Pokémon Go Wild Area 2024 (Global), Day 1

The first day of the brand-new Pokémon Go paid event is here, and true to its name, it's a wild one indeed. Now it's also time to divulge all (most of) the "bones" of the event and what makes it such a "wild" one. As stated, the event is somewhat influenced by a feature of the eighth generation games and their region of concern, so most concerns are obviously directed to that. Yet of course, there are other concerns, and those are all reflected in the "bones" - all the sub-features that make up and define the event for what it is.

For that, the event's main concern is the debut of the Toxel species family, including the Shiny forms, and in particular its evolved form of Toxtricity for this particular occasion. (Toxel itself, a "baby" or egg-only form, debuted earlier this week as part of an associated event - but that's to be covered later on.) These Pokémon are of the Electric and Poison types, so these define the primary structure of the event: alternating habitats of Pokémon of these two types from 10 AM to 6 PM, similar to a Research Day. Field Research tasks - with petty rewards - suit the habitats, and there are also two Collection Challenges, one for each type; the latter when completed also rewards an encounter with costumed Cosplay Pikachu of the Pop Star (representing Electric) and Rock Star (representing Poison) forms, marking the return of these forms since Pokémon Go Fest from three years ago. Either of them also appear in photo bombs throughout event hours, up to five times for those with tickets.

As for Toxtricity, it's a supreme Pokémon, so it has to debut in an equally supreme manner - that is, in raids and Max Battles. Both its Low Key and Amped forms can be battled in four-star raids (for normal ones) and four-star and six-star Max Battles (for Dynamax-capable and Gigantamax-capable ones respectively). The raids are trivial for as long as there are other Trainers, but the Max Battles are not so much the case, and the second of the latter two continues to show that immense efforts are still needed, in particular for those who are woefully equipped. As an alternative to these, particularly for those who are fed up with them, there are three-star raids featuring a costumed Snorlax wearing a jacket, five-star raids of Dialga and Palkia in their Origin forms, and six-star Primal raids of Kyogre and Groudon, the first being event-exclusive and the latter two being returns from past Go Tour events. They can be raided at will to look for Shiny forms, build up resources, and find usable ones for adventuring and battling (including Adventure Effects and Primal Reversion), as well as hunt for ones with special backgrounds, for which all of these except Snorlax have.

Other strong Pokémon are particularly present in the Wild Area, and for this event, they come in the form of Mighty Pokémon, as selected species appearing throughout the day that are either XL or XXL in size, have very high IVs and levels (at least 87, and some close to or over Level 40), and are more likely to flee, all of which are indicated as "!!!" where a CP would be present on encounter. To catch them, one may likely need to use the newly introduced Go Safari Ball for this event, which can be obtained during event hours in sufficient quantity and more abundantly with a paid add-on. Furthermore, they can only be used during the event; they disappear at 6:15 PM, which is after an extra 15-minute window where the Mighty Pokémon come in greater numbers. The selected species differ for today and tomorrow; the assortment (as well as what can be caught) might leave some in "mighty" wonderment.

By purchasing the ticket for the event, one also obtains a Special Research set that branches according to the type (and form) of Toxtricity as well as the Pikachu forms above. Completing the set will also reward bonuses throughout the following week up until Friday. They'll also get a pose, extra Go Safari Balls, and more Max Particles each day to a higher limit. Bonuses are also in no short supply: increased Shiny chance, double catch Candy, halved hatch distance, double hatch bonuses (XP, Stardust, and Candy), more raid bonuses (free passes, extra XP, and extra Candy XL), and trade bonuses (more Special Trades and discounted trades). Some bonuses also apply to everyone as well, but they are somewhat in shorter supply.

I myself experienced many of these first-hand, being able to raid or battle for all of the aforementioned Pokémon and encountering most of today's Mighty assortment, with a few (significant) misses in the latter. The Gigantamax battles were the most concerning ones, but thankfully they turned out OK... or better than OK in one case. Unfortunately, Shiny - including for the Pikachu forms - and special background ones were rather scant, and the caught Mighty ones only minorly made up for them; I also had a good number of Go Safari Balls left over before they disappeared. At least, now I know what I should be mostly looking for on Day 2.

