Raid Battles, New Gym Features Headed to Pokémon Go

Heads upwardly, Pokémon Go players: the game's biggest update yet is on the way.

Programmer Niantic on Monday temporarily disabled all Gyms to first rolling out the update. One time the update reaches all players around the world, Gyms will return.

"Gyms are undergoing a major facelift," Niantic wrote in a web log post. When they return, you'll exist able to spin the Photo Disc at Gyms to larn items, only like you practice at PokeStops. Niantic said that Gyms are no longer based on Prestige and training. Instead, they now feature six permanent slots that tin can exist filled by the decision-making team's Pokémon. Each Pokémon assigned to these slots must be unique, so only one Blissey tin can exist assigned to a gym at a time, for case. Opposing teams will battle the Pokémon in the order they were assigned to the Gym.

"At the centre of the update is a new motivation system that will significantly change how yous interact with Gyms," Niantic wrote. "When a Pokémon is assigned to a Gym, a motivation meter will be displayed. Pokémon assigned to defend a Gym lose motivation over time and as they are defeated in battle. As a Pokémon loses motivation, its CP will temporarily decrease, making it easier for opposing teams to defeat."

You can keep your squad's Pokémon motivated by giving them berries. If a Pokémon loses all motivation, it will get out the Gym and return to its Trainer the next time it loses a boxing.

Yous'll also presently be able to earn Gym Badges, which "serve as mementos of your Pokémon Go adventures."

In addition to all that, the game is getting a new Raid Battle feature at Gyms.

"A Raid Boxing is a cooperative gameplay experience that encourages y'all to piece of work with other Trainers to defeat an extremely powerful Pokémon known as the Raid Boss," Niantic explained. "You lot and upwardly to 20 other Trainers work together to defeat the Raid Boss. If you successfully defeat the Raid Boss within the five-minute fourth dimension limit, y'all'll accept the chance to catch an extra powerful Pokémon of your ain!"

Those who successfully defeat a Raid Dominate will also receive "a collection of rewards" including "Rare Candies, Golden Razz Berries, and ii types of Technical Machines—Fast and Charged." When used on a Pokémon, a Rare Processed turns into that Pokémon'south candy. Gilt Razz Berries volition increase your chances of catching Pokémon and can be given to a Pokémon assigned to a Gym to fully recover its motivation. Technical Munchies tin can exist used to permanently teach a Pokémon a new Fast Attack or Charged Attack.

To battle the Raid Boss, you'll need a Raid Pass. You can get these for complimentary past visiting Gyms, though you can only keep 1 Raid Pass at a fourth dimension. In that location will also be "Premium Raid Passes" for sale in the in-game store.

About Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag'southward proficient on fitness and smart home products. Teaching yoga for nearly ten years has helped her in evaluating a range of connected health products including fitness trackers, eye charge per unit monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, force training machines, treadmills, and more. Angela also tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, just to proper noun a few.