Raid Battles in Pokemon GO offer players an exciting way to team up and defeat powerful Pokemon appearing at local Gyms. Before a raid officially begins, a colored Raid Egg appears atop the Gym accompanied by a countdown timer. Learning how to read these egg colors and understanding the associated timers helps trainers prepare their battle teams effectively.
Standard Raid Egg Colors and Tiers
Pink Raid Eggs represent Tier 1 raids, which feature beginner-friendly Pokemon that can usually be defeated solo. Yellow Raid Eggs denote Tier 3 raids, offering moderate challenges that often require strategic type advantage planning. Dark red or purple eggs signify Tier 5 Legendary raids, requiring coordinated groups of trainers to complete successfully.
Special Raid Egg Variations
Mega Raid Eggs feature a distinct striped pattern with glowing Mega Energy symbols, indicating a Mega Evolved boss will appear. Ultra Beast raids spawn through dark, cosmic wormholes known as Ultra Wormholes rather than traditional eggs. Elite Raid Eggs feature special red timer displays and take 24 hours to hatch, signaling an exclusive, high-difficulty event.
Understanding Egg Countdown Timers
When a Raid Egg first appears above a Gym, a 60-minute egg hatch timer begins counting down for nearby players. Once the egg hatches, the active raid boss appears and remains available for battle for exactly 45 minutes. Managing your time during these windows ensures you can coordinate with local groups before the raid despawns.
Preparing for Raid Battles
Identifying the egg color early gives players time to assemble optimal counter teams based on the expected boss type. Joining public raid lobbies or using remote passes allows trainers to maximize their chances of victory. Staying aware of current event schedules helps you anticipate which legendary or mega bosses will hatch next.
