Quickies: In Puffs of Smoke

Some Pokémon are known to manipulate smoke (or make it appear) in order to enable themselves to avoid attacks or make things harder for opponents to deliver their attacks. This may be in the form of the Smoke Screen attack, usage of the Smoke Ball, or other ways that the mechanisms as depicted in the games or other media may or may not adequately explain. Yet it's a unique aspect for the Pokémon species of concern - and possibly the Trainers they are related to, if they have ones attached to them. It's also a fascinating aspect of these Pokémon to consider for all that they are and that they can do.

In popular culture, especially that which is tied to Japan, also the land of origin for all things Pokémon, acts involving smoke are sometimes associated with ninjas - the warriors of the darkness who lurk about in especially shadowy ways. Those familiar with Pokémon will no doubt recognize that there is a Pokémon called Greninja, literally a "ninja" in both appearance and (English) name. As for other Pokémon that can use smoke in all their different ways, they may not necessarily be ninjas or considered as such, but at least their skills may be comparable with regard to their particularly unique ways of using smoke.

Admittedly, smoke is a useful diversion, given what the ninjas have figured out with all their acts that involve the aspect. Some Pokémon species no doubt have figured out to use smoke or make it appear in their own ways (as mentioned above), and especially in battle where the techniques would be most likely be used. In their puffs of smoke, there is likely to be a bit of confusion as some attacks miss their mark and a few things disappear or change, but that may be considered the hallmark of the usage or appearance of smoke. Its cloudy and shadowy appearance, for Pokémon or people, may just disclose and reveal.

Now, it seems I have to get things going and make this post puff out like smoke...

One year ago: The Batik Motifs of Pikachu's Journey

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/23/2023

Three years ago: New Factions Battlefields Plus

Four years ago: Unite Uptake

Five years ago: Making Time, Taking Time

Six years ago: Doubleheaders and Such

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Panniversary 2nd

Eight years ago: Pikachu and Poké Ball New 2DS XL

Pikachu's Indonesia Journey: After One Year

Looking at my post from the previous year (see below), it is apparent that today is the one-year anniversary of my local major Pokémon event - or rather, a series of it - specifically on the biggest one of it all. Also looking through posts from past years, it's also been a long time since I've made a post covering the one-year passage of anything related to Pokémon. For that, I've decided to make this post to commemorate the one-year anniversary of that grand event as well as to discuss what has happened since then.

So, after the series of grand events last year, the series of events this year really downscaled. It visited four cities, none of which were the same as last year (although one may be called a "suburb" of last year), which may be considered a move of introducing lesser locales into the ways of Pokémon. It also had no accompanying Pokémon Go paid event for each city, focusing more on TCG, merchandise, and general entertainment - arguably becoming a focus on the more popular aspects of the franchise at present.

Because of the absence of accompanying Pokémon Go paid events, the things gained from them throughout last year have become special and exclusive for those who obtained them, like me and others. The absence has also meant that it might take time for Pokémon Go paid events to revisit the country, in particular something along the lines of last year's City Safari. Planning for a future expansion of its concept may also be in order.

Regarding overall impressions, the quality of the event series last year has been impressive, especially its "finale edition". This year, therefore, might be considered a "backseat" or "back burner" year, also with consideration of other goings-on - shaky ones, at that - that make things a little less savory for holding something as festive as the event series. After things have settled and improved, there is hope for the event to be seen again in greater grandeur.

With the way things are for Pokémon and local affairs, at least some of the former has settled into the latter, in part thanks to the event series as discussed above. The future of that may bode for some expansions... perhaps once the "hump" of current events have been passed. It may be considered a wonderful journey since last year, and the rest of it awaits.

One year ago: Cosplay+Pokémon Go: Pikachu's Indonesia Journey in Jakarta - Jakarta City Safari

Two years ago: More on "Shundo"... and Not-So-"Shundo"

Three years ago: Teams in Café Remix

Four years ago: Mallow and Ina, Chef and Contessa

Five years ago: The Place of Pokémon Go in the Pokémon Ecosystem

Six years ago: Cosplay: GACOS LEVELUP

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/22/2018

Eight years ago: Riot of Pokémon Color

The Pains and Gains of the Local TCG Registration System

While on the subject of Pokémon TCG miscellanies, I want to take out a post to discuss the local TCG registration system for competing in local tournament events. Owing to my current lack of suitability with the physical TCG, I've never really used the system to participate in those great events, but my TCG fellows often do. Besides convenience, though, the system also has a way of delivering other "gains" as well as "pains" when registering for those events, and that becomes a partial focus for this discussion - perhaps slightly in jest.

First up is the system itself. For those great events, many of them (especially the high level ones) require pre-registration, and the system facilitates that. Players sign up for an event through the system, and a few days prior to the event, players are selected by a draw to fill the pre-registration spots. Those who don't get a spot through the draw can try to take part in the event through on-site registration to fill for the no-shows, unless the event does not allow for pre-registration, in which case the players are resigned to their fate by the system.

The workings above are more or less the "gains". As for the "pains", some of my TCG fellows consider that the system may have a "mind of its own", with some players accepted for some events and not accepted for others. Furthermore, the events to which the players are accepted are sometimes ones that are out of town - certainly necessitating travel arrangements for that purpose - while they aren't accepted to the ones in town that are more convenient for them. It's often a strange situation even with the system... 

...and for that, some players have started to make that jest about the system. The jest involves taking plenty of time to practice their TCG skills only to get shot down by the (pre-)registration system when it comes time to compete in an event, which may force them to take extra effort to go through on-site registration for the event, including arriving early and camping out. Even then, the on-site registration involves another draw, which is further a jest to how things are basically decided by draws (along with just being able to show up to the events themselves).

Even though (pre-)registration is normal and expected for taking part in competitive events, especially for the Pokémon TCG, the ways of the local system for that seem to be just as ornery as they are useful, leading to some players to poke fun at it. Despite all the "pains" that the system presents, there's still a lot of "gains" to be gotten from it, the most important thing being to be able to play competitively. The necessities of the system might just outweigh its quirks, and the only thing left to do is to take that both in jest and in stride.

One year ago: Cosplay: Cosplay Creator and Community Convention (C4)

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Tour for Other Regions?

Three years ago: The New (Old) Legacy Trainer Challenge

Four years ago: Pikachu Fidget Spinner

Five years ago: Item Runs in Pokémon Shuffle

Six years ago: Remember, Remember

Seven years ago: Community Raid Days?

Eight years ago: Pokémon and Party Games

Am I (Really) Suited for Physical TCG?

The answer to the question I posed in the title of this post might seem obvious based on the way I play the physical Pokémon TCG and the virtual TCGL by extension or "proxy". However, a few factors are still relevant to that answer, so they're still suited for a discussion on the topic. For that, the topic concerns whether I'm actually apt to play the physical TCG. Irrespective of any other factors, the answer is always "yes", but when those other factors are put back into play, the answer becomes more complicated than a single word.

