypto-Impergator, the evolution of raid boss Tyracroc, also has its utility as a water attacker. And Crypto-Meganie is definitely an option in PvP.
The main focus will probably be on the raid debut of Crypto-Mewtwo anyway. After all, it’s probably the overall best attacker in the whole game. But it can be expected to be extremely difficult to beat.
In addition to the Crypto Raids, another new feature has also been added to the game: The Master Ball. You can find out the best way to use it here.
