Summary
- Many Pokemon GO players are avoiding Max Raids due to poor rewards and high effort.
- Max Raids require parties of 10-40 players but don't scale for party size, leaving many players empty-handed.
- Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon have limited utility and require specific candies to level up, dissuading players.
Numerous Pokemon GO players seem to be avoiding Max Raids, the recently added feature that allows players to catch Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon in the augmented reality mobile game. While the raids offer some new creatures for Pokemon GO players to get their hands on, it seems like the rewards don't justify the effort expended for a significant portion of the player base.
Arriving as mobile game versions of the Max Raids introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon GO added its own Max Raids in September 2024, giving large parties of players the chance to battle and capture enormous versions of several different Pokemon species. So far, the game has introduced a dozen Dynamax Pokemon, including all the Kanto and Galar starters, as well as a handful of Gigantamax forms.
But a lot of players seem reluctant to even make the effort to join these Max Raids for a variety of reasons. Per the game's official website, Max Raids are challenges intended for parties of 10 to 40 players, but they don't scale for party size, and a lot of players have come out of them empty-handed even with the max party size battling together. Additionally, players can boost the power of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon's Max Moves by expending Max Particles in Pokemon GO, but leveling up the Pokemon themselves requires large amounts of species-specific candy, which many players are complaining they don't have on hand and have no means of collecting due to those Pokemon's current availability in the game.
Pokemon GO Players are Avoiding Max Raids
Adding to these problems is the limited role that Dynamx Pokemon play in Pokemon GO. While adding new monsters to the collection is a draw for a lot of players, Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon can only battle other Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon via Max Battles, which limits their utility throughout much of the game. They can be used to attract other Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon at select Power Spots on the map, which some players on Reddit have found to be a fun feature, but generally not one that justifies their restricted use in battle.
Niantic has acknowledged players' concerns and addressed issues with Pokemon GO Max Raids in a few ways. Gigantamax Gengar will be available to battle from October 31 through November 4, and statements from the developers indicate that it will be easier to both battle and catch than previously introduced Max Raid Pokemon. In addition, players will be rewarded with 25,000 Stardust for completing each battle against Gigantamax Gengar during the event, providing an extra incentive for forming large groups to challenge the giant ghosts for Halloween.
WHERE TO PLAY
Pokémon GO is an immersive open-world multiplayer RPG that enables you to live your own RPG adventure in augmented reality. Find and evolve all Pokémon and battle with other players in AR online in this multiplayer adventure RPG.
COMPLETE YOUR POKÉDEX AND INCREASE YOUR TRAINER LEVEL!
Catch your favourite Pokémon as you explore the open world in augmented reality, trade them with other Trainers, or get the chance to catch a Pokémon after winning a Raid. You can also collect Pokémon by hatching eggs through walking! Evolve your Pokémon in your Pokédex, gain levels to catch more powerful Pokémon and earn adventure rewards during a Raid in multiplayer or online PvP battle.
EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE IN MULTIPLAYER AND PvP!
Start your own adventure and challenge other Trainers online in PvP during epic Gym battles or in the GO Battle League. You can also enjoy multiplayer by facing off with other players in PvP battles to win rewards, or team up with other Trainers for a chance to catch Pokémon after a Raid Battle.
CREATE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!
Customise your avatar, join one of the three teams and pick your Buddy Pokémon from your Pokédex to journey by your side in this AR adventure RPG.
SWITCH BETWEEN THE REAL WORLD AND THE VIRTUAL WORLD WITH THE AR+ MODE!
Bring the RPG to the real world and search for Pokémon in locations around you. With the AR+ mode, Pokémon appear right in front of you — Catch it with your PokéBall and add it to your Pokédex.
Catch your favourite Pokémon in AR as you explore the world and battle online with other Trainers in PvP and Raid battles.
