'Pokemon Go' Raid Battles Undergoes A Radical Overhaul

Niantic Labs' location-based augmented reality game, "Pokemon Go" took the mobile gaming realm by storm with a whopping 28.5 million users in the US on July 13, 2016. However, the mobile sensation slowly started losing its luster as a large number of its paid players abandoned the game amid lack of new updates.

Despite a report from BGR pointing towards a significant drop in the Pokemon Go's daily active user count, the game developer left no stone unturned in a bid to keep its existing players glued to the game. In line with this effort, Niantic Labs recently answered prayers of the game's massive fanbase by implementing some of the most-requested changes to the game's Raid Battles.

Aside from revealing the EX Raid Battle changes on "Pokemon Go" official website, the team behind the popular free-to-play game also added Developer Comments for the first time, thoroughly explaining the reason for the changes. "Pokemon Go" loyalists took potshots at the game's raid system, specifically EX Raids since it seemed to favor some players and locations; however, these changes are likely to amend the game's rundown reputation.

First off, the quality of rewards for taking part in a raid has been radically enhanced. Trainers who manage to complete raid battles will be eligible to receive Golden Razz Berries. Although there will be a drop in the number of revives and potions awarded to trainers for successfully completing raid battles, their quality will become better.

Trainers will receive stardust just for participating in a raid battle whether they win or lose. For tier 3+ raid battles, there will be a stronger possibility of getting fast and charged technical machines. But more importantly, Water-type Pokemon Magikarp is slated to make a glorious come back to tier 1 raid battles.

The ground rules for upcoming EX Raids were explained by Niantic Labs. EX Raid Battles will most probably make an appearance at sponsored locations and Gyms that are found in parks. Trainers bearing high-level gym badge have more chance of being invited to EX Raids taking place at that gym. Similarly, Trainers who have completed a higher number of Raid Battles are more likely to be invited to EX Raid battles.

Moreover, EX Raid Battle start times will now take popular Raid Battle times at that Gym into consideration. Trainers who have been invited to EX Raid Battles will be notified if the EX Raid Battle is called off. As if that weren't enough, Trainers will get an added bonus in the form of premium raid passes and stardust when an EX Raid battle gets abandoned.

Concluding its field test, Niantic Labs confirmed these updates will introduce the official launch of the EX Raid Battle system. The company is also likely to expand the number of EX Raid locations in near future.