Pokemon GO Raids: Complete Beginner to Advanced Guide

Pokemon GO raids are timed cooperative battles where you and up to 19 other trainers team up to take down a powerful Raid Boss, then get a limited number of Premier Balls to catch it. If you have ever tapped a glowing egg on a Gym and wondered what happens next, this guide walks you from your very first one-star raid all the way to coordinating remote legendary groups. Raiding is the single most reliable way to collect legendary Pokemon, farm Mega Energy, and build the teams you need for both PvE and Go Battle League.

What Is a Raid in Pokemon GO

A raid is a special battle that appears on a Gym for a limited time. Instead of fighting the Gym's defending Pokemon, you fight a single oversized Raid Boss with massively inflated stats. The battle lasts 300 seconds (5 minutes), and the boss's HP is shared across everyone in the lobby, so more trainers means a faster kill and a lower chance of timing out.

You cannot walk straight into a raid. First the boss appears as an egg on top of the Gym for a set hatch timer (usually 30 minutes to 1 hour). Once the egg hatches, the raid is "live" and you have a window to join before it disappears. When the raid ends, the Gym returns to normal and a new egg may already be counting down on top of it.

Raid Tiers and Egg Colors

Raids are split into tiers that tell you how tough the boss is and what kind of reward you can expect. The color of the egg and the number of symbols on it are your quick read on difficulty.

One-star and three-star bosses can usually be soloed with a decent counters team. Five-star legendaries and most Shadow raids realistically need a group, which is where the Remote Raid Pass becomes essential if no one raids locally.

How to Join a Raid

There are three ways to enter a raid lobby:

1. Walk up to the Gym and tap the egg or boss, then "Battle." You need a Raid Pass for in-person raids.
2. Use a Remote Raid Pass from anywhere and tap a Nearby raid or a friend's invite.
3. Accept a friend invite. A host who is physically at the Gym can invite up to a handful of remote friends per lobby, which is the backbone of international legendary raiding.

Once you are in the lobby, you pick your party of six and wait for the countdown. You can swap Pokemon after the battle starts if your lead faints, but plan your lead carefully because the boss's fast move can pressure you immediately.

Raid Passes: Free, Premium and Remote

You get one free Raid Pass per day by spinning the photo disc at a Gym, and it is consumed when you start an in-person raid. Premium Battle Passes (bought in the shop) also work for in-person raids if you want a second or third run. Remote Raid Passes let you join from home but are limited by a daily remote cap that Niantic has adjusted over time, so check the current limit before you stockpile them.

A good habit: spin a Gym each morning for your free pass, then decide whether the day's raid bosses are worth using Premium or Remote passes. Saving free passes for a shiny-eligible raid is one of the easiest ways to stretch your item budget without spending.

Catching the Raid Boss

Winning the battle is only half the job. You then get a set of Premier Balls determined by your damage contribution, your team's control of the Gym, your friendship level with the host, and whether you used a raid-specific bonus. Typical counts range from about 6 to 14 balls.

Throw technique matters more than people think. Most raid bosses have large hitboxes, so Circle Throw with a Gold Berry (Razz or Silver Pinap) and an Excellent curveball gives you the best odds. If you are hunting a specific IV, know that raid bosses have a floor of 10/10/10 IVs, so every catch is at least decent for PvP and PvE alike.

Advanced Tips: Weather, Friendship and Timing

Once the basics are comfortable, these levers separate casual raiders from efficient ones:

• Weather boosts raise the boss's level and CP but also boost your same-type counters, often a net win if you bring the right types.
• Friendship bonuses increase your damage and your Premier Ball count. Best Friends raiding together hit noticeably harder and catch better.
• Raid hour and Battle Raid Days concentrate spawns so you can chain many bosses in a short window.
• Type stacking beats raw CP. A 1500 CP counters with super effective moves often out-damages a 4000 CP neutral attacker.

If you want themed teams for Mega Raids or Legendary Raids, the counter logic is the same: read the boss's typing, stack the best megas and shadow options you own, and dodge only when a charged attack would otherwise cost you a knockout.

FAQ

How many trainers do I need for a 5-star raid?

For most 5-star legendary raids in September 2026, a group of 3 to 6 high-level trainers with proper type counters can win comfortably. Lower-level accounts or off-type teams may need 6 to 10. Weather boosts and Best Friend damage bonuses can push a 3-person clear into realistic territory, but 4 or 5 is the safe target when you are organizing a lobby.

Can I solo a Mega Raid?

Some lower-tier Mega Raids with weak bosses can be soloed by a well-prepared trainer using strong same-type counters, but most Megas are tuned for 2 to 4 players. If you are solo, check the boss's defensive typing first and bring a level 40+ team with matching fast and charged moves to have any chance before the timer runs out.

Why did I only get six Premier Balls?

Premier Ball count is built from several factors: your individual damage, your team owning the Gym, friendship with the host, and raid-specific bonuses. Low damage, no Gym control, and raiding with strangers you are not friends with all minimize your balls. Raid with Best Friends and contribute heavily to push the count toward the upper teens.

What is the best way to find raid groups?

Use the in-game "Nearby" raid tab, friend invites, and local community apps or campfire-style meetups. Hosting in person and inviting remote friends is the most reliable method for rare bosses, since you control the lobby and can fill it with trained counters instead of random passersby.