Pokémon GO Removes EX Raid Feature, No Official Announcement from Niantic
Trainers, an era is quietly drawing to a close in Pokémon GO without much fanfare or official announcements from Niantic. The EX Raid feature, a system that once brought a unique and exclusive edge to raid battles, is being phased out, along with the EX Raid Pass asset from the game.
EX Raid Battles, different from regular raids by their invitation-only policy, were a fixture at EX Raid Gyms. To be part of this elite battling experience, trainers needed an EX Raid Pass, which became elusive once the pandemic altered the landscape of interactive gameplay.
The EX Raid system stood out by allowing trainers to receive invitations for completing a raid at the Gym where the EX Raid would later take place. These invites offered advanced notice of the raid, enabling detailed planning and team coordination.
Apparently, the Raid Pass Ex asset has been removed from the game#Datamine #PokemonGO https://t.co/PmXonJ2k0H pic.twitter.com/hjBdwptsKn
— The Pokemod Group (@thepokemodgroup) January 11, 2024
Mewtwo claimed the title of the first EX Raid Boss, reigning from September 2017 until September 2018 and making a brief comeback before Regigigas took over in October 2019. The various forms of Deoxys also had their time in the spotlight, dominating the EX Raid scene for a full year.
The last EX Raid, held on March 15, 2020, featured Regigigas, marking the end of scheduled EX Raids as we knew them. Now, as the feature seems to be disappearing from the game, trainers reflect on the end of this exclusive chapter in Pokémon GO, looking ahead to what adventures might take its place.
