How to Max Raid With Friends

This guide will show you how to invite your friends to join you in Max Raid Battles in the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on to find out how to set a link code to do Raid Battles with your friends.

What are Max Raid Battles?

Max Raid Battles is a new feature in Pokemon Sword and Shield where you fight Dynamax Pokemon for big rewards and sometimes even catch Gigantamax Pokemon.

Usually, you're fighting together with NPCs or random online players, but when taking down a permanently Dynamaxed foe, you'll need to strategize together to decide who will Dynamax and successfully catch the Pokemon, so doing Raid Battles together with friends is the best way to ensure a successful battle.
What are Max Raid Battles?

How to Start a Max Raid with Friends

Start any Max Raid Battle

First, a Host must find a Max Raid Battle at a Den in the Wild Area.

Start a Max Raid Battle by going in a Den wiith a Pillar of Light or by using a Wishing Piece on a Den to initiate a Max Raid Battle.

Set Link Code (Optional)

If you want only your friends to join the battle, you should set a link code and give the code to your friends, to serve as a password they can use to enter your Max Raid. To set the link code, tap the + button on the joycon controller and enter the desired Link Code you want for the Max Raid Battle room. Any four-digit number will work.

Select 'Invite Others'

Select the 'Invite Others' option to allow other players to see your Max Raid Battle from the Y-Comm. Be reminded that there is a time limit for the room, so don't spend too much time dilly-dallying before starting the battle!

Get ready for the battle

Get ready for the battle by choosing a Pokemon with a strong type matchup for the Max Raid Battle. Strategize and communicate with your friends on how you will defeat the Pokemon.
How to Win Max Raid Battles

Wait for other players to join and get ready

When the Host selects 'Ready to Battle', the battle will start regardless of how many players have joined. If less than 4 players have joined, the other slots will be filled by NPC players.

Start the Battle

Have fun and enjoy playing with your friends of up to 4 players and join forces in defeating the Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokemon at hand.

How to Join a Friend's Max Raid

You can join a Max Raid Battle initiated by a friend at any time when you're not already in a battle. You don't even need to be in the Wild Area yourself to join another player's Max Raid Battle.

Go to the Y-comm Menu

Go to the Y-comm menu by tapping the X button on the joycon controller. This will bring you to the menu where you can find the Max Raid Battle.

Find the Max Raid Battle

After your friend hosting the battle chooses 'Invite Others', their stamp will appear on the menu. Press X to refresh the available stamps if it hasn't appeared yet. By selecting this stamp, you can join in the Max Raid Battle they've found, even if you aren't in the Wild Area.

Select Start Challenge

Select the Start challenge button to join the room of your friends Max Raid Battle. If your friend set a Link Code, you'll need to enter the code that was given to you by your friend for you to join the Max Raid Battle. If you've entered the Link Code correctly, you'll be able to enter the battle and Max Raid together with your friends!

How to Max Raid With Friends Online

Add your Friends from the Switch menu

Add your friends on your Nintendo Switch account by getting their Friend Code and searching for them. This will allow your friends to use the Search Stamps feature on the Y-Comm to find a Max Raid Battle you're hosting more easily.

Go to Y-Comm and connect to the internet

Go to the Y-comm menu by tapping X on your joycon controller and press the + button to connect to the internet.

Go to Search Stamps

After the Host has initiated a Max Raid Battle and chosen 'Invite Others', other players will be able to find the battle using the Search Stamps feature. On the Y-Comm menu, select 'Search Stamps' and choose 'Friends only'. This will allow you to filter all the results to those of users who have become Friends with your Nintendo Switch account.

Join the Max Raid Battle

Look for the stamp of your Host friend's Max Raid Battle in the Menu and select it.

Max Raid with Friends Information

1. If possible, using the Local Connection is recommended, as it is easier to connect and find your friend within the Y-comm.
2. There is not invitation feature in the Y-comm; the only way you can help your friends join your Max Raid is to give them the same link code you have set to your Max Raid Battle room.
3. A subscription to Nintendo Online is needed if you want to do a Max Raid Battle over an internet connection.

Related Links

Beginner Tips and Guides