Can One Person Do a Raid? A Comprehensive Guide to Solo Raiding in Pokémon GO and Beyond
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether a single trainer can conquer a raid is a common one, especially among those who prefer solo play or find themselves without a readily available group. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no, as it largely depends on the raid tier and the specific Pokémon you’re facing. This article will provide a detailed exploration of solo raiding, discussing the feasibility of taking on different raid levels and equipping you with the knowledge you need to succeed.
The Reality of Solo Raiding
The ability to solo a raid is heavily dependent on two major factors: the raid difficulty and your Pokémon’s strength. Let’s break this down:
-
Lower Tier Raids (Tier 1 and Tier 3): These are generally considered soloable for most players who have a decent collection of Pokémon. For a Tier 1 raid, most trainers will find it incredibly easy, while Tier 3 raids, though more challenging, are still achievable with well-prepared counters. As a recent example, a 3-star raid boss like Passimian can be quite easy to defeat solo, even without the best counters on hand.
-
Mid-Tier Raids (Tier 4): Tier 4 raids introduce a significant jump in difficulty. While some Tier 4 bosses with double weaknesses might be soloable under optimal conditions (weather boosts, perfect counters), most require at least two trainers. Success often depends on having highly leveled Pokémon with ideal movesets. They’re extremely difficult to solo, and it is not universally possible.
-
High-Tier Raids (Tier 5 and Mega Raids): These are typically designed for a group effort. Tier 5 raids, with their formidable bosses, generally require at least 3 very strong trainers. Mega Raids, featuring incredibly powerful Mega Evolved Pokémon, are even more challenging and are generally not recommended for solo attempts. However, some very specific circumstances involving a Pokemon having double weakness to a specific type has seen trainers succeed with 2 very strong trainers. These raids range from around 30,000 to 50,000 boss CP, making soloing them virtually impossible for the average player.
Factors Influencing Solo Raid Success
Several factors can dramatically affect your chances of soloing a raid:
-
Pokémon Type Matchups: Using Pokémon that have a type advantage over the raid boss is crucial. Knowing the weaknesses of each raid boss, and exploiting these weaknesses can be the deciding factor. For example, Guzzlord is weak to Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Ice, and Fighting-type moves. Understanding these type matchups will maximize damage output and minimize damage taken.
-
Pokémon Levels and Movesets: High-level Pokémon with optimized movesets are essential for solo raids. Maxing out your Pokemon’s CP to level 40 and even 50 (if XL Candy is available) provides a significant power boost. Specific charge moves and fast attacks can significantly increase damage per second (DPS).
-
Weather Boosts: Weather boosts can significantly impact raid battles by increasing the power of certain types of Pokémon, both yours and the raid boss’s. Taking advantage of these boosts can make soloing easier, while facing a weather-boosted boss can significantly increase the challenge.
-
Team Composition: Even with excellent counters, a balanced team is key. A good strategy is to bring a variety of counters that can withstand different types of attacks.
Beyond Pokémon GO: Solo Raiding in Other Games
While Pokémon GO is the primary focus here, it’s worth noting that the concept of solo raids extends to other Pokémon games. Games like Pokémon Scarlet & Violet also feature raids, and while they are not exclusively designed for multiplayer in the main storyline, certain high-difficulty raids are very difficult to complete by yourself.
-
Tera Raid Battles: In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, completing 7-Star Tera Raid Battles requires beating the main game and beating a number of 5-Star battles. These 6 and 7-star raids are difficult, and though not impossible, are not meant to be taken on alone. While the game will provide NPC companions to assist you, these companions are not as reliable as a human ally, and it may take multiple tries and precise strategies to solo higher tier raids.
-
Difficulty scaling: Even if a raid is designed for multiple players, the game might scale the difficulty depending on how many players enter the raid, this is to make it more accessible for single players. These can still be very difficult to solo, but they are not insurmountable with a well thought out team and a bit of strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I solo a 1-star raid?
Yes, 1-star raids are easily soloable by almost any trainer who understands type matchups. These raids are designed to be very accessible, and you should have little to no issues.
2. Is it possible to solo a 3-star raid?
Yes, it is possible to solo a 3-star raid. With well-prepared counters and a decent understanding of the game, you should be able to take down these raid bosses by yourself. The difficulty is manageable even without the perfect counters.
3. Can I beat a 4-star raid by myself?
It’s extremely difficult to solo Tier 4 raids. Some Tier 4 bosses with double weaknesses can be soloed with perfect Pokémon, optimal weather boosts, and ideal movesets, but these situations are the exception rather than the rule. Most require at least two trainers.
4. Can one person take down a 5-star raid?
No, a 5-star raid is generally not soloable. They are intended to be challenging and require the coordination and effort of multiple trainers.
5. Is it possible to solo Mega Raids?
Mega Raids are very difficult and not typically soloable. They feature incredibly powerful Mega Evolved Pokémon and are designed for group battles. For example, Mega Gardevoir with a maximum CP of 5101, should be avoided by solo players.
6. Are solo raids harder than team raids?
Yes, solo raiding significantly increases the difficulty of raids. You need to adapt different strategies and carefully select the best counters with optimal movesets to succeed.
7. Can I solo a raid if I have high-level Pokémon?
Having high-level Pokémon is crucial, but it’s not the only factor. Type matchups, ideal movesets, and even weather boosts play critical roles.
8. What is the most important thing when soloing raids?
The most critical factor is understanding type matchups and utilizing counters that exploit the raid boss’s weaknesses.
9. How do weather boosts affect solo raids?
Weather boosts can make raid bosses harder by enhancing their attacks or make solo raids easier by powering up your Pokémon’s moves.
10. Can a level 50 Primal Groudon solo a Nihilego?
Yes, a level 50 Primal Groudon, being resistant to Poison-type attacks and dealing heavy damage with Rock-type attacks, can solo a Nihilego in a five-star raid.
11. What Pokémon types are good against Gardevoir?
Gardevoir is weak to Steel, Ghost, and Poison-type attacks.
12. What Pokémon types are good against Mega Sceptile?
Mega Sceptile is weak to Ice, Flying, Poison, Bug, Dragon, and Fairy-type Pokémon. A great counter is Shadow Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche.
13. Do one-hit KO moves work in raids?
No, one-hit KO moves do not work against Dynamax Pokémon or Tera Raid bosses.
14. How do 6-Star Raids work?
6-Star Raids in games like Scarlet and Violet are difficult and have a low occurrence rate. You get one per day and can refresh your selections online. They are not usually designed to be completed by a solo player.
15. Can two people win a 5-star raid?
Yes, two level 40 players with their best teams can defeat a 5-star raid boss, although it’s going to be challenging and requires coordination.
Conclusion
Soloing raids in Pokémon games, particularly in Pokémon GO, is a challenge that tests your knowledge of type matchups and your collection of powerful Pokémon. While lower-tier raids are very accessible for solo players, higher-tier raids require careful planning, strong teams, and often the support of other trainers. Understanding the mechanics of the game, building powerful Pokémon, and knowing the weaknesses of different raid bosses are the keys to successfully raiding alone or with friends. This guide is meant to offer you some clarity on what is possible for a solo player, and if you’ve read this far, then you have the knowledge to try and see what you’re capable of.