Mastering Raid Invites: How to Gather Your Squad in Pokémon GO
So, you’re looking to conquer a particularly challenging raid in Pokémon GO and need more firepower than the standard five invites allow? You’ve come to the right place! While the game initially restricts you to inviting only five friends at a time, there’s a well-known (and perfectly legitimate) workaround to invite up to ten friends to a single raid. The key lies in utilizing the game’s cooldown period after sending the first batch of invites.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Join the Raid: Enter the raid lobby as you normally would, either in person or using a Remote Raid Pass.
- Send the First Five Invites: Invite your first five friends to the raid.
- Wait for the Cooldown: After sending the invitations, a short cooldown period (approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute) will begin. Keep an eye on the invite button, as it will be temporarily greyed out.
- Invite the Next Five: Once the cooldown period ends, the invite button will become active again. Quickly invite your next five friends before the raid timer runs out.
- Coordinate and Conquer: Ensure your invited friends are ready to join promptly so you can take down the raid boss together!
This method allows you to effectively double your invite capacity, significantly increasing your chances of successfully defeating those challenging raid bosses, especially those at Mega and Elite Raid levels. Remember that good communication and quick reflexes are key to making this strategy work smoothly.
Understanding Raid Mechanics & Invitations
While the method to invite ten friends may be relatively simple, understanding the mechanics behind raids and invitations can help you refine your strategy and ensure a smooth raiding experience. Raids are a core part of the Pokémon GO experience, offering a chance to catch powerful Pokémon and earn valuable rewards.
Raid Tiers and Difficulty
Raids are categorized into tiers, typically ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 5, with increasing difficulty and better rewards. Mega Raids and Elite Raids represent even greater challenges, often requiring a larger and more coordinated team of trainers. The higher the tier, the more crucial it becomes to maximize your invite potential.
Remote Raiding
Remote Raiding allows you to participate in raids that are not physically near you, expanding your raiding opportunities. Using Remote Raid Passes, you can join raids visible on your in-game map. The ability to invite friends to remote raids is a powerful tool for coordinating with trainers worldwide.
Raid Groups & Party Play
Pokémon GO also offers features like Party Play that encourage collaborative gameplay. Party Play can potentially allow trainers to join raids together even without direct invites if a party member receives an invite.
FAQs: Raid Invites & Mechanics
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics of raid invites and related aspects of Pokémon GO raiding:
1. What is the maximum number of people who can participate in a raid?
Any number of Trainers can join a raid, but only in groups of up to 20 Trainers. This applies to both in-person and remote raids.
2. Why can’t I invite friends to a raid?
There are several reasons why you might not be able to invite friends:
- Level Restriction: You may need to be at a certain trainer level to invite friends to raids. Historically the level was 32, but it is best to verify on the PokemonGo website.
- Friend Already Invited: You can’t invite the same friend twice to the same raid lobby.
- Friend at Max Remote Raids: A friend might have already reached their daily limit of Remote Raids (typically 5).
- Game Glitch: Occasionally, there might be a temporary glitch. Restarting the app usually resolves this.
3. How do I join a raid with an invite?
When you receive a raid invite, you’ll receive a notification. Tap the notification to directly access the raid lobby. You can also find active raid invitations in the “Nearby” menu.
4. What if I see an error while trying to join a raid?
If you encounter an error, especially for in-person raids, ensure you are within range of the Gym. Some raids, like Elite Raids, are only eligible for local participation. Also, ensure that you aren’t exceeding your daily limit of Remote Raids.
5. Can I join a remote raid without an invite?
Yes, potentially! Through Party Play, if someone in your party receives a raid invite, you may be able to join the raid even without a direct invite.
6. How does the cooldown period for inviting friends work?
After sending your initial five invites, a cooldown period of approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute will begin. You’ll know the cooldown is active because the invite button will be temporarily disabled. Be patient and wait for it to reactivate before inviting more friends.
7. Is there an app that helps with raid invites?
Yes, apps like PokeRaid are popular platforms for connecting with trainers worldwide and organizing raids. These apps can help you find and join raids or host your own and invite other players.
8. Can I solo a 3-star or 4-star raid?
Tier 3 raids can be soloed by high-level players with strong Pokémon and optimized strategies. However, Tier 4 raids are generally very difficult to solo and usually require at least two trainers to complete.
9. What are the best strategies for defeating a specific raid boss?
Understanding the raid boss’s weaknesses and resistances is crucial. For example, Zapdos is weak to Rock and Ice, Kyogre is weak to Grass and Electric, and Regidrago is weak to Dragon, Fairy, and Ice. Use Pokémon with corresponding move types to maximize your damage output.
10. How important is it to coordinate with other trainers during a raid?
Coordination is extremely important, especially for higher-tier raids. Discussing strategies, sharing information about the raid boss’s moves, and ensuring everyone is using effective Pokémon teams can significantly increase your chances of success.
11. Can I invite friends to seven-star raids?
Seven-star raids have special requirements. Players who have not yet beaten the game may be able to join a seven-star Tera Raid battle by using a friend’s link code.
12. What happens if the raid timer runs out before we defeat the boss?
If the raid timer expires before you defeat the raid boss, you will not receive any rewards, and the raid boss will disappear. It’s crucial to have enough trainers and a well-coordinated strategy to defeat the boss within the time limit.
13. How do I host a raid?
To host a raid using the Team Up feature:
- Tap Join a Raid to search for an existing Team Up group or Host a Raid to create a new group.
- Follow the in-game instructions to coordinate with other trainers.
14. How do I find other players to raid with?
In addition to apps like PokeRaid, consider joining local Pokémon GO communities on social media platforms or using in-game features like Team Up to find other trainers to raid with.
15. Where can I learn more about the strategies behind games like Pokemon GO?
For insights into the educational and social dynamics of games, you can explore the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization delves into the intersection of gaming and learning, offering valuable research and perspectives.
By mastering the art of inviting ten friends to raids and understanding the underlying mechanics, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer even the most challenging raid bosses in Pokémon GO. Gather your squad, strategize effectively, and reap the rewards of teamwork!