If I'm going to be active in the physical TCG, I'd need to be performing card management for my decks and loose cards, and that hasn't come easily even for the cards that I already do have, in and out of decks. In this regard, I may be somewhat less suited for playing the physical TCG - and it also explains why I would prefer (and somewhat need) the convenience offered by the virtual TCGL. It's a real major hurdle, especially given that the physical TCG takes up space, and managing its cards also means managing the space for it - also not necessarily easy.

At present, I also have to venture to find others to play, and I can't expect others to venture to me. This venturing requirement also takes a little bit of a toll and has to be fitted in along with my other activities, Pokémon or otherwise. The venturing is also necessary for certain events and/or tournaments, even if I am equipped for (to play in) them with the help of others. As such, it also makes me less suited to play physically; this, like the card management effort above, are external aspects to the game itself that affects me in this manner.

Even if all of that wasn't a problem, there is also the problem of keeping up with regulations and other novelties in the game, which might necessitate that I shell out regularly for them - something that I'm becoming incapable to justify at the moment. If I can't keep up, then I may not be able to consider myself suited for physical TCG, and like card management, it makes me gravitate to the virtual version for this purpose. All that's left to suit me then is just the gameplay of the TCG, which at least I have a grasp on.

With all of the above considered, realistically, my suitability of playing the physical TCG is certainly not very much, despite knowing how to deal with the cards. Again, if that was the only criterion for suitability, then I'm suited for playing physically regardless of any other things that are necessary for doing that - likely, any or all of the above factors that I've mentioned. At the least, I'm suited to observe the play of the physical TCG with my "fellows", and that may be all that I can do presently.

One year ago: Tournament: Championship Expansion Part 6 #3

Two years ago: Pokémon Brand Parodies, Third Take

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies, Round 5

Four years ago: To Be a Snorlax

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/20/2020

Six years ago: The Friendly Manual

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

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

Little Transformations among Big Ones

As stated, this season in Pokémon Go is to be a transformative one, with a few big ones coming to Trainers sooner if not later. Among those transformations, though, there are also a few little ones, and they also lend themselves to complement the big ones. It is just as useful to discuss the former as it is to discuss the latter - which is likely to be in a certain way as is the norm for this blog - so I've taken this post in order to do just that for the former.

Some of those little transformations are in the form of UI changes, as in changing the Berry and Poké Ball tabs during Pokémon capture from horizontal to vertical, which many Trainers agree to be useful. Less useful was a change in the Pokémon information screen to bring the capture details front and center, as after only a few days, the change was reverted. Benefits certainly go into the considerations of making these transformative changes.

Resources for the game changed as well. Close to the start of this season, there was a great deal of changes in game assets, and Trainers were warned that they would have to redownload those assets, a process that becomes a good practice in a variety of conditions. Audio for the game has also been made noticeably louder even at the lowest setting, and Trainers will have to transform settings not only in-game but also for their play device.

PvP is (was) the target of a little transformation as well. As of this season, the switch timer is 45 seconds, even shorter than what it was a year ago (see below). This comes along with the usual flurry of move additions and changes, which surely has an impact on certain PvP dealings, ones that I may have missed by this point in time. In any case, the transformation is still as usual but with an additional and marked transformative change.

Even though the big transformations this season may have already been outlined early on and through later announcements, the little ones among them - as other changes to different Pokémon Go aspects - have their own major factors and deserve at least some highlighting. Change (transformation) is a constant thing for this game, if this season isn't about to make that even clearer; it's also clear that it can come in all scales.

One year ago: Major Shakeups in Pokémon Go Battles

Two years ago: Emily Rudd and Her Pokémon Links

Three years ago: Delivering an Authentic Experience

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/19/2021

Five years ago: On the Transcription of Pokémon Things

Six years ago: Taking Sides on Shiny Pokémon

Seven years ago: Raid Time Length Change

Eight years ago: Competitive Stages in Shuffle

BOGO Offers for Pokémon?

Along with the previously discussed FOMO aspect, I also had mentioned two other closely associated aspects to that - at least, by my personal experience - and ones that sound rather similar. One of them is now the subject of this post: "BOGO", short for "buy one get one". It may be that the relation of this aspect to the previous one (and perhaps the third, which will be discussed whenever) will appear rather superficial by way of that experience, but then there's a way of tying that aspect to Pokémon as I have done for the previous one.

Whether they're Pokémon fans or just ordinary ones, people will likely have heard or seen this aspect in relation to purchasing things. Essentially, it's a form of a discount where one buys an item and gets another one (of the same or similar kind) along with that item. Given this link, it becomes evident that the aspect is most pertinent for Pokémon merchandise, something that one could expect to buy one of and get something additional, although a few other purchases related to Pokémon might also qualify to have this aspect. 

Looking at the current offerings on the Pokémon Center web site, there may not be much leeway in anything that might allow a BOGO offer to take place, but the major end-of-the-year festivities are on tap, and even minor BOGO offers could be offered then... and may have been in the past, though that seems hard for me to discover for one reason or another. Meanwhile, the offerings of current Pokémon games with paid purchases often have bonuses, especially for those who purchase the offerings for the first time, and selected offerings may essentially be a BOGO offer for those who know when and how to look.

In attempting to relate this to the previous aspect, it's quite possible that BOGO offers might stimulate a FOMO feeling because of the way they are often limited-time. That may be especially so if one doesn't know how long the offers have appeared and how much longer they might be around for. In that respect, at least some games per the above may have lessened the FOMO feeling by way of informing how their "BOGO offers" have been and will be around, but even with that, at least some of the feeling might persist.

Perhaps it may be hard at times to justify the presence or existence of BOGO offers, or things that can be construed as such, for Pokémon matters. Yet as part of dealings and transactions, it may just sometimes make itself present, albeit not explicitly. As subjective as the relation is between this aspect and the previously discussed aspect, explicating them, that link, and the possible connections to Pokémon may still be warranted, and it may just be the prompt for looking out for and not missing the next (form of) BOGO offerings.

One year ago: Going Big in Galar Part 2: The Other "Big"

Two years ago: The Shared (International) Journey of One Piece and Pokémon

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/18/2022

Four years ago: To Care and To Protect

Five years ago: GOtcha Podcast Episode 1: Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Raid Failures

Seven years ago: A Restarted Fever?

Eight years ago: What I (Really) Like About You - Pokémon

The Problem of Scalpers and Pokémon

I have been mentioning a few times this year the issue of how scalpers have become involved in Pokémon matters and thus affected them. The focus, though, has been less of the latter and more on the former, and so the effect might not seem evident. Yet the effect is arguably just as important as the phenomenon in the first place, so it has to be discussed even to a certain length in order to understand what has taken place and its essence.

