As with other games, Pokémon GO can feel like a grind at one point. With so many creatures to acquire, you’ll always feel pressured to find the following entry for your Pokedex. Luckily, the developers understand this issue and have devised devices to address it through various events that break up monotony.
Pokémon GO Raid Eggs add excitement to your daily gameplay. Each of these eggs indicates that you’ll soon encounter a premium Pokémon that is otherwise hard to acquire in the wild.
If you’ve never seen one of these Raid Eggs, you might be initially confused by their countdown. However, as you’ll soon discover, these countdowns show how much time you have to prepare for the upcoming battle. Once the egg hatches, you’ll have another 45 minutes to vanquish the powerful Pokémon and claim the rewards.
The best thing about these encounters is that they can give you a Shadow, Legendary, or Mega Energy Pokémon. Each of these species is extremely rare, so that every Raid Egg battle will be worthwhile.
Understanding the Pokémon GO Raid Egg helps you devise a strategy and make other preparations ahead of the encounter. Let’s explain what these iconic eggs are and how you can eliminate opponents with minimal effort.
What is a Pokémon GO Raid Egg?
When a Raid Egg appears above a Gym, it signals the trainers that a powerful Raid Boss will soon appear. The egg is accompanied by a timer, which indicates the amount of time you have to coordinate and converge on the location.
The beauty of the Raid Egg lies in anticipation, as you never know which Pokémon will appear. An egg can spawn common and rare Pokémon, but also Shadow and Mega Evolved creatures. This element of surprise is what keeps the Raid scene fresh and endlessly engaging.
Decoding the Egg Colors
The color of these eggs gives you a clue as to what type of Pokémon you can expect. Getting acquainted with these colors is necessary for any serious trainer’s strategy, as it helps you prepare for the upcoming battle.
Egg Color / Type | Tiers | Difficulty & Group Size | Typical Bosses & Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
Pink (Normal) | Tier 1 & 2 | Easy / Soloable | Common Pokémon, often first-stage evolutions like Metapod or Wailmer. |
Yellow (Rare) | Tier 3 & 4 | Medium / 1-3 Trainers | Stronger, rarer Pokémon like Alolan Raichu or Tyranitar. |
Dark/Blue (Legendary) | Tier 5 | Hard / 4-8+ Trainers | . Hosts the current rotating Legendary Pokémon, like Mewtwo, Rayquaza, or Dialga. |
Silver (Mega) | Mega Tier | Varies / 3-6+ Trainers | Contains a Mega-Evolved Pokémon. The primary reward is Mega Energy for that specific species. |
Purple (Shadow) | Shadow Tier 1 & 3 | Varies / 1-4+ Trainers | Features powerful Shadow Pokémon guarded by Team GO Rocket. Requires Purified Gems to subdue. |
Shadow Raid Eggs
A recent and thrilling addition to the lineup is the purple-hued Shadow Raid Egg. These mark the arrival of a Shadow Raid Boss, a corrupted Pokémon left behind by Team GO Rocket.
During these encounters, you’ll notice a new mechanic where the boss can become enraged, boosting its attack and defense. Trainers must use Purified Gems, a special item, to revert the status and create an opening for attack.
These raids offer a chance to catch powerful Shadow Pokémon, which have an extremely powerful attack. As such, they’re a great addition to any Pokémon composition.
The Raid Egg Lifecycle
Every Raid follows a predictable sequence, and understanding an egg’s life cycle helps you plan your time and resources for maximum efficiency.
The Egg Appears. A Raid Egg materializes above a Gym with a countdown timer, typically lasting one hour. This gives you ample time for preparation.
The Countdown. During the countdown phase, you can check the egg’s color to predict the difficulty. Reach out to your local Discord, Campfire group, or friends and plan who is coming and what Pokémon they’ll bring.
The Egg Hatches. As the timer hits zero, the egg cracks open, revealing the Raid Boss. A new 45-minute timer begins, during which you’ll have time to engage in the battle.
The Battle Begins. During this 45-minute window, trainers can enter the Gym lobby to challenge the boss. You can battle it as many times as needed until it’s defeated or the timer runs out.
How to Join a Raid Battle and Claim Your Prize
As soon as the egg hatches, you can jump into action. However, we recommend taking a few extra minutes (if necessary) to prepare.
First, you’ll need a Raid Pass. You can get one free Raid Pass each day by spinning a Photo Disc at any Gym. Alternatively, you can purchase a Premium Battle Pass from the shop. A remote Raid Pass is another option, allowing you to join any raid you can see on your map or one you’ve been invited to by a friend.
Once you enter the raid lobby, you’ll have a moment to select your team of six Pokémon. The game will offer a recommended party, but a custom-built team with type advantages will always serve you better.
After defeating the Raid Boss, it will determine how many Premier Balls you receive. These are vital for tough, Raid Boss encounters, as you can’t catch these monstrosities with regular balls.
Defeating the boss gives you various rewards like Golden Razz Berries, Rare Candy, and TMs. You will also get the vital Mega Energy, which is required to evolve your own Pokémon.
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Pro-Tips for Aspiring Champions
Dominating these raids requires careful preparation. Here are a few great tips to enhance your game:
Know Your Types: This is the basis of Pokémon battling. A team of six high-CP Pokémon is good, but a team of six Pokémon with moves that are super-effective against the Raid Boss is even better.
Embrace the Community: Apps like Discord and Niantic’s own Campfire are invaluable tools for organizing raids. Joining a local group means you’ll know where the action is and have enough trainers to take down even the toughest Legendary Raid Boss.
Master the Throw: Practice your curveball throws. Each one significantly increases your catch chance, and when you have a handful of Premier Balls, precision is a must. You can also use a Golden Razz Berry for the best effect on a critical catch.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
The Pokémon GO Raid Egg makes your daily games much more interesting. Instead of chasing around for common and rare Pokémon, you’ll have a chance to battle one of the game’s most challenging bosses. These encounters will test your skills and the available lineup, providing a memorable experience.
After reading this guide, you should have a better understanding of the prerequisites for defeating the Raid Boss. Hopefully, this should give you a much-needed advantage in the upcoming fight, so the next time you spot a Raid Egg, you’ll know what to expect and how to prepare!
