Raids, Mega Raids and Dynamax Battles in Pokémon GO: the guide to beating Bosses

Taking on a Legendary Pokémon alongside other Trainers is one of the great moments in Pokémon GO. Standard Raids, Mega Raids, Shadow Raids and Dynamax Battles: each format has its own rules. Here is how to prepare, win, and then catch the Boss.

Raid tiers

• Tier 1: doable solo, common Pokémon.
• Tier 3: doable with one or two players and a good team.
• Tier 5: Legendary Pokémon, with several players.
• Mega Raids: a Mega Evolved Pokémon, which rewards Mega Energy.
• Shadow Raids: a Shadow Pokémon that grows more and more enraged; Purified Gems calm it down.

Up to 20 players can take part in the same Raid. You receive one free Raid Pass per day by spinning the Photo Disc of a Gym; Remote Raid Passes let you join a Raid without being on site.

Preparing your team: weaknesses

In Pokémon GO, a super effective attack deals 1.6 times more damage, and up to 2.56 times if the Boss has a double weakness. Conversely, a resisted attack only deals 0.625 times its damage. The right instinct: six powerful Pokémon whose attacks exploit the Boss’s weakness, preferably of the same type as their attacks (20% bonus).

Mega Raids and Mega Evolution

Beating a Mega Raid rewards Mega Energy for the species you faced. It is used to Mega Evolve your own Pokémon. The first Mega Evolution is expensive, while later ones cost much less: for example 200, then 40 Mega Energy for Mega Charizard. A Mega Evolved Pokémon boosts attacks of its type for all players in the Raid, and earns you extra Candy when you catch Pokémon.

#006DracaufeuFeuVolMega X and Y: 200 then 40#003FlorizarrePlantePoisonMega: 200 then 40#009TortankEauMega: 200 then 40#094EctoplasmaSpectrePoisonMega: 200 then 40

Their full Pokédex entries: Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise et Gengar.

Dynamax Battles

Since 2024, Power Spots have hosted Dynamax Battles: up to four Trainers take on a giant Pokémon, using their own Dynamax Pokémon. You take part using Max Particles, collected by exploring and at Power Spots. Gigantamax Pokémon, with their spectacular forms, are the toughest and require a well-coordinated team.

Catching the Boss: perfect CP values

After the victory, the Boss is caught at level 20, or level 25 if the weather boosts its type. Compare its CP to this table to find out whether you have a perfect Pokémon (100% IV):