Saturday, February 24, 2024

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 2/24/2024

It is always the case that February is a busy month as far as Pokémon goes, and that has led my customary event rollup for Pokémon Go to be placed on this date instead. But that is fine, because it's always the content of the events that matter, which is then reflected in this rollup. For the case of this particular month, the events had some busy things of their own going on to go along with this busy month, and they're reflective of the times as well as the content.

The very first event that kicked off as the month started was the Lunar New Year event from February 5 to 11. As the new lunar year is the Year of the Dragon, Dragon-type Pokémon were especially prominent, in particular the debut of the quirky yet calm Drampa. It appeared in three-star raids and Field Research tasks, along with a host of Dragon-type Pokémon or their precursors. A few also appeared in the wild along with some red-colored Pokémon for blessings. A Global Challenge was also in place, and its completion expanded wild and raid species availability, allowed select Dragon-type species to learn special moves from past Community Days, and added visual effects. All these were coupled with bonuses of increased Lucky chances and more Candy and greater Candy XL chance during captures; an extra paid Timed Research had items and encounters to add to the prosperity of kicking off the year filled with dragons. 

Following a few days' break, the Carnival of Love took place from February 13 to 15 as part of the usual Valentine's Day commemoration. The highlight of this event was the debut of Shiny Oricorio for all its regional forms; it joined other pink and cutesy Pokémon in the wild and Field Research tasks. Other features of the event were Candy XL bonuses for walking and evolving, a chance to get Heart Trim Furfrou, a Collection Challenge, a new pose, Buddy Pokémon showcases, a bonus for Brazil's Carnaval (appropriately), and an extra paid Timed Research with bonuses of items and Spinda encounters. Elite Raids for Enamorus in its Incarnate Forme also took place on February 14 on specific hours, precisely on the commemorated occasion, augmenting the love or even difficulties of picking for that, as I had suggested. Still, the "carnival" started and ended with good style.

While Trainers attending the Live edition of Pokémon Go Tour on February 17 and 18 might have already been hyped up prior to the event, those participating in just the Global edition might need just a little more of that, and that was fulfilled by the Road to Sinnoh event from February 19 to 23. The three starters of the region and their next-of-kin evolved forms accompanied Trainers in the wild and raids, along with different Legendary raid bosses each day and Raid Hours for them, while 2 km Eggs had baby forms from this region. Field Research had item (capture ball) and starter Pokémon Candy rewards, while Timed Research provided most of the Legendary bosses and some Candy for other Legendary Pokémon of the region for free, and could be supplemented by paid ones for raid bonuses and hatching bonuses for regional Pokémon from this region. Halved hatching distance and increased remote raid limits complemented the event as the main bonuses, and new fashion items and stickers sealed the deal as things transitioned to the Global event.

As a closure to the month, there is the Global edition of Pokémon Go Tour, which as usual is a major event of its own and deserves a separate post rather than being included here. But as with last year, I can discuss about "remnants" going into and out of the event. As part of the prior Road to Sinnoh event, a Special Research set also prompted the decision between which side of the duality Trainers will be on, unless they already attended the Live edition, in which case they already decided. Bonuses from there are also carried over in a way: remote raid limits are also lifted for the weekend of the Global event, while halved hatching distance is in place during event hours. As for the rest of the "remnants", they constitute the actual event itself... and so they will be explained as such.

Surprisingly (or not), even with few events to deal with during this month, all their elements do make it evident that they complement a rather busy month for the game and Pokémon in general. Yet it seems that good content - especially pertaining to Pokémon - demands to keep Trainers on their toes, and that has remained true with the above.

One year ago: The Hoenn Cup of GBL
Two years ago: The Johto Cup of GBL
Five years ago: Don't Forget Our Roots
Seven years ago: Memories of Johto

No comments:

Post a Comment

Hi folks! Feel free to comment, but know that I'll be selecting only the most appropriate and relevant comments to appear. Think before you post.