Go Wild Area is in some ways already proving itself (even on this first day) to be a unique twist on prior paid Pokémon Go events, even if a lot of the framework and content is similar to - and is a "mashup" of - other events, if only with a good bit of novelty. Its repetition in the future is still an open question, but the repetition of the second day is at hand, and at least some other nagging questions of the current event may still be answered then.

One year ago: Celebrating Togetherness

Two years ago: The Willpower Cup of GBL

Three years ago: Quickies: Meowth for Pay Day

Four years ago: The Kanto Cup of GBL

Five years ago: Make a Wish for the Little One

Six years ago: The Amazing Pokémon Race

Seven years ago: Thankfulness

Preparing for Pokémon Go Wild Area

I haven't done one of these "Preparing for..." posts in a long time for one reason or another, but at least the onset of a new and big Pokémon Go paid event gives an incentive to do so, moreover since there isn't anything else related to Pokémon that can intervene at this point. Furthermore, based on the way that some recent big additions have proceeded, it seems pertinent that a post on preparing for this new kind of event needs to be made. Given all that, the post is made to fulfill that order.

Needless to say, similar physical preparations for Go Tour and Go Fest still apply, given how fundamental they are. In fact, for those with experience regarding other paid Pokémon Go events, I probably don't need to make the reminder: Niantic often sends reminder e-mails containing the same exact helpful tips, especially for paid events (that are considered) outside of one's normal place of playing. Though there is not one for the global (edition of an) event, it can be conceived that quite a few things still apply.

What really needs to be reminded is that as the event features an expansion of the recently added "gargantuan phenomenon", it is wise to (try to) prepare the best Pokémon that can serve to battle certain Pokémon of these forms, which should have been a given over the past few days leading up to the event, as well as what happened in general recently. That also might have to mean preparing some group strategies if at all possible and to congregate with as many people as possible - a tall order, but it may still be workable. 

As I've noted, the event features an abundance - or rather, overload - of features, many that are old and just as many that are new. With that, there may be the need to focus on the new features rather than the old, although one can fall back on the latter if necessary and possible. Priorities may also need to be set on what to catch, as several options do seem to present themselves during this event. That might also become good practice for later editions of Go Tour and Go Fest, which might become just as abundant.

Some sort of preparation is admittedly always necessary for a Pokémon Go paid event, though that's a given in most circumstances. The circumstance of the new paid event still serves as the perfect time to make some of the familiar reminders - as well as add a few new ones that are pertinent to the event - to make sure that the event goes well. The event is called "Go Wild Area" after all, so there is also an inherent element of (unexpected) "wildness"... which could be obviated even with some preparation.

One year ago: The Incredible and Vivid Art of Pokémon Trainer K (Kelvin)

Two years ago: How Long for a Cosplay Walk (or "Character Parade")?

Three years ago: Non-Trademark Substitutions for Pokémon Names?

Four years ago: Sword and Shield: After One Year

Five years ago: Everyone's Contributions

Six years ago: So Little and So Much

Seven years ago: A Pokémon Menu

YouTube Pokémon Highlights: Even More Pokémon Parkour

Recently, I had covered "parkour with Pokémon" as one of the topics I meant to cover a long time ago but got delayed to the present. It also spawned a "YouTube Pokémon Highlight", as the topic was actually based on a few videos from that video sharing site. As it turns out, the world of this topic is a bit of a broad one, and I found that now it's worthy of spawning another one of these highlights based on some other videos related to the topic, a few of which were also incidentally found as I covered the topic initially.

