Mega Evolution Quibbles in Pokémon Go

As detailed in the previous post, Mega Evolution has made its way into Pokémon Go. It's dynamic and massive - it has changed around a few things within its realm. Yet while the system functions as it needs to, there have been some issues or "quibbles" that the system presents for Trainers like me, and this is true by my experience and that of others. I've also detailed the points of relevance that the issues revolve around, and it's best to discuss them accordingly around those points.

One of those points is the non-permanence of Mega Evolution. Mega Evolution has never been permanent in the main series and accordingly shouldn't be permanent here, but that's not the real issue: the issue is in the way it is non-permanent. Unlike the main series, which imposes the limit of being permanent only in one battle, there is some leeway with the four-hour time limit; yet there is also a sense of urgency, in that it makes one consider whether in that time as many things as possible can be done with a Mega-Evolved Pokémon, since there would be little point otherwise. One of my fellows has suggested battle limit counts as a what-if alternative. The non-permanence issue touches on the Mega Energy concept, which is itself non-permanent unlike Mega Stones that for all intents and purposes are. Since Mega Energy needs to be collected and then spent for Mega Evolution, it necessitates a continual cycle of replenishment.

That leads into the effort for the process of obtaining Mega Energy. As stated, they can be collected by Special Research for Mega Beedrill and Mega Raids for all other available forms, and they are effectively the only way. At the start of this month, there was an addition of Field Research tasks that reward Mega Energy for the current starter forms, but they are (or have found to be) so rare that it's not worth the effort trying to find them; it would be easier to just raid for them. Thus, one is effectively raiding for something that is going to be quickly consumed, especially for the initial Mega Evolution. The fate of Mega Beedrill is rather limited if it doesn't make it to raids for earning Energy, and the fate of any Mega-Evolved Pokémon may be limited even with raids, especially given that some Legendary Pokémon have Mega forms that may then incur greater costs. Alternatives need to be considered in order to make earning Mega Energy less demanding.

This then becomes a segue to a very important question: "is it worth it?" Some Trainers have put their foot down and say it isn't, by not raiding Mega Raids. Others may have participated in them but they may not have spent their Mega Energy, and instead choose to wait for a good time (because of the time limit), better Pokémon (to invest efforts into), or until conditions improve to allow more comfortable earning of Mega Energy. I for one wouldn't evolve even my best Beedrill into its Mega form until I can stand to earn more Mega Energy for it and/or the time is right. The consumption of money is another problem, since more raids require more Premium passes to be purchased; for some, they won't stand for this as it makes it apparent that Mega Evolution is "behind a paywall". Lots of consideration have to go in justifying lots of time, effort, and money into something as temporary as Mega Evolution. and the worthiness may still be relative.

Mega Evolution is undeniably something big, whether in the main series or even now in Pokémon Go. However, what seem to be as big as the concept itself are all the issues or "quibbles" that accompany it, perceived or not. Mega Evolution is still early yet in Pokémon Go, and there is much more to see and for the system to advance. In order for that to occur, the "quibbles" need to be sorted out somehow so that they are less of being stumbling blocks and more of being steps on the path to Mega success.

One year ago: Two Flavors of Pokémon Stickers

Two years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru! -the fifth-

Three years ago: (Self) References