Pokémon GO - How to Join a Raid Battle, Earn Rewards

Find out the level requirement needed to join a Raid Battle and the rewards you’ll earn for defeating the Raid Boss in Pokémon GO.

Following the latest update, many players have found themselves wondering how to join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO and what sort of rewards they’ll earn for defeating the Raid Boss. One of the main problems players will encounter is undoubtedly the minimum level requirement needed to join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO. If you don’t meet the minimum level, you may wonder if the rewards earned through each Raid Battle are even worth the effort of grinding to level up in Pokémon GO.

To help, we’ve put together a quick look at how you can join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO and what rewards you’ll earn for defeating the Raid Boss.

Minimum Raid Battle Level in Pokémon GO

You'll need to be at least Level 35 to join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO.

In order to have the ability to join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO, you’ll need to meet the minimum account level requirement. The minimum level to join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO is Level 35.

Any trainers at Level 35 or higher will be able to participate in Raid Battles and earn Raid Battle rewards. If you’re below the Level 35 requirement, all you’ll need to do is level up in order to gain the ability to participate in Pokémon GO’s new Raid Battles.

How to Find and Join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO

A look at how you can join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO.

If you meet the minimum level requirement, the next step is knowing how to find and join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO. If a Raid Battle is happening in your area, you’ll receive a notification. Additionally, you can use the Nearby Pokémon feature to see if there are any Raid Battles going down nearby.

When a Raid Battle is about to begin in Pokémon GO, a Raid Egg icon will appear at the top of a gym along with a countdown timer. This timer lets players know how much time is left until the Raid Battle begins at that gym. In order to join a Raid Battle, trainers will first need to acquire a Raid Pass.

To get a Raid Pass in Pokémon GO, you’ll need to spin the Photo Disc at one of your local gyms. There are two different types of Raid Pass in Pokémon GO; the normal Raid Pass, and the Premium Raid Pass. You’ll be able to earn one normal Raid Pass each day by spinning the Photo Disc at a gym. However, you’re able to purchase as many Premium Raid Passes as you like via the Pokémon GO Shop.

Both the normal Raid Pass and the Premium Raid Pass grant entry into one Raid Battle. To join a Raid Battle, head to the gym with the Raid Egg above it. There, you’ll need to hit the Battle Button to be auto-sorted with other trainers. Or if you want to group up with friends, you can hit the Join Privately button to ensure you’re placed in the same group as your Pokémon GO buddies using a group code.

To earn a Raid Pass in Pokémon GO, you'll need to spin the Photo Disc at a gym, or buy a Premium Raid Pass in the Shop.

You’ll be able to view this group code in the upper right corner once you or a friend join the Raid Battle via a public room. Once you’ve joined a Raid Battle, Pokémon GO will confirm you have a normal Raid Pass or a Premium Raid Pass in order to allow you to participate in the Raid Battle. After that, you can select six of your strongest Pokémon, and begin the Raid Battle.

If you want to participate in another Raid Battle after you’re finished with the first Raid Battle, you’ll need another Raid Pass. While one free Raid Pass per day may seem low, you’re able to join the same Raid Battle over and over if you lose your Pokémon in battle. Essentially, you won’t need an additional Raid Pass to re-enter the same Raid Battle. You’ll only need an additional Raid Pass to enter a new Raid Battle.

Each Raid Battle will last around one hour in length. During the Raid Battle, trainers are tasked down with taking down a high CP Raid Boss before the timer reaches zero. There’s no limit to the amount of trainers who can participate in a Raid Battle. Depending on the number of participants (more than 20), trainers will be sorted into various groups of 20. If you’re looking to complete a Raid Battle with your friends, you’ll need to join the Raid Battle and select the “Join Privately” button as mentioned above.

Pokémon GO Raid Battle Rewards

One Raid Battle reward in Pokémon GO is the chance to capture the Raid Boss!

Now that you know how to join a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO, you may be wondering what rewards you’ll earn for completing a Raid Battle. If your group of Pokémon trainers are able to defeat the high CP Raid Boss, you’ll be given the opportunity to try and capture this Raid Boss.

To help you out, you’ll be given Premium Balls to use against the Raid Boss. Depending on the amount of damage your team of trainers dealt to the Raid Boss, the more Premium Balls you’ll receive (thus upping your capture odds). Additionally, you’ll be able to earn special item rewards. These item rewards include Golden Razz Berries, Fast ™, Charged ™, and Rare Candy.

By reading through this guide, you should now know how to join a Raid Battle and the rewards you’ll earn for participating in a Raid Battle in Pokémon GO.

Morgan is a writer, indie game lover, and socially awkward coffee addict. Need something? Morgan can be reached at morgan.shaver@allgamers.com or if you like, you can say hello using GIFs on Twitter.

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