Niantic has recently acknowledged that the distribution mechanism used for the Recent EX Raid invites (Feb 21 Invites) was incorrect and executed an older version of the code.

The following fixes for the EX Raids were shared by Niantic in a recent blog post (“An Update on EX Raid Battle Invitations”, Feb 7, 2018):

• Trainers with a higher level Gym Badge are now even more likely to receive an invitation for an EX Raid Battle at that location.
• Similarly, Trainers who complete more Raid Battles (at any location) the week before EX Raid Battle invitations are sent will now have a greater chance of being selected.

Apparently, these will be completely put in place with the next wave.

Unfortunately, due to some Error, the old version of the code got executed and EX Raid passes were distributed using the older system.

Niantic Acknowledges on Facebook Post:

“Trainers, the most recent EX Raid Battle invitations were not as wide-reaching as we had hoped. We discovered an error that executed an older version of code, which did not include the fixes we’d previously introduced. We’re sorry for the confusion, and we will make sure that the next round of EX Raid Battles appropriately executes the improved code.” – source Pokemon GO Facebook

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So many days passed and still, you didn’t receive an EX Raid Pass? Don’t Worry, Here’s a Comprehensive guide how to Trigger EX Raids, Triggering is based on S2 cells, gym eligibility and expected player and raiding activity.

The Guide will go through the following process!

1. What do we know about EX Raids
2. Discovering your local S2 cell geometry
3. Finding eligible gyms
4. Collecting raid eligibility points
5. Raiding where and when it matters

Before triggering let’s take a look at what we know about EX Raids so far

What do we know about EX Raids?

• EX Raids are created based on Level 12 S2 cells. Each cell can only host one EX raid per “invitation cycle”
• EX Raids can only happen at gyms that are either sponsored or placed in a park-related OpenStreetMap tag
• Gyms that hosted a raid before can and will host an EX Raid again, there is no diminishing returns
• Ex Raids can be triggered and there could be some randomness to it
• An EX Raid is triggered only if the gym reaches a minimum amount of raid activity since the last invitation cycle

So now we have some basics about EX Raids, Let begin the Triggering!

Discovering your local S2 cell geometry

EX Raids can only occur once inside each S2 cell that passes over your local area. A question might come to your mind

What is S2 Cell?

Level 12 S2 Cell

S2 cells are a simple mathematical way to describe a sphere’s geometry. S2 cells come in different sizes, often denoted as levels, and they are often used by developers to create zones on spherical objects, like the planet Earth.
Niantic uses S2 Cell to control weather, deploy Gyms, Pokestops, Pokemon Hatch Location, etc
Now we know what S2 Cell is, let’s move further in discovering your S2 Cell, We’ll discover your S2 Cell with the help of an incredible tool that draws Level 12 cells over a Google Map created by A company named Sidewalk Labs.

Follow the Below steps to Discover your local S2 cell geometry

1. Head over to Region Coverer (Tool created by Sidewalk Labs)
2. Navigate the Map to your local area (Bit Difficult Task)
3. Set the Parameters in the Box to min level 12, max level 12, max cells 10
4. Using one of the drawing tools in box (Square or Circle) select a map area where you want to visualize Level 12 S2 cells

Wow! Now you have your Local S2 Cells, remember that an EX Raid can only occur once per cell per cycle. Raiding 1000 gyms inside one cell doesn’t benefit you as much as raiding a dozen of eligible gyms in a higher number of cells.

Step 1 is complete, let move to the next Step!

Pokemon GO Discussion? Official Niantic news and Updates, Infographics? – Join Pokemon Go – WorldWide Niantic News Update

Finding eligible gyms

As We know that EX Raids can only happen at gyms that are either sponsored or placed in a park-related OpenStreetMap tag
In this Guide, we’re focusing on gyms located in parks and similar areas. The easiest way to check what the game considers to be a park is to use a tool called Overpass Turbo. Overpass Turbo is a free online tool that can plot locations of various OpenStreetMap tags.

Finding eligible EX Raid areas on OpenStreetMap using Overpass Turbo

Follow the Below steps To find eligible gyms using Overpass.

1. Head over to Overpass using this Special Link (It Contains the query that’s needed to plot eligible areas, The complex query we use was written by Tntnnbltn)
2. Locate to your Area
3. Click “Run” from the top left corner of your Window
4. Observe and make note of the areas, these are the areas where you will find EX raid eligible gyms.

Only gyms that fall into these areas are eligible for EX Raids.

So here we completed the Step 2 and here comes the major part!

Collecting raid eligibility points

So now we have S2 Cell, Eligible Gyms, and the next step is collecting Raid Eligibility points.
The Following factors influence the chance of EX Raid spawning:

• Cumulative raiding activity in the last 8-9 days
• Cumulative raiding difficulty in the last 8-9 days
• Relative raiding activity in regards to other gyms in the area

In order to trigger an EX Raid, a certain minimum Raid Points must be achieved, At this point, we do not know the minimum value, but research suggests that it could be around 20-25 Level 4 raids with 5 players.

Raiding where and when it matters

1. Raid only and exclusively gyms that are located in parks
2. Share and disseminate this information to your local raiding group.
3. Always try to raid as a group and don’t shy away from difficult raids
4. Be aware of gyms and their S2 placement — after you’re done with one cell, move over to another cell
5. Remember that there could be luck and randomness involved which we are not aware of

Furthermore, in every S2 cell where an EX Raid takes place, you’re competing with every other active raider. Therefore, a branching strategy is advised: cover as many S2 cells as possible in order to increase your potential chance of getting an invite if an EX Raid occurs there.

Also Read:

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