When the Van Gogh collaboration surfaced with its promotional card, those who "invaded" the museum in a flurry to obtain the card were undeniably of the scalper sort, causing somewhat of a hassle for its distribution and forcing a bit of a rework for this purpose. Thus, the effect becomes an illustration of how scalpers have caused problems for the distribution of Pokémon merchandise and how this necessitates changes in the method for doing just that.

Later on, it was apparent that scalpers had gotten ahold of Pokémon merchandise offered by McDonalds in Japan with complete disregard of the food that it's supposed to come along with, leading the franchise to cancel a later promotion for another series that is just as popular as Pokémon and surely has scalper problems of its own. Here, the effect goes beyond the merchandise itself and it poses further problems for distributing parties.

Meanwhile, TCG players in the U.S. still find it hard to get ahold of cards, for which it is cited that the display shelves of a major retailer for it is often seen empty - likely because the scalpers have gotten ahold of the products before actual players have. Evidently, the effect in this case becomes the burden of the players, whose need for the physical product cannot be fulfilled due to the products being in the hands of the scalpers rather than among players.

Out of these happenings that are brought upon by scalpers, their effects can be said to be somewhat profound for the fans of Pokémon merchandise and those who provide them, and it becomes a major problem for all. The solution to that problem, that which will satisfy the fans and providers while excluding the scalpers, may still need to be worked out; hopefully, concern will remain with the merchandise itself and not those who scalp them.

One year ago: More Waypoint Usage in Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Cosplay: Helloweebs on the Road & TM Town Festival

Three years ago: Best Times for Community Day across Times and Places

Four years ago: (Un)finished Business, Again

Five years ago: Progressing Through the Go Battle League

Six years ago: At a Starry Night Time

Seven years ago: Approaching Field Research Tasks

Eight years ago: Restarting Go Fever Among Players

Getting Tired of Packs in TCGP?

As has become evident, throughout this year, the TCGP implementation of the Pokémon TCG has come out with expansions (and thus, packs) one after another in monthly succession. That makes for a great deal of content - not all of which have been perfect - but it can also be overwhelming to the point that it makes some people or players tired of them. This becomes an undesirable condition that may lead to other undesirable things for (the state of) the game, and it demands a few perspectives for its understanding.

This condition is also referred by a certain player as "pack fatigue", which encapsulates the above sentiments quite well. The novelty of opening card packs from a new expansion is conceivably replaced by a sense of frustration, boredom, and tiredness when it comes to getting the last few numbered cards, which may not be all that easy to get. And then a new expansion comes in too quickly, which repeats that. Although it's possible to battle with the already obtained cards, the intervening timeframe may not allow that to happen comfortably. The game also seems pressured to put things out quickly, leading to the above problems.

I myself feel that sense of tiredness, losing the novelty from the addition of expansions quickly and not having the downtime to battle and try to make use of the cards I've already gotten. Moreover, since sometimes I don't log in frequently enough for getting the cards as well as certain events, it feels like I can't keep up with them before the next expansion shows up and I'm thrust into the "new expansion roller coaster" again. If things didn't happen so quickly, I would be able to enjoy them more and not be pressured to get everything done within the period of one month as is now apparently their norm.

Could there be a way to rectify this situation? The answer may be "yes": for the next expansion, both major and minor, the period can be extended to one and a half months, and the events in them can have their durations adjusted as well. This ought to allow time for players to get all the cards they want and/or need, and their development can become not so rushed as well. Following that, a lengthy break of expansions for concurrent maintenance (while still allowing the game to be played) can be implemented before "the next big thing".

For many things, it is certain that rushing them may not be in the best interest. The expansions and packs in TCGP over the course of this year look to have that "rushed" quality for them, which in turn may be "rushing" the energy and feelings of some players, and perhaps even the game itself. A pause to not rush the things in the game might be beneficial at this moment to allow further enjoyment without the tiredness that has developed for players or otherwise.

One year ago: Dynamax in Pokémon Go: The "Big" Bones

Two years ago: Being a Pokémon... Weeaboo?

Three years ago: New Pokémon Fossil Watches

Four years ago: Let's Talk About Good Drinks and Good Friends

Five years ago: The Firefighters of Pokémon

Six years ago: Pokémon Cable Bite Accessory - Pikachu

Seven years ago: An End to Jumps

Eight years ago: Pokémon Suits in Cosplay?

Cosplay: Foodtopia Festival (S4)

Me: So, here's that "thing" from yesterday.

Ash: It was this festival again!

Goh: OK, that's not too bad. And... I think this would be the fourth time. Same deal and all.

Me: I think so. They didn't say explicitly, but this would be "Season 4" if they actually said it.

Goh: Like all the times before, there had to have been competitions.

Me: Sure! But... it seems they wanted to try some different things, so a few things changed.

Ash: There was no singing competition this time!

Goh: Oh, what a bummer. So you couldn't do anything our friend would want you to do.

Ash: Yeah. But then there was Community Day, so I still couldn't even if I could.

Pikachu: Pika pika pika... ["It wasn't going to happen..."]

Me: I'm pretty sure that it would have been smack-dab in the afternoon right at the same time as well.

Goh: But they had to fill time - so what did they have?

Ash: I heard it was a dance cover competition. But I didn't see any of it.

Me: It was absolutely that. One of my friends told me he'd participate in it. But yeah, this is something we really can't deal with.

Goh: And there had to be entertainment... oh wait, according to the poster, looks like it's just dance groups.

Ash: Didn't get to see (most of) them either.

Goh: Not surprising since our friend isn't fond of them.

Me: That's true.

Goh: The thing that stays has to be the character parade... yes?

Ash: Yup! But I didn't get in even though there was still time when I got to the place.

Goh: Hmm? Care to explain, our friend?

Me: Well, let's think about it this way. Did you see the parade?

Ash: Almost the entire thing, in the evening.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["A good time for it."]

Goh: That's actually kind of nice. 

Ash: There were 25 or so characters.

Me: And how about the winners?

Ash: Just three. All friends of yours, and they've been winners before. And I think the judges know them - and us.

Goh: I see where this is going. So it was a good call not to sign up, just like that one time.

Me: See, this is too easy. And hard for me to shell out cash if that was just going to happen.

Goh: Yeah, I get that. So, after all, the day was just for meeting friends of our friends.

Ash: I'm just fine with that!

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Sure thing!"]

Ash: And... I guess it might take some time before our friend can put us in something, somewhere. 

Me: If better opportunities present themselves, then that will happen.

Goh: Hey, at least there was food this time. 

Ash: A lot! But I only tried a bit from your friends.

Goh: Oh. Well, next time.

Me: There will be good food, good friends, and good times - hopefully all at once.

