Summary
- Niantic quietly updated Pokemon GO to simplify remote raid matchmaking with new settings.
- Players can now easily join raids from friends list and turn on new feature in General Settings.
- Changes improve gameplay for challenging Max Raids; still, limitations like entry costs and daily participation.
In a surprise update, Niantic has added a major quality-of-life update to remote raids in Pokemon GO, making it even easier for friends to join each other to take down these high-difficulty fights. This change was quietly released with no fanfare or notice from the Pokemon GO development team, but it is a welcome addition to the game for those looking to team up with allies to challenge and capture raid bosses.
Previously, having others take part in remote raids required a bit of work. Players needed to either invite their friends manually or share the raid code with those hoping to take part. Because only five additional trainers could be recruited, it made coordination quite difficult without prior planning or external communication. As there was no in-game way to find raid participants over long distances, it left many struggling to tackle them solo if they did not have a way to organize a group through other channels, especially during Pokemon GO community day events.
Pokemon GO Players Are Not Happy About Into the Wild Raid Passes
Some Pokemon GO players are unhappy with the game's developer Niantic due to an important detail about how the new Wild Raid Passes work.
With the new remote raid update, players can join the challenge directly from their friends list if someone is already in a lobby. Trainers can still invite their companions directly, but having additional avenues for easy matchmaking is a major quality-of-life change. The new feature can be toggled under the General Settings tab in-game. This could go a long way to help those struggling with Pokemon GO’s difficult Max Raids, which feature special Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon to face off against.
Pokemon GO Remote Raid Update Makes Matchmaking Easy
In addition to the new matchmaking setting, Niantic has added a new sorting function to the friends list to allow active raid participants to be featured at the top instead of having to scroll through to find them. These changes come right in the midst of the Pokemon GO Into the Wilds event, which features special challenges for players to take part in. Between that and the suite of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon to challenge, there are plenty of opportunities to test out the new features.
These changes go a long way toward making remote raids more appealing to those wishing to take part. There are still several drawbacks to taking on these challenges from a distance and not in-person, including a high entry cost in the form of the items needed to join the fight, reduced damage output, and a daily limit on the number of times a player can participate in them. Players without a very active friends list may not even see the benefit of this recent update, further adding to the frustration of solo players with Pokemon GO. While these restrictions are still in place, taking the difficulty out of matchmaking is a big step in the right direction toward making them more approachable.
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.