One of these other videos is by Kuma Films, which features the traceur (parkour athlete) of Todd Robins cast as Pikachu, similar to the casting of Calen Chan in the other videos I initially covered. Unlike them, this video has less of a story to it and more of an impressionist feeling of Pikachu running across various environments - specifically around Taiwan and some rough terrain, as the setting of the video. Interestingly, this video was posted 11 years ago in 2013, which was three years prior to the release and boom of Pokémon Go, making the video a practical "forerunner" of others that came after it. It's still a neat video that is gripping of the "running Pikachu" concept, presenting it in an almost natural fashion.

Speaking of Pokémon Go, UrbanAmadei created a parkour video based on the viewpoint of a Trainer chasing a Pikachu, which further affirms this viewpoint and approach for bringing together Pokémon and parkour. The video was shot in a park in Berlin in 2019, which places it three years after the game's release and boom, yet still being relevant to its perspective. The video actually spawned a sequel one year later, which was incidentally during the big "downturn" of the world; further, it has a more relevant tie to the game, as it was used to promote the global Go Fest edition of that year. In either case, the Trainer was depicted as unsuccessful in the capture of Pikachu, definitely making it a different take.

Then, there was a video by Nick Pro, which is similar in concept to the previous one. This also takes the viewpoint of a Trainer running across various kinds of terrain (including the indoor setting of a house), encountering random Pokémon and catching them along the way. It's another video from just after the release of Pokémon Go - specifically, 2018 - but it still serves well to highlight the game in addition to parkour; in fact, the concept is what I would call "semi-AR" due to the way the Pokémon appear in the video and were caught by the Trainer... except for one, for which one will just have to watch the video in order to find out which one that is. The dynamics of the game and parkour are still well-represented.

Evidently, there is something about Pokémon and parkour that go together very well: they can be quite action-oriented for all the objectives that they might present and account for to be achieved. Some of them could also be realized at the same time, if all the parkour videos I've highlighted (here and previously) are of any indication. There will always be Trainers and Pokémon species going through environments - quite possibly in styles that evoke parkour - and that might just be worthy for further encapsulation in videos.

One year ago: Days of Specific Pokémon

Two years ago: Pokémon Outfits in Café Remix

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2021

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/21/2020

Five years ago: The Hype Cycle and Pokémon

Six years ago: Traveling All the World

Seven years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Uptake

Profs and Comrades: Professor Kukui

The previous Pokémon Professor I discussed as part of my "four fours" posts this month admittedly carried the quality of being "understated", even compared to his predecessor, who instead carries a "quintessential" quality. This would also apply to some of his successors, though there are exceptions... the one about to be discussed being one of them. Professor Kukui (for which his name means "candlenut" in Hawaiian) is of course the one representing Alola, and he is by no means "understated"; in fact, there is particular emphasis on the "comrade" aspect, as something that I've carried throughout this month's discussions.

For those who played the seventh-generation games, they'll note how involved Kukui is (was) in the affairs of the region beyond the research aspect, though this last bit is still involved through the player Trainer in some ways just like in other regions. Going back to those affairs, the involvement is from the beginning - also like in other regions, with the selection of a "first partner - all the way to the end, not only setting up the pinnacle that is that "end" but also becoming a part of it, which somehow I consider to be still pertinent for others to discover by themselves. That's still plenty of involvement in the "professor" aspect.

And then, for those well-versed in the anime, they'll know how close Kukui is (was) to Ash during his time in the region. The involvement could be said to parallel that in the games as above, although in one important sense it is more personal and somewhat deeper, as Ash was literally living alongside him. In this sense, the "comrade" aspect is more emphasized, and this even includes a certain "personification" of Kukui himself, which is actually also indicated in the games. There is still a true "comrade" aspect involved here.

It seems the aspects of "professor" and "comrade" are very much evident for Professor Kukui, in a manner that seems unlike other Pokémon Professors, save from (and second to) the first and original one for whom the aspects are also evident in many ways. Emphasis ("emphatic") remains the best descriptor in many ways considering both aspects, and like the substance represented by his name when set alight, both aspects heat up and light up the soul of this rather emphasized Pokémon Professor in all his ways.

