This article is part of a directory: Pokemon GO: Full Game Guide | Tips, Tricks, and Events
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Like its core series, Pokemon GO is 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. In Pokemon GO, players not only have the option to battle/trade with friends, but they can also team up with them and partake in Raids and Mega Raids.

Fighting in Raids is similar to the Max Lairs from Pokemon Sword and Pokemon 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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10 Understand Mega Evolving

Three of the Mega Evolutions for first generation Pokemon

In Generation 6, players could Mega Evolve their Pokemon after progressing in the story. This involves a Key Stone and a Mega Stone. Pokemon GO doesn’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 about 100-200 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.

This Mega Energy can be gained through gyms or, of course, Mega Raids. A Mega Raid will give 50-90 Mega Energy depending on how fast the Pokemon is defeated.

Like the main Pokemon games, 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.

9 Limited Mega-Evolved Pokemon

pokemon go mega evolution

In the core series, there are 46 Pokemon that can Mega Evolve. By contrast, only 15 Pokemon can Mega Evolve in Pokemon GO. Niantic will probably add more Mega Evolutions, but for now, only the following have Mega Raids:

  • Mega Abomasnow
  • Mega Absol
  • Mega Altaria
  • Mega Ampharos
  • Mega Blastoise
  • Mega Charizard X
  • Mega Charizard Y
  • Mega Gengar
  • Mega Gyarados
  • Mega Houndoom
  • Mega Lopunny
  • Mega Manectric
  • Mega Pidgeot
  • Mega Slowbro
  • Mega Venusaur

Pokemon GO has 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.

8 Know the Level/Difficulty

pokemon go raid kalos espurr

Trainers can find Raids by the Eggs that 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 the Raid Egg has hatched if they want to participate in Raids.

The type of Raid is determined by the Egg’s color:

  • Tier 1: Pink
  • Tier 3: Yellow
  • Tier 5: Purple with White Stripes
  • Mega Raid: Beige and Red

Keep an eye out for beige and red Eggs for Mega Raids. These will show up as frequently as the Tier 5 Eggs.

7 Raid Passes

pokemon go raid passes

Trainers can only participate in a Pokemon Raid if they have a Raid 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 purchase Premium Raid Passes.

Additionally, they can also purchase a set of 3 Remote Raid Passes for 250 coins.

6 Making or Accepting Invitations

pokemon go raid lobby

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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5 Stock Up on Items

pokemon go max revives

A Mega Raid and Tier 5 Raid will have Pokemon 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 on Pokemon GO's Potions or bypassing Potions and using Max Revives instead (recommended for Tier 5 and Mega Raids).

4 Should Pokemon be Dodging?

pokemon go arcanine

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 they should 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.

3 All About Timing

pokemon alola generation 8 melmetal

Raid Eggs will appear between 5:30 am - 7:45 pm local, and raid bosses themselves will occur 6:30 am - 9:30 pm. A Raid Boss will 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.

2 Know Type Matchups

pokemon sword shield hop galar

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.

1 Follow Specific Guides for Specific Pokemon

pokemon go raid tyranitar

Again, there are currently 15 Mega Raids possible in Pokemon 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 Beedrill is going to play out differently than the Mega Raid with Mega Abomasnow.

Pokemon GO is available on mobile devices.

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