How Many People to Beat a Mega Raid in Pokémon GO?
The question of how many trainers are needed to conquer a Mega Raid in Pokémon GO is a common one, and the answer, like most things in the game, isn’t entirely straightforward. The short answer is: it varies depending on the specific Mega Pokémon, trainer levels, and the quality of their Pokémon. However, as a general guideline, most Mega Raids require a minimum of 2-4 well-prepared trainers to succeed. This number can increase substantially for more challenging Mega Raids, while some easier ones can potentially be defeated by strong solo players. Let’s delve deeper into the factors that influence the ideal group size for tackling these powerful foes.
Factors Influencing Mega Raid Group Size
1. Mega Pokémon Difficulty
Not all Mega Raids are created equal. Some Mega Evolutions, like Mega Scizor and Mega Pidgeot, are considered easier to defeat, potentially requiring just two or three strong trainers. Conversely, Mega Legendary Raids and some of the more powerful regular Mega evolutions like Mega Charizard X can demand a full raid party of 4-6 players, or even more, especially for lower-level trainers or those using less-than-ideal counters. The Combat Power (CP) of the Mega Pokémon provides a rough guide; higher CP usually translates to a tougher fight.
2. Trainer Level and Pokémon Strength
The level and strength of the trainers involved are paramount. High-level trainers (level 40+) with optimal counters can significantly reduce the required number of people. These trainers will have access to high-level Pokémon, powered up to their maximum potential, and have likely invested in Shadow and Mega Pokémon which deal substantially more damage. Conversely, lower-level trainers (level 30 and below) may need to rely more on larger groups to compensate for their lower damage output.
3. Optimal Counters and Typing
Choosing the right counters is as crucial as having a large group. Mega Evolutions, like their normal counterparts, have weaknesses that, when exploited, significantly reduce the overall battle time and the number of trainers needed. For example, Mega Gyarados is weak to electric, grass, fighting, bug, and fairy attacks. Using Pokémon with those types gives a massive advantage. Utilizing moves of the same type as the attacking Pokémon (STAB) also increases damage output.
4. Weather Boosts
The weather conditions in the game can provide a significant advantage. When the in-game weather boosts the same type as your Pokémon’s attack, their damage is greatly increased. This weather boost can make a big difference and allow smaller groups to succeed. Rainy, cloudy, or partly cloudy weather are often advantageous when fighting many Mega Pokémon.
5. Friendship Levels
The friendship level between trainers also plays a role. Having a high friendship level with other trainers involved in the raid provides a damage boost, making the encounter easier. While the effect is often negligible, it can be the difference between succeeding with two trainers and needing three, especially on very tight battles.
6. Mega Boosts
Using your own Mega evolved Pokemon in a raid gives a powerful damage boost, not only for yourself, but also your raid party. This Mega boost will increase the amount of damage dealt by everyone in the raid with similar type attacks. This factor often allows for smaller groups to complete raids, due to the increased damage output.
General Guidelines
Based on these factors, here are some general guidelines:
- Easy Mega Raids (e.g., Mega Scizor, Mega Pidgeot): 2-3 well-prepared trainers (Level 35+ with good counters).
- Moderate Mega Raids (e.g., Mega Houndoom, Mega Gyarados, Mega Steelix): 3-4 well-prepared trainers, or 4-5 average level trainers.
- Difficult Mega Raids (e.g., Mega Charizard X, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Tyranitar): 4-6 or more trainers, with 6+ being safer if there’s a mix of lower-level or less optimized teams.
- Mega Legendary Raids: Generally require a large group (6+) unless everyone is using perfect counters and is level 40+.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mega Raids
1. Can two people beat a Mega Raid?
Yes, it’s often possible, especially for easier Mega Raids like Mega Scizor or Mega Pidgeot. However, both players need to be high level, have optimal counters powered up, and exploit all advantages like friendship bonuses, weather boosts and mega boosts.
2. Can 4 people beat a Mega Raid?
Absolutely. Four well-prepared trainers are usually enough for most regular Mega Raids, especially those without the “Legendary” tag. The most challenging Mega Raids may need more players than this.
3. Can one person solo a Mega Raid?
Generally, Mega Raids cannot be soloed. They are designed to be challenging group activities. The only Mega Evolutions that are consistently soloable are the easiest ones, like mega Pidgeot, and only by high level players with perfect counters.
4. What is the easiest Mega Raid in Pokémon GO?
Mega Scizor is commonly regarded as one of the easiest Mega Raids due to its double weakness to fire attacks. Mega Pidgeot is also often cited as being very easy.
5. What makes Mega Raids so difficult?
Mega Raids feature powered-up Mega Pokémon with high stats and increased CP, making them more difficult than regular raids. Mega Legendary Raids are the hardest, featuring even more powerful versions of these Pokémon.
6. What are the best Pokémon to use against Mega Raids?
The best Pokémon to use against Mega Raids depend on the specific Mega Pokémon’s typing. However, strong shadow Pokémon with matching attacking types, along with mega evolved Pokemon, are generally the most effective. For example, Shadow Machamp is very useful in many situations, and Mega Blaziken is another great counter.
7. What is Mega Gyarados weak against?
Mega Gyarados is weak against electric, grass, fighting, bug, and fairy type moves.
8. What is Mega Houndoom weak against?
Mega Houndoom is a Dark/Fire type, making it weak to Rock, Ground, Fighting, and Water type moves.
9. Can I use a Mega Pokémon in a Mega Raid?
Yes, and you absolutely should! Using your own Mega evolved Pokémon will give you a significant damage boost during a raid. In addition, it will also boost the damage of other Pokemon using similar type moves.
10. How do weather boosts affect Mega Raids?
Weather boosts can significantly increase the damage output of your Pokémon. Choosing Pokémon that benefit from the current weather conditions will lead to higher damage, leading to quicker raid clears and making Mega Raids easier.
11. Do friendship levels affect raid damage?
Yes, a higher friendship level between raid participants provides a damage boost, which may be the extra percentage you need to beat some of the more difficult raids with a smaller group.
12. How do I find people to raid with?
You can find people to raid with in your local communities or use the numerous online resources such as Discord communities, and dedicated apps.
13. What are Mega Legendary Raids?
Mega Legendary Raids are a more challenging version of regular Mega Raids, featuring incredibly powerful Mega Pokémon with even higher stats and CP. They often require large raid groups.
14. Is Shadow Salamence a good raid Pokémon?
Yes, Shadow Salamence is an extremely powerful raid attacker, provided it has the correct moves. It is definitely an investment worth making, if you can acquire it.
15. What CP range will a Mega Charizard be after defeating it in a Mega Raid?
When caught, Mega-Charizard X will be between 2111 and 2200 CP without a weather boost.