One year ago: My Personal PvP Preferences

Two years ago: Cosplay: ChibiCon 2022

Three years ago: Let's Talk About (Im)Perfect Timings

Four years ago: BEMANI-Pokémon Connections

Five years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 2

Six years ago: A Raid Group Gathering

Seven years ago: On Cosplay Props and Prop Makers

Pokémon Made Up of Other Pokémon

Over the many years that Pokémon has been around, there have been many fascinating aspects to the species represented by that name. One of them is how it is apparent that some species seem to be apparently made up of other species, in whole or in part. It's something to highlight and discuss, given how there have been many more examples of them since that time, seemingly making this an "ingrained" design of sorts.

A noticeable one for many fans is how three Magnemite make up a Magneton, virtually unchanged in appearance and seemingly only held by the power of magnetic attraction. The latter species still has a single mind and is therefore united as such, not to be considered as the separate components that it seems to be made up of. It is an exemplary representative of this aspect and possibly the oddest as well.

Similarly but less odd is how three Diglett appear to make up a Dugtrio, with a similar case applying to the later appearing Wiglett and Wugtrio. The case may be deemed to be less odd here since they seem to share (and be connected to) the same internals - much like Beldum and its family, which are not under consideration here - rather than being simply "attached" as in the previous case of Magnemite and Magneton.

More recently, there is the Dreepy species family, whose later evolved forms (Drakloak and Dragapult) also contain a "mini-Dreepy" - two in the case of the latter - that are as much a part of them as their expected main bodies are. The lore states that these "mini-Dreepy" are being reared until they can stand as real Dreepy on their own, which does seem to make sense given that they are partial Ghost types and thus developmental "apparitions".

In a sense, the evolved forms of Slowpoke can be considered to be made up of two different Pokémon, as the shell part according to lore is a highly transformed Shellder, for which the appearances are different according to form and species. The role of that Shellder had been "planned" to be "fleshed out" according to the beta version of the second generation games, but that didn't happen, so at least for now the lore still serves the explanatory purpose.

Whether or not the apparently disparate parts of certain Pokémon species, which look like other and/or related species, have a bearing on the constitution of those species as a whole, having them seemingly integrated into those species makes for an insightful consideration of how the species manifest themselves in design and appearance - not to mention lore. Even such a repetitive design and appearance seems to have much to convey.

One year ago: Cosplay: Seishun! Japan Fest

Two years ago: Pokémon Emblems in Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Unleashed

Four years ago: Till Death Do Us Part

Five years ago: A Theme Event Dream

Six years ago: Fans of Fans

Seven years ago: Cosplay: MINORI 5

Immersive Cards in TCG Pocket

I've already explained pretty much most of the core content of Pokémon TCG Pocket, so now I can take different posts occasionally to deal with other aspects of the game, one of which is for today. As previewed earlier in Pokémon Presents, a defining feature of the game is what are called "immersive cards", and given the electronic or technological aspect of the game, it's a natural way to enhance the quality of the game with that aspect. Based on the current manifestation of the feature, that seems to have been realized excellently.

For the currently available Genetic Apex expansion, three cards - Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo, all of the ex kind and representing the "branches" of the expansion - are of the immersive kind; they have a rarity of three stars and are naturally full art themselves. Upon earning them, the immersion is activated, showing the image of the card in full screen, along with aspects of the environmental art setting and even just a little beyond that; notably, the Pikachu and Charizard cards also show several other Pokémon in their immersive display. This can also be viewed at any time by viewing the card in one's own collection and tapping and holding on the cards, or if one hasn't earned them, in other people's (friends') collections.

Apart from the special imagery and the rarity level, these cards function as any other cards in battle - particularly the plain ex cards - and the immersion can be considered to be purely for aesthetics more than anything else. The rarity level, though, suggests that they may be somewhat difficult to get, and I've only gotten one (of the Charizard ex kind) since I've started playing; even so, some people I know of have earned either all three or multiple copies of any of the three or even both, making them either very, very lucky or the rarity not as apparent in getting the cards. 

