Unleashing the Power of Raid Hours: A Comprehensive Guide
Raid Hours in Pokémon GO are a weekly, hour-long event that presents a prime opportunity for trainers to level up their game and expand their Pokémon collection. They offer a concentrated period of increased 5-star raid spawns, typically featuring a specific Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, dramatically increasing the odds of encountering these powerful creatures. But the benefits of Raid Hours extend far beyond just the chance to catch rare Pokémon. They are a structured time for earning valuable rewards, optimizing your gameplay, and even increasing the odds of finding sought-after shiny Pokémon. In essence, Raid Hours are a key event for any serious Pokémon GO player looking to maximize their resources and collection.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Raid Hour
Raid Hour, held every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM local time, is more than just a simple spike in raid activity. Here’s a detailed look at the main advantages:
Increased Encounter Rate for Rare Pokémon
The most obvious benefit of Raid Hour is the sheer abundance of 5-star raids during that specific hour. Instead of encountering only a few scattered raids throughout the day, you’ll see many gyms hosting 5-star raids, often featuring the same featured Pokémon. This vastly increases your chances to engage with these powerful foes and hopefully add them to your collection. These raids may include coveted Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, many of which are otherwise very hard to obtain.
Opportunity for Shiny Pokémon Encounters
Raid Hours frequently showcase Pokémon that have a shiny version available. While finding a shiny is never guaranteed, the increase in raid spawns during Raid Hour means you have significantly more chances to encounter a shiny raid boss. This is especially important for Pokémon that are only available through raids.
Valuable Rewards
Participating in Raid Hours rewards you with more than just an encounter with a powerful Pokémon. Successfully defeating raid bosses will give you a collection of items, such as:
- Premier Balls: Used to capture the raid boss after the battle.
- Rare Candies: Used to increase the CP of any Pokémon.
- TMs (Technical Machines): Allow you to change your Pokémon’s moves.
- Golden Razz Berries: Increase the chances of successfully capturing a Pokémon.
These items are all valuable resources for leveling up your Pokémon and enhancing your overall gameplay experience.
Structured Playtime
Raid Hour provides a structured window of playtime for trainers who may have busy schedules. Knowing that there will be many raids available during this specific hour allows you to plan your Pokémon GO time accordingly. This structured approach is helpful for both casual players and dedicated trainers seeking to maximize their time.
Community Engagement
Raid Hour is a fantastic time to connect with your local Pokémon GO community. Because of the increased raid activity, it’s common to find groups of players participating in raids together, or coordinating via social media platforms. This adds a social element to the gameplay, and you can build friendships and alliances while conquering raids.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Raid Hours
To ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of Raid Hours, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. What exactly is a Raid Hour in Pokémon GO?
A Raid Hour is a weekly one-hour event, happening every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM local time, during which a specific Pokémon or a group of Pokémon will appear more frequently in 5-Star Raids.
2. Does Raid Hour always feature the same Pokémon?
No, the featured Pokémon changes regularly. It’s essential to keep an eye on official announcements and community sources to know what the featured raid boss will be for that week.
3. Are free Raid Passes provided during Raid Hour?
No, unlike Special Raid Days, Raid Hours do not provide additional free Raid Passes. You can get a free Raid Pass daily by spinning a Photo Disc at a Gym.
4. Can I use Remote Raid Passes during Raid Hour?
Yes, you can use Remote Raid Passes during Raid Hour. However, remember that the daily remote raid limit of five may apply unless there is a special event which increases this.
5. Do Raid Hours increase the chance of finding a shiny Pokémon?
Yes, Raid Hours may feature Pokémon that have a shiny form available, and the increased number of raids increases your overall odds of encountering that shiny. Note, however, that the shiny encounter is never guaranteed.
6. What time do Raid Eggs appear before Raid Hour?
Raid Eggs will appear on gyms about 20 minutes before the start of Raid Hour if the Gym is not occupied by other Raids or EX Raids. This will give you some time to plan your route and team.
7. Do all raids during Raid Hour have the same boss?
Usually, all 5-Star Raids during Raid Hour will feature the same Pokémon or group of Pokémon. However, during special events when more than one legendary is in rotation, all of them may appear at the same time.
8. Do Raid Hours affect other types of raids?
No, Raid Hours only affect 5-Star Raids. Other raid types will appear as normal during this time.
9. How many Raid Passes can I hold?
You can hold one free Raid Pass and up to three Remote Raid Passes at a time.
10. Can I get more than one free Raid Pass per day?
You can only get one free Raid Pass per day from spinning a Photo Disc at a Gym. You must use it before getting another from a photo disk.
11. Will I lose my Raid Pass if I lose the Raid Battle?
No, you won’t lose your Raid Pass if you lose the Raid Battle. You can rejoin the battle as many times as you like before the raid ends.
12. Are there specific Pokémon that are more likely to be shiny during Raid Hours?
While Niantic doesn’t explicitly specify a higher shiny rate for specific Pokémon during Raid Hour, the featured Pokemon usually has an existing shiny form. This will make it a better use of your time than normal raids.
13. Are Elite Raids part of Raid Hours?
No, Elite Raids are a different type of raid. They are not affected by the weekly Raid Hour event. Elite Raid Eggs appear 24 hours before the raid begins, to allow for pre-planning.
14. Can I use Remote Raid Passes for Elite Raids?
No, Elite Raids cannot be accessed using Remote Raid Passes. You must be physically present at the gym to participate in an Elite Raid.
15. Are Raid Hours always on Wednesday?
Yes, Raid Hours occur every Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time. Always check for in-game notifications or social media posts in case there are any special event changes.
Conclusion
Raid Hours are an essential part of the Pokémon GO experience, offering a structured and effective way to catch powerful Pokémon, collect valuable items, and increase your odds of finding elusive shinies. By understanding the mechanics of Raid Hour and planning your strategy accordingly, you can maximize the benefits and make the most of this weekly event. Make sure you plan to participate in Raid Hour every week for the best chance of improving your collection and enhancing your overall gameplay.