One year ago: In Search of New Posting Styles

Two years ago: The Nonviolent Approach to Pokémon

Three years ago: Pokémon Moe Gijinka: To Love and Be Loved

Four years ago: Reminiscing Stadium and Colosseum

Five years ago: On Public Communication with Pokémon

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/15/2019

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Trading Stickers

Eight years ago: Am I Writing-Challenged?

Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/14/2025

Some people might say that September is a pleasant month. One thing that might make that so is all the colors that might be present throughout the days of the month, and the sight of colors is indeed relaxing to many. Colors also apply very well to Pokémon species, of which some of them have forms that vibrantly show off these colors. This may or may not have been the guiding principle for choosing the featured Pokémon of this month's edition - which incidentally is on the same date as last year's (see below) - but the colors are still evident regardless for this edition. 

Those colors are certainly of Flabébé, this month's featured Pokémon and its species family. As discussed in a post, it has five colors (of their flowers), which in Pokémon Go is distributed according to specific areas of the world - "regional", it can be said. That makes it the first Community Day with forms that not everyone in the world may have. Even so, the event is advertised with the white and orange colors, the global but rare ones. Regardless of color, evolving it to Floette and then Florges during the span of the next week allows the latter to learn the Chilling Water move, a Charged move of the Water type with usefulness for PvP. Further, the usual stringent evolution requirement to evolve Floette is temporarily simplified to just earning seven Buddy Pokémon hearts - truly a necessity if one wants to evolve several.

Because of the regional specificity, a few things also apply to Research. The Field Research encounters are of the regional color as well as the global colors. The background Timed Research encounters are of the regional color, while the paid Special Research encounters are of the global colors. As such, this isn't an opportunity to obtain the colors of the other regions, but more to obtain special versions of the ones that are available wherever one plays. Of course, one can deal with the ones from other regions if one already has them.

As for the rest of the aspects, this month's main bonus is quartered Egg hatch distance, always a useful bonus for an addition. Then there are the usual other bonuses of double Candy and Candy XL chance, extended Lure Modules and Incense, photo bombs (of the regional variant), an extra Special Trade and discounted trades, and item bundles in the shops. They're all regular, even if the featured Pokémon isn't.

Oh, and there is (was) a bit of an irregularity for me today for dealing with this edition...

Goh: That means Ash, doesn't it.

Ash: Here I am! (And there I was...)

Me: Well, we don't need to talk too much about Flabébé and its kin, since we know you two have a history with them while you were adventuring.

Goh: Yeah, you know about that, especially the white flower one.

Pikachu: Pika pika pika chu. ["I like yellow myself."]

Ash: I captured a lot of them today! But the only Shiny ones were for the blue one.... 

Goh: So, the blue one is for the place where you are.

Me: It surely is. I don't know if I'll be able to get the white and orange ones - if ever - but I can try a few things.

Ash: I met your better friends of your "friends". And then I went somewhere else for even better friends.

Goh: Oh, so that must be a for a thing going on somewhere.

Ash: It was.

Me: We'll deal with that separately. But hey, it makes for a "flowery" day today with all the people we met.

Ash: Nice one!

If the defining characteristic of the Flabébé species family is the color of their flowers, then as suggested by the title of the paid Special Research ("Flower Power"), the botanical aspect is their key to make things lively. Of course, that goes for the appearance aspect as the color, and that comes in spades to make this month's Community Day a real pleasant one.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/14/2024

Two years ago: Watch What I Say

Three years ago: Into the Deep Blue

Four years ago: Dancing with Pokémon

Five years ago: It's Time for GOtcha... Podcast

Six years ago: The Appeal of the TCG

Seven years ago: A Pokémon Watch

Eight years ago: Three's Demise

Mega Evolution on Parade

In the past, I had discussed about Mega Evolution in different framings, a minorly pessimistic one when it apparently seemed to be put to rest, and a slightly hopeful one after it has taken a foothold in Pokémon Go. Fast-forward to today, the concept has seen a resurgence, which could be described as a "parade" of sorts; not only that, fans of the past and present are quite receptive of this resurgence and particularly how it's being presented. This current state of affairs for a Pokémon evolution form that almost became a bygone one definitely demands attention and addressing, particularly for the relevant factors contributing to it - as in the games that will feature them.

Along with the prior discussion, I had postulated that it might take something new to bring it back to prominence and provoke a good response. Now, that something has become clear: that would be Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which takes the setting of Lumiose City as the heart of Kalos, the region that heralded Mega Evolution in the first place. In fact, new Pokémon with this evolutionary form have been revealed, from Mega Dragonite during the latest Pokémon Presents to those for Victreebel, Hawlucha, and Malamar in various (and quirky) social media announcements, and just now through a "final trailer" for other expected and unexpected species. Much, much more will become clear(er) when the game gets released next month, with this cavalcade heralding that clarity.

Then there is the TCG (physical as well as Live) with the coming Mega Evolution expansion. Some of the featured forms will certainly be for the "first batch" species that fans already know and recognize, and players will need to deal with them as "ex" cards that evolve from their earlier stage forms. Obviously, there was some planning for this to coincide with the Legends game as above, and that works out well for the momentum of that game while bolstering the TCG itself - allowing it to "take part" in the parade, in a way.

Meanwhile, there has been word that over the course of the remaining part of the year, Pokémon Unite will finally implement Mega Evolution for Pokémon other than Mewtwo (that has been the pioneer and yet still the only one as such even now). They'll be a sight to see when they finally appear, and their "ground rules" may also become evident at that point, but it is clear that Pokémon Unite has offered its contributions to the parade. 

Of course, Pokémon Go will take everything into account. In fact, nearly all of the "first batch" species now have their forms in the game, or will eventually. That means the "second batch" from the new Legends game will follow suit, whether it's during this rather "form-changing" season or all the other ones that will come afterwards.

From its beginnings in the sixth-generation games, Mega Evolution truly has had its ups and downs. The momentum of the main series games that featured them is one upward moment, followed by the almost immediate downward one of their nearly becoming deprecated. Then there were just sporadic inclusions in other facets, before the current almost full resurgence with a "parade" heralded by a game that promises to be sensational. Like any parade, at least some excitement is to be had as its participants appear, and with the ones above for Mega Evolution, fans will definitely be set for a good time as they watch the "parade" pass by.

One year ago: On Half Decks and Full Decks

Two years ago: Spoiler Alert

Three years ago: Longing for Pokémon Donuts

Four years ago: The Fate of My Local Pokémon Hangouts

Five years ago: Competitor Ranks of the Silph League Arena

Six years ago: Personal Branding

Seven years ago: To Judge and Be Judged

Eight years ago: Catering to Old and New Players

Theia Sky Ruins, Subterranean Edition

Closing up the run of this week's discussions on Pokémon Unite matters is one that is of great interest and importance. Starting this Battle Pass season, Ranked match players continue to deal with the Theia Sky Ruins map as they have done for a few years now, but with a few differences. The discussion was originally planned to focus on the most major element of those differences, but it turns out there is more than that. As such, I decided to expand it to cover the importance of its elements taken together. 

