Pokémon Go looks set to add another battle currency to the ever-popular mobile game, this time focused around raids for Mega Pokémon.
As Pokémon Go prepares to roll-out the first of Pokémon Legends Z-A's new wave of Mega Evolutions next month as part of its upcoming Go Tour Kalos event, the game also appears to have a major rework of its Mega Raid system in the offing.
Datamined information published by The Pokémod Group have spilled details of Link Charges, a new in-game resource that the game's files refer to as "enhanced currency." An in-game description states that Link Charges "can be used to enter Mega Raid in place of Raid passes" and will now be "required to enter Mega Raids remotely."
The addition of a new type PVE battle resource for Mega raids comes as something of a surprise, as Mega battles have existed in the game for years, accessible simply via regular raid passes.
While details remain unconfirmed and subject to change, Link Charges sound like something of a cross between existing raid passes and the Max Energy system introduced more recently specifically for use in Dynamax/Gigantamax battles. The introduction of Link Charges would certainly also delineate Mega raids from regular raid battles — similar to how the use of Max Energy sets Max battles apart.
Unreleased in-game text states that players will be able to "earn Link Charges from activities such as Weekly Challenges, Campfire Check-Ins, and opening Gifts," all of which are free. That said, images showing the Link Charges themselves (which look like futuristic USB sticks) in various bundles suggest the resource will, of course, also be sold via the game's in-game shop.
A new item called "enhanced currency" has been added, along with some variations featuring "RRP" (remote raid pass? idk).
It looks like something that could be sold in the shop, but we're not sure what it does yet.Seeing this item alongside a remote pass is a bit scary.… pic.twitter.com/gIROUW4DlT
— The Pokemod Group (@thepokemodgroup) January 22, 2026
As ever, Pokémon Go's highly-engaged community have been reacting to the datamined details with their usual mix of excitement and healthy scepticism.
"Are we cooked?" wrote Kind_Cheesecake_8297 on top Pokémon Go reddit The Silph Road. "Asked the frog in the pot," replied EquivalentReality988. "This is just another temperature increase, we've been boiling for years."
But while the introduction of another PVE battle resource has naturally prompted questions over how plentiful it will be (and how much it will cost via the in-game shop), many others have agreed that the game's Mega raids do need some form of shakeup.
Following their most recent rework years ago, Mega raids typically provide enough in-game resource to Mega Evolve a specific Pokémon within a few battles. After that, Mega Pokémon can be set as a Buddy Pokémon to generate Mega Energy for free. Beyond hunting for a Shiny or better stat version of a particular creature, there's little need to then continue raiding — and as an active player, I have to say I don't consider Mega creatures when deciding what to spend my daily raid pass on.
While this is fine for players who have all Mega Pokémon unlocked already, this leaves newer players without others to battle Mega raids alongside (and most Megas require multiple people to take down). Providing an additional resource to battle Mega raids means players can choose to take on the battles in addition to regular raids — just as the Max Particle system works for Dynamax and Gigantamax battles now.
"I don't actually hate this (depending on how easy they are to get for free)," said TheWiseMountain. "I feel like Mega raids can get dead very easily because you can just walk Pokémon for more energy. If they're free and give normal raid rewards though? Seems like a win for newer players who might need help with those raids."
"Yeah as a F2P [free-to-play player] who can hardly remote anyways this sounds great," Mushimishi agreed. "I haven't done a Mega raid outside of new debuts and raid days in almost 2 years, since getting enough energy for everything."
Pokémon Go has so far introduced all Mega Pokémon species released prior to last year's Pokémon Legends Z-A other than the highly-anticipated Mega Mewtwo X and Y. The game has officially confirmed the introduction of both Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebell from Legends Z-A next month. As for Mega Mewtwo, while there's no word on its arrival just yet, the same datamine includes an all-new Tier 7 difficulty Mega raid egg — suggesting that players may finally see it arrive in the future, once this Mega raid rework has been introduced.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
