Niantic is evolving the battle system in Pokémon GO with the introduction of Supermegaraids, a more challenging tier of Mega Raid battles, and a new resource called Union Charges. The updates, designed to offer players more engaging activities, will require greater effort and strategic resource management, according to recent announcements.
Until now, Mega-Evolved Pokémon have only appeared in Mega Raids. The new Supermegaraids, and their even more difficult Legendary and Super counterparts, will feature more powerful Pokémon and introduce additional requirements for participation. This shift comes as Niantic seeks to continually refresh the Pokémon GO experience for its player base.
What to Expect from Supermegaraids and How to Join
The debut of Supermegaraids will coincide with the Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos event, bringing Mega Dragonite, Mega Victreebel, and Mega Malamar to the game for the first time. These Pokémon were previously featured in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, signaling a closer integration between the core Pokémon GO experience and other titles in the franchise.
Players in Tainan and Los Angeles will gain early access to Supermegaraids starting this weekend, February 21st, 2026, with a global rollout commencing on February 28th and March 1st. Niantic anticipates a more frequent appearance of Supermegaraids with the arrival of the new season.
To ensure success in these battles, Niantic recommends a minimum of seven to eight trainers for standard Supermegaraids, and even larger groups for Legendary versions. This emphasis on teamwork reflects the increased difficulty of these encounters and the need for coordinated strategies.
Beyond the opportunity to capture exclusive Pokémon, Supermegaraids will too offer increased rewards, including more Mega Energy to facilitate Pokémon Mega Evolution. A key difference from standard Mega Raids lies in the battle mechanics themselves.
During Supermegaraids, defeated Pokémon will enrage and activate shields that must be broken to restore normal damage output. Each player can only eliminate one shield, making teamwork essential. Only Mega-Evolved Pokémon possess the power to destroy these shields, adding a new layer of strategic depth to the battles.
Once shields appear, a Mega-Evolved Pokémon from the team will automatically enter the fray, allowing players to resume dealing full damage. This mechanic ensures that Mega Evolution remains a crucial component of success in Supermegaraids, rewarding players for strategic team composition.
However, the introduction of Supermegaraids is accompanied by a new resource requirement: Union Charges. Players will need to utilize Union Charges or a premium Battle Pass to participate in these raids, with Union Charges guaranteeing better rewards. This new system is designed to incentivize engagement and provide a pathway for dedicated players to maximize their benefits.
Remote participation in Supermegaraids will require Union Charges *and* a Remote Raid Pass. Standard Mega Raids, however, will not require Union Charges for remote play.
Alongside the new raid type, the Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos will feature additional bonuses, including increased chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon and improved stats for Pokémon encountered during the event. These incentives aim to encourage widespread participation in the new Supermegaraids.
How to Obtain Union Charges
Union Charges will be stored in a Union Battery, with a limited capacity. Players can acquire them by completing weekly group challenges, opening gifts from friends, and participating in community events organized through Campfire. Union Charges can also be purchased with PokéCoins for players seeking a faster acquisition method.
During the Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos, players will have increased opportunities to earn Union Charges, including bonus rewards for gathering with other players via Campfire. The event’s free GO Pass will also include Union Charges, with additional charges available through the Deluxe version.
the weekly group challenge from February 24th to March 2nd will focus on participating in raids to earn a substantial amount of Union Charges. While the GO Pass is active, players will be able to exceed the usual unit limit.
Boosting Pokémon with the New Meganivel
To prepare for the increased difficulty of Supermegaraids, Niantic is introducing a new level cap for Pokémon. Currently, Mega Evolution increases a Pokémon’s Meganivel, with 15 evolutions reaching the maximum level and unlocking corresponding bonuses.
The level cap will soon be removed, allowing players to further enhance their Pokémon, but at the cost of Mega Energy. Reaching this new “super maximum” level will significantly boost stats and bonuses, including increased Candy acquisition, experience gains from wild Pokémon encounters, and a reduced cooldown period.
At least in the case of Mega Victreebel, reaching the super maximum level will require a significant investment of 5,000 Mega Energy. This substantial cost will likely encourage players to participate in more Mega Raids and actively seek out Union Charges, potentially driving demand for PokéCoins.
In VidaExtra | Todos los videojuegos de Pokémon: de la saga principal a los spin-offs y aplicaciones
In VidaExtra | Todos los juegos de la serie principal de Pokémon ordenados de peor a mejor