And taken together, the overall gist is as suggested in the title of this post: the map now comes in a "subterranean" edition. What makes it as such is that the central "legend pit" now has Groudon instead of Rayquaza, which when defeated grants faster scoring of goals and increased power instead of a protective shield. Its appearance is fairly obvious: the pit is now bordered by pools of magma rather than dense clouds. It has always been apparent that the "legend pit" is important, and now it is more so.

That, of course, is not all. A few other things are changed, specifically the titan "axis" in the middle. Sometimes, the original trio and Regieleki will swap places, while Regidrago will appear in the middle early on to boost goal scoring when defeated, marking its first time showing up in a map for Ranked matches. Herds of Natu might also show up in the center, and the two outermost goal zones might have different point requirements. As such, the changes are quite spread out.

Dealing with the map might require a bit of strategy changing for those who are already acquainted with the previous edition. The titans being shuffled around might prompt some players to choose Pokémon they don't normally play in order to deal with any or all of them. Certainly, reiterating the above, players will want to go into the "legend pit" in order to take down Groudon for themselves before the other team does so, or the consequences might indeed become very dire for them otherwise.

Opportunities for new supremacy might just arise with these latest changes to affect the Theia Sky Ruins map that has been in place as the venue for Ranked matches in Pokémon Unite for some time - something that is not likely to change any time soon, apparently unlike the map itself. The appearance of Groudon in lieu of Rayquaza brings the sky-high map down to earth (perhaps a little bit under that), and this and the other new or mixed-up elements will pique and challenge players with all that they can offer.

One year ago: No Lies... and Lies

Two years ago: A Win for the Ages

Three years ago: One-Minute Cooking in Café Remix

Four years ago: Hidden Tracked Statistics in Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Let's Talk About Household Creatures

Six years ago: And Intelligence

Seven years ago: Proud to Be a Clean Cosplayer

Eight years ago: Poké-Mobile Devices

My Pokémon Unite Boost Emblem Progress, Revisited

Meanwhile, it's been over a year since I discussed the progress of my boost emblems in Pokémon Unite. Since then, progress has been slow and steady - albeit slightly inconsistent - and this becomes a prompt for me to make the update. It comes at the right time with this month's series of posts involving the game, and it just seems so natural to be made given the circumstance; thus, I might as well make it and fit it into the subject at hand.

Out of 259 currently available boost emblems - more on this soon - for me, 29 of these are Platinum emblems, 195 are Gold or higher, 242 are Silver or higher, and 249 are Bronze or higher. That means Bronze is pretty much nearly complete, Silver needs a little bit more work, Gold still needs a good amount of work, and Platinum is going to be incremental (especially given the way that they're gotten). This might then just make it the closest update yet.

Now, 8 of these emblems are the ones I previously mentioned as "out of band" since they're not of Pokémon of the first and second generations. This group includes the Sprigatito family, which have been added only in Platinum form (and I have them), as well as Latias and Latios also only in Platinum (and I'm missing them). It seems that adding Pokémon emblems "out of band" will continue to be viable and I'd need to be on the lookout for these.

If that is also any indication, I'd also still need to be on the lookout for the Platinum emblem missions as part of the Unite Weekend as mentioned previously. I've been missing some of them, often unintentionally, and it may be anyone's guess when or how the ones I missed might ever return. Meanwhile, I may still be weighing my options on using the emblems I already have in order to boost the Pokémon I frequently use and perhaps may desire as such.

The boost emblem progress in my case could still be regarded as pretty good at any rate, and that may be the only thing that matters. Inconsistency may still be expected, especially with regard to the process of obtaining certain emblems and/or their state, but general efforts in a more consistent direction might help to even things out for the progress. The only thing that's left is more consistent progress on the core gameplay for which the emblems boost.

One year ago: Why Do I Still Play Pokémon Unite?

Two years ago: Another Pokémon Watch

Three years ago: The Intricacy of Declining Raid Invitations

Four years ago: Greater Friendship Levels in Pokémon Go?

Five years ago: Getting Feline with Pokémon

Six years ago: This Is It

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Club Cosplay Party

Eight years ago: Pokkén BanaPassports

The Set Shop in Pokémon Unite

For many players, including me, the aspect or feature of Pokémon Unite that I have chosen to take up for discussion in this post might not matter much, but those who possess the means for it might find it very much useful. Along with the regular shops of Pokémon Unite, which I've discussed oh-so-long ago, Pokémon Unite also has a few other distinct specialty shops, one of them being the Set Shop. Admittedly, this has become a "regular" shop of sorts, but for the most part, it can still be considered "specialty" for what it's worth.

The Set Shop is accessed from the upper-right corner of the main screen, just below the Aeos Gems indicator and access to its shop. Now, it's called the "Set Shop" because its contents are comprised of bundles of items, most often a Unite License and a matching Holowear so one can play with the Pokémon and have something to show off for it. As can be discerned, they're essentially "better together" items, so players get at least some value for them - moreover that they're discounted to an extent. Quite a few are also related to certain Legendary Pokémon, so they're (slightly) useful for those who missed their respective events.

Yet there is a catch, a typical one for the game. The items in the shop are only purchasable by spending Aeos Gems, which means one will have to pay for them with real money by proxy. As such, this is the part that probably won't matter much to many players, as the ones who don't pay for or really ever use Aeos Gems for any purpose. The Unite Licenses might have already been obtained or could be gotten with alternative currencies, so the only sticking point would be the offered Holowear, the only thing that would prompt payment for and spending of Aeos Gems in any case and even outside of this specific shop.

While the Set Shop is a fascinating and useful aspect or feature, its usage of Aeos Gems to purchase its items is certainly a limiter for those who are not concerned with spending this currency (and its real-world money equivalent) and/or just want to keep things free to play. As a "specialty" shop, though, it fills a void for those who do invest in the game and look to get more out of that investment, and there is nothing wrong with that. It may be the start or continuance of that effort for when it matters the most.

One year ago: High-Score Skip in Café Remix

Two years ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu Mini Gathering

Three years ago: Quickies: Building with the "Builder Trio"

Four years ago: Wallpaper: Journeys Gap Ad

Five years ago: Multilingual Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Gym Tours

Seven years ago: (A Further) Local Ex-Raid, 9/10/2018

Eight years ago: Cosplay: BJF - Shizen ni Modoru

Possibility of a Universal Event "Claim All"?

Next on the agenda for a run of Pokémon Unite discussions is one related to implementation (specifically, a way of it) and a bit of a feature request. Some modern Pokémon games now have a "Claim All" or sometimes "Receive All" button for rewards gained through pass tracks or sometimes just tasks. It's a feature that is helpful when many individual rewards are present and a player just wants to get them all without fuss. Pokémon Unite implements this as well, and it is fine in a number of cases except one.

