This particular August has been a hectic month for Pokémon Go, and as a result of that, its event rollup for the month might also be a bit complicated to make. It also might reflect the structure of the events with some overlap among them, or at the least skirting of the events of concern. Still, it's getting down to the wire for this month as well as the season - the latter to be discussed when its time comes - so at least something has got to give for this month, and thus the event rollup comes today.
Going back to July a little bit,
last month's overrunning event of Adventure Week had a complementary weekend event in the form of a Research Day featuring fossil Pokémon on August 2. Tyrunt and Amaura were the featured species as Field Research task encounters, while others were in the wild. More encounters could also be gotten with the event's paid ticket. Apart from these, its progression should be rather evident.
August's first real event, overlapping with the end of the overrunning event as above, was the Sweet Swarm event from August 3 to 6. Appropriately enough, it also began with a Battle Day for Gigantamax Butterfree on that very first day with all the usual perks. The main event itself focused on two sweet Pokémon (Combee and Swirlix), with increased Shiny chances for both, extended Lure Modules, and appearance bonuses. Every two days, a Timed Research set for each Pokémon gave encounters and items, while Field Research gave extra encounters. This event was not only sweet but rather simple.
Next, some Cozy Companions took the stage from August 6 to 12. One of these is the Snom species family, debuting in special 7 km Eggs with other buddying Pokémon before going to regular 5 km ones, and Shiny Tandemaus from Party Play (with greater encounters here) and wherever. Wild Pokémon and Field Research encounters were also of the buddying variety. In Timed Research, a free set provided encounters and bonus items, and a paid set by the event ticket had even more. All these were set with bonuses of double XP hatch, an extra Special Trade, and double Friendship levels. Complementing this was a Hatch Day for Munchlax on August 9 and an Origin Raid Day (with Dialga and Palkia, actually an Ultra Unlock) on August 10, both as usual with their perks and a bit of companionship.
Right in the middle of the month, Team Go Rocket instituted a "takeover" period, a usual MO for them, from August 11 to 17. The bonuses were of the usual sort as well - Frustration out by TM, more frequent appearances, and varied IV from raids. New things this time around were Shiny Salandit, Shadow Giratina by defeating Giovanni, and Shadow Kyogre as a Raid Weekend on August 16 and 17. A few new Shadow Pokémon appeared in Grunt encounters, Leader encounters (these of the first partner variety), and Shadow Raids, and a Collection Challenge demanded capturing the first of these. Field Research gave out items, while item bundles were available in the shops. This iteration was actually quite celebratory...
...for this takeover also paved the way for festivities, since the World Championships were on its weekend from August 15 to 17, making it its own event. The varsity jacket Pikachu could be caught during this time, with Shiny being likely. The event also acted as a Go Battle Weekend with the usual bonuses and Timed Research, also with more Pokémon encounter bonuses. Enlivening the event were all competitive Pokémon in the wild, raids, and Field Research encounters, plus a paid Timed Research set for those who can pay for more. The festivities were furthered with certain moves for certain Pokémon, five Special Trades daily, new clothing items (including T-shirts for the live event), new stickers, and special appearance for the Go Battle League, bringing the festivities within virtual reach for all.
With the onset of
Go Fest Max Finale, something had to precede and accompany it, and that was the Dark Skies event from August 18 to 23. Over its course, various Pokémon species that are capable of going Dynamax were featured in Power Spots throughout the week, while a few Pokémon from the associated region of Galar are featured in raids in quick succession (which included the two Legendary "big dogs", with two Raid Hours for their Crowned form) and constantly in the wild. Bonuses involved more Power Spots, more Pokémon from them, and more MP to collect, plus a Timed Research set for the first partners and bonus Legendary candy, and increased remote battle limits. All these were obviously for setting up the weekend of the big event, which comes into its own.
Closing up the month - and season as well - is something a little brighter, an event called Sunkissed Shores that started on August 25 and due to end on August 31. It brings the debut of Dondozo, while other beach-themed Pokémon rejoin the fray in the wild, raids (with a double XP bonus), and Field Research encounters. Timed Research offers one free set and two paid sets with the event ticket (which could be paid as part of shop item bundles), with a variety of bonuses among them. Along with the end of the event on Sunday, there will be a Mega Gyarados Raid Day on that day. Given the season's name, it seems fitting to end it with an event that is rather evocative of its spirit.
If this month is hectic, then it might reflect the overall goings-on of the season as well, further with its own ways of making things a little more delightful per its name. That may seem to be a contradiction, but Trainers have always been able to work with and around that to turn hazy days into greatest ones - and especially now with the month and season.
