We show you how the new raid battles in Pokémon GO work. All the information about raid levels, finding raids, joining a raid, and defeating the raid boss.
The new raid battles in Pokémon GO are set to become one of the highlights of the summer. The cooperative features include some new functionalities that we will explain to you here. How do you find a raid battle, how do you join a raid, how do you fight, and how do you actually defeat the raid boss?
Finding a raid battle – What are raids?
Raid battles are the new cooperative factor in Pokémon GO. Up to 20 players fight together against a powerful raid boss. First, however, you need to find a raid. This is not difficult, as the game will notify you of such an occurrence.
You will receive a notification in-game when a raid battle is happening nearby. The “Nearby” overview will also show you the raids in your vicinity in a “Raid” selection. If you miss a battle, that’s okay, as they will occur regularly.
Before a raid starts, an egg will be displayed above the arena in the game. A countdown runs there, indicating when the raid boss will hatch and be ready for battle.
Joining a raid, participating in the fight
Select “Battle” to group with other players. “Private Group” to join an existing group with a code
Once the mentioned egg has hatched, the raid begins. You then have one hour to defeat the boss. Groups of up to 20 players can join the raid. Those who prefer to play with their friends can join the raid in a private group. Those who participate without a private group will be grouped with other nearby players.
To join a raid, you need a Raid Pass. There are two types of passes: Raid Passes and Premium Raid Passes. You get a Raid Pass by spinning the photo disc of an arena. However, you can only hold one of these passes at a time and can only receive one per day.
If you have already used your Raid Pass, you can purchase a Premium Raid Pass from the shop.
As in an arena battle, you then select six Pokémon to challenge into the raid. The group code that your friends need to join the group can be found in the upper right corner of the lobby screen. In the following image, you can see it with the three Bulbasaur:
Fighting in a raid, attacking and using abilities
Once you participate in a battle, you have three different action options: Fast Attack, Charged Attack, and Dodge. You probably already know this selection from arena battles.
Fast Attack: Tap on the screen to perform a fast attack. These attacks charge your Charged Attack.
Charged Attack: Once the Charged Attack gauge is full, hold your finger on the display to perform this attack. This deals a lot of damage.
Dodge: Swipe left or right to dodge attacks from the raid boss.
Healing Pokémon during a raid battle: You can escape from the battle at any time to heal your Pokémon with potions or revives. After that, you can re-enter the battle.
If you are unable to defeat a boss during a battle, you can rejoin the raid and try your luck in a new fight. You do not need a new Raid Pass for this, as they grant you access to matches for the entire duration of a raid. You can join as many times as you want before the raid ends.
Defeating and catching the raid boss – Rewards await you
Defeating a raid boss in Pokémon GO rewards you with special items for your account. These include golden razz berries, TMs for fast and charged attacks, and rare candies. Additionally, after a successful battle, you have the chance to catch the raid boss.
Rare candies are mysterious candies that become the candy of the Pokémon they are given to.
Golden razz berries significantly increase the catch chance of a wild Pokémon or restore the full motivation of an arena defender.
Two types of TMs (fast and charged) can permanently teach your Pokémon a fast or charged attack.
Furthermore, there are special Raid Poké Balls that you can use to catch the raid boss. If trainers from your team contributed significantly to the victory against the raid boss, the members of your team will be rewarded with additional raid balls.
Ultra Ball or Hyper Ball to catch raid bosses
You cannot use Ultra Balls or Hyper Balls to catch a raid boss. Only the mentioned raid balls can capture the strong boss Pokémon. However, you can use berries to increase your catch chance.
Take your time to aim: If your raid balls run out, the boss Pokémon will flee.
No access to arena after raid
If you have defeated the boss with your group, you cannot access the arena during the duration of the raids. Only when the raid battle is over will the arena reset to its original state (as it was just before the raid). All Pokémon that were stationed as defenders before the raid will return to their defender position.
Raid Level – Initially only Beta
The raid battles will be integrated into the game according to Niantic over the coming weeks. Initially, however, only as a beta (testing phase), in which only high-level players can participate. The level that these players must have is not yet determined. These beta battles will then take place at sponsored locations.
Over several days, more players will be invited and can participate in further arenas worldwide in raid battles. Via social networks, Niantic will announce when you can participate in raid battles. It’s also worth keeping an eye on our Pokémon GO Facebook group as well as the Pokémon GO Facebook page. News will appear there quickly.
The Pokémon GO app fulfilled a promise in the summer of 2016 that we were given as children. Instead of controlling a trainer, we can now be a Pokémon trainer o...
