Choose the actual raid target
Start from an event announcement in Nexus and use its boss link to open RaidHQ. Check the boss form, raid format and local event window against the official announcement. Similar names or different forms should not be treated as interchangeable targets.
For example, the September 2026 Staraptor announcement describes a Super Mega Raid Day with event-specific access and bonuses. Read those rules before assuming a regular raid plan applies. Use the event's own preparation link so the correct event and boss travel into your draft.
Prepare the party in Pokémon GO
Battle parties let you keep a group of Pokémon ready to select in a battle. Raid parties can contain six Pokémon. Build the party in the game and check each Pokémon's actual fast and charged moves; a species name alone does not tell you what damage its current moves can contribute.
Use your own roster and reliable boss-specific information to choose candidates. Then record the selected party in RaidHQ's team notes. Distinguish “I own this Pokémon” from “it is powered up, has the intended moves and is ready to use.” Nexus currently keeps manual notes and preparation progress; it does not inspect your game account or calculate a guaranteed win.
Agree on the session
Record who is joining, how you will meet or coordinate, and whether anyone still needs to prepare. Keep a fallback if a participant cannot join. Check event-specific eligibility and participation rules in game before committing passes.
Set a pass budget that matches the session you intend to play. Keep event bonuses separate from passes already in your bag. Add preparation tasks for healing supplies, storage and any resources you actually intend to spend; mark tasks complete only after checking them.
Keep preparation separate from results
Save the preparation to My Nexus once the event, boss and team notes are correct. During the session, update completed raids and your checklist separately. Finishing a task does not imply that a research reward has been claimed: verify claims in game before the relevant deadline.
Afterward, keep the notes that would improve the next session. Which preparation was missing? Did the pass budget match the time available? This record is more useful than an untouched checklist reused for every boss.
Open RaidHQ · Read event announcements
Sources and related reference
Planning from observed data; confirm current in-game conditions before committing resources.