Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 3/29/2023

March as the first month of the current Pokémon Go season came and is now about to go. But before that happens, there are the Pokémon Go events of the month to be rolled up, and so it's got to be done in a post. Now, as explained early on in the season, the theme for this season is comic books and superheroes, so the events this month (and likely throughout the season) will try to invoke the theme, and that seems to be already evident.

One of those "super" events may be considered surreptitious, as it occurred early this month for Mexico, in part to welcome Hawlucha as a regional Pokémon for the area. In fact, that welcoming was also marked with a special poster for its entry as a "super" bird in different ways. In any case, it was a welcoming that some of my fellow Trainers had wanted to personally do for themselves but couldn't, but that is what happens when things don't go as planned. In any case, this was a marker for "super" happenings later on.

Next on down the line was an event called Catch Mastery, which took place on March 5. This one-day event, done in the style of Limited Research with a Timed Research set, focused on testing the catching abilities of Trainers. To do that, the entire Tyrogue species family (including the "Hitmon") was featured; Tyrogue was present in 7 km Eggs, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan were present in the wild, and Hitmontop was present in Research rewards, Field and Timed. Complementing everything were increased Shiny chances and double XP for precise captures. This event had to have yielded a practice for supreme catching ability.

Superheroes and comic books come in all sorts of colors; to celebrate that as well as the Indian community holiday, there was the Festival of Colors from March 8 to 14. The rainbow fish Bruxish and the ethnically appropriate Mega Medicham made their debuts during this event. A number of colorful Pokémon to suit the festivities were present in the wild, raids, and Field Research task rewards; they also constituted a Collection Challenge for a little bit of festivity. This was powered through by extended Lure Modules, Shiny Smeargle appearing, accelerated friendship levels, color surprises at PokéStops, and a new avatar pose. As an adjunct to the event, Regidraco Elite Raids were held on March 11, featuring the newly discovered "Dragon titan" for the first time. In all, the event was as much whimsical as it was heroic, considering overall themes.

Wrapping up the month was the "Let's Go" event, also called "An Everyday Hero", running from March 21 to 29 (today). Ditto, Meltan, and the Unova "monkey trio" were the epic stars of this event. The wild Pokémon reflected the changed-up "impostors" that could yield the first, with the addition of the "monkey trio" (also in Field Research task rewards) and other niceties including ones in raids; completing a Collection Challenge featuring them yielded a Meltan as one of the rewards. As usual, the Mystery Box also yielded Meltan, but with increased chances of them in different sizes as well as being Shiny during the event, and for that, its waiting period was decreased. A double transfer Candy bonus and a Special Research set supplemented the common-yet-epic quality of the event.

Along with the previous event, a Team Go Rocket takeover from March 25 to 29 provided a heroic challenge. As always, there were new Shadow additions (including Shadow Regice through a Special Research set), more frequent appearances of said team in PokéStops and by balloons, a selection of quirky Pokémon from 12 km Eggs from the leaders, and the ability to remove Frustration with a Charged TM. However, now in addition to the leaders with their Pokémon, the Grunts can now yield Shiny Shadow Pokémon. This is a novel move, and it means that one doesn't have to encounter the Leaders to get one - and it's also here to stay onwards. It also meant that the monthly wrap-up was as epic as ever.

Right from the start of this heroic season, there has been a slew of heroic happenings that suited the theme of the season - and that needs to happen, considering the theme being involved. It also makes an assurance that the season will be as epic as ever, even as this first month comes and goes, leaving the necessary impressions at the season's start. 

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 15

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Regional Event Rollup

Three years ago: Pokémon Go: A Drive to Investigate

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 3/29/2019

Five years ago: Takara Tomy Pokémon MonCollé Friends: Pikachu

Six years ago: Pokémon Mechanical Fan