In some specific screens, both related and unrelated to events, a "Claim All" button is present and takes care of things nicely. In fact, sometimes it becomes the more convenient and workable option due to certain issues of responsiveness (not pertinent to this discussion). However, with the burgeoning number of events and event formats, it can be kind of tedious to go through all the separate event screens and claiming the rewards in each one, even if they have that "Claim All" button. What would be great is to be able to get the claiming done for all different kinds of events, much like as in Café Remix with its "Receive All" button for tasks.

As such, the feature request would be for a "Claim All" button that would be "universal" across events, not just individual ones. Some of the events can still have their own "Claim All" button for their purposes, but for those who like and want to get things done all at once - most likely since they don't spend too much time within the game - the "universal" button would then do the trick. It might be a little hard to implement due to the way that the various events present themselves in both rewards and functions, but if there is a way to do just that, then it might very well be worthwhile to make the implementation.

The multitude of events that are now present in Pokémon Unite is certainly not going away, and further, they're likely to expand upon themselves. This goes along with the rewards that they can possibly furnish, which might require some separate claiming efforts at the moment even if they're all within a single event. A "universal" button for claiming all rewards would be the certain feature to implement, even if this could present some difficulty, and from there all that remains is to get and keep all of the usual gameplay going.

One year ago: Quickies: Odd Architecture, Here and There

Two years ago: The Lucky Wheel in Café Remix

Three years ago: The 2022 Silph Arena Continentals Meta

Four years ago: Capturing Toward the (Pokémon) Future

Five years ago: More Music from Pokémon Go

Six years ago: The Music of TCGO

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Tachiagare

Eight years ago: My Book of Days

Sharing Results in (and from) Pokémon Unite

This month, I'm returning to an actual Pokémon subject for my "gimme five" posts that will span this week. The subject is the MOBA game that is Pokémon Unite, for discussing a few facets from both past and present. The one I've chosen for today might seem benign but actually has an element of importance to it. As such, it's also helpful to understand it and possibly make use of it for better gameplay.

Some achievements in the game (exchanging for a gold emblem, attaining certain ranks, obtaining a Unite License, among others) allow for them to be shared in the form of an image. This can then be placed on a player's preferred social media platform, and from there they can also be saved for posterity and one's records. It also becomes a useful way to engage existing players and possibly motivate non-players to play or rejoin.

For example, here's my shared fourth anniversary recap.

At certain times, there is another motivation and encouragement to share: doing so may allow the player to earn 50 Aeos Coins, which is a small sum but could be quite useful to balance its earnings from other sources - especially for those who (almost) never pay for Aeos Gems. This will be clearly indicated when the Share button pops up, and sharing the achievement right then and there will result in the small earning.

It goes without saying that the opportunity to share achievements or results should be utilized whenever it allows for the earnings above. However, since the sharing result is an image, any achievement that may deserve to be memorialized in such a form can therefore be shared to preserve them. The process may allow for their record-keeping, which I would say is a pretty good side benefit whether or not there is the earning above.

Evidently, even a small and seemingly benign facet like the sharing of results or achievements in (and from) Pokémon Unite can have its benefits, which means it's worthy to be detailed as the above. It's up to players to utilize it however they may, just like it's up to me to detail about them in the posts of this blog and outline how that might be done. As far as I'm concerned, that's a great thing for everyone.

One year ago: On Getting Rained Out and Rained On with Pokémon

Two years ago: The Persistence of Theia Sky Ruins in Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: Like a Headless Torchic... or Pokémon

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Multiple Pokédexes, Realized

Five years ago: Pokémon Documentaries?

Six years ago: The New Flavors of Pokémon

Seven years ago: Other Uses of Pokémon Go

Eight years ago: Incubators in Pokémon Go

Cosplay: Dalbo Fest Fifth Anniversary

Me: OK, now this is a real festival - or I should say, market.

Goh: Sure! Also, isn't this a repeat from a year ago?

Me: Indeed it is. So I think we might be able to count on this as an annual thing.

Goh: OK, so if it's a repeat, then was it at the same place?

Ash: It was - same market and things in it.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["All there!"]

Goh: And that would mean the same people holding it.

Ash: Yeah, pretty much.

Goh: Oh, and the same competitions too.

Ash: Well, there was a character parade and performance, but I don't think I saw the performance one...

Me: I could've sworn they also promised the latter. Then again, I wasn't going to commit you for either.

Goh: Oh - let me guess, there was a raid thing going on, also like last year.

Ash: There was - for Mega Sharpedo. This one I did with a friend of our friend, so just a small group.

Goh: That's nice. I guess you didn't have to do much for that.

Ash: I got in after the raids. Maybe I did miss a couple of things.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Maybe so."]

Ash: I did get to see the character parade. 

Goh: So maybe you could have made it in. But...

Ash: I knew the judges and the judges knew me.

Me: Fat chance of getting anything out of this one. So that meant just hanging out with friends and other characters.

Ash: Yeah. I met many of them over the rest of the day.

Goh: I bet they're all good friends of our friends.

Ash: Sure! I had a great time with them.

Goh: How about other entertainment on the stage?

Ash: I think they were all dance groups.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika... ["The usual..."]

Goh: Did you at least get to browse through the market?

Ash: At the end, when it was almost over. Our friend also wanted me to find a certain clothing item... and I got it for a good price, with the help of a friend too.

Me: Excellent! I think it'll make for something good very soon.

Goh: Hey, at least the market came in handy this time. 

Ash: It sure did. So if it's going to be every year, then I think we'll keep on finding new things. 

Me: I can't say it better myself.

Goh: I hope our friend can put in Ash somehow next time.

Me: Believe me, I really want to do that.

Ash: I think it can happen!

Me: And I'm sure this market festival will still be a happening one - five years and counting.

One year ago: Cosplay: Small Business Showcase

Two years ago: Paldea in Pokémon Go: Catching Up, Skipping Out

Three years ago: Rising to the Occasion: Theia Sky Ruins

Four years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: More Selections

Five years ago: The Charisma of Pokémon Personalities

Six years ago: TCG, Order and Chaos

Seven years ago: Artistic Routine

Eight years ago: Pokémon Song, Indonesian Flavor

Pokémon (and Other) Diversions

Of all the things I haven't discussed on this blog with certain relation to Pokémon, the topic of "diversions" might prove to be a wild one. The reason is that it can apply in several different ways, including for Pokémon. Yet for the purpose of this post, they have to be illustrated or explained in some way, and that becomes my task. It's also admitted that the task may not be evidently easy, but it shows the nature of things.

When Pokémon species become a diversion, they're usually involved in spots of trouble or other hijinks. Snorlax from the Orange Islands and Jigglypuff throughout the early days of the Pokémon anime were both diversions in their own right, the latter from certain musical ventures and the former from the management of a fruit (Berry) orchard. Only by dealing with the diversions themselves could order be restored.

