Pokémon Go: A Colossal Discovery

So, this is the day of the event that has aroused mixed emotions and divided some Trainers regarding its approach. It is, of course, the event called "A Colossal Discovery" for Pokémon Go. Rightfully, I should discuss it in a post of its own because it's so important that one had to expend money for it, and I did. That became the imperative, and now that the event's special time frame has finished, I can give my take on it.

Some have billed this special event as a "Go Fest anywhere" event due to the inclusion of some elements that make up prior editions of said event. While I've never been to a Go Fest event, this description might seem to be accurate to some degree. If one purchased the ticket well beforehand, one should have received one of the perks of this event, which is a medal to mark participation in it, starting from yesterday up until 5 PM today, the last possible time to purchase the event ticket. There is also a Special Research with some nifty rewards, which will be explained in a bit. As well, there were a few Field Research Tasks that added flavor to the event. These are also things that are gotten from Go Fest events, so it makes sense.

As for that Special Research, it is a relatively short four-page bundle of 12 tasks, but those tasks may be considered significant. In the first three pages, a Trainer is asked to catch and evolve 7 Pokémon related to the types of the Three Titans (Regirock, Regice, and Registeel) as well as capture any of those three from a raid, regardless of species. The catching part is easy; the evolution part may be a bit difficult. The rewards of the tasks are some neat Pokémon and XP. The last page of the Special Research only asks to take pictures of the Three Titans, which should be a snap (no pun intended) if all three have been caught. To aid in all of these, a Trainer is given 10 free raid passes in addition to the daily free pass to raid them. The final rewards include an encounter with the "king" of the Three Titans, Regigigas. It may very well be worth it.

The actual execution was somewhat neat. The Three Titans appeared intermittently and predominantly in raids, with raid boss eggs appearing only for a short time, and sometimes the raid bosses themselves directly appearing with no warning. It was even possible to walk a short distance and find that a different or new raid boss had appeared where there was none. This seems stranger than usual, but it's also incredibly helpful for the Special Research Tasks that require raids. The most difficult part would have to be evolving Pokémon when one is scant on resources, or more accurately does not want to relinquish resources to do so; fortunately, the appearances of Pokémon of the types related to the Three Titans helped in this regard, allowing some to be caught immediately, evolved, and then transferred. Any additional lost resources could then be made up at a later time. It was this that allowed the pages of the Special Research to be filled out in a timely manner within the true event period from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Some credits also go to a few of my raid fellows, who appeared in time just when raids were needed, to complete the Special Research Tasks or else just to use up the provided free raid passes. It wasn't all bad; there was also the opportunity to catch a Shiny Regice and Registeel, while others caught a Shiny Regirock from a raid or a Shiny Skarmory from a Field Research, as this was their debuts as well. All the same, I and them kind of wished that there were prior planning with my raid group, but fortunately the same usual place for Community Day also allowed for the event to be completed due to the many Gyms in the area. As well, I didn't exactly complete the Special Research by myself, for I had a little assistance with them.

Ash: Hi! I completed the Special Research, just like you asked. But I also didn't catch Regigigas because I thought it might hold up your plans.

Me: That is perfectly fine. For those who didn't complete the Special Research in time, they can complete it at their own pace, though I'm not sure how you would go about catching a Titan once they have left raids. For that reason, at least getting to the third page and having captured all the Titans is suggested. At that point, things should relax a bit.

Ash: So can I go on to that little thing you planned for me?

Me: Sure thing. I'd like to discuss that, but that'll have to wait for a different post.

At this point, I can also deliver my final thoughts. For an early access to Regigigas, this "paid event" really delivers. One has to commit to it in order to get to the end, and having helpful resources on hand also helps. Personally, I consider this event also accomplishing multiple purposes in one fell swoop, so that makes it worthwhile. Future "paid events" like these may need further consideration of their worth, but if they are likely as intensive and extensive as this, that may be the incentive to reap the results by paying up for them.

One year ago: Balance of Topics
Two years ago: Kids (...or Trainers, Fans) These Days