Pokémon GO

[Expert Evan]

Main account recently made it to level 72 and mystic alt is close even after the Sableye spotlight hour as I was limited to staying home and using a star piece with the Spacial Rend effect to get as much, only 28 sableye came to me within that hour still, each catch would yield about 2250 stardust.

I am also using the silver bottle cap on a 15/15/12 shiny lucky Groudon as the tasks are challenging. I was able to complete more than half of the first task to complete 45 field research tasks from the wild event where pokestops thankfully allowed to get new task every hour even if was normally completed. Now is hatching 30 eggs, then afterwards the one I dread most to earn 10 candies with my buddy which is a legendary that normally takes 20km for a candy or 10km when using a puffin.

for level 72, I had 50 tagged shadow pokemon to purify as I prioritized those with 1000 stardust, am avoiding those with 5000 or more unless necessary.

 

[pika pal]

Main account recently made it to level 72 and mystic alt is close even after the Sableye spotlight hour as I was limited to staying home and using a star piece with the Spacial Rend effect to get as much, only 28 sableye came to me within that hour still, each catch would yield about 2250 stardust.

I am also using the silver bottle cap on a 15/15/12 shiny lucky Groudon as the tasks are challenging. I was able to complete more than half of the first task to complete 45 field research tasks from the wild event where pokestops thankfully allowed to get new task every hour even if was normally completed. Now is hatching 30 eggs, then afterwards the one I dread most to earn 10 candies with my buddy which is a legendary that normally takes 20km for a candy or 10km when using a puffin.

for level 72, I had 50 tagged shadow pokemon to purify as I prioritized those with 1000 stardust, am avoiding those with 5000 or more unless necessary.

I'm on level 73, my hardest task is finding Max Moves I want to upgrade, even if willing to burn the Particles. The others happen without much hassle.

I just swapped to an excited 1 KM buddy like Magikarp once the Candy Task was the only one I had left to do. Level 73 has a task to walk 200km so you're "wasting" more walking toward level ups if you stick with the high Candy distance buddy

 

[Omastar68]

I like that cryogonal was randomly one of the early dynamic mons. Like way random I think. I like ice, even if regice is better as it has all but spe over that, and I guess sheer cold and levitate.

Edit: how are many so high level? Oct put me to 70 middle ish, just recently 71. Did some.people go over 71 to start the new system? I had lvl 50 friends who didn't so idk how all it worked. I guess it no matter.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Hardly a surprise but shiny Diancie incoming

 

[Omastar68]

A while ago I saw a free item in shop BESIDES daily free box. 200 item space. I meant to post about it here but too late, sorry. My question is, do I basically have to scroll through the whole list each day to see if there's extra, or can I find out somehow so I'm neither inconvenienced nor miss out? Like it was a pure fluke I happened to see that.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

A while ago I saw a free item in shop BESIDES daily free box. 200 item space. I meant to post about it here but too late, sorry. My question is, do I basically have to scroll through the whole list each day to see if there's extra, or can I find out somehow so I'm neither inconvenienced nor miss out? Like it was a pure fluke I happened to see that.

You can check yourself each day but honestly you're probably better off checking somewhere like r/thesilphroad, pretty much every development gets reported there.


So the remote trading mechanic has been formally announced! ...takes 90 interactions from best friends to get to the forever friend level. While I think they've taken understandable efforts to balance out the mechanic (you can only do one remote trade at a time, the fact that it doesn't count as a special trade is nice too) 90 interactions is... punishing. I've got people I'm far from Best Friend level with who barely open/send gifts as it is. Guess they're trying to incentivise the weekly challenges since that cuts the time down.

Also the fact that you can't trade anything caught in the last 30 days is a bizarre restriction, it takes longer than that to reach Best Friends level so I'm unsure what they're trying to restrict.

 

[Expert Evan]

Yay remote trading finally coming soon with the introduction of forever friends. I'm lucky with most everyone here so hopefully this can be a convenient reality.

 

[Expert Evan]

On a daily basis until March, I will be using the search term "Interactable" before opening gifts so that it properly goes towards the 90 points needed to become forever friends and hopefully get remote lucky trades done. I'm sure my needs will change by then as I usually look for certain things I'll need for either raiding or GBL masters and those I don't yet have a lucky hundo for that I could possibly max out someday.

 

[Omastar68]

Anyone know if overheat and those kinds are good or bad? When compared to sog starter moves, boom burst, even fire blast. Other high stuff, which may be higher dmg even, but no drawback(or miss there ofc, since none do.) I feel like I'm never disappointed with overheat, it's more I'm asking from curiosity. Hard to find good info online, I'm pretty sure. Go is kinda weird Mostly catch, or fight to catch:|

 

[pika pal]

Anyone know if overheat and those kinds are good or bad? When compared to sog starter moves, boom burst, even fire blast. Other high stuff, which may be higher dmg even, but no drawback(or miss there ofc, since none do.) I feel like I'm never disappointed with overheat, it's more I'm asking from curiosity. Hard to find good info online, I'm pretty sure. Go is kinda weird Mostly catch, or fight to catch:|

Are you talking for Raids or PvP, since moves have different parameters and performance between the two modes.

 

[Omastar68]

Are you talking for Raids or PvP, since moves have different parameters and performance between the two modes.

Oh sorry good point. I guess both, but mainly pvp like team rocket, since that's where the down side actually happens.

 

[pika pal]

Oh sorry good point. I guess both, but mainly pvp like team rocket, since that's where the down side actually happens.

Generally they're good for actual PvP but they're overkill for Rocket Grunts. General approach there is to use something like Kartana or Mud Slap Excadrill/Rhyperior depending on the type match up, KO 2 mons with Fast moves, and one-shot the last with whatever Charge Move.

 

[Omastar68]

Generally they're good for actual PvP but they're overkill for Rocket Grunts. General approach there is to use something like Kartana or Mud Slap Excadrill/Rhyperior depending on the type match up, KO 2 mons with Fast moves, and one-shot the last with whatever Charge Move.

Ok thanks! I basically don't like real pvp at all, cause it's go mechanics not reg, so I mostly care what is most efficient on the rockets, as then I can save healing items more for raids, not that I ever have coins to do enough remotely lol. Anyways I'll try to remember to change overheat and the like on mons.

Edit: at least as good as rhy with mud and break swipe for me is incinerate and disarming voice dirge. How does that dirge compare to other moves? Interested in efficiency all of a sudden, idk.

 

[Ivy]

Ok thanks! I basically don't like real pvp at all, cause it's go mechanics not reg, so I mostly care what is most efficient on the rockets, as then I can save healing items more for raids, not that I ever have coins to do enough remotely lol. Anyways I'll try to remember to change overheat and the like on mons.

Edit: at least as good as rhy with mud and break swipe for me is incinerate and disarming voice dirge. How does that dirge compare to other moves? Interested in efficiency all of a sudden, idk.

If you like disarming voice on dirge you'll love torch song lol. It'll definitely steamroll rocket battles. If you managed to get one with blast burn too, that's a nice nuke for those.
Anyways you can just check pvpoke.com to see every moveset and the individual move stats on pokemon, including optimal sets for pvp

 

[Omastar68]

If you like disarming voice on dirge you'll love torch song lol. It'll definitely steamroll rocket battles. If you managed to get one with blast burn too, that's a nice nuke for those.
Anyways you can just check pvpoke.com to see every moveset and the individual move stats on pokemon, including optimal sets for pvp

Ok thanks! I might look into that but tbh I think I got what I care most about already, not big on spam click battle just do rockets and some quest league junk.

I know torch is sig move but never woulda guessed they could improve from voice. That's already a fast filling good move, though I care less for the coverage on dirge. You don't hit dragons with fast attack, darks take dirge anyway often, and fight is weak to it no matter what.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

So something interesting happened last year... I basically completed Pokemon Go.

Okay no I didn't but it kind of feels that way. A few days ago I made trades for the last two shinies I didn't already have (Pansage and Cherubi) thus finishing my shiny dexes for Gens IV and V, and then caught a shiny Blacephalon during its raid hour on NYE. My primary goal with the game was always to get a more or less complete shiny dex: I'm not a big battler so am not motivated to invest time into PvP.

I now have a (functionally) complete shiny dex for Gens I through VI, and am just about done with the others for the most part. Nearly all of the shinies I'm still missing are a.) unreleased b.) not legitimately obtainable c.) rare to the point of nonexistent, so I don't feel much of an urge to chase them down yet.

Gen I: 151

Gen II: 100

Gen III: 133 (only missing Kecleon and Jirachi, but I missed the masterwork research for the latter)

Gen IV: 102 (only missing Rotom and Shaymin, but the former is nigh impossible and I missed the masterwork research for the latter. Obviously also missing Phione, Manaphy, and Arceus as they're unreleased)

Gen V: 153 (only missing Victini, Meloetta, and Keldeo. I bought the Keldeo masterwork, but I missed the one for Meloetta and Victini is, of course, unreleased)

Gen VI: 63 (until Kalos Tour happens, I have every shiny form it's possible to get for this generation)

Gen VII: 63 (still missing Buzzwole, Pheromosa, and Xurkitree, as well as Dhelmise which will be dropping in a couple of days)

Gen VIII (Galar): 30 (only missing Indeedee)

Gen VIII (Hisui): 5 (missing Basculegion and Enamorus, neither of which are currently possible)

Gen IX: 36 (missing Dondozo, the Frigibax line, and the Gimmighoul line)

Unidentified: 2 (this is just Meltan and Melmetal)


So yeah I'm kind of basically done for now! Until they release new raid bosses (Koraidon and Miraidon when?) there's not a whole lot happening. January is looking pretty dull except for the release of Klawf, shiny Dhelmise, and shiny Grookey... the High Zaptitude event might introduce Wattrel, I suppose? Ball's in your court, Niantic Scopely.

 

[R_N]

This year really should be them starting to do the paradoxes, which equally feels like they shouldn't wait that long on their shinies. Maybe after Kalos tour? Should be close to the end of the season then too, and that's Paldea-focused.

So now that we're done with August , I thought I could do another checkin.

-May 10 - 1 (Kingambit)
-June - 1 (Urshifu)
-Go Fest - 1 (Volcanion)
-June 20 - 2 (Yamper line)
-July 15 - 1 (Tatsugiri)
-July 22 - 3 (Honedge line)
-July 29 - 2 (Toedscool line)
-August 6 - 2 (Snom line)
-August 18 - 1 (Eternatus [cannot be transferred])
-August 25 - 1 (Dondozo)

May was like February, just kind of a dead month. June, July & August however all had 3 lines added, though in all it's still less than the first four months along had (23 vs 14). Still that puts us at 37 and we already know Indeedee is coming September 16 and that this season will bring Duraludon, Dipplin, Hydrapple, & the Impidimp line for the Wild Area. That alone puts us at 44 and there will presumably be a few other releases (ala Indeedee) this season and we'll definitely get some more for December. Likely it wont break 2023's amount but probably get close to 50 depending on what they decide to release. =

And some people think Sinistcha & Poltchageist might come