Link Charges in Pokémon Go are a new special currency used mainly to enter high-level Mega and “Super Mega” raids, especially when playing remotely.

What Link Charges Are

  • They are a new type of in-game energy or currency tied to Mega and Super Mega Raids.
  • You store them in a key item called the “Link Holder,” which sits permanently in your item bag and just tracks how many charges you have.
  • They function alongside, not instead of, traditional Raid Passes and Remote Raid Passes.

What You Use Them For

  • Link Charges are required to enter certain Mega Raids, with remote participation being the big focus.
  • For some high-tier Mega/Super Mega raids, the cost can look like:
    • 1 in-person Raid Pass or Remote Raid Pass plus a set amount of Link Charges (for example, numbers like 200 have been discussed in community coverage for tougher raids).
  • The idea is that powerful events like upcoming Mega or Super Mega Mewtwo raids will lean heavily on this system.

How You Get Link Charges

Official and preview info point to several main sources:

  • Completing weekly challenges.
  • Opening Gifts from friends.
  • Checking in at select community meetups via Campfire.
  • Social play in general (community check-ins, playing in active areas).
  • Direct purchase from the in-game shop or Pokémon Go Web Store.

This design is meant to push social and community-focused play, rewarding players who interact and attend meetups.

Why Players Are Talking About It

Community reaction has been mixed and very vocal:

  • Concerns:
    • It adds an extra pay/progression layer on top of Raid Passes, making top raids feel more expensive or grind-heavy.
    • Remote raiders and rural players worry about access, since Link Charges tie strongly into social/community activities.
    • Some fear it will push more people toward spoofing to reach raids without travel.
  • Defenses/intent:
    • Niantic staff have described Link Charges as a way to give “flexibility” and emphasize bringing players together, with social actions feeding into the Link economy.

Mini FAQ

  • Are Link Charges replacing Raid Passes?
    No; they are an additional requirement for specific Mega/Super Mega raids, especially high-end or remote participation.
  • Can you earn them for free?
    Yes, via weekly challenges, gifts, community meetups, and other activities, though the exact rates and caps will matter a lot in practice.
  • Why are they “trending” now?
    Recent announcements and leaks tied to upcoming Super Mega Raids and big-name bosses (like Mega Mewtwo) have made Link Charges a hot topic in news articles, YouTube breakdowns, and forums in early 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.