Like its core series,Pokemon GOis programmed for single players. Trainers were able to trade and battle via Player Search System in Generation 6 or connecting online and using Link Codes in Generation 8. InPokemon GO, players not only have the option to battle/trade with friends, but they can also team up with them and partake inRaidsandMega Raids.
Fighting in Raids is similar to the Max Lairs fromPokemon SwordandPokemon Shield. Mega Raids allow trainers to capture Event-Exclusives, such as legendaries. With Mega Raids, trainers face off against Mega-Evolved Pokemon. These Pokemon have higher CP and are generally much more powerful. Meaning if trainers want Mega Energy for their own Pokemon, they’re going to be in for a fight. Here’s some advice and information on Mega Raids.
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10Understand Mega Evolving
In Generation 6, players could Mega Evolve their Pokemon after progressing in the story. This involves a Key Stone and a Mega Stone.Pokemon GOdoesn’t have Key Items, so this means Pokemon will Mega Evolve in a different way.
Mega Evolution is accomplished through Mega Energy. The cost for evolving a Pokemon the first time will be significantly larger than later attempts at Mega Evolving the same Pokemon. Generally, this requires about100-200 Mega Energy, and 20-40 afterward depending on the Pokemon.
Using Mega Energy on a Pokemon will decrease the Mega Energy required to Mega Evolve a second/third/so-forth time. However, this only works on the Pokemon that was Mega Evolved.
For example: This means Beedril A that has been given 100 Mega Energy will need 20 Mega Energy to Mega Evolve again. Beedril B, despite being the same species, needs the initial 100 Mega Energy because it is not the same Beedril that was Mega Evolved first. In addition, trainers can’t have more than one Mega Evolved Pokemon on their team.
ThisMega Energy can be gained through gymsor, of course, Mega Raids. A Mega Raid will give 50-90 Mega Energy depending on how fast the Pokemon is defeated.
Like the mainPokemongames, Mega Evolution is not permanent. Choose wisely when and where to Mega Evolve Pokemon, as they will require Mega Energy to Mega Evolve once they revert. The best place to use a Mega Evolved Pokemon is in a Raid, but they’re never a bad thing to use during Gym Battles or battling with friends.
9Limited Mega-Evolved Pokemon
In the core series, there are46 Pokemonthat can Mega Evolve. By contrast, only15 PokemoncanMega Evolve inPokemon GO. Niantic will probably add more Mega Evolutions, but for now, only the following have Mega Raids:
Pokemon GOhas yet to add Mega Metagross or Mega Gardevoir, and of course Mega Rayquaza and both versions of Mega Mewtwo.
Before entering a Mega Raid, know which Pokemon can and can’t Mega Evolve. As one would expect, using Blastoise Mega Energy isn’t going to work if players want to Mega Evolve their Charizard.
8Know the Level/Difficulty
Trainers can find Raids by theEggsthat pop up at specific Pokemon Gyms. Eggs will usually take up to an hour after appearing to hatch. Players need to be at the gym for 45 minutes after theRaid Egg has hatchedif they want to participate in Raids.
The type of Raid is determined by the Egg’s color:
Keep an eye out for beige and red Eggs for Mega Raids. These will show up as frequently as the Tier 5 Eggs.
7Raid Passes
Trainers can only participate in a Pokemon Raid if they have aRaid Pass. These are given out once a day for free. Players who want to partake in more than one raid will need to shell out some coins to purchasePremium Raid Passes.
Additionally, they can also purchase a set of 3Remote Raid Passesfor 250 coins.
6Making or Accepting Invitations
Join a Raid Lobby and use the Invite Friends feature on the right side of the screen. Only 5 friends can be invited to a Raid. Players can only accept Raid invitations if the Raid Lobby isn’t full. Invitations also expire once the Raid Battle has started.
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5Stock Up on Items
A Mega Raid and Tier 5 Raid will havePokemon with a CP of 30,000 to 50,000. Unlike Tier 1 and possibly Tier 3 Raids, trainers will not be able to solo Mega Raids alone. Invite friends or join raids, but always bring items too. This means stocking up onPokemon GO’s Potions or bypassing Potions and using Max Revives instead (recommended for Tier 5 and Mega Raids).
4Should Pokemon be Dodging?
Dodging fast moves is not recommended in lower-Tier Raids such as Tier 1 and Tier 3. Some Pokemon are better at dodging than others, but theyshould only be dodging Charged Moves. Trying to dodge Quick Moves takes up too much time.
However, Mega Raids is where dodging is not recommended. Players want to get the most Mega Energy they can out of a Mega Raid, so they do not want to waste time dodging a Mega Evolved Pokemon’s Charged Moves.
3All About Timing
Raid Eggs will appear between 5:30 am - 7:45 pm local, and raid bosses themselves will occur 6:30 am - 9:30 pm. ARaid Bosswill regenerate HP when trainers leave and rejoin Raids. To avoid the Mega Pokemon from restoring too much HP, leave at different times.
For example, if one trainer’s team faints, have someone stay in the Raid to “lock-in” the Raid Boss. This will require waiting for them to return, but it will save on time. Another tip is to leave before all Pokemon have been defeated to bypass loading time.
2Know Type Matchups
Although it’s become more or less of a meme,Galar’s Hop alludes to some useful advice:Master Type Matchups.
Mega Raids need to be dealt heavy damage, and the best way to do this is through targeting their Type Disadvantages. Bringing a Fighting-type to combat Mega Absol with good Charged Moves is wiser than bringing a Psychic-type.
1Follow Specific Guides for Specific Pokemon
Again, there are currently 15 Mega Raids possible inPokemon GO. If trainers want specific Mega Energy, they will want to look at tips that help combat that specific Pokemon.A Mega Raid against Mega Beedrillis going to play out differently than the Mega Raid with Mega Abomasnow.
