How does the speed bonus work for raids and Mega Raids in Pokémon Go?

A few changes have arrived in Pokémon Go regarding raids. There are no more two-star or four-star raids. Two-star raids have become one-star, and four-star raids have become three-star. Also, Mega Raids featuring Mega Evolved Pokémon are available. You need to complete these to earn Mega Energy for your Pokémon to give them their Mega Evolution. That’s pretty straightforward, but now, there’s a speed bonus that you need to consider for both of these raids.

The faster you complete these raids, the more rewards you receive at the end of them. If you’re doing a one-star, three-star, or a five-star raid, the faster you complete it, the more Premier balls you receive at the end of it. The more Premier balls you have, the more chances you and your teammates have to capture the Pokémon you were fighting. For those attempting to complete the five-star raids to capture the legendary Pokémon, it gives you even more chances, increasing the maximum to 20 Premier balls if you receive all of the bonuses.

It works differently for Mega Raids. Rather than give you more Premier balls, it gives you additional Mega Energy, which is extremely useful because that’s how you Mega Evolve your Pokémon. Those who take a little longer to beat a Mega Raid won’t receive the most Mega Energy, but it’s around 30, which is a good number for those who can’t do these events. Some players have shared on Reddit they could reach close to 40 and 45 Mega Energy based on their time.

While it’s not a huge factor, it’s important to consider when pairing up with your friends to complete a raid. It encourages players to invite more trainers to help out during a raid. The more people you have working with you, the more rewards you and your friends can earn.