Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/20/2020

Community Day for Pokémon Go comes around again, and this time, there are or were scenarios from the past. One of those is that this month's Community Day and the one for the next month (October) were decided by voting in August, much like how June's and July's were decided by voting that took place in May. One difference was that voting took place later after the event's edition in the month and not during it, which should have freed up efforts a bit for the "campaigning" for the vote. After the voting took place, a clear winner and an interesting runner-up came out on top. As with July's edition, I'll discuss October's when it becomes pertinent, which means not now.

For now, there is this month's. The winner of the voting last month was... Porygon. It's a humble Pokémon, considering its lore and history in Pokémon, which I shall discuss eventually, but not in detail here. For its final evolutionary stage of Porygon-Z, the special move it receives is Tri Attack as a Charged Move, which unlike its brethren in the main series does not potentially inflict a status condition and instead potentially lowers Attack or Defense in PvP; this move is therefore PvP-oriented for Pokémon Go. As for the regular bonus, it is only triple XP for captures, which should be quite significant for sub-Level 40 Trainers and valuable nonetheless if only as a possible way to prepare for other significant things.

For those who have been with Community Day since the conditions of the world took a turn for the worse, it is known that some things were changed up to make things more viable, so I won't discuss this too much. In fact, to describe things succinctly, the "perks" of this month's edition are essentially the same as last month's, another "past scenario". That includes the optional (but I dare say, highly recommended) paid Special Research, for which this month is entitled "Decoding Porygon", which is a nod to the Pokémon family's virtual or cyber nature as well as its digital lore, all of which are explained through Professor Willow throughout the Special Research. 

Now, Porygon evolves with certain usage of items in the main series games, and it's no different in Pokémon Go, though Candy is still involved as with any Pokémon. It needs an Upgrade to become Porygon2, and then a Sinnoh Stone (as the aggregate stand-in for the Dubious Disc) to become Porygon-Z, along with 25 and 100 Candies respectively. To supply these items for those who lack them, an additional Timed Research of one page was added solely to reward some of the items. This Community Day is therefore unique - as unique as the Pokémon species family itself - in featuring two evolution items and three generations, in contrast to Swinub and Ralts, which only featured the Sinnoh Stone and two generations.

My friend from last month returned in order to play along with me and my raid subgroup, which is now his raid group as well. I used the opportunity to regroup with a few of my friends there, in addition to getting some outside exercise by walking. While that did mean playing outside, I also tried as much as possible to stay safe given what's still going on. I also got more or less good results, with a Porygon of almost the best stats possible, plus candidates of each member of the family for PvP, and two spare Porygon-Z. As for Shiny Pokémon, I obtained 15 Shiny Porygon, which is passable along with the special surprise of a Shiny Articuno. This outing could be considered to be productive. 

Porygon and its kin are known as a group of virtual Pokémon with a "past scenario" that wasn't too promising. However, the present scenario of a Community Day for it as a voted-in winner is rather promising, especially when properly executed no matter where one may be. It is also the prelude to a future scenario involving the Community Day for its fellow runner-up, but that's for next month. I may have to review my scenario for that as well. Scenarios aside, virtual Pokémon such as Porygon and its family are still Pokémon, and a Community Day for it is a fitting tribute in Pokémon Go style, especially as the resulting winner of a voting by those who demand its special capabilities and more.

One year ago: The Friendly Manual

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/20/2018

Three years ago: Meeting, Parting with, and Missing Friends