For Pokémon itself becoming a diversion, any fan who plays the games frequently can attest that it is as such, becoming a useful (and therefore good) aside from other matters of life. As with any other form of a diversion, leaving things unchecked can make things less than stellar, but that shouldn't happen even to the best and most fervent of Pokémon fans like me. The key seems to be their management for all their usefulness.

And, as a bit of diversion from this discussion...

Me: I guess I effectively sent you on a few faraway diversions today.

Ash: Yeah, um... it took a bit, but I got quite a few things done that maybe you wouldn't be able to do yourself.

Goh: Wasn't there a festival or something? 

Ash: There was... and there wasn't.

Me: And the situation was regrettable. If things come to fruition, we might be able to talk about it.

Ash: You might also want to take things easy.

Me: Good point. Though I'm a little unsure since things keep happening.

Goh: I'm sure you can deal with them.

Me: Well... that, and hopefully there aren't any extreme diversions in the mix. 

The way that diversions are, they really can make people take side turns from the intended things. A few of them might just involve Pokémon, and that could be something good for its fans, for even in the Pokémon world there are specific diversions involving the eponymous species as well. Wherever those diversions might lead, it may be that their results can affect Pokémon (and other) matters in possibly the best of ways.

One year ago: The Good and Evil of Ace Spec Cards

Two years ago: Why Do I Still Play Pokémon Go?

Three years ago: Pelipper's Carry-Ons

Four years ago: The Silph Arena Continentals Meta

Five years ago: Multiple Pokédexes in Pokémon Go?

Six years ago: Local Tailors and My Cosplay Costumes

Seven years ago: A New 3DS Story: A Second Monster Home

Eight years ago: Personalities

The Two Faces of My Return

As in past years, on September 5, I discuss my return to playing Pokémon Go, which happened eight years ago (see below) and incidentally in the first year I started this blog. I've discussed a few aspects related to this matter since then, some less personal and others more personal. This year, I've decided to take the latter route and discuss an aspect that is very personal, especially given what has happened over the course of this year and my relations with certain other Trainers who play the game.

Basically, my return to playing Pokémon Go has exposed me to two different sides or "faces" of those other Trainers. One of those "faces" is the relations with good Trainers, ones who may be as passionate for other Pokémon things as I am and are supportive of each other. The other "face" is ones who are less stellar in that regard to the point of being snobbish and derisive toward others, no matter how great their progress may be. Given others' sentiments, I may not be alone in this regard - but I can offer my views.

I'm happy that my return allowed me to meet the former group of people, which was the case the first time I met one such person and now recently with a faraway group that I've only met for the first time. This kind of experience can be considered to be the "foundation" of my return as it should be for others, becoming a motivation for those who might decide to return today as I had back then. Certainly, this also needs to be facilitated by existing Trainers and be the sole best "face" of any return effort. 

On the other hand, I'm also slightly disappointed that my return efforts have resulted in that other "face". Yet at the same time, I couldn't have possibly foreseen such an outcome for my return efforts, so I can only take it in stride. The best (and the least) thing I can do is to turn away as much as possible - especially since the Trainers involved might be difficult to change - and to stay on the good side of things, to consider that I am also presenting that "face" to other potentially returning Trainers.

These two "faces" will likely remain part of my Pokémon Go experience after having returned so many years ago as the personal choice that I made, not to mention for being able to furnish experiences and information about the game on this blog. With the way that the "faces" relate to other people and how they too might have the same experiences, it can also be considered "interpersonal" in a number of ways as well. In either case, it's the return effort that remains important, if this and other discussions are of any indication.

One year ago: Wishing Others' Return

Two years ago: Point of (No) Return?

Three years ago: Return Back, Return Forward

Four years ago: Returns in Various Guises

Five years ago: Returns Come and Go

Six years ago: Return, Return, Return, Return...

Seven years ago: A Happy Return

Eight years ago: Here I Go (Again)

Cosplay: DH x AM Cosplay Festival

Me: Not to forget, there was that thing I said I'd save for later... and I'd almost completely forgotten about it due to other matters.

Goh: Oh, yes - from Sunday, right?

Ash: Right! The thing after Community Day. 

Me: And I guess I have to mention that this discussion may be somewhat brief... because that's how long you were there, right?

Ash: Yeah. I met your friends and they said it was pretty much already over when I got there. 

Pikachu: Pika pika... ["That happened..."]

Goh: Oh, that's a bummer. But then there was Community Day...

Ash: I actually was going to go a bit earlier, but I ended up spending time at Community Day with a good friend of our friend for a Lucky Trade.

Goh: I see, the "something to do". Was there another? 

Ash: Yeah, it was to return a tool our friend borrowed.

Me: If it weren't for the Lucky Trade and the tool return, I might have had you already at the festival instead of Community Day.

Goh: I guess it couldn't be helped.

Me: Which brings us back to the festival... 

Ash: It was a festival, all right. There were food stands all in a row, and then there was an art thing in a building.

Goh: Art thing?? You mean, the organizer of this and the one four months ago are the same?

Me: I can confirm that it's indeed the case. Which means for the last one, students may have contracted them.

Ash: That makes sense! 

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Pretty much."]

Ash: I got to see a bit of the art with your friends and get a little food for you later on. 

Goh: The art had to be spiffy, right?

Ash: Yup, all kinds of stuff from drawings to figures. There were even some Pikachu ones.

Me: Well, on a good day, then, I'd be more than willing to pay for that.

Goh: But I guess you could get in since it was almost done.

Ash: Yeah, that. Even the character parade was already over.

Me: I really wanted to get you into this one, but alas, Community Day called us.

Goh: It seems a little odd that similar festivals run into Community Day twice now.

Me: That's a thing.

Ash: It was still OK, from the little that I saw. 

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Me too!"]

Goh: Maybe the next time is to make things a lot.

Ash: Yeah! For all of us. 

Me: Sure. I don't know if we'll run into this one again - and if we do, if it'll run into Community Day again - but I'll see what I can do.

Goh: You can say that last Saturday was artistic.

Ash: Haha, maybe.

Me: It's always an art navigating the challenges of Pokémon and sending characters, for sure.

One year ago: Galar in Pokémon Go: Filling in the Blanks

Two years ago: TCG Live Is Live! (...Mostly?)

Three years ago: The Food Element Categories of Café Remix

Four years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: The Lighter Side

Five years ago: Worlds Within Worlds

Six years ago: The New PvP Charged Move Mechanism

Seven years ago: AFA ID in Memoriam

Eight years ago: Cold as the Winds

TCGP: A Visit to the Secluded Springs

TCGP meanwhile continues, seemingly unfazed by the last expansion and the debacle that it furnished, to deliver yet another expansion within a month's time. This current one continues the spirit of that and takes players to a hidden yet vibrant place where Pokémon species can roam free, and ones selected by players can serve them well in their advances in the game. And then there are the usual niceties that any expansion provides, but that's to be discussed a little later in the post.

