How do you get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO?

Tom Bull

Tom Bull

Everything you need to know about Raid Passes in Pokémon GO.

Raid Passes are one of the most sought after resources in Pokémon GO. Without them, you cannot battle Pokémon in Raids. Almost all Legendary and Mega Pokémon are fought exclusively through Raids.

This even includes some of the most exclusive events in the game. Raid Days, Elite Raids and Shadow Raids all also require Raid Passes.

Additionally, when debuting a Pokémon Niantic sometimes places them into lower level Raids with higher shiny odds. With all those events needed Raid Passes, how can you get your hands on them and what sort of Raid Passes are in Pokémon GO?

How to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO

There are five main ways to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO.

  • By spinning Gym Photo Discs (usually 1 per day, but can be increased with event and seasonal bonuses as well as Paid Tickets)
  • From Timed, Special and occasionally Field Research Tasks.
  • From Research Breakthroughs.
  • By purchasing them directly or in Boxes in the Pokémon GO Store.

What type of Raid Passes are in Pokémon GO?

There are three types of Raid Passes in Pokémon GO. They are as follows:

  • Remote Raid Pass
  • Premium Battle Pass
  • Raid Pass

Formerly there was a fourth type of Raid Pass, called the EX Raid Pass. However, this is no longer in use as EX Raids no longer exist in the game.

The Premium Battle Pass and the standard Raid Pass are similar items. However, Premium Battle Passes have to be paid for, or earned through Research. They can also be used to access Premium Rewards when battling in PvP.

Whereas the standard Raid Pass is given out free every day by spinning Gym Photo Discs. It can only be used for battling in Raids. You can get one of these per day, but this is sometimes expanded through bonuses. These can be event or seasonal bonuses.

Additionally, sometimes ticketed events grant you additional Raid Passes. The Pokémon GO Fest: Global Ticket grants up to nine free Raid Passes each day, but these still have to be redeemed by spinning Gym Photo Discs.

To use either the Premium Battle Pass or Raid Pass in Pokémon GO, you have to be in range of the Gym. But, what if you are not in range of the Gym and still want to battle, or get invited by a friend?

How to get Remote Raid Passes in Pokémon GO

Remote Raid Passes are a much more sought after resource in Pokémon GO. Niantic controversially increased the price of Remote Raid Passes back in 2023. However, they can be obtained for free.

Remote Raid Passes can be obtained in one of two ways.

  • For free from your Research Breakthrough
  • Purchasing them directly or in a bundle from the Pokémon GO Store.

They cost 195 Coins for one, or 525 for a bundle of three Remote Raid Passes. These are significantly more than the Premium Battle Pass, which costs 100 each or 250 for a bundle of three.

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