Pokémon GO's Raid Battles Are Live, But They're Reserved For Master Trainers

You say masters, I say spoofers/map-users...

Only for now, while it's being tested

Ouch, I just reached 31.

That's weird, earlier they showed a picture of a player level 25 participating in raid battles... The majority of players who play Pokemon GO fairly are still a ways away from level 35, so now it seems like they're just going to make the cheaters even stronger by giving them powerful Pokemon from raids.

Neat to know I'll be rewarded when I get better at it. I have yet to tap on the app's icon for the time being. Super Mario Run proved to be surprisingly good, so there's that.

I read somewhere else online that this level 35 requirement is just to test it out with some players and they'll be slowly lowering the requirement. The full raid battle system won't be out until July.

At level 33, I guesstimate it'll only take 2 more months for me to get to 35. Oh well...

Well I have a big smirk right now, level 35 over here (3/4 to lvl36). Got a raid pass but haven't seen any raid battles in my area. I'll keep my eyes peeled for any eggs

I'm only at 29. Have fun everyone!

I just got level 34 so this is a little disappointing (1,250,000 to level 35). Never used any spoofing/map tracking. Just walk a lot and play. Looking forward to Legendary and Gen 3 Pokemon more. Hopefully legendary will be released at the year anniversary in July!

Wow this is beyond stupid. They should have made a big stink about it only being a demo to test it out or this is just beyond stupid for them. I have been playing every day since I started I haven't been obsessing about the game too much but literally the only person in my entire area that's 35 is a guy that unfortunately is handicapped and bound to a wheelchair. He doesn't have any other games you can go and play with others so he excels at this game. I am level 32. With 3.5 million exp, I only need 2,500,000 more to be able to do this. As it has been almost a year since it started, I expect to Raid Battle before Easter.

It's been announced both well before the Gym update and right afterwards that the level 35 cap is temporary for testing the new Raid Battles. More people will get access to it, no need to stir it up as everyone else missing out. E.g. the follow-up tweet from the official twitter account: https://twitter.com/PokemonGoApp/status/878064602222780416

This is mentioned in the original article (eurogamer) that is credited too. And the original Nintendolife article on the announcement of Raid Battles too. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/pokemon_gos_biggest_update_yet_brings_gym_badges_new_items_and_raid_battles

Also...
"With Niantic also shaming those who have used third-party tracking apps with this new update, there's a danger that it could put off many other players from even bothering."
I'm fairly sure the widespread reaction from most players to a semi-effective update that actually affects cheaters has been positive. Why is this portrayed as possibly bad?

Well this is stupid.

Well i was considering picking this back up once Legendarys get released. Looks like i won't even bother. Well played Niantic.

I've been playing every day since launch and I'm only level 27 because the exp requirements are too high. This restriction is BS.

Yeah but don't you need a team of L35+ players to take down a Raid Pokémon?

Glad to know they're lowering the level over the next few days, rather than weeks like they originally said.

I've been playing regularly since the beginning. I use lucky eggs whenever I get enough pokemon to evolve so I can fully take advantage of the extra exp. I play at least everyday to get a pokemon and a stop but also when I do any serious walking. And I think I'm only around level 30 or so. The ramp up on exp needed to get from one level to the next at higher levels is just stupid and discouraging.

As others have mentioned, the level 35 thing is only temporary, so there's no need to cater the hate that this game seems to attract and make this sound like a permanent thing.

That said, I do wonder if there will be level caps for future raids for legendaries or ultra rare Pokemon. I've been playing since day 1 and I'm "only" level 32. It took me about 4 months to level up from 31, even with Lucky Egg mass evolving. Getting to level 30 takes a good 6-7 months of consistent (1+ hour per day) play time. If level caps continue based on the rarity/power of the Pokemon, I think there'd be some valid complaints. Anyone above 25 should be able to participate in any raid.

I'm at Level 31 right now. Good thing I have 10 Lucky Eggs, time to mass-evolve. It'll still take me forever to get to Level 35 though.

I was at level 27 when I quit playing several months back.

The level 35 requirement is just temporary. They'll lower the requirement early july (according to Pokémon email newsletter).

Since raid battles are meant as an 'end-game experience' of sorts for established players, I'd assume something like lvl 25 will be the requirement, or maybe even lower.

Dataminers have found data for Legendary eggs and Legendary raid encounters, as well as Legendary raid passes. So expect this to be the means of obtaining these mons in the future!

Just as I thought. I did not love the update and here we know that it isn't for most Pokémon players at all. I have played since day 1, and I'm level 30. I thought the new "features" were supposed to be inclusive.

Oh well, back to waiting for them to actually make anything useful, like change the balance of how often you see new Pokémon, trading, or individual battles. I won't hold my breath.

I'm only level 28

Raids: Pay money to level faster or you can't participate and get items only obtainable this way.

A little heads up, those that are level 28 and above can now participate in raids

https://twitter.com/PokemonGoApp/status/878349958176423937

@ultraraichu

Heh, that's the 2nd time they lowered the level requirement because of the massive amount of complaints about the obvious gate keeping tactic.

@DarkKirby it's not - they always intended to lower the level requirement gradually with this feature. See my comment above or the earlier article here which states that.

@olrodlegacy

Wrong.

Map users dont simply level up to 35.

Only Grinders or bots are at level 35 or higher.

I was just in a raid and the boss was a 1120cp magikarp LOL

How do I start a raid battle? I already have a pass.

35 would've been stupid. I'm only like level 26 or something. 25 is reasonable, since the level cap is 50. Halfway.

@olrodlegacy Lol, I'm level 33 and spoofers drive me nuts... all the gyms where I live are constantly cleaned out by one spoofer.

Had some real fun with raids today though, a really fun mechanic & finally something new!