Pokémon GO has officially revealed one of its biggest raid overhauls yet, introducing Super Mega Raids and a brand-new upgrade tier called Super Max Level. The changes will go live worldwide at the start of the Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos event, launching between February 28 and March 1.
The update significantly expands the current Mega Evolution system and introduces new mechanics that could reshape raid strategy — especially for remote players.
Super Max Level: A New Power Tier Beyond Mega Level 3
Until now, Mega Evolution in Pokémon GO has followed a three-tier progression system. With this update, Pokémon that have already reached Mega Level 3 can now be pushed even further into a new enhanced state called Super Max Level.
What Super Max Level Grants
Pokémon upgraded to Super Max will receive:
- Significantly increased CP
- Higher Catch Candy rewards
- Increased Catch XP
- Improved Candy XL rates when catching Pokémon that share their type
- Reduced Mega Evolution cooldown (down to 24 hours)
To unlock Super Max Level, players must spend that Pokémon’s specific Mega Energy after it has reached Mega Level 3.
This marks the strongest Mega form ever introduced in Pokémon GO.
Super Mega Raids Debut
The update also introduces Super Mega Raids, a new raid tier designed around higher difficulty and new battle mechanics.
Confirmed debut bosses include:
- Mega Victreebel
- Mega Malamar
Both Pokémon will be eligible for Super Max Level after capture.
New Raid Mechanics
Super Mega Raids will feature:
- Enraged Mode, where bosses activate damage-reduction shields
- Each player can break only one shield per raid
- If no Mega Pokémon is active when a shield appears, one eligible Mega-capable Pokémon will be automatically pulled into battle
- That Pokémon’s first attack receives a major power boost to help shatter the shield
Scopely recommends teams of at least eight players, each bringing at least one Mega Evolved Pokémon.
During the event, all players will also encounter a Mega Evolution-capable Beedrill and receive enough Mega Energy to evolve it.
Super Mega Raids will appear at Gyms and Power Spots. A new official web-based map with filters and shareable links will launch alongside the feature to help coordinate in-person meetups.
Link Charges: A New Raid Currency
The update confirms the addition of a new currency called Link Charges, used exclusively for Super Mega Raids.
How to Obtain Link Charges
Players can acquire Link Charges through:
- Gifts
- Weekly challenges
- Official Campfire community meetups
- In-game shop purchases
- Pokémon GO Web Store purchases
Link Charges will not occupy standard inventory space. Instead, they are stored in a new special item called the Link Holder, automatically granted when players receive their first Link Charges.
Players can only store a limited amount at a time, though storage limits and acquisition rates will be boosted during the Kalos Tour event.
Remote Raid Controversy
The announcement also addresses recent leaks that sparked backlash among remote players.
According to official details:
- In-person players can enter Super Mega Raids using either a Premium Battle Pass or Link Charges
- Remote players must use both a Remote Raid Pass and Link Charges
A leak previously suggested that the required amount would be 200 Link Charges per raid, but Scopely has not confirmed exact numbers.
The structure has raised concerns among remote players who believe the system may make high-tier raiding more expensive and restrictive compared to in-person participation.
A Major Shift for Pokémon GO Raiding
Super Mega Raids represent the most significant evolution of Pokémon GO’s Mega system since its introduction. Between the Super Max Level power boost, shield mechanics, and the addition of a new currency, raiding strategy is set to become more coordinated and resource-dependent than ever.
With the Kalos Tour serving as the launch window, players won’t have to wait long to see how these changes impact the raid ecosystem — and whether the Link Charge system reshapes how communities approach high-level content.
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