Raids on Different Platforms

Today is a Monday, but there's an out-of-band Legendary Raid Hour for Zamazenta. Similar practices have been conducted before for Legendary Pokémon introduced not on a Wednesday with a limited timeframe that doesn't allow it to reach another Wednesday for a regularly scheduled Raid Hour. That is fine, but it's only half-related to what I want to discuss. It is likely that for these raids or any other raids in general, Trainers will likely find ways to schedule and initiate them, including the usage of different platforms to assist in doing so.

Of these platforms, they are likely to utilize rudimentary messaging platforms such as the apps of WhatsApp and/or LINE. Here, the raids are likely to be initiated with simple details of what to raid, when and where, and a list of participating Trainers that is to be filled in to confirm participation. Though the platforms certainly are not low-tech, the method of scheduling and initiating certainly is. Still, it works perfectly, especially if all or most of the participants are already friends with one another, and thus it is suited for close-knit and/or local communities. In this way, it's also convenient given the limits of the platforms involved.

Trainers who opt for a more sophisticated approach might go into platforms that allow chat bots like Telegram and Discord. Some groups (or "servers" in the latter case) are likely to be equipped with bots that allow raids to be initiated and scheduled, keeping track of the same particulars above but in a more organized and workable manner, though usage of the bots might dictate some experience first-hand. Yet it could become the preferred approach once everyone becomes familiar with it.

Some helper applications for Pokémon Go have grown in sophistication that it includes their own raid coordination feature, particularly for those not in the current region. It also allows one to "jump the gun" on some raid debuts. However, from my discussions with others about the features, they may be regarded as "finicky" at times with long waits and raids not coming to fruition. Therefore, while they seem to be OK, they may have some caveats.

Evidently, a degree of coordination is needed in order to make raids in Pokémon Go happen as they should, and the various platforms above allow a range of options from the basic and rudimentary to advanced and complex. They seem to depend on the whims of the Trainers to make things happen, whether in local communities or reaching out to Trainers who are farther away. And of course, they have to help whether in extraordinary circumstances like the out-of-band Raid Hour today or ordinary ones whenever raids take place.

One year ago: Competitive Stage Progress

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2019

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 8/30/2018

Four years ago: Stories That You Don't Know