The Age of Post-EX Raids?

The current global situation has taken its toll on everything, including some things in the popular mobile Pokémon game installment of Pokémon Go. As I've noted in a previous post, those things include EX Raids, which have been absent since things took a turn for the worst. As of today, things are still uncertain and it is not known if or when they will return. It's as if the situation has entered an "age of post-EX Raids" following their forced absence.

Prior to EX Raids becoming absent, Regigigas was the EX Raid boss. I had managed to catch one of these before things deteriorated and forced their absence. The plan to introduce the next EX Raid boss - which would be Genesect - would have been exactly the same as it was for Regigigas, with its associated paid Special Research giving "early access" to Trainers before the rest can have a chance to raid in EX Raids as expected. However, the situation quickly turned, and EX Raids were pulled before Genesect had the chance to impress with them. Fortunately, another Genesect could be obtained for free if one was dedicated enough, or otherwise with another paid installment, through the Throwback Challenges earlier this year. Genesect did eventually make it into raids, though not as EX Raids, and in fact, it's happening now - for the next five days ahead, and with a Shiny possibility (more on this to be explained later, of course). With that, that is where things stand today.

Also as of today, EX Raid Gyms still exist, and more of them may even appear. Some weeks ago, one of the areas where I frequently go to raid if I happen to be outside for that purpose or other purposes had a new Gym, and that Gym is an EX Raid Gym. It would indeed serve as a great alternative to other local EX Raid Gyms, which are typically located farther away, even more so for me personally at this time. The only difference, of course, is that EX Raids are not happening, and that is likely because the system has been "disabled" - existing raids won't trigger them to be scheduled and won't give out invitations and EX Raid Passes. It can be inferred that the only indication that the system still exists is the "EX Raid Gym" tag on the applicable Gyms, and the system lies in wait to be active again.

There is certainly the possibility that EX Raids will return, though this may not happen in the foreseeable future. If they do return, they will likely have to work and play well with new conventions in place today, one of them being Remote Raids. For example, it may be desired to prevent those raiding with remote passes to obtain EX Raid Passes, in order to limit access to faraway EX Raid Gyms. As another example paradigm, for those who raid physically at those Gyms but cannot be expected to return to them physically, they may be allowed to "couple" the EX Raid Pass with a remote pass in order to still make use of the privilege. Whatever happens is up to the whim of the system once things have been deemed feasible again.

The current times in Pokémon Go do warrant the description of an "age of post-EX Raids" since they are effectively after they have happened, at least for the time being. As certain as the "bones" of the system are still present, there is also much uncertainty that still forces EX Raids themselves to be absent. It may be that though it is the "age" that followed them, there could also be the potential for a forthcoming "renaissance" with them still being involved.

One year ago: Capital Convergence
Two years ago: Getting Lucky with It
Three years ago: I Want to Splurge