Pokémon GO is celebrating its 3rd birthday and is giving players various new Shinys, a special research task, and additional bonuses. Here is an overview.
What kind of event is this? This event starts tonight, on June 28, at 10 PM German time. Pokémon GO turns 3 years old and is making a big celebration! There will be 8 new Shinys and various bonuses for battling. Additionally, a Hat Pikachu is returning.
Some bonuses from the event will last throughout the summer. So you can look forward to an exciting summer.
What we know about the new special research and the Shinys
What Shinys will be coming? All Alolan Pokémon that do not have a Shiny yet will now get their shiny form. This means there will be 8 new Shinys in the game.
Specifically, the following new Shinys will be available:
- Alolan Rattata (only in the wild)
- Alolan Sandshrew (only from eggs)
- Alolan Geodude (from eggs and in the wild)
- Alolan Vulpix (only from eggs)
- Alolan Diglett (from eggs and in the wild)
- Alolan Meowth (only from eggs)
- Alolan Grimer (only from eggs)
- Alolan Exeggutor (only in the wild)
What do these Shinys mean? The Alolan Pokémon have previously made the 7 km eggs a bit useless. Now you can hatch them as Shinys, making these eggs interesting again.
What do we know about the new special research? Niantic is keeping quiet about this a bit. However, we already know the following details:
- The special research is mainly meant to motivate players who are new or have returned to the game
- For all players from level 10
- From June 28 to September 2
What do we know about the Pokémon from the special research? Niantic is being very secretive about this. Some players suspect it could be Jirachi. After all, it was first released at the GO Fest in Chicago.
However, it goes against the idea that the GO Fests in Dortmund and Yokohama will also have a special research task. It is hard to imagine that Niantic would globally release Jirachi and then have it again at the GO Fests.
Therefore, some players suspect that it will be a completely different Pokémon that can be caught there. We will find out today at the event start.
This is how friends will be put in the spotlight: The friendship level will be enhanced by Pokémon GO’s birthday. This will make it easier to battle in raids when you play with friends. However, how much the damage will be increased is not known. This applies until September 2.
Additionally, trading Pokémon will be cheaper. Trading will cost a quarter less Stardust until September 2.
Pikachu in a Hat is returning: In line with the birthday, Party Hat Pikachu and Party Hat Pichu are also returning. Both Pokémon will likely be available to catch as Shinys, but this is not yet confirmed.
You can encounter Pikachu in this hat from June 28 at 10 PM until July 6 at 10 PM during photobombs. It will replace Colorful Bird during this time.
During the same period, Party Hat Pichu will also be available from 7 km eggs. This Pichu was long considered the rarest Shiny in the game. If you get the shiny form here, consider yourself lucky.
On Saturday, there is also the Raikou Day. We’ll show you what you need to know about it:
