Thanks ama!

I only have 5 friends. 3 from here, one is a friend who no longer plays, and the last is my sister who I make get on when I need to do trade missions. I'm kind of not sure about those websites that you can get and put your friend code on. I've been managing just fine by myself for the most part.

trade missions?

Research? Where you have to trade x amount of times. I always call them missions in my head. or quests.

I've never added my code to those websites, because everyone will be adding you and friendship maintenance would become such a chore (sending gifts especially now that your buddy doesn't really bring them anymore).

Most of my Pokémon GO friends are from a local community I'm in. I can't say I am really 'friends' with them, but it does allow for trading, getting good IV Pokémon and raiding... if you're not in a rural area I recommend trying to find out if there's a community (I found mine through Facebook originally).

I'm rural so lol. I'm going to try and add the people who I always see in the gyms with me. There is always the same group of people who put pokemon in the gyms I take over (aka the closest gyms to me). Too bad they are never around to do raids with at the same time. I know there is this one car with a group of kids that drive around because I've seen them a few times.

Oh, as rural player it's having a bad time overall. :( I am sorry to hear that.

But yeah, try to connect with whoever you can nearby, that could help a bunch already. If possible, maybe make a little WhatsApp or Discord group to arrange raids.

Yeah. I do good in some raids, but my strong pokemon sometimes aren't the right match up so it's annoying when the raid pokemon has a sliver of health left at the end of the match.

I can, don't know how I would talk to them if I add them by username though.

I wish Pokemon had an in-game chat. My area has Facebook group chats for people who want to raid where you can let others know you have a raid nearby.

That'd be really nice. Or post a message that says "join me in this raid!" when someone joins a raid. I've been using remote passes to fight in raids cuz I can see 4 gyms from my house. I am having issues with the research that says "participate in a mega raid." it won't register no matter if I use regular raid pass or remote. Wondering if it is really win a mega raid.

That sounds like it does intend you to actually win the Mega Raid if it never registers upon failed attempts...