Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 3/28/2020

Even with these hard times, Pokémon Go still manages to have its assorted events over the course of this month. Events are the way to keep players going in any game, and especially this one, with its obvious title. However, when even the players - here, Trainers - can't go, then that demands for the events to be adjusted according to conditions. In that regard, many of the events this month did change in some way, so for this rollup, I want to take account the changes to them as well in order to put them into perspective with all that has happened.

Like last month, the events for this month are or were methodically organized into weekends with special features. They too featured or were to feature an additional Legendary Pokémon available in raids to complement the weekend. The first weekend was a "Team GO Rocket weekend", where Pokémon related to Team GO Rocket (particularly of Poison and Dark types) appeared more often. The highlight of the weekend was an afternoon of a total takeover from TGR, which could be used to pursue certain Shadow Pokémon from its team leaders, and even change out the Frustration move from them, which normally cannot happen. Shiny Skorupi, more Stardust from TGR, and their special music were the bonuses from this weekend; the extra Legendary Pokémon present in raids was Darkrai, befitting the weekend's nature. Overall, this weekend was also the one that happened as intended, even if some couldn't fully participate in it, myself included.

The second weekend didn't really have a theme or overarching event, but it was the  weekend when Community Day was supposed to take place, which by now is known that it was postponed. It may be considered fortunate considering all circumstances, even one of my own. Giratina was the Legendary extra for this weekend, so it can be christened as the "spiritual weekend". This month, Community Day was also to feature an additional paid Special Research à la the Colossal Discovery paid event, for this occasion titled "Investigating Illusions", that would be available for a small price, give similar bonuses, and have been available for purchase a few days prior to the event, but obviously things fell apart and everything was cast aside. It was at this time as well that Giratina also became available through Go Battle League as an alternative to raids, providing an outlet for those who wanted to get one without raiding.

The third weekend was what was officially called the "Mysterious Weekend" because it featured a bevy of Pokémon of different types in the wild, particularly of the Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, and Ice types, as well as Bug and Steel types in raids, including Cobalion as this weekend's complement and also becoming available in Go Battle League. For those in the know about a certain Mythical Pokémon, the mystery should be rather solvable with these clues. What is important is that this weekend involved a Special Research for that Mythical Pokémon as with A Colossal Discovery, with similar pricing and content. This was planned to take place ideally and be available for purchase over the weekend likewise, but circumstances forced the Special Research to be modified for localized purposes, as well as to be available for an entire week. I purchased the Special Research and will unveil the mystery and divulge its details separately.

The fourth weekend, which is the current one, becomes the return of the "Psychic Spectacular" and a weekend for it. The highlight of this weekend is the introduction of the Solossis and Gothita species families from the fifth-generation Unova region, while other Psychic-type Pokémon join in through being found in the wild, raids, and 2-km Eggs, as well as through Field Research. Baltoy in particular becomes available in its Shiny form as another highlight. Unfortunately, the selection of those available in raids is not quite as significant as past events, seemingly owing to the current situation; this weekend was also to feature the Psychic superstar Legendary Pokémon Lugia as a complementary raid, but this was dropped in favor of an extension of Cobalion on all fronts through the end of this month. It would have certainly added weight to the event.

This month was supposed to be a significant one for events in Pokémon Go... and it was, to some extent. But then circumstances changed quite quickly and left some events in a different state than as they were intended. Yet it has to be understandable in these hard and trying times. It may prove to be that way for both those who partake in the events and the game providing the events for the times to come. Within those times, there will likely be lots more adjustments and adaptations on both ends in order to keep things going, or perhaps to maintain a semblance of that.

One year ago: Local EX Raid (and Priorities), 3/28/2019
Two years ago: More on Ali (and the Early Manga)
Three years ago: A Pikachu Wall Hanging