Since 2017, players have been able to battle against particularly strong Pokémon in Pokémon GO raids. Our author Noah believes that the raids urgently need to be overhauled because they have become boring.
I have completed over 2000 raids, but I have never been as bored in raids as I am currently. Completely uninteresting raid bosses, available for far too long, and simply no variety.
I believe that raids need a revamp. Something new has to happen to make raids exciting again.
Do other trainers feel the same? I am not alone in my opinion. There are many players reporting similar feelings. There are frequently voices on reddit about the raid bosses claiming that they find them totally boring.
The interest in raids is noticeably decreasing. In my own community, which at least used to manage a few raids daily, nothing has been happening for weeks. Everyone is just playing for themselves, and raids are only being done during the raid hour.
5 Suggestions to Make Raids Exciting Again
What is the problem with raids? There are several things making raids so boring right now. These include:
- Boring legendary raid bosses
- The same bosses repeatedly in lower raids
- EX Raids at bad times
- More and more raid days devaluing regular raids
However, I believe that Pokémon GO could change a lot about their raids to make them more exciting. These are not huge changes, but small tweaks that would revive the feature.
Suggestion 1: Include Boring Bosses for a Shorter Time in Raids
The problem is: Recently, there have been 3 raid bosses, Boreos, Viridium, and Kobalium, that are not interesting for the meta. Yet they were available for almost a month in level 5 raids.
In my opinion, that’s far too long because many trainers only want to secure the Pokédex entry and then ignore the boss for weeks.
Here’s a solution: So why not have weak raid bosses in raids for a shorter time? Kobalium, Viridium, and Boreos – each Pokémon would be in the raids for just one week and then a new Pokémon would come in.
I understand that there are also weak raid bosses and that Niantic has to bring them into the game somehow. But I think nobody was excited about 3 full weeks of Viridium raids.
An alternative would be to release the Pokémon as shiny right away. I can only speak for myself, but I would have participated in many more Kobalium raids just to at least get a shiny.
Suggestion 2: Make Lower Raids More Exciting
The problem is: Not only has the legendary raid boss been a disappointment for weeks. There is rarely a good alternative to a legendary raid. Looking at the 1 to 4 raids, it is equally disappointing.
In recent weeks, there have been raids of Waaty, Miltank, or Mantax. I honestly wonder: Who the hell enjoys doing such raids? Waaty and Miltank were at the Valentine’s event at every corner, and I often let Mantax stay in the wild because it’s just annoying.
Here’s a solution: Raids definitely need new and more useful Pokémon again. There are still hardly any raids from Gen 5 or Gen 6.
Where’s the problem in including a Rameidon or Bollterus in raids? I would also like it if Pokémon, which you normally get through evolution items, were available in this way. Stahlos, Tangoloss, or Togekiss would be exciting alternatives.
I would even go further and, especially with useless legendary Pokémon, provide really good raid bosses as compensation. Lichtel is a good start, but Kaumalat or Flampion would also attract me.
This way, players wouldn’t feel like they had to pause raids for several weeks but could switch to other raid bosses.
Suggestion 3: Finally Bring Evolutions as Shiny
The problem is: There are numerous raids featuring evolutions, but unfortunately, they cannot be shiny. Regularly, there are raids of Arkani, Despotar, or Machomei, but they are uninteresting to me since they can’t be obtained as shiny.
Here’s a solution: Niantic could break their rule and finally make evolutions available as shiny, at least for raids.
For me, numerous raids would then become interesting, and I would definitely invest in raid passes for Arkani or Machomei – two shinies that I still need.
That way, Niantic would finally break their quite illogical rule: While many base forms can be encountered as shiny, evolutions are not available at all as shiny. A principle that other Pokémon games do not follow.
Suggestion 4: Effectively Overhaul EX Raids
The problem is: EX Raids were once one of the biggest highlights in Pokémon GO. With Mewtu, an exciting boss was found, and it wasn’t unusual for 50 people to gather in our small town for just one EX raid.
Now, however, EX raids have almost become extinct. When an EX raid is triggered, usually only 5-6 players are on-site because the rest has to work. EX raids nowadays take place almost exclusively during the week and at lunchtime.
Here’s a solution: A good start would be if EX raids no longer take place during the week at lunchtime. This system failed back then with the legendary lunch break, and the EX raids are dying out for the same reason.
EX raids could occur on weekends or during weekday evenings. During such times, most trainers can play, and Niantic should accommodate that.
A more interesting raid boss than Regigigas would also be desired. The introduction of Arceus or shiny Darkrai into EX raids could attract many trainers back to the raids. Here, my first suggestion should also be considered: boring EX raid bosses should simply be introduced as shiny directly or brought back for significantly shorter periods.
Suggestion 5: Bring Exciting Raid Days
The problem is: Normally, raid days in Pokémon GO are a highlight, and I like to participate. Recently, however, these events have become terribly boring because the wrong Pokémon were featured.
Raid days with the starters, Slurpuff or now even with party hat Pokémon are just not really exciting. There were better raid days in the past, which are now devalued due to these numerous useless Pokémon.
Here’s a solution: There are still so many Pokémon that would be good candidates for exciting raid days. A Simsala or Rameidon would entice me to go out, while party hat Nidorinos make me restrict myself to the free passes.
In general, raid days don’t need to happen every month, but the quality should be right. One could definitely have a raid day with the legendary birds from the first generation again.
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