Niantic has announced that a new type of raids will be added to the game.
Raids are an extremely important part of Pokemon GO. Recently, some fans complained that their system was a bit outdated and it would be useful for the developers to refresh it a bit. We didn’t have to wait long to find out that Niantic was indeed working on it, and today it’s clear what will change in the near future – Shadow raids will join the title.
What’s the deal with them? Some people have probably guessed that they are related to Team GO Rocket. However, will they be more difficult than regular raids? Will they have new mechanics? Which Gyms will they appear on?
GO Rocket team is coming
The developers of Pokemon GO have announced that they are introducing something completely new, namely Shadow raids. What is it about them and how is it supposed to work in practice?
Trainers, Team GO Rocket’s back, and they’re up to some big trouble!
In their newest scheme, Team GO Rocket plans to take over Gyms with hordes of Shadow Pokémon. Thankfully, we know our heroic Trainers will step up to face this challenge. Get ready for Shadow Raids!
Team GO Rocket will launch their plans during the Rising Shadows event, starting May 22, 2023. Read on to learn more about Shadow Raids, Shadow Raid Bosses, and how you can stop Team GO Rocket in their tracks!
In Shadow Raids, Trainers can take on powerful Shadow Raid Bosses, and have the chance to catch new Pokémon partners—if they can successfully defeat the Shadow Raid Boss, that is. Trainers can gather their friends for a better chance at victory in Shadow Raids.
While Team GO Rocket will be taking over a number of Gyms, those they’ve left untouched may still host other raids.
Trainers cannot join Shadow Raids using Remote Raid Passes, and Shadow Raids do not reward a team bonus for Premier Balls.
At Gyms hosting Shadow Raids, you’ll find that Team GO Rocket has placed especially powerful Shadow Pokémon as Raid Bosses.
Three-star and five-star Shadow Raid Bosses will grow enraged as you battle them, boosting their attack and defense. Continue to hold your ground and weaken the Shadow Raid Bosses to subdue them.
New item in the game – Purified Gem
The developers have announced that the game will feature a new item – Purified Gem, which can be assembled from Shadow Shards.
Shadow Shards are fragments of mystical gems left behind by members of Team GO Rocket.
Gather enough shards to use Professor Willow’s newly invented Shard Refiner, and you’ll be rewarded with a Purified Gem. There are multiple ways Purified Gems can assist your battle against enraged Shadow Raid Bosses.
When you use a Purified Gem during a Shadow Raid, the enraged Shadow Raid Boss’s attack and defense will be lowered temporarily. This can give you the opening you need!
You and your fellow Trainers can use more than one Purified Gem during a Shadow Raid. If used at the same time, their effects will stack.
If enough Purified Gems are used, the enraged Shadow Raid Boss will be subdued—returned to its non-enraged state—which might give you the edge you need to defeat it!