Pokémon GO players can now join raids without leaving their homes

As part of Niantic’s efforts to keep Pokémon GO Trainers inside and playing, the team has been making changes to their mobile game. The app usually relies on players’ abilities to leave their home to complete tasks and catch new Pokémon. On March 30th, Niantic announced they’re embracing real-world gaming from home. One of the promises for a future Pokémon GO update was the ability to complete raids without leaving the house.

Now, this is possible with the introduction of the Remote Raid Pass. Players will be able to use the Nearby screen to join nearby raids without leaving the house. Players will hold a limited amount of Remote Raid Passes and expend one per raid. By playing with a Remote Raid Pass, the player will join up to nineteen other trainers in a Raid Battle. By completing Raid Battles, trainers will be able to complete any raid-related research or achievements.

The Pokémon GO team did warn that, although for now remote players will have the same abilities as a player at the raid site, in the future the attack power of the remote Trainer will be reduced. It also announced that future updates may include a change to the number of Trainers able to join remotely and the ability to invite friends to the raids regardless of location.

The Pokémon GO team has also announced more updates to encourage their Trainers to play from home.

• You’ll receive a bonus Field Research task daily without having to spin a PokéStop.
• As you run low on Gifts, your Buddy Pokémon will venture to nearby PokéStops and bring some Gifts back for you to send out to your friends.
• You’ll be able to power up your Pokémon to the desired CP by using all the required Candies and Stardust at once.
• After using a Star Piece, Lucky Egg, or Incense, you’ll be able to use more of the same item to extend the item’s effect beyond the usual 30-minute limit. No more waiting for an item effect to expire before you can use another one!

This is only the latest in a string of updates for Pokémon GO, such as doubling gym distance and removing walking requirements in the GO Battle League. These updates are the latest efforts to keep Pokémon GO players safe during the pandemic.