Groudon has gone and Kyogre has come. In that time, the Pokémon Company has also revealed that 2018 will be the Year of Legendary Pokémon, with Pokémon GO getting a part in this. We explore what those tie-in's might be in the upcoming days, but when will Niantic choose to release new Legendary Pokémon?
If Niantic continues to do what they did with the Legendary Pokémon of Kanto and Johto, they'll spread the new Legendary Pokémon out through the months until the release of Generation 4. Keeping that in mind, let's give you our timeline.
LATIOS & LATIAS: Latios and Latias, which also go by the Eon Duo, are two counterpart Legendaries. In a confusing sense, they are gender-based opposites of the same Pokémon (although they are classified separately).
Given this fact, and the one that Kyogre will leave on Valentine's Day, we expect the Eon Duo to be released in mid-February. It will be interesting, though, to see how Niantic releases them. While we expect them to be released simultaneously, will they be available everywhere at once or split along the rotating line that separates Zangoose and Seviper?
RAYQUAZA: Rayquaza is the overlord of Groudon and Kyogre. According to Pokémon Legends, Rayquaza will descend from the sky to break up Kyogre and Groudon when they go into a territorial war.
While it may seem strange to break up the trio of these Legendary powerhouses, we expect Rayquaza to be released after the Eon Duo. Given its Dragon-typing, it would be far too good of a counter for Latios and Latias if were to be released beforehand.
REGIROCK, REGISTEEL, REGICE: The three Legendary Golems are what we expect to be the final Legendary Pokémon of Generation 3. We'd expect them to be released in a fashion similar to the Legendary Birds or the Legendary Beasts.
If they follow the style of the Legendary Birds, each will be available for one week before all becoming available again in the final week of the month. If they follow the style of the Legendary Beasts, each will be available for a month's time and rotating around the world.
We could make a case for either method, so we'll have to see what Niantic does. One thing we do think is certain is that these will be the final Legendaries of Generation 3 due to the existence of Regigigas. Regigigas is the trio-master of the Legendary Golems, and was introduced in Generation 4. This would provide a smooth transition between generations, at least as far as Legendary Raid Bosses are concerned.
UPDATES: But why does this matter? Simply put, it gives us an insight to Niantic's 2018 timeline. If they release each Legendary for a month, that will put the release of Generation 4 in about mid-August.
Releasing Mythical Pokémon (Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, and Deoxys) or re-releasing older Legendaries (such as Entei or Articuno) will also give Niantic more time to spread new content out, but that remains to be seen. But, as of now, with six more Legendaries to release, Generation 4 could be only seven months away!
Thanks for reading, Trainers. Let us know what you think about our theory on Twitter (@PNN_APTV) and answer this question: Do you think that any of these Pokémon will become EX Raid Bosses?
If Niantic continues to do what they did with the Legendary Pokémon of Kanto and Johto, they'll spread the new Legendary Pokémon out through the months until the release of Generation 4. Keeping that in mind, let's give you our timeline.
LATIOS & LATIAS: Latios and Latias, which also go by the Eon Duo, are two counterpart Legendaries. In a confusing sense, they are gender-based opposites of the same Pokémon (although they are classified separately).
Given this fact, and the one that Kyogre will leave on Valentine's Day, we expect the Eon Duo to be released in mid-February. It will be interesting, though, to see how Niantic releases them. While we expect them to be released simultaneously, will they be available everywhere at once or split along the rotating line that separates Zangoose and Seviper?
RAYQUAZA: Rayquaza is the overlord of Groudon and Kyogre. According to Pokémon Legends, Rayquaza will descend from the sky to break up Kyogre and Groudon when they go into a territorial war.
While it may seem strange to break up the trio of these Legendary powerhouses, we expect Rayquaza to be released after the Eon Duo. Given its Dragon-typing, it would be far too good of a counter for Latios and Latias if were to be released beforehand.
REGIROCK, REGISTEEL, REGICE: The three Legendary Golems are what we expect to be the final Legendary Pokémon of Generation 3. We'd expect them to be released in a fashion similar to the Legendary Birds or the Legendary Beasts.
If they follow the style of the Legendary Birds, each will be available for one week before all becoming available again in the final week of the month. If they follow the style of the Legendary Beasts, each will be available for a month's time and rotating around the world.
We could make a case for either method, so we'll have to see what Niantic does. One thing we do think is certain is that these will be the final Legendaries of Generation 3 due to the existence of Regigigas. Regigigas is the trio-master of the Legendary Golems, and was introduced in Generation 4. This would provide a smooth transition between generations, at least as far as Legendary Raid Bosses are concerned.
UPDATES: But why does this matter? Simply put, it gives us an insight to Niantic's 2018 timeline. If they release each Legendary for a month, that will put the release of Generation 4 in about mid-August.
Releasing Mythical Pokémon (Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, and Deoxys) or re-releasing older Legendaries (such as Entei or Articuno) will also give Niantic more time to spread new content out, but that remains to be seen. But, as of now, with six more Legendaries to release, Generation 4 could be only seven months away!
Thanks for reading, Trainers. Let us know what you think about our theory on Twitter (@PNN_APTV) and answer this question: Do you think that any of these Pokémon will become EX Raid Bosses?