EX Raid Battles Criteria Explained, Raid Battle Rewards Decreased, Trainers are Now Getting Less Potions and Revives

Dear Trainers, Niantic has finally spoken regarding the EX Raid Battle system, confirming that EX Raids are no longer a field test, they are officially launched. Niantic has also addressed Raid Battle changes with decreased rewards but with increased quality.

Pokemon Go company has been collecting ‘data’ from the Trainers since the launch of Raid Battles, including EX Raids, and they’ve decided to share the criteria on how a player is selected to participate in EX Raid, saying:

“When the feature first entered field-testing, the system randomly selected a set of Trainers who were eligible for the EX Raid Battle. By taking Gym Badge level and total Raid Battles completed into account, we’re able to give Trainers who actively engage with the Gym where the EX Raid Battle is taking place and those who have invested more time into the Raid Battle feature a better chance of being invited to participate.”

Also, they’re making some improvements and changes in order to make our gameplay experience better.

To be honest, I didn’t expect for Niantic to speak directly about the gameplay concerns. Also, I didn’t expect to see Niantic explaining why they are making these changes to Raid Battles and EX Raids, and how they’ll be moving forward with the same. Hats off to that.

First thing first, the Raid Battle changes as announced on the official site:

Raid Battle changes and improvements

• Trainers will now receive Golden Razz Berries for completing Raid Battles.
• The numbers of Potions and Revives awarded to Trainers for completing a Raid Battle will decrease slightly. The quality of Potions will increase.
• The likelihood of receiving Fast and Charged Technical Machines for completing a Tier 3 or higher Raid Battle has increased.
• Trainers will now receive Stardust for participating in a Raid Battle, whether they win or lose.
• Magikarp will make a triumphant return to Tier 1 Raid Battles.

Now, the EX Raid changes and improvements:

EX Raid criteria explained, changes and improvements

• EX Raid Battles will take place most commonly at Gyms found in parks and sponsored locations.
• Trainers with a high-level Gym Badge are more likely to be invited to EX Raid Battles taking place at that Gym.
• Trainers who have completed a larger number of Raid Battles are more likely to be invited to EX Raid Battles.
• EX Raid Battle start times now take into account popular Raid Battle times at that Gym.
• Trainers invited to EX Raid Battles will receive an in-game notification if the EX Raid Battle is canceled.
• Trainers will receive Stardust and Premium Raid Passes when an EX Raid Battle is canceled.

These changes have a positive impact on all Trainers already. So, I really hope to see Niantic in this ‘light’ again! To see the developer comments on all changes, visit the official website and find out more.

For last, one of their official statement is, “The addition of Stardust rewards for participating in a Raid Battle will help Trainers continue to power up the Pokémon they need to take on even more powerful Raid Bosses.” Obviously, the Raid Bosses that are available now are not that hard to defeat, so does this mean that we are going to get new Raid Bosses soon?