Pokémon Go Legendary Raids Start July 22 (In Chicago)

A recent datamining report hinted legendaries could come to Pokémon Go, but now we have official confirmation that not only are the raids coming, they’re coming very soon.

In a post on the official Pokémon Go website, developer Niantic released a new legendary raids trailer and detailed how the legendary Pokémon will be introduced to the mobile game.

The big debut will be at Pokémon Go Fest in Chicago on July 22. If players both in Chicago and around the world can complete a yet-unannounced goal for catching Pokémon, the first legendary raid will be unlocked in Chicago. If this first legendary raid is completed, legendary raids will be released for the rest of the world. There was no specific release time given for everyone outside of Chicago, just that legendary raids will be coming “after Pokémon Go Fest.”

Niantic also explained how legendary Pokémon will differ from standard Pokémon. It will be possible to tell which raids are legendary and which are normal due to the egg that floats above gyms. Legendary eggs are dark purple with white stripes on them, assuming the above trailer is correct.

Once in the legendary raid, action will proceed just like a regular raid. Players will group up to try and defeat the legendary Pokémon. If successful, players will have the chance to try and catch that Pokémon. Oddly enough, once caught, a legendary Pokémon cannot be left in a gym. They can only be used in gym battles or raid battles. As Niantic puts it, legendary Pokémon are “not willing to leave their trainer’s side.”

The legendary Pokémon teased in the trailer include the legendary birds Zapdos, Moltres and Articuno along with others like Lugia and Ho-oh.

If you want to see all the action in Chicago unfold this weekend, there will be an official livestream that you can watch on both Twitch and YouTube. Of course, if you want to help the Pokémon Go community, you’ll need to be outside catching your own pocket monsters.

So what do you think? Are you excited to see legendary Pokémon finally make it to Pokémon Go? What other features would you like to see get added to the mobile game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.