Unleashing the Ultimate Raids: Unveiling the Secrets of Tera Raids and Their Impact on Pokemon GO's Gym Battles

Highlights

Gym Raids in Pokemon GO have not seen many updates to their actual combat system, making it overdue for an upgrade.

The Tera Raids hosted by Scarlet and Violet offer valuable insights for enhancing battle mechanics in Pokemon GO. One way to achieve this is by implementing cheering and callouts.

By incorporating cheering in Tera Raids, players can obtain strategic advantages like improved statistics and regenerated HP. Similarly, callouts can be utilized to engage with Raid Pokemon and potentially divert their attention.

Gym Raids in Pokemon GO have remained largely unchanged since their introduction in 2017. However, it is now time for a much-needed update to the combat system, taking inspiration from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Tera Raids. While Pokemon GO has made efforts to replicate the mechanics of the mainline games, such as moves and trainer teams, there have been few updates to the combat system as the game evolves.

Despite the limitations of mobile gaming, Niantic can look to Scarlet and Violet for ideas on how to enhance its battle mechanics. Scarlet and Violet's Tera Raids, which build upon the raid battles in Pokemon Sword and Shield, introduced new features beyond simply attacking with brute force. Given the similar challenges faced by Pokemon GO, Niantic has a valuable opportunity to learn from Scarlet and Violet and implement these improvements in its Gym Raids.

Cheers During Pokemon Raids

During Scarlet and Violet's Tera Raids, players can choose to cheer instead of using a Pokemon move. This option is limited to three times per raid, but it takes priority over other moves and provides a random beneficial effect to both the player and their teammates' Pokemon. These effects include stat boosts, curing status conditions, and restoring HP. By utilizing cheers strategically, players can effectively defeat Raid Pokemon without relying solely on attrition battles, benefiting both themselves and other raid members.

Considering this, it would enhance Pokemon GO's Raids for players if they weren't always required to depend on sheer numbers to overcome Raid Pokemon. While some of Scarlet and Violet's specific benefits may not be possible to replicate in Pokemon GO, Niantic could still incorporate certain aspects of cheering, such as stat boosts and HP restoration. Cheering could also reflect Pokemon GO's unique raid approach by including alternative effects that provide additional time, temporarily stun Raid Pokemon, and grant other advantages to give players a greater advantage in battles.

Callouts During Pokemon Raids

Scarlet and Violet have introduced four new "Callouts" in Tera Raids, but unlike cheering, these Callouts do not have any direct impact on the raid itself. They consist of generic phrases requesting help, expressing gratitude, or giving rallying cries. Scarlet and Violet's Callouts can be seen as their interpretation of player-to-player communication, similar to gestures in Dark Souls. Initially, it may seem pointless to incorporate these Callouts unless Niantic intends to facilitate player interaction during raids, similar to how Pokemon GO allows postcards and stickers to be exchanged between in-game friends.

However, there may be hidden potential for Callouts if Pokemon GO takes a different approach, using them to directly interact with the Raid Pokemon instead of between players. Currently, in Pokemon GO, all participating players attack the Raid Pokemon simultaneously. By utilizing Callouts, players could potentially distract the Raid Pokemon and capture its attention, much like the move "Follow Me" in the main series Pokemon games. This could be balanced by incorporating "tank" Pokemon such as Blissey or Snorlax, which have the ability to endure damage. By using Callouts strategically, players could refine their raid strategies, with some Pokemon absorbing the hits while others sweep the raid.

Pokemon GO is available now for Android and iOS devices.