5 ways Max Battles are better than raids in Pokemon GO

Max Battles, introduced in Pokemon GO with the Dynamax feature, have taken the spotlight for offering a more engaging and accessible raid experience compared to standard raids. If you are a GO player who’s felt the frustration of organizing raids or dealing with technical glitches, Max Battles might seem like a breath of fresh air.

Here are five reasons why Max Battles outshine the current raid system in Pokemon GO.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

Five reasons why Pokemon GO Max Battles are better than regular raids

1) More accessible scheduling

Max Battles are more available to players (Image via The Pokemon Company)

One of the biggest advantages of Max Battles is their availability. Unlike Pokemon GO raids, which are only available at certain times and locations, Max Battles can be accessed all day long and at the same location for multiple days. This makes planning a raid session with friends much more convenient.

No more driving around town, hoping that a raid will spawn at the right time. With Max Battles, you can plan more effectively, knowing the battle will be there when your group is ready.

Also read: Gigantamax debut officially announced in the game

2) More strategic gameplay

Max Battles require strategy (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Standard raids in the game often boil down to simply tapping the screen as fast as possible to deal damage. Max Battles, however, bring an element of strategy that Pokemon GO raids often lack.

Players can use shields, healing moves, and plan their Pokemon lineup more carefully, especially for tougher bosses. This makes teamwork and strategic decisions more important, as it’s not just about raw attack power but also about keeping key Pokemon alive and resisting enemy attacks.

Also read: All Gigantamax Pokemon featured in the Pokemon GO cinematic trailer

3) Resistance matters more than power

Type matchups play a more crucial role in Max Battles (Image via The Pokemon Company)

In traditional Pokemon GO raids, the primary factor for success is often your team’s attack power. But in Max Battles, resistive typing plays a much bigger role. This means players need to think carefully about which Pokemon to bring into the battle.

Focusing on defensive strength and type advantages, rather than just overpowering the boss, adds a layer of depth to the experience. Players who enjoy planning their teams around type resistances will appreciate this added complexity.

Also read: 7 Gigantamax Pokemon with the worst designs, ranked

4) Less frustration with connection issues

Max Battles are more secure when it comes to connections (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Connection issues can be a huge headache during GO raids, especially when they cause you to lose raid passes. Many players have faced the dreaded white screen or freezes after completing a raid, only to find out that they have lost their pass without receiving any rewards.

With Max Battles, there’s no need to worry about losing passes due to connectivity problems. You can simply re-queue and try again if the raid glitches, saving you from the frustration of wasted resources.

Also read: 5 Gigantamax forms Pokemon GO should debut first

5) More opportunities for rural players

Everyone gets the chance to encounter these 6-star bosses (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Max Battles are not tied to physical locations like Wayfarer Points of Interest, which are required for GO raids. This could potentially open the door for Niantic to create more opportunities for rural players, who often struggle to find enough raid spots in their areas.

If Niantic were to allow nominations for Max Battle spots, it could greatly enhance the experience for players in rural or underserved regions, making the game more inclusive for everyone.

Also read: 5 mistakes Niantic should avoid with Gigantamax

While Max Battles have received some mixed feedback from the Pokemon community, they undeniably offer several improvements over Pokemon GO’s standard raid system.

From more flexible scheduling and strategic depth to fewer connection issues, Max Battles provide a smoother, more enjoyable raid experience.

As Pokemon GO continues to evolve, perhaps Niantic could take a page from the Max Battle playbook to improve the overall raid system for players worldwide.

Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

Ditto disguises
Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
Best Fast Attacks in the game
Sierra counters
Cliff counters
Arlo counters
Giovanni counters
Team GO Rocket Grunts