"Secluded Springs" is the title of this expansion, which is dubbed as a Themed Booster Pack and is thus a minor expansion. Like the previous major expansion, many of the Pokémon are composed of those from the Johto region, with a handful from other regions. The three Legendary beasts from the primary region of concern are all present as ex cards, and Suicune - also being the highlight Pokémon of the expansion - is present as an "immersive" card, and a pretty nice one to look into. 

As for the rest of the minor expansion or Themed Booster Pack, it has 71 numbered cards in all. The overnumbered section contains 34 cards, bringing the overall total of the cards here to 105. As usual, this section is where the "immersive" card resides as well as a number of cards for those with full art and certainly Shiny Pokémon. It's a decent size for a minor expansion, and players should be easily able to go back and forth between this one and the last major expansion to get at their cards.

With the three Legendary beasts being what they are, they will certainly be the cards to get from this minor expansion, but particularly so for Suicune with its "immersive" card. Aside from these, there is yet another assortment of Trainer cards with new and possibly interesting functions, ones that players will also may need to look into once they get them. At the least, the "booster pack" quality is evident with them. 

If the imagery of this minor expansion or Themed Booster Pack is one of a hidden yet vibrant place, then it might be sensible to consider that the cards in the group are part of the continued effort to shed light on other possible Pokémon (cards) that might join the fray of the game and do what they can do. The vibrancy of that then lies in the continued collection and play efforts to present the place through the cards.

One year ago: Cosplay: Utsuru 9 x Idol Stage

Two years ago: The Pole Position of Adventures Abound

Three years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Open Great League

Four years ago: You Made Me a...

Five years ago: Let's Play and Pokémon

Six years ago: Pokémon and Music Games, Revisited

Seven years ago: (Late and Great) Local Ex-Raid, 9/3/2018

Eight years ago: Bandai Pokémon XY Swing - Pikachu

An Important Transformation: A New Level Cap

Before proceeding to discuss other transformations in this Pokémon Go season slated to be full of them, I thought I'd bring up a rather important one. I had said I'd bring it up when it becomes relevant (or brings about a lack thereof), but the "wheels" for this transformation have been set into motion, and therefore it's just as relevant to bring it up now as it is to bring it up later. The former also works out to give sufficient notice and warning in advance of the expected transformation, so there is another good reason.

That transformation is of course yet another increase of the level cap, this time by a whopping 30 levels to Level 80, which will be put in place on October 15. Even so, this change is only relevant for Trainer levels, and Pokémon will still only top out at Level 50, so there is no worry about power shifts in both casual and competitive battles. The rationale for this is to provide a greater balance and smoother progression for Trainers in leveling up - perhaps as to what it should have been since the start of the game when there were only 40 levels.

With this transformation, the level-up tasks that are ascribed to Levels 41-50 will be removed and new tasks will be ascribed to the future Levels 71-80. Those who reach this point are also more likely to become Lucky Friends with other Trainers, which is likely a bonus ascribed to something else that may be related yet is not pertinent to this discussion. Certainly, Trainers with enough XP will also automatically gain levels when the new cap is put in place, and they'll also need to complete the tasks when presented.

Yet unfortunately, there are a few caveats. The avatar items offered as level-up rewards for Levels 41-50 can no longer be gotten after the new level cap is introduced, but those who have gotten them will keep them, making them "legacy" items. Meanwhile, there will be a "legacy" pose and another level medal similar to the one for when the level cap was first raised, and all of these become incentives for Trainers to reach Level 50 soon.

For that, an event called XP Celebration started on August 25 and will continue up to the day the new level cap is introduced. It features double XP for throws, extra XP from raids and Max Battles, and a Timed Research set rewarding millions of XP. The "explore 25 km" task at Level 47 has been shortened from eight times to just twice as well, which allows a fighting chance to get to Level 50 before the day of the new level cap.

Considering all that happens in Pokémon Go, there is really no way to go but "up", and so it is that the level cap has to be increased - and it is going to, in about one and a half months. Aside from transformations involving Pokémon and the possibility of varied forms that they may have, this may be considered the most important transformation yet of this season, and highlighting that in preparation for it is no less important than all the Pokémon.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/31/2024

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 9/2/2023

Three years ago: Cryptic Field Research Tasks?

Four years ago: Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: A Necessary Outreach

Five years ago: Mega Evolution Quibbles in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Two Flavors of Pokémon Stickers

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

Eight years ago: (Self) References

The Season of Tales of Transformation

So, for those who read my end-of-season post yesterday, the operative word that serves as the teaser for the next Pokémon Go season is "change". That's because this season is titled "Tales of Transformation", a rather long title for one. In that lengthy stretch, there is the indication that a lot has to be interpreted about it; fortunately, some of that comes easily with what is expected from Pokémon Go and Pokémon in general, while others need a bit of deeper digging to uncover the tales they may have to tell.

The most important part of those tales, the one that concerns the game furnishing the season title, is the one that needs to be told first. This season will definitely see some Pokémon that are able to access some very different forms - certainly including Mega Evolution and the Max forms, which by now have a foothold in the game. In fact, this could be wildly different, which becomes an indication of what to expect with an event that returns from last year around this seasonal time of the year, to be explained in due time.

Meanwhile, at least a little bit of the efforts of transformation may be driven by a new and very important Pokémon game that is also due out within the period of the season. In turn, this might also become key to other displays of transformation beyond Pokémon Go and the new game as hinted above. These additional transformations might likely take time to be able to be manifested in one Pokémon realm or another (if at all), but if that happens, they'll surely reflect the current states of transformation, both past and present.

It may also be possible to look into the season image for insights. The season image as the representative of the season has an art deco style to it, which makes it "retro" even with the new developments that this season may just promise. It's also mostly black with streaks of color throughout, which might indicate how subtle and/or amazing the transformations will be. The approach might be considered "classy", and that can be carried over to all the Pokémon that might be featured accordingly.

Overall, this season seems to promise to be one of the most dynamic, if not the most yet as such. As stated, transformation or change is a commonly recognized aspect of Pokémon, and having a Pokémon Go season that honors that aspect keeps it commonly recognized and further affirms its constant relevance. The elements that are expected for it - both directly and indirectly related to Pokémon Go - will tell all the tales; perhaps it could be one by one, or all at once with an amazing(ly titled) season.

One year ago: The Season of Max Out

Two years ago: The Season of Adventures Abound

Three years ago: The Season of Light

Four years ago: The Season of Mischief

Five years ago: Let's Go Mega Evolve

Six years ago: Cosplay: Creators' Super Fest by AFA (Regional)

Seven years ago: Between Bugs and Features

Eight years ago: Takara Tomy Pokémon XY&Z Pikachu Halloween Mascot - Ver. D