The sky over the event plaza was a thin wash of blue and nervous chatter; a raid lobby filled, and someone asked if they had enough energy. I watched a friend tap open a gift, then sprint to the nearest PokéStop with a grin that said everything. The countdown felt like a fuse burning.
I’ve been in those lobbies, testing what actually matters when a Super Mega boss drops. You and I will cut past the fluff: what Link Charges are, where they come from, and the small decisions that make or break a raid night.
What are Link Charges in Pokémon Go?
At their core, Link Charges are a new in-game energy you must spend to join Mega Raids — both Standard Mega and the new Super Mega variants. Think of them as a ticketing layer: raids still need a Raid Pass (or Remote Raid Pass) when you play from afar, but Link Charges are the additional resource that governs Mega participation.
How do you get Link Charges in Pokémon Go
At busy community meetups, you’ll see trainers collecting small stacks of energy just by being social. The mechanics are straightforward: once you own a Link Holder (it’s free and auto-equipped), Link Charges begin to accumulate through social play and curated activities.
- Social actions — opening and sending gifts, and other teammate interactions — grant charges.
- Weekly Challenges reward Link Charges when completed.
- Official community event check-ins and meetups hand out charges to attendees.
- During certain live events (like Tour stops or the Kalos – Global festivals), Link Charges can also be purchased from the in-game store or are included with event passes like a Tour Pass Deluxe.
Small tip: gifts are low-effort, high-frequency income. Send and open them every day and you’ll quietly build a buffer without touching your wallet.
How do Link Charges work?
At live festivals such as the Kalos – Global events (late February 2026), tickets and Deluxe passes may include purchasable Link Charges so attendees don’t miss a single Super Mega battle. But you don’t need an event pass to gather them — social play will supply most players with a steady stream.
How to use Link Charges in Pokémon Go
On the raid field, you’ll notice how quickly small choices add up: one ill-timed Remote pass can cost you the chance at a Super Mega. Link Charges live in your Link Holder; capacity is finite, and each entry into a Mega Raid consumes charges.
To clear up the mechanics: filling the Link Holder is mandatory to enter a Super Mega Raid locally. If you’re joining remotely, you need both Link Charges and a Remote Raid Pass. Standard Mega Raids also accept Link Charges, but players tend to reserve them for Super Mega encounters because those fights are the hardest, and the rewards often justify the spend.
Can you stockpile Link Charges?
Yes. The Link Holder stores charges up to a cap — so you can hoard them if you prefer to save for a specific boss. My advice: treat them like a limited stash. Spend on the raid that matters to you most, or you risk watching a rare catch slip away while you wait for “the perfect moment.”
Practical habit: prioritize daily gifts and the weekly challenge track, and check event pages from Niantic and The Pokémon Company before shows in Tainan or Los Angeles — those events often offer direct store purchases or pass bundles that top up your Link Holder.
Link Charges are, at their simplest, the bridge between social play and raid access; they reward consistent interaction and make community events feel more valuable. Will you keep spending every invite, or will you save for the one raid that proves your squad’s worth?