How to Get a Raid Egg in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide

The appearance of a Raid Egg in Pokémon GO is the starting gun for an exciting challenge. These mysterious orbs perched atop Gyms signal the impending arrival of a powerful Raid Boss. But how exactly do these eggs appear, and what can you expect once they hatch? Let’s delve into the details.

How Do Raid Eggs Appear?

Raid Eggs don’t spawn on command; they appear randomly at Gym locations throughout the game. The appearance of a Raid Egg is the initial stage of a Raid Battle event. The process works as follows:

Gym Selection: The game’s algorithm selects a Gym at random for a raid.
Egg Placement: A Raid Egg is then placed on top of the chosen Gym. Different types of raids are indicated by the color and symbols on the Raid Egg itself.
Countdown Initiation: Once the Raid Egg appears, a countdown timer begins. This timer indicates how long you have until the Raid Egg hatches.
Boss Reveal: When the countdown reaches zero, the egg hatches, and the Raid Boss Pokémon is revealed.
Battle Begins: At this point, you can engage in a Raid Battle using a Raid Pass.

It’s important to understand that you don’t directly acquire a Raid Egg. You discover them already placed on Gyms. Your task is to locate these eggs, wait for them to hatch, and then participate in the Raid Battle against the boss.

Types of Raid Eggs

Not all Raid Eggs are created equal. Their appearance provides clues about the difficulty and rewards of the upcoming raid. Here’s a breakdown of the common types:

Normal Raid Eggs

Appearance: These are pink-colored eggs.
Raid Level: Typically hatch into Level 1 or Level 2 Pokémon.
Difficulty: These are the easiest raids and are generally soloable for players with reasonably strong Pokémon.

Mega Raid Eggs

Appearance: Tan-and-brown eggs with the Mega Energy symbol.
Raid Level: Feature Mega Evolved Pokémon.
Difficulty: More challenging than normal raids and will typically require multiple players to take down successfully.

Elite Raid Eggs

Appearance: These are special eggs with a distinctive design.
Raid Level: Hatch into extra-powerful and difficult raid bosses.
Difficulty: These are the most challenging raids and require a coordinated group of trainers to tackle. They also have a unique 24-hour pre-hatch timer to help players plan accordingly.
Limitations: Can only be battled in-person; Remote Raid Passes cannot be used.

Four-Star Raid Eggs

Appearance: These are often blue eggs.
Raid Level: Indicate a 4-star Raid, which are not typical during standard gameplay, but are commonly seen during Community Day events.
Difficulty: Are moderately difficult, often requiring multiple trainers.

Raid Egg Timing

Raid Eggs and subsequent raids do not appear at all hours of the day. There are specific time windows for their appearance:

Raid Egg Spawn Time: Eggs only spawn between 5:30 am and 7:45 pm local time.
Raid Boss Availability: Raid bosses are available from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm once the Raid Egg has hatched.

This time restriction is in place for player safety to reduce the likelihood of players being out roaming around at night.

Finding Raid Eggs

Here’s how you can locate Raid Eggs and ultimately join Raid Battles:

Nearby Feature: Use the in-game “Nearby” feature to scan for nearby Gyms with Raid Eggs or active raids.
Visual Scanning: Check your map periodically for Gyms that have a Raid Egg on top, as they are clearly visible.
Notifications: The game will often send you a notification when a nearby Raid Battle is about to begin.
Friend Invitations: You can also be invited to a Raid Battle by a friend, regardless of your location, allowing you to partake in the battle from the comfort of your own home (with a Remote Raid Pass for most cases).

Preparing for a Raid Battle

Once you’ve found a Raid Egg, you can prepare for the Raid Battle by:

Review the Raid Boss: Once the egg has hatched, research the Raid Boss’s type and weaknesses. This information is crucial for selecting the best Pokémon for the battle.
Gather a Team: Team up with friends or other players in the area to tackle more challenging raids.
Secure a Raid Pass: You’ll need a Raid Pass, Premium Battle Pass, or Remote Raid Pass to participate in the raid battle.
Arrive in Person (for some raids): For Elite Raids you must arrive in person as Remote Raid Passes cannot be used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Raid Eggs

1. Are Raid Egg outcomes random?

Yes, Raid Egg outcomes are random, although the Raid Boss is determined at the point of spawn. However, figuring out the exact Pokémon inside an egg before it hatches is, at present, a mystery.

2. How do I obtain a Raid Pass?

You can obtain Raid Passes through various methods:

Spinning the Photo Disc at a Gym (one free pass per day).
Completing Special Research tasks.
Participating in in-game Events.
Purchasing them from the in-game Shop.

3. What is the 24-hour Raid Egg?

The 24-hour Raid Egg refers to Elite Raid Eggs. These eggs appear 24 hours before the actual raid to give trainers time to coordinate with others.

4. How do I claim a Raid Egg?

You don’t claim a Raid Egg. You need to physically go to the Gym once it has hatched and use a Raid Pass to initiate the battle.

5. What is a Raid Egg?

A Raid Egg is the visual indicator that a Raid Battle will soon begin at a Gym. It entices players to flock to the location and await its hatching.

6. How often do Raid Eggs spawn?

Raid Eggs spawn between 5:30 am and 7:45 pm local time. This means that Raid Bosses are available between 6:30 am and 9:30 pm.

7. What do Mega Raid Eggs look like?

Mega Raid Eggs are tan-and-brown with the Mega Energy symbol above Gyms.

8. How long does a Raid Egg take to hatch?

Normal, Mega, and Four-Star Raid Eggs have a shorter countdown timer. However, Elite Raid Eggs take 24 hours to hatch.

9. Can I get unlimited free Raid Passes?

While you can only obtain one free Raid Pass per day from spinning a Gym’s Photo Disc, you can purchase Premium Battle Passes or Remote Raid Passes to use for additional battles or for raids where you are not at the Gym.

10. Can I find Mega Raids in Pokémon Go?

Yes, by looking for the tan-and-brown Mega Raid Eggs with the Mega Energy symbol over Gyms.

11. Can I get a free Raid Pass every day?

Yes, you can get one free Raid Pass every day by spinning the Photo Disc at a Gym.

12. What happens when a Raid Egg appears?

When a Raid Egg appears, a timer starts. Upon reaching zero, the egg hatches, revealing the Raid Boss and making it available for battle.

13. Do Raid Eggs spawn at night?

No, Raid Eggs do not spawn at night, only between 5:30 am and 7:45 pm local time.

14. What color is a normal Raid Egg?

Normal Raid Eggs are pink in color.

15. Can I solo a 5-star raid?

No, 5-star raids are not designed for solo players. You will typically need a group of trainers to take down a 5-star Raid Boss. You can, however, solo a 3-star raid if your Pokémon are strong enough and you have good play.

By understanding how Raid Eggs work, when they appear, and the type of raids they represent, you can strategize your Pokémon GO gameplay to make the most of these exciting in-game events. So, keep an eye on the Gyms near you and prepare for the challenge that awaits!

How do you get a raid egg?