"That's a strong raid": Pokemon GO player shares '18-star' in-game raid

A curious glitch in Pokemon GO has recently caught the attention of players on Reddit, sparking a lively discussion about the game's raid mechanics. User Crist4tron-2647 posted a screenshot showcasing what appeared to be an '18-star' Mega Raid featuring Mega Latias or Mega Latios, accompanied by the caption:

"That's a strong raid"

That's a strong raid byu/Crist4tron-2647 inpokemongo

The bizarre sight intrigued the community, as raids are typically capped at six stars for Mega Pokemon. While this is most likely a visual bug, the conversation quickly shifted toward imaginative ideas for future raid mechanics.

User hateexchange humorously pointed out the absurdity of the situation:

"Suggested Players: All"

This remark cleverly highlights the difficulty of tackling such a hypothetical raid under normal game mechanics.

These_Illustrator_23 took a mathematical approach to the situation, calculating that it would take a team of 20 players with level 50 Hundo Mega Rayquazas roughly 46 and a half minutes to complete the raid.

Their analysis underscores the sheer impracticality of such an encounter, even with the most optimal Pokemon lineup.

Comment byu/Crist4tron-2647 from discussion inpokemongo

Hibbity5 shared insights from another game, Fire Emblem Heroes, where raid mechanics allowed players to contribute individually to a collective damage pool.

Post by Crist4tron-2647 stirred up interesting discussion among Pokemon GO players (Image via Reddit)

Building on this idea, Arroz_cozido0500 suggested a super raid concept involving a Pokemon with an astronomical CP - perhaps 1 million - that players could tackle individually. However, they expressed skepticism about Niantic implementing such a feature, considering the logistical challenges.

Significant-Gas-4920 proposed a unique twist: a raid hosted by Niantic with no entry fee or raid pass required. This hypothetical raid would feature an unlimited player capacity and a shared timer of 500 seconds, allowing the global community to team up and defeat a powerful boss.

Comment byu/Crist4tron-2647 from discussion inpokemongo

Such an event would not only foster collaboration but also provide a memorable experience for players worldwide.

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Could Pokemon GO include massive raids in the future?

Pokemon GO raids (Image via The Pokemon Company)

While the '18-star' raid was likely just a glitch, it has ignited a fascinating conversation about the potential evolution of Pokemon GO's raid system. Ideas like collective damage counters, supercharged bosses, and global participation highlight the creativity of the game's community.

If Niantic ever considers implementing these concepts, it could redefine how players approach raids, turning them into even more dynamic and inclusive events.

For now, the '18-star' Mega Raid remains a fun anomaly, but it serves as a reminder of the passion and innovation that Pokemon GO’s community brings to the game. Whether or not Niantic takes inspiration from these discussions, players will undoubtedly continue to dream big and push the boundaries of what's possible.

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