Pokémon Go Unveils Super Mega Raids and Super Max Tier

Niantic has unveiled significant updates to Pokémon Go's Mega Evolution system, introducing Super Mega Raids, a new currency called Link Charges, and a higher power tier known as Super Max. These features will debut during the Pokémon Go Tour Kalos events, starting with in-person gatherings in Tainan, Taiwan, and Los Angeles, followed by a global rollout from February 28 to March 1, 2025.

Super Mega Raids represent an advanced form of Mega Raids, designed to challenge groups of trainers with exceptionally powerful Mega Evolved Pokémon bosses. Unlike standard Mega Raids, which remain available, Super Mega Raids require at least eight participants, each bringing at least one Mega Evolved Pokémon to the battle party. These encounters feature bosses with multiple damage-reduction shields, typically eight or more, that activate when the Pokémon enters an enraged state. Each trainer can break one shield per raid; upon activation, a Mega Evolved Pokémon from the player's team automatically engages if none is active, delivering a boosted first attack to help shatter the defense. Certain Pokémon, such as Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and Ditto in Mega form, cannot break shields.