Mastering the Clock: How Long Does a Pokémon GO Raid Really Take?

So, you’re geared up, got your Pokémon team ready, and a raid is on the horizon. But a question lingers: how long will this Pokémon GO raid actually take? The answer isn’t as simple as a flat number. It depends on several factors, but let’s break it down.

The raid battle itself lasts for 45 minutes once the raid egg hatches and the boss Pokémon appears. This is the window you have to coordinate with other trainers, enter the lobby, and defeat the raid boss. However, that’s not the entire time investment. You’ll need to factor in the time it takes to find the raid, assemble a team (if needed), wait for the lobby timer, and the actual battle time.

Therefore, while the raid battle is limited to 45 minutes, the total time commitment can range from 10 minutes (for a quick solo raid) to over an hour (for a complex 5-star raid with coordination challenges). Let’s delve deeper into the elements that influence the raid’s duration.

The Key Factors Influencing Raid Time

• Raid Tier: Lower-tier raids (1-star, 3-star) are often quicker due to weaker bosses, potentially soloable or requiring fewer trainers. Higher-tier raids (5-star, Mega) demand more trainers and coordination, extending the overall time.

• Trainer Coordination: A well-organized group with pre-selected counters will defeat the boss faster than a group of random players using suboptimal Pokémon. The time spent coordinating via messaging apps or in-person will add to the total time.

• Boss Difficulty: Some raid bosses are inherently tougher than others, even within the same tier, due to their move sets and type matchups. This impacts the battle duration and the potential need for multiple attempts.

• Lobby Size and Trainer Levels: More high-level trainers using effective counters means a quicker battle. A smaller lobby or lower-level trainers will likely prolong the fight, potentially leading to failure and needing to retry.

• Location and Gym Accessibility: The time to physically reach the Gym hosting the raid, especially if it’s in a remote or hard-to-access location, should be considered.

• Remote Raiding: While convenient, remote raiding can add time if you experience connectivity issues or have difficulty coordinating with local trainers.

Raid Strategies for Time Optimization

• Pre-Select Your Team: Before entering the lobby, have your battle team ready with optimal counters to the raid boss’s type and moves.

• Communicate Effectively: If raiding with others, use messaging apps or voice chat to coordinate strategies and ensure everyone knows their role.

• Know Your Type Matchups: Understanding Pokémon types and their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for choosing effective counters and dealing maximum damage. For more insights into gaming strategies, explore resources like the Games Learning Society and their work at GamesLearningSociety.org.

• Maximize Damage Output: Power up your Pokémon, use optimal move sets, and consider Mega Evolving to boost your team’s attack power.

• Consider Weather Boosts: Weather conditions in Pokémon GO can boost the power of certain Pokémon types. Take advantage of this to deal more damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pokémon GO Raid Times

1. Can I solo a 3-star raid?

Yes, it’s often possible to solo a 3-star raid if you’re a high-level trainer (level 40+) with strong, well-chosen Pokémon and a good understanding of type matchups. Success isn’t guaranteed, but with careful planning and skillful execution, it’s achievable.

2. How many trainers does it take to beat a 5-star raid?

Generally, you’ll need at least 4-6 trainers to reliably defeat a 5-star raid boss. However, this depends on trainer levels, Pokémon strength, and the specific raid boss. A group of high-level players with optimal counters can sometimes manage with fewer.

3. How long is Raid Hour in Pokémon GO?

Raid Hour events in Pokémon GO typically last for one hour, usually from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time on Wednesdays. During this time, a specific Legendary Pokémon appears more frequently in raids.

4. Can one person beat a 1-star raid?

Yes, 1-star raids are designed to be easily soloable by almost any trainer, even at lower levels. These are great for practicing your battling skills and earning rewards.

5. How many raids can you do a day in Pokémon GO?

There isn’t a limit to the number of local raids you can do in a day. However, there may be a limit on the number of Remote Raids you can participate in, which can vary depending on the event or time period. Always check in-game announcements for current limits.

6. Can you only do 1 six-star raid a day?

In the core Pokémon games that feature Tera Raids (like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet), you typically only get one guaranteed 6-star raid per day in your own world. However, you can join other players’ 6-star raids online.

7. What are the shiny odds in Pokémon GO raids?

The shiny odds for raid Pokémon are often higher than for wild Pokémon. While the exact rates vary, some Legendary raids have a shiny rate around 1 in 20. However, common raid bosses have shiny odds close to the standard rate of 1 in 500.

8. Why do Pokémon GO raids end at night?

Pokémon GO raids typically end around 9:30 PM local time. This is primarily to discourage players from going to potentially unsafe locations late at night.

9. Is it possible to beat a 4-star raid by yourself?

Generally, 4-star raids are very difficult to solo and require a team of at least 3 trainers to defeat.

10. What is the highest star raid in Pokémon GO?

Mega Raids are typically the highest level of raids found in Pokémon GO. However, there have been various event exclusive raids with increased difficulties.

11. Can 4 people take down a 5-star raid?

Yes, a group of 4 people can take down a 5-star raid, but only if they have leveled up powerful Pokémon to counter the raid boss.

12. How do raid eggs work in Pokémon GO?

A raid egg appears on top of a Gym a set amount of time prior to the beginning of the raid. There will be a countdown timer which will signify the time left until the raid boss appears and when you can participate in the raid battle.

13. How long do I have to battle a raid?

In Pokémon GO, once a raid egg hatches the raid boss appears, and you have 45 minutes to engage in the battle.

14. What levels are the Pokemon at the different raid star tiers?

The levels of Pokémon in Tera Raids (in core games like Scarlet & Violet) are as follows:

• One-star: level 12
• Two-star: level 20
• Three-star: level 35
• Four-star: level 45
• Five-star: level 75
• Six-star: level 90
• Seven-star: level 100

15. What are the 24 hour eggs in Pokemon Go?

Elite Raids in Pokémon GO feature an egg appearing 24 hours before the raid boss takes over the Gym. This allows trainers to coordinate and gather a group as these raids are known to be very difficult.