Curious about Raids? You've come to the right spot!
Raids are exciting RP events run by staff on a fairly regular basis. They're usually plot-furthering events that involve important missions or conflicts. The word "raid" is really just a term to refer to these RPs. It doesn't necessarily mean any actual raiding will take place. (In-character, they're usually just called missions.) Your character must own at least one Pokémon in order to participate in a raid.
Raid participation is always limited to a certain number of people, usually around ten excluding any participating staff characters. Before slots for a raid open, we'll post a notice about what day and time they'll open - usually about a week in advance. Make sure to read the sign-up information to see if there are any limits on participation. Some raids are only open to Rockets, some only to trainers. Players signing up after slots have filled will be added to the standby list. If there are any cancelations, standby participants will be moved up.
Please be aware that raids are a time commitment. Raids are no longer weekend events that take up the whole weekend. They will last for one week and are run ORP-style, with a relaxed pace that will be more forgiving if you have a busier schedule. We will expect a minimum of one to two posts per day so that you're able to keep up with what's going on, but you're encouraged to post more often than that to actually engage and work with your fellow players to accomplish the raid objective.
If after you get a slot your schedule changes or you need to withdraw for any reason, please notify staff as soon as possible. If you want to participate in the raid but aren't entirely sure of your availability, you can sign up for a standby slot. Let us know your availability once you know and, as long as there are still slots open, we'll move you up into a regular slot.
If you need to stop participating in a raid after it's started for a legitimate reason, that's fine! Just be sure to let us know as soon as you can so we know what's up. If you drop out of the raid and don't give us any reason why, though, you'll be warned and possibly penalized because that isn't fair to your fellow players who are playing with you, or the ones who couldn't get a spot in the raid. Multiple instances of unexpectedly low raid participation may impact your ability to participate in raids in the future.
I don't like big and/or fast RPs, so I don't want to participate in raids. Why are raids a requirement for Agent rank/third tier? Can I opt for an alternative?
Raids are required in order for a Grunt to be promoted to Agent to test their mettle, ensure their competency, and prove their ability to work in a team. For a player, it shows a willingness to participate in and contribute to the shop metaplot. Because of this, it would be very difficult to create a blanket alternative for either that doesn't include an RP with multiple participants.
If you have ongoing conflicts with raid participation or if there hasn't been a raid in several months, staff would be happy to discuss alternatives on an individual basis. However, if you have the opportunity to participate and choose not to based on personal preference, there isn't much we can do to help you.
That said, at least try! Anyone's first raid will be hectic and intimidating, but raids are a lot of fun and a great way to challenge yourself and your character. Though it's expressly discouraged, if you get partway through a raid and just can't go on any longer, you can tell an RP mod that you have to withdraw. If staff can see that you gave an honest, wholehearted effort to participate, at that point we can begin to discuss an individual alternative.
