Late yesterday many Trainers on iOS received a push notification stating Deoxys will soon enter EX Raids, as many Trainers have theorized. We were never sold on this theory given Deoxys' Mythical classification, but, seeing as it is now push notification official, we have one question: How will Niantic handle Deoxys in Pokémon GO?
THE BACKGROUND
Deoxys has multiple forms, which is something we have not seen in Pokémon GO for a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon yet. One form is its "base" form, with the other three focusing on its Attack, Defense, and Speed stats. In the main-series games, you'd catch Deoxys while it is in its Normal Forme. Should you wish to change its form, you must expose it to the radiation of a meteorite.
SPEEDY SPECULATION
Deoxys' Speed Forme immediately peaks our curiosity. Speed isn't in Pokémon GO as an individual stat, but rather factors into Attack. With that in mind, how would the Speed Forme stand out? A simple solution, and one we think wouldn't be too difficult for Niantic to implement, would be to give the Speed Forme a unique trait that allows it to use moves twice as fast.
CHANGING FORM
Unlike Unown and Spinda, Deoxys is able to change form in the main-series. As we said previously, this is done by exposing Deoxys to a meteorite. Think of the meteorite like a TM, but for changing the form of the Pokémon instead of the moves it has. It doesn't seem unreasonable to think Niantic could program such an item into Pokémon GO.
We do think it is worth noting that Castform, a Pokémon able to morph between forms in the main-series, is locked into whatever form it spawned into in GO. However, this seems to be because the form change happens because of Castform's Ability, Forecast. Since Abilities are not currently a part of Pokémon GO, it does make more sense why Castform is form-locked in this game and why Deoxys could very well not be.
We do think it is worth noting that Castform, a Pokémon able to morph between forms in the main-series, is locked into whatever form it spawned into in GO. However, this seems to be because the form change happens because of Castform's Ability, Forecast. Since Abilities are not currently a part of Pokémon GO, it does make more sense why Castform is form-locked in this game and why Deoxys could very well not be.
SPECIAL TREATMENT?
If Deoxys does indeed enter EX Raids, we expect it to get some special treatment. Even though it is Mythical, it has to be able to be traded and / or transferred. Some Trainers were able to amass around 30 Mewtwo during its time in EX Raids, and if Deoxys stays in the system for anywhere near as long having 30 inventory slots permanently taken would be highly inconvenient.
Thanks for reading, Trainers!
IMAGE CREDIT: Screenshot from Pokémon Generations, Taken by ComicBook