Summary
NumerousPokemon GOplayers seem to be avoiding Max Raids, the recently added feature that allows players to catch Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon in the augmented reality mobile game. While the raids offer some new creatures forPokemon GOplayers to get their hands on, it seems like the rewards don’t justify the effort expended for a significant portion of the player base.
Arriving as mobile game versions of theMax Raids introduced inPokemon Sword and Shield,Pokemon GOadded its own Max Raids in September 2024, giving large parties of players the chance to battle and capture enormous versions of several different Pokemon species. So far, the game has introduced a dozen Dynamax Pokemon, including all the Kanto and Galar starters, as well as a handful of Gigantamax forms.
But a lot of players seem reluctant to even make the effort to join these Max Raids for a variety of reasons. Per the game’s official website, Max Raids are challenges intended for parties of 10 to 40 players, but they don’t scale for party size, and a lot of players have come out of them empty-handed even with the max party size battling together. Additionally, players can boost the power of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon’s Max Moves by expendingMax Particles inPokemon GO, but leveling up the Pokemon themselves requires large amounts of species-specific candy, which many players are complaining they don’t have on hand and have no means of collecting due to those Pokemon’s current availability in the game.
Pokemon GO Players are Avoiding Max Raids
Adding to these problems is the limited role thatDynamx Pokemon play inPokemon GO. While adding new monsters to the collection is a draw for a lot of players, Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon can only battle other Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon via Max Battles, which limits their utility throughout much of the game. They can be used to attract other Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon at select Power Spots on the map, which some players on Reddit have found to be a fun feature, but generally not one that justifies their restricted use in battle.
Niantic has acknowledged players' concerns andaddressed issues withPokemon GOMax Raidsin a few ways. Gigantamax Gengar will be available to battle from October 31 through November 4, and statements from the developers indicate that it will be easier to both battle and catch than previously introduced Max Raid Pokemon. In addition, players will be rewarded with 25,000 Stardust for completing each battle against Gigantamax Gengar during the event, providing an extra incentive for forming large groups to challenge the giant ghosts for Halloween.
WHERE TO PLAY
Now you can battle other Pokémon GO trainers online! Try the GO Battle League today. Join Trainers across the globe who are discovering Pokémon as they explore the world around them. Pokémon GO is the global gaming sensation that has been downloaded over 1 billion times and named “Best Mobile Game” by the Game Developers Choice Awards and “Best App of the Year” by TechCrunch
UNCOVER THE WORLD OF POKÉMON: Explore and discover Pokémon wherever you are! CATCH more Pokémon to complete your Pokédex! JOURNEY alongside your Buddy Pokémon to help make your Pokémon stronger and earn rewards! COMPETE in epic Gym battles and… TEAM UP and UNITE with other Trainers to catch powerful Pokémon during Raid Battles!It’s time to get moving—your real-life adventures await! Let’s GO
