1. The three legendary beasts: entei, raikou, & suicune
Niantic has broke their silence on social media by announcing the appearance of the three Legendary Beasts of Johto. Entei, Raikou, and Suicune will be available for the next three months while they tour around the world. Until September 31, the Beasts are available in the following locations (they will rotate at the end of every month):
- RAIKOU: North America & South America
- ENTEI: Europe & Africa
- SUICUNE: Asia & Australia (Pacific Region)
The Beasts have a 2% base catch-rate, meaning having Gold Type-Medals, using curveballs, aiming for "Excellent" throws, and feeding Golden Razz Berries is crucial.
- RAIKOU: North America & South America
- ENTEI: Europe & Africa
- SUICUNE: Asia & Australia (Pacific Region)
The Beasts have a 2% base catch-rate, meaning having Gold Type-Medals, using curveballs, aiming for "Excellent" throws, and feeding Golden Razz Berries is crucial.
2. ex raid field testing begins next week
Niantic announced that Mewtwo would be coming via Exclusive Raids 20 days ago, but we still haven't seen one. But we will see some next week. Along with the announcement of the Beasts came the announcement that a beta version / field test for these invite-only Raids will start as early as September 6 (which is this Wednesday).
The invitations to the Exclusive Raids (which are now abbreviated to EX Raids) will be sent out sometime soon. We have no information on who will receive the invites (expect higher-leveled Trainers), whether Mewtwo or other Legendaries will be available during testing, or if the EX Raids will be limited to sponsored Gyms. Stay tuned to PNN for the latest.
Niantic has said that they want this feature to be the best it can possibly be and are encouraging constructive feedback to be sent to them on their social media channels.
The invitations to the Exclusive Raids (which are now abbreviated to EX Raids) will be sent out sometime soon. We have no information on who will receive the invites (expect higher-leveled Trainers), whether Mewtwo or other Legendaries will be available during testing, or if the EX Raids will be limited to sponsored Gyms. Stay tuned to PNN for the latest.
Niantic has said that they want this feature to be the best it can possibly be and are encouraging constructive feedback to be sent to them on their social media channels.
3. a new update to pokemon go
After the disastrous v0.71.0 that had to be completely scrapped, Niantic has finally released the fix to that update: version 0.73.1. All of the features of version 0.71.0 (including the Generation 3 names and Candy families of the new Pokémon) are included, along with the fix of the last-ball glitch. In addition, there is a counter to see how many people are in a Raid lobby, completed Raids disappear from the Nearby Raids list, and there is a new glitch that blacks-out sprites if you scroll through the Pokédex too quickly.
4. PNN Project
As we announced last week, we are working on previews for the Pokémon of the Hoenn region. Make sure to check back this week when we will reveal our tentative schedule for this new series. We will be starting with the new starters (Sceptile, Swampert, and Blaziken).
5. the silph road discovers changes to egg availability and rarity
The Silph Road has reported that they have been monitoring the Egg Chart since the Anniversary Event and has noticed some changes, which we've updated the Egg Chart with. The first of which include the removal of the following species:
- Bulbasaur
- Charmander
- Squirtle
- Staryu
- Vulpix
- Magnemite
- Ekans
- Goldeen
- Yanma
Eggs also have rarity tiers (which was already known), but they have discovered a new Hyper-Rare tier. The following four Pokémon fall into this tier:
- Wobbuffet
- Dunsparce
- Shuckle
- Girafarig
The Silph Road also confirmed the move of Porygon, Mantine, Gligar, & Pineco and the addition of the following Pokémon:
- Houndour
- Snubbull
- Chikorita
- Cyndaquil
- Totodile
- Spinarak
- Teddiursa
- Marill
- Chinchou
- Wooper
- Natu
- Swinub
- Hoppip
- Bulbasaur
- Charmander
- Squirtle
- Staryu
- Vulpix
- Magnemite
- Ekans
- Goldeen
- Yanma
Eggs also have rarity tiers (which was already known), but they have discovered a new Hyper-Rare tier. The following four Pokémon fall into this tier:
- Wobbuffet
- Dunsparce
- Shuckle
- Girafarig
The Silph Road also confirmed the move of Porygon, Mantine, Gligar, & Pineco and the addition of the following Pokémon:
- Houndour
- Snubbull
- Chikorita
- Cyndaquil
- Totodile
- Spinarak
- Teddiursa
- Marill
- Chinchou
- Wooper
- Natu
- Swinub
- Hoppip