It’s been a long five years
Five Years. Five years since Pokemon Go was originally released. I literally can’t believe it. I was there day one when there were crowds of hundreds (remember crowds?) getting in on the frenzy, and I witnessed Niantic’s incredibly slow response time first-hand. By the time they added the next generation of creatures nearly all of my local playgroups had fallen off and only the hardcore remained. But now it’s time for the Pokemon Go Galar era.
Since Pokemon Go kind of has its own story now, all of this is under the guise of Hoopa causing “mischief,” unlocking new characters “in the real world.” Confirmed characters include Zacian and Zamazenta (the legendaries on the covers), as well as Skwovet, Greedent, Wooloo, Dubwool, and Falinks. You can find the full patch notes for the update below, which includes a date and time confirmation.
Unfortunately, Pokemon Go has also been plagued by a recent update that reduced Pokestop/Gym spin [activation] distance, and players aren’t happy about it. The way Niantic operates really reminds me of Bungie in some ways; giving useless features and taking helpful ones on a whim. You really can’t have a Niantic or Bungie content update without some other high-level managerial decision distracting us from it!
Date + Time for the Pokemon Go Galar update
Friday, August 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time
Features
- Skwovet and Wooloo will be appearing more frequently in the wild! You can also look forward to finding Galarian Darumaka, Trubbish, and more! If you’re lucky, you might encounter Falinks!
- The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Galarian Meowth, Galarian Ponyta, Galarian Slowpoke, Galarian Farfetch’d, Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Darumaka, and Galarian Stunfisk.
- If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Galarian Meowth, Shiny Galarian Farfetch’d, Shiny Galarian Weezing, or Shiny Galarian Stunfisk! See below for when some of these Pokémon will be appearing in raids during the event.
- Complete event-exclusive Timed Research for a chance to encounter Pokémon first discovered in the Galar region!
- Get themed Field Research tasks from PokéStops. If you complete Field Research, you may encounter Skwovet, Wooloo, or Falinks.
- Starting on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7), uniforms that appear in the Galar region will be available as avatar items in Pokémon GO! Pick up the Gym Challenger Uniform avatar item for free, which is worn by Pokémon Trainers challenging Gyms in the Galar region. If you want to show off your Dragon-type or Dark-type pride, you can purchase Dragon-Type Sport Uniform and Dark-Type Sport Uniform avatar items in the shop.
- Starting on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time, event-exclusive Gift stickers will also be available! Pick them up in the shop or by spinning Photo Discs at PokéStops and Gyms.
In addition, you can look forward to challenging different Pokémon in raids during each week of the event.
Week 1 raids
The following Pokémon will be appearing in raids from Friday, August 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
- Galarian Slowpoke, Galarian Farfetch’d, Unown U, and Galarian Zigzagoon will be appearing in one-star raids. If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Galarian Farfetch’d or a Shiny Unown U!
- Galarian Weezing, Lapras, and Falinks will be appearing in three-star raids. If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Galarian Weezing!
- Zacian in its Hero of Many Battles form will be appearing in five-star raids. You can also look out for a Raid Hour event featuring Zacian happening on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.
- Mega Beedrill will be appearing in Mega Raids. Mega Evolve Beedrill for an advantage against Zacian in its Hero of Many Battles form!
Week 2 raids
The following Pokémon will be appearing in Pokemon Go Galar raids from Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
- Galarian Meowth, Galarian Ponyta, Unown U, and Galarian Darumaka will be in one-star raids.
- Snorlax, Galarian Stunfisk, and Falinks will be appearing in three-star raids.
- Zamazenta in its Hero of Many Battles form will be appearing in five-star raids. Look out for a Bonus Raid Hour featuring Zamazenta happening on Monday, August 30, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.
- Mega Pidgeot will be appearing in Mega Raids. Mega Evolve Pidgeot for an advantage against Zamazenta in its Hero of Many Battles form!
