‘Pokémon Go’ EX Raid Pass Tweaks To Release, Niantic Confirms

Pokémon Go’s EX Raids are the primary method through which the game’s best trainers can score the rarest Pokémon, but the ticket system for these raids has become a major source of frustration. According to a recent tweet from Niantic, the studio has heard user complaints loud and clear.

We thank you for your feedback on EX Raid Battles,” the message reads. “We’re working to improve the invitation system based on what we heard from you.” The tweet was dispatched from the official Niantic Support Twitter account Tuesday evening.

For those not in the loop, Pokémon Go’s EX Raid is the primary way through which Mewtwo can be captured. However, in order to enter the battle, trainers first need to get an EX Raid Pass by participating in standard raids at gyms in their area. That all sounds fair in concept, but confusion remains over exactly how these invites get doled out. While some trainers might get a pass on their second raid of the week, others may grind through 20 or 50 of those same battles to get equal results. Simply put, the current system feels too random.

As it stands now there are no badge requirements to participate in EX Raids. The only way to statistically increase your odds of getting one is to grind through raids at several different gyms because Raid Passes are only given to those who’ve recently battled at the gym where the raid takes place. The other alternative, of course, is to buy an EX Raid pass via in-game microtransactions.

While it’s nice to hear that user frustration about EX Raids has been heard, it remains to be seen how or when Niantic will fix this ongoing problem. After all, the fact that EX Raids have been featured in Pokémon Go since early September without being tweaked is yet another example of how slow to act this developer can generally be. It’s also hard to predict how a company might respond in situations like these. A simple solution would be to offer EX Raid passes after a certain number of normal raids at a given gym, but the sanctity of Mewtwo is hurt if it’s made too easy to encounter. Plus, as long as EX Raid Passes remain in demand, some trainers will be willing to pay for them.

Until the EX Raid fixes arrive, trainers can currently preoccupy themselves by catching the game’s first wave of Gen 3 Pokémon during the Halloween Event that runs through Nov. 2. Ghost-type monsters like Sableye, Shuppet, Banette, Duskull and Dusclops will be out in full force for experienced hunters to find alongside a limited witch-hat Pikachu. Candy rewards from captures and Buddy Pokémon will be doubled as well.

Pokémon Go is available now on Android and iOS.

How do you think Niantic should fix Pokémon Go’s EX Raid Pass system? Are you enjoying the Halloween Event? Tell us in the comments section!