1. Ho-Oh raids now active
As a surprise reward for doing so well in the Global Catch Challenge, Niantic has given us a gift of Ho-Oh Raids! Until 1:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) on December 12, 2017, Ho-Oh is the Tier 5 Raid Boss. Ho-Oh is available in regular Raids, so no EX Pass is needed to get this enormous, powerful bird.
2. Map-view overhaul
Niantic's edit to the over-world map could be a blessing or a curse. The in-game map has transitioned from the data on Google Maps to that of OpenStreetMap. In some areas, the map has gotten a much-needed update and now shows many formerly-missing side-streets, parks, and buildings. However, in other areas, the map's details have disappeared and is no longer showing some streets and houses.
Trainers, we urge you to use the fact that the game now uses OpenStreetMap responsibly. Please do not misuse this fact to create a nest at your house, as this could impact real locations in a negative manner.
Trainers, we urge you to use the fact that the game now uses OpenStreetMap responsibly. Please do not misuse this fact to create a nest at your house, as this could impact real locations in a negative manner.
3. Version 5 of Pokemon duel now live!
Version 5 of Pokémon Duel is now live! Multiple Booster packs, a overhaul of the UI, new figures (listed below), and new Time Boosters have been added. Xerneas, Yveltal, and Lapras have also been buffed.
- Mega Sceptile (UX)
- Mega Blaziken (UX)
- Mega Swampert (UX)
- Primarina (EX)
- Tapu Fini (EX)
- Brionne (R)
- Golisopod (R)
- Popplio (UC)
- Delibird (UC)
- Stantler (UC)
- Wimpod (UC)
- Mega Sceptile (UX)
- Mega Blaziken (UX)
- Mega Swampert (UX)
- Primarina (EX)
- Tapu Fini (EX)
- Brionne (R)
- Golisopod (R)
- Popplio (UC)
- Delibird (UC)
- Stantler (UC)
- Wimpod (UC)
4. Miscellaneous news
LEGENDARY BEASTS: The era of the Legendary Beasts has come to a bittersweet conclusion. While the John Region trio had become stale, it will be strange not to see them in Raid Battles after the last three months. That said, Trainers around the world are ready to move on to the eras of Generation 3 and beyond.
CICLAVIA: On December 10, the CicLAvia event will be taking place in Los Angeles. Niantic announced on Twitter this week that the event will have a featured Pokémon GO component. If you plan on attending, please keep in mind that this event is not being hosted by Niantic, so don't expect any Safari Zone-like spawns or special Raid Battles.
GLOBAL CATCH CHALLENGE: The Global Catch Challenge has come to a conclusion. We exceeded the Gold Tier with 3,364,580,633 Pokémon caught! Double XP, double Stardust, six-hour Lures, and increased spawns have come to a conclusion, and Kangaskhan and Farfetch'd have returned to their normal regions.
As a reminder, the event's sale will end tomorrow. If you want Super Incubators or other premium Items on sale, make sure to buy them now. That said, with the holidays approaching, you may want to save up your PokéCoins up for an even better deal at the end of the month.
SAFARI ZONE (TOTTORI): The Pokémon GO Travel event concluded with the Safari Zone in Tottori, Japan. Niantic has revealed that the local economy in Tottori made sixteen million American dollars. Twelve million Pokémon were caught be the 89,000 attendees.
EX RAIDS: The first wave of EX Raids since the rework is to take place today. For those who don't have Mewtwo yet, good luck. Another wave of EX Passes was distributed this week for December 11.
The Silph Road Research Team collected some great data about how the EX Pass algorithm distributes invitations. EX locations are, as Niantic said, mostly at sponsored and park-based Gyms. High-level Trainers (33-40) with at least a Silver Badge and those who have done at least one Raid a day (usually around 5 P.M.) were the ones who received invites the most. Many of the people who received an invite were first-time recipients (which could be a result of intentional bias or the improvements made to the algorithm). To read the full TSR article, click here.
CICLAVIA: On December 10, the CicLAvia event will be taking place in Los Angeles. Niantic announced on Twitter this week that the event will have a featured Pokémon GO component. If you plan on attending, please keep in mind that this event is not being hosted by Niantic, so don't expect any Safari Zone-like spawns or special Raid Battles.
GLOBAL CATCH CHALLENGE: The Global Catch Challenge has come to a conclusion. We exceeded the Gold Tier with 3,364,580,633 Pokémon caught! Double XP, double Stardust, six-hour Lures, and increased spawns have come to a conclusion, and Kangaskhan and Farfetch'd have returned to their normal regions.
As a reminder, the event's sale will end tomorrow. If you want Super Incubators or other premium Items on sale, make sure to buy them now. That said, with the holidays approaching, you may want to save up your PokéCoins up for an even better deal at the end of the month.
SAFARI ZONE (TOTTORI): The Pokémon GO Travel event concluded with the Safari Zone in Tottori, Japan. Niantic has revealed that the local economy in Tottori made sixteen million American dollars. Twelve million Pokémon were caught be the 89,000 attendees.
EX RAIDS: The first wave of EX Raids since the rework is to take place today. For those who don't have Mewtwo yet, good luck. Another wave of EX Passes was distributed this week for December 11.
The Silph Road Research Team collected some great data about how the EX Pass algorithm distributes invitations. EX locations are, as Niantic said, mostly at sponsored and park-based Gyms. High-level Trainers (33-40) with at least a Silver Badge and those who have done at least one Raid a day (usually around 5 P.M.) were the ones who received invites the most. Many of the people who received an invite were first-time recipients (which could be a result of intentional bias or the improvements made to the algorithm). To read the full TSR article, click here.