Pokemon GO trainers rejoiced when Niantic introduced a feature allowing them to join Raids directly from their friend list. Finding and joining Remote Raids became significantly easier, simply by checking which friends were battling the same desirable Pokemon. This quality-of-life improvement, however, vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving players disappointed. The feature has now returned, but not without some significant modifications.
The initial loss of the friend list raiding feature sparked considerable discussion and memes among trainers. Many speculated that the feature was only meant for a limited time during GO Wild Area, although Niantic never confirmed this. Regardless of the reason, the community’s vocal response may have played a role in its return, given Niantic’s recent trend of addressing player feedback. Alternatively, the downtime could have simply been for adjustments after the strain of a large-scale event.
Why did they remove the Friend List Raiding?!
byu/Foulmouth232 inpokemongo
Friend List Raid Feature: The Return and the Restrictions
Trainers can now once again filter their friend list by “At A Raid.” However, the reinstated feature comes with several limitations. While its return is welcomed, these changes make it less impactful than its initial implementation.
They brought joining raids on friend lists back
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Key Changes to the “At A Raid” Feature
The returning friend list raid feature has undergone the following key modifications:
- No Invitations: Trainers joining via the Friend List can no longer invite other trainers.
- Same Lobby Requirement: Joining through the Friend List requires players to be placed in the same lobby as their friend. Full lobbies will result in players being removed, rather than placed in a new lobby.
- Local Raids Only: The Nearby feature restricts friend list raiding to local Raids, excluding Remote Raids.
These seemingly minor changes significantly impact the feature, especially during popular events and for players in rural areas. Lobbies in busy areas can fill quickly, preventing friends from joining through the list. The inability to invite others further hinders lobby completion and successful Raid outcomes.
Community Reaction and Future Implications
While the ability to join friends in Raids via the friend list is back, many Pokemon GO players are frustrated by these limitations. Some feel that Niantic consistently nerfs globally beneficial features, while others simply feel the fun has been removed. The community’s reaction highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing accessibility and gameplay dynamics in Pokemon GO. It remains to be seen how these changes will affect Raid participation and the overall player experience.
