The Controversy Surrounding Beldum in Pokémon GO's Max Raid Events

Since its launch in 2016, Pokémon GO has remained one of the most popular live service games, consistently engaging fans with new events and updates. However, Niantic’s latest addition aimed at keeping the game exciting has stirred up quite a bit of frustration within the Pokémon GO community.

In September 2024, Pokémon GO introduced Dynamax Pokémon—giant-sized variants that originally debuted in Sword & Shield—as part of the Max Out season, running until December 3rd. Throughout this three-month event, different Dynamax Pokémon will appear in waves, with Dynamax Beldum being one of the latest. Unfortunately, this particular raid has sparked considerable backlash.

Why Dynamax Beldum Is Causing Frustration Among Fans

Dynamax Beldum’s arrival hasn’t exactly thrilled Pokémon GO players. The main issue? A series of glitches that plague its raids, combined with the steep cost of participating in them. Many players have found themselves wasting their free daily raid attempts due to crashes and various bugs, leaving them feeling frustrated and disappointed. Although some fans are still eager to see what the rest of the Max Out season will bring, the problems with Beldum’s raid have been a sore spot for many.

Dynamax Beldum's Difficulty and Raid Glitches

The Pokémon GO subreddit communities, such as r/pokemongo and r/TheSilphRoad, have been flooded with complaints about the difficulty of the Dynamax Beldum raid. Many players report being kicked out of the raid prematurely, often accompanied by error messages. These issues have led some users, like u/HarbingerGNX, to speculate that a hidden timer mechanic may be causing these crashes. While this is just a theory, it would explain why so many players are experiencing similar problems early in the battle.

In addition to crashes, players are also struggling to dodge Beldum’s attacks. Some, like user u/SoilyDude on r/TheSilphRoad, have discovered that certain moves can be dodged by swiping the Pokémon when three lines appear above its head. However, other attacks, especially those without the warning message “Beldum is preparing to attack,” seem impossible to avoid. The result is a glitch-ridden experience that many players are finding frustrating, adding to Pokémon GO's already long list of technical issues.

The High Cost of Raiding Dynamax Beldum

What makes the glitches even more frustrating is the cost involved in raiding and upgrading Dynamax Beldum. Players can earn up to 800 free Max Particles (MP) daily, but each attempt at a Dynamax Beldum raid costs 400 MP. Beyond that, MP and candy are required to upgrade Dynamax Pokémon, and Beldum's upgrade costs are steeper than other Dynamax Pokémon: 20 extra candy for level 2 and 10 more XL candy for level 3.

The biggest issue, however, is that despite MP normally only being deducted after a successful raid, many players are losing MP due to the glitchy Beldum raids. This means that many are wasting their two daily attempts at Dynamax Beldum through no fault of their own. Fortunately, some players have found success by using the dodging techniques mentioned earlier, which help reduce crashes, but the need for a patch remains urgent if Niantic hopes to keep players invested in the remainder of the event.

Conclusion

While Pokémon GO's Max Out season still holds plenty of potential, the issues surrounding Dynamax Beldum have cast a shadow over this anticipated event. With widespread bugs, costly raid attempts, and a demanding upgrade system, it’s no wonder fans are upset. Hopefully, Niantic will address these problems soon to restore excitement for the remainder of the Max Out season.