Introduction
The thrill of seeing a raid egg hatch in Pokémon GO is undeniable. The anticipation builds as you gather your fellow trainers, strategize your teams, and prepare to battle a powerful raid boss. But what happens when that egg hatches, and… nothing? No towering Pokémon appears, no battle arena materializes. The question lingers: Can a raid start if there’s no spawnable location?
The simple answer is generally no. In the vast majority of cases, a raid will not initiate correctly if the game cannot find a suitable place to spawn the raid boss within the Gym’s designated area. However, the Pokémon GO universe is complex, with its share of glitches and quirks. This article dives deep into the mechanics behind raids, explores scenarios where spawn issues arise, examines what happens when they do, and offers potential workarounds to save your raid day. We’ll investigate the frustrating question of a raid without a spawnable location in Pokémon GO.
Understanding the Raids: How Pokémon GO Battles Rely on Location
Raids are a core part of the Pokémon GO experience, offering a chance to catch rare and powerful Pokémon. They range from low-level one-star raids perfect for solo players to challenging five-star and Mega Raids that require a coordinated team effort. The rewards for successfully completing a raid are significant, including chances to capture the raid boss, earn valuable items like Rare Candies and TMs, and boost your experience points.
Central to a raid is the concept of the spawnable location. The game needs a place to render the raid boss visually; it simply must have a place where a Pokemon can visibly exist. This isn’t just for aesthetic purposes; it’s also integral to the underlying mechanics. The game needs to register your interactions with the raid boss, track damage dealt, and manage the battle’s progress. Without a properly defined spawnable location, the system breaks down. Put simply, a Pokemon GO raid cannot function without somewhere for the Pokemon to be spawned.
The Ghost Gym: Where Are the Spawnable Locations Hiding?
Several scenarios can lead to the absence of a spawnable location. These can be incredibly frustrating for dedicated players looking to take on Pokemon in Raids and often have to deal with the question “Can a Raid Start If There’s No Spawnable Location”
Physically Inaccessible Areas
Imagine a Gym located deep within private property, nestled on an island in the middle of a lake, or situated inside a restricted military zone. While the Gym may exist in the game, physically reaching it to participate in a raid is impossible. Even if you could hypothetically spoof your location, the game might still fail to generate a spawnable point, preventing the raid from starting. These instances of a raid without a spawnable location can be attributed to Niantic’s location information.
Glitched and Incorrect Mapping
Another common issue arises from incorrect mapping data. The game might perceive a Gym as being located on water when it’s actually on land, or inside a building when it’s in an open area. These mapping errors can prevent the game from identifying a valid spawnable location, leading to a failed raid. These instances of a raid without a spawnable location can be attributed to GPS errors on the player’s end.
Temporary Obstructions and Other Issues
Construction projects, temporary structures, or even dense vegetation can sometimes obstruct a Gym’s designated area. If the game cannot find a clear space to spawn the raid boss, the raid might fail to start. Sometimes the game will try to spawn the Pokemon in a valid location and it will then suddenly teleport away because it has determined it has been placed in an invalid location. These instances of a raid without a spawnable location can be attributed to how much the game prioritizes a “safe space.”
The Raid’s Failing: What Happens When Spawning Fails?
When a spawnable location is absent, one of two things typically happens:
The Raid Flat-Out Fails
The most common outcome is that the raid simply doesn’t start. The egg timer counts down, the anticipation builds, and then… nothing. The raid boss never appears, the battle doesn’t begin, and you’re left with a sense of frustration and wasted time. This is the intended behavior, as the game is designed to prevent raids from starting if a crucial component – the spawnable location – is missing. The game prioritizes stability and prevents players from entering a broken or unplayable state. Thus, the answer remains, a raid without a spawnable location will typically just not happen.
The Raid Starts, But It’s a Mess
In extremely rare cases, the raid might technically start, but with significant glitches and issues. You might see an invisible raid boss, be unable to interact with it, experience severe lag, or get kicked out of the battle entirely. This is usually due to coding errors or specific edge cases that the developers haven’t fully accounted for. While technically a raid is active, it’s essentially unplayable. There are other potential considerations too. For example, a person may try to engage in a raid that is only available to people physically near the Gym in a location where they are not. The game will try to start a raid but it may not be possible due to various coding issues. This instance of a raid without a spawnable location often ends with frustration.
There have been numerous player accounts on social media that discuss their experiences. They say they have tried to engage a raid, but they were unable to. Some have tried to restart their phones, or their app, and it still did not work. Some have tried to clear the cache of their app to no avail. They have often reported their frustration to Niantic, hoping that something can be done to ensure a raid without a spawnable location is a thing of the past.
Why Does it Happen? What Affects Raids Starting
Several factors can influence whether a raid starts successfully, even if there seems to be a valid Gym location:
Niantic’s Spawn Algorithm and Updates
The algorithm that governs Pokémon spawns, Gym locations, and raid boss appearances is complex and constantly evolving. Updates to the game, while intended to improve the experience, can sometimes inadvertently create or fix spawn issues. Changes to the underlying code or map data can have unintended consequences, leading to instances where a spawnable location becomes unavailable or a new one is created in an unexpected place.
Gym Location Data and Mapping Accuracy
The game relies on accurate location data and mapping information to function correctly. If the Gym’s location data is outdated or inaccurate, it can lead to errors in determining a spawnable location. This is particularly true in areas where the physical environment has changed significantly since the game’s initial launch.
Cellular and GPS Connectivity
A stable and reliable cellular or GPS connection is crucial for Pokémon GO to function properly. Poor connectivity can prevent the game from accurately registering your location or accessing the necessary data to initiate a raid. This can lead to errors in determining a spawnable location, even if one technically exists.
Taking Action: Workarounds and Reporting
Facing a potential raid without a spawnable location? All hope is not lost. There are a few things you can try:
Relocating a Little Bit
In some cases, simply moving a few feet in any direction can be enough to trigger the game to recognize a valid spawnable location. Try walking around the Gym, paying attention to the in-game environment.
Restarting the App
A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches and refresh the game’s data. Close the Pokémon GO app completely and relaunch it to see if the issue is resolved.
Reporting the Issue
If you consistently encounter issues with a specific Gym, report it to Niantic. Provide as much detail as possible, including the Gym’s location, the specific problem you’re experiencing, and any screenshots or videos you can provide. The more information you give them, the better chance they have of investigating and resolving the issue.
Gym Nominations
Consider nominating nearby locations to become Gyms if there are not any valid gyms nearby. Having a proper Gym can save a lot of hassle and allow you to enjoy the core part of Pokemon Go that is Raiding.
The Final Answer on a Pokemon GO Raid Without a Spawnable Location
In conclusion, while the excitement of a Pokémon GO raid is a draw for many players, the question of what happens when there’s no spawnable location is a valid concern. In most cases, a raid will not start if the game cannot find a suitable place to spawn the raid boss. This is a preventative measure to ensure stability and prevent players from entering a broken or unplayable state. However, glitches and errors can sometimes occur, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
Pay attention to spawn locations, report issues to Niantic, and enjoy the world of Pokemon Raids. A raid without a spawnable location is usually a thing of the past!