Because of the above and the (expected) space that the animation takes up, not to mention the effort that goes into making them, future immersive cards are likely to be limited to a few per expansion. If more can be added, it would likely be because of a matter of convenience rather than possibility, although players would be happy to collect them all the same, especially if they can happen to be less rare.

Technology makes a lot of things possible, and for the Pokémon TCG in its Pocket incarnation, it allows one to look within and beyond the imagery of certain cards through the immersive aspect introduced as part of the game. That alone makes it an excellent feature of the game, alongside other implementation of its current (and future) implementation.

One year ago: Focus and Control: Two Keys to Pokémon Power

Two years ago: Scarlet and Violet Unleashed

Three years ago: Living Further with My Buddy

Four years ago: Pokémon "Genealogy"

Five years ago: Drafts Piling Up

Six years ago: Trough of Disillusionment

Seven years ago: A Little Teaser... and Guessing Game

Cosplay: Toys & Hobbies Week 2024

Ash: Oh, Toys & Hobbies is back!

Me: Sure!

Goh: Nice! Is this going to be like last year, to meet our friend's friends?

Me: Well, my local friend, why not. But my faraway friend, surely not this time.

Goh: I guess that's understandable. 

Ash: And uh... this is close to the time many years ago we connected - can I wear my Unova outfit?

Me: Of course. It just so happens that I still have it at the ready from last week.

Ash: Thanks!

Goh: So, did you get to meet her?

Ash: Yeah - just after I got there. 

Pikachu: Pika pika pika! ["Almost right away!"]

Goh: OK, so you must have spent almost the entire time with her. 

Ash: Pretty much.

Goh: But then there was the festival, which was...

Me: A week long, and this was its final day. 

Goh: OK, well, I'm looking at the schedule, and most of it wasn't quite what it looked like last year.

Me: Nope. Most competitions from last year are gone, but there are still character competitions (performance yesterday, parade today).

Goh: And the performance one you couldn't fit in because... oh, I see. It's in the evening and Ash cannot possibly make it for that.

Me: Right. And no singing or other kinds of performance either.

Goh: Ash and our friend's friend must have been bummed out.

Ash: A little. 

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Just a bit."]

Ash: But I know we can make it happen some other time.

Goh: The only thing left is the parade. How was that?

Ash: It went by so quickly! But I didn't get anything. 

Goh: Knowing the place, there must have been tons of characters in it.

Ash: Yup. And some of them knew me! 

Goh: OK, so it was just for sightseeing today.

Me: Almost. Did you get a certain thing promoted?

Ash: I think I did. At least a little bit.

Me: A little is better than nothing.

Goh: I'm intrigued.

Me: You should be. It's familiar... but I can't say much more about it now.

Goh: I trust you. So it wasn't all a waste of time today.

Ash: No - I got to meet my friend's other friends and even played a game (tile game) too.

Goh: Well, sure. Just like the festival's name. 

Pikachu: Pika! ["Well put!"]

Goh: By the way, it was crowded, yes?

Ash: It was! And... I think I knocked over something...

Me: If whoever owned it didn't make a fuss about it, then that's fine.

Ash: Luckily... I think.

Goh: So, I think the people tried to make things simple compared to last year.

Ash: I think so! There was a zone each for toys, hobbies, and "e-sports", and they all had place names.

Me: Taken from Japan, I might add.

Ash: Everything seemed to work out for them, so I'm happy.

Pikachu: Pika chu. ["Same here."]

Goh: Why not? Even without many competitions, working out is the most important thing.

Ash: Maybe they can bring some back next time.

Me: True. I think it also worked out for me - I wanted (you) to "get away" from some sources of recent bother.

Goh: That's a nice plus.

Me: Sure thing.

Ash: It was definitely more.

Me: And after all that, we hope it definitely won't be "less".

One year ago: End of Main Orders for Café Remix

Two years ago: Fun Pokémon Memes by a Fun Tortoise

Three years ago: Loyalty

Four years ago: Matters of Cosplay and Current Conditions

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 11/16/2019

Six years ago: PikaPool

Seven years ago: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Unleashed