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Can You Raid From the Comfort of Your Couch? A Deep Dive into Remote Raiding in Pokémon GO

The question on every trainer’s mind: Can you do a remote raid from anywhere? The short answer is almost, but not quite, anywhere. Remote Raiding in Pokémon GO allows you to participate in raids from locations far beyond your immediate surroundings, opening up a world of possibilities for catching powerful Pokémon. However, there are limitations you need to understand to become a true remote raiding master.

The Beauty of Remote Raiding

Imagine this: You’re at home, cozy on your couch, and suddenly a notification pops up – a powerful legendary is appearing in a raid battle miles away! Thanks to Remote Raid Passes, you can join that battle without having to physically travel to the gym. This is the core of remote raiding, a feature that revolutionized Pokémon GO by making raids accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or ability to travel.

The Nuances of “Anywhere”

While remote raiding grants incredible flexibility, it’s crucial to understand its constraints. “Anywhere” isn’t entirely limitless. Here’s a breakdown:

Proximity to Raids: You can access raids remotely in two primary ways:
- Through the “Nearby” screen: This feature displays nearby raids, and you can join those listed.
- By tapping a Gym on the Map View: If you can see a gym on your in-game map with an ongoing raid, you can participate remotely.
Friend Invitations: A trainer physically near a gym can invite friends from anywhere in the world to join a raid. This is a HUGE advantage, as it allows you to raid with friends across continents.
The Remote Raid Pass: The key to it all! You must have a Remote Raid Pass to participate in remote raids. These are typically purchased in the in-game shop, although they are sometimes awarded through research tasks.
Party Play Advantage: When raiding as part of Party Play, if one player is invited to a Remote Raid, the other party members can join too, even if they themselves were not invited.
Limited Daily Raids: At the beginning of Remote Raiding, there were no limits to how many Remote Raids you could participate in. After several years, Niantic decided to cap Remote Raids to 5 per day. The company has increased this limit during special events.

What You Can’t Do

Shadow Raids: These challenging raids, featuring powerful Shadow Pokémon, are typically local only. You cannot use a Remote Raid Pass to participate in Shadow Raids.
Elite Raids: Like Shadow Raids, Elite Raids are designed for in-person participation.

In essence, while you can participate in many raids from a great distance, your access is ultimately determined by whether the raid is visible on your map, accessible through the “Nearby” screen, or if you receive an invitation from a friend.

Why Remote Raiding Matters

Remote raiding has profound implications for the Pokémon GO community:

Accessibility: It makes raids accessible to players in rural areas, those with mobility issues, or those who simply don’t have the time to travel to gyms regularly.
Community Building: It fosters global communities, allowing trainers from different corners of the world to collaborate and battle together. You can even learn some things about game design by viewing the Pokemon Go game as an example of gamified design. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) promotes understanding about learning through games.
Strategic Depth: It adds a layer of strategy to team composition, as you can coordinate with friends to bring a diverse team of Pokémon to the battle.

Remote Raiding FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are some common questions about remote raiding in Pokémon GO, to help you maximize your raiding potential:

1. Can I be invited to a raid in Pokemon Go from anywhere?

Yes, absolutely! Friends can invite you to raids regardless of their or your location. The host trainer (the one near the gym) needs to invite you, and you’ll need a Remote Raid Pass to join.

2. Can you get remote raid passes from Pokestops?

Unfortunately, no. You cannot obtain Remote Raid Passes from spinning Photo Discs at PokéStops. You can get one free Raid Pass per day by spinning a Photo Disc at a Gym. Remote Raid Passes and Premium Battle Passes must be purchased from the shop or earned through research tasks.

3. How do I join raids from anywhere?

As described above, you can join raids from a distance by using the “Nearby” screen, tapping a gym on your map, or accepting a raid invitation from a friend. Be sure you have a Remote Raid Pass.

4. Do you get a remote raid pass every day for free?

No, Remote Raid Passes are not given out daily for free. You can earn a free Raid Pass each day from Gyms. Occasionally, Niantic might offer Remote Raid Passes as part of special events or research tasks.

5. How do you get unlimited raid passes in Pokemon go?

There is no legitimate way to get unlimited raid passes in Pokémon GO. You can obtain free Raid Passes by spinning Gym Photo Discs, complete Special Research or special Events and purchase them from the Shop. Be aware that any app or website claiming to offer unlimited raid passes is likely a scam and could compromise your account.

6. Can I join a remote raid without an invite?

Yes, you can, if you are part of the Party Play feature. Party Play allows you to join a remote raid for which you were not invited, so long as a member of your party was invited.

7. What is the max distance for remote raid pass?

The maximum distance to view and join a raid is under 2 kilometers, but only if you have a Pokémon defending the gym. Otherwise, the distance is more limited.

8. What are some key Pokemon weaknesses to exploit in raids?

Zapdos: Weak to Rock and Ice.
Guzzlord: Weak to Fairy, Fighting, Bug, Ice, and Dragon.
Articuno: Weak to Fire, Electric, Rock (doubly weak), and Steel.

Understanding these weaknesses is crucial for building an effective raid team!

9. Why can’t I do Remote Raids sometimes?

Several reasons might prevent you from participating in remote raids:

You’ve reached the daily limit: You can only participate in a maximum of 5 Remote Raids per day, though this limit may increase during special events.
The raid is local only: Certain raids, like Shadow Raids and Elite Raids, require you to be physically present at the gym.

10. Can you send remote raid pass to a friend?

No, you cannot directly send Remote Raid Passes to friends. You can, however, invite them to raids, allowing them to use their own Remote Raid Passes to participate.

11. Can you beat a level 5 RAID by yourself?

Generally, no. Level 5 Raids are designed to be challenging and require multiple trainers to defeat the powerful boss Pokémon.

12. Do you get your raid pass back if you lose?

No, you do not get your Raid Pass back if you lose a raid. However, your pass remains active for the duration of the raid, allowing you to rejoin multiple times until the raid ends.

13. Are Shadow raids remote?

No, Shadow Raids are not remote. They require you to be physically present at the gym. This makes them a local-only activity.

14. How do you get Mewtwo in Pokemon go?

The best way to get Mewtwo is by defeating it in raids when it’s available. Mewtwo often appears as a raid boss during special events. Assemble a strong team and coordinate with other trainers to increase your chances of success.

15. How do I get free Raid Passes?

The easiest way to get the Raid Pass is to simply spin the Photo Disc at a Gym. Just walking around the city, fans can launch the game and find a Gym.

Mastering Remote Raiding

Remote raiding is an integral part of the Pokémon GO experience. By understanding its mechanics and limitations, you can maximize your opportunities to catch rare and powerful Pokémon, connect with trainers worldwide, and enjoy the game from anywhere. So, stock up on those Remote Raid Passes, invite your friends, and get ready to raid!