What Time Do Raid Eggs Hatch in Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide
Raid Battles are a cornerstone of the Pokémon GO experience, offering players the chance to team up and battle powerful Pokémon. A crucial part of this system is the Raid Egg, which appears atop Gyms before a Raid Boss is revealed. Understanding the timing of these eggs is key to planning your Pokémon GO adventures. So, what time do raid eggs hatch?
Raid Eggs, barring the exception of Elite Raid Eggs, typically hatch during specific hours of the day. Most standard Raid Eggs will appear on a Gym about one hour before the Raid Boss is revealed. These Raids can only occur between 5:30 AM and 7:45 PM local time. This means that a Raid Egg will hatch and become active sometime within that timeframe. So, if you see an egg on a Gym at 6:00 AM, you can generally expect it to hatch at 7:00 AM, if it is a typical Raid Egg. Once the egg hatches, the actual Raid Battle is active for around 45 minutes.
Elite Raid Eggs function differently. They appear 24 hours before the actual raid is set to begin. They are designed to give players ample time to coordinate with their fellow trainers, as these are notoriously difficult battles. These are special event raids that can happen anytime.
Essentially, most raid eggs are on a 1 hour timer prior to the Raid Battle, but these can only hatch between 5:30am and 7:45pm local time.
Understanding Different Raid Egg Types
It’s also essential to understand that there are different types of Raid Eggs, and each has a specific meaning and level of difficulty. The color of a Raid Egg indicates the difficulty of the Raid Boss that will hatch.
- Pink Eggs: These are Normal Raid Eggs and are the easiest. They typically contain Level 1 or Level 2 Pokémon.
- Yellow Eggs: These indicate more difficult Raids, usually Level 3 or Level 4 Raid Bosses.
- Silver and Black Eggs: Also known as Legendary Eggs, these are the most challenging and feature Level 5 Legendary Pokémon. These eggs are highly sought after by trainers.
- Tan and Brown Eggs (with Mega Symbol): These signify a Mega Raid. Mega Raids feature Pokémon that can Mega Evolve and are quite challenging, requiring a good team.
- Special Event Eggs: For special events, there are colored eggs that may signify an event-specific Pokemon.
How to Track Raid Eggs
The Nearby Screen is your go-to resource for locating and tracking Raid Eggs. The Raid tab will display all the active raids in your vicinity. The Raid tab will show a countdown timer on the Raid Egg, in the 24-hour or military clock format, indicating the time it is set to hatch. This feature allows players to plan and arrive at the Gym accordingly. You can also track the number of other trainers who are interested in attending a raid via the nearby feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To help you better understand Raid Eggs in Pokémon GO, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. How long do Raid Eggs last before hatching?
Most standard Raid Eggs last for one hour before hatching. Once hatched, the Raid Boss is available for a battle for about 45 minutes. Elite Raid Eggs appear 24 hours before their raid.
2. What time of day can Raid Eggs appear?
**Raid Eggs will only appear between 5:30 AM and 7:45 PM local time**. No new raid eggs will appear outside of this timeframe.
3. What are Elite Raid Eggs?
Elite Raid Eggs are special Raid Eggs that appear 24 hours before the Raid Boss is released. These raids are particularly challenging and can only be done in-person. These provide a large time window for players to coordinate the raid.
4. Can I use Remote Raid Passes for Elite Raids?
**No**, Remote Raid Passes cannot be used for Elite Raids. You must be physically present at the Gym to participate.
5. What does the timer on a Raid Egg mean?
The timer on a Raid Egg is a countdown display showing how long until the egg hatches and the Raid Battle begins. It is important to track this timer, as once it hits zero, the raid boss becomes available to challenge.
6. Are Raid Eggs random?
While the location of Raid Eggs is based on gym activity, they do spawn randomly within the eligible timeframe of 5:30 AM and 7:45 PM. The contents of the Egg are determined at spawn.
7. What do the different Raid Egg colors mean?
The color of a Raid Egg indicates the difficulty of the Raid Boss:
* Pink: Level 1 or 2
* Yellow: Level 3 or 4
* Silver and Black: Level 5 Legendary
* Tan and Brown (Mega Symbol): Mega Raids
* Special Event Eggs: These vary in color and Pokemon for event specific raids.
8. What are Raid Hours?
**Raid Hours** occur every **Wednesday from 6 PM to 7 PM local time**. During this time, there are a higher concentration of Raids at different Gyms and an increased chance for finding shiny Pokemon.
9. Can I beat a 5-star Raid alone?
**No**, 5-star Raids, which feature Legendary Pokémon, require multiple trainers. It is highly recommended that you team up with other trainers to defeat them.
10. Can I solo a 3-star Raid?
Yes, most 3-star Raids can be soloed if you have a good team of Pokémon and some skill.
11. How often do Raid Eggs appear?
**Raid Eggs will appear one hour before they hatch**, during the available timeframe, between 5:30 AM and 7:45 PM local time.
12. Are Raid Eggs worth it?
**Yes**, Raid Eggs are often the only way to obtain certain Pokémon, especially Legendary and rare ones. Participating in raids is an important part of a complete Pokemon Go experience.
13. What is a Mega Raid Egg?
A **Mega Raid Egg** is a tan and brown colored egg with the mega symbol. These raids feature Pokémon that can Mega Evolve.
14. How do I know if a Pokémon is shiny during a Raid?
If a Pokémon is shiny, a **shiny icon** will appear above its CP once you reach the catch screen after a Raid.
15. How long do raids last?
The raid itself will be active for **45 minutes** after the egg hatches. It is important to arrive in time to participate in the battle before the raid ends.
Conclusion
Understanding the timing and different types of Raid Eggs in Pokémon GO is crucial for any trainer looking to participate in these exciting battles. Standard raid eggs hatch within the 5:30 AM to 7:45 PM window, but Elite Raid Eggs have a 24-hour countdown. By using the information provided in this article and monitoring the Raid tab in the Nearby Screen, you’ll be well-equipped to find, coordinate, and conquer the many Raid Bosses that await you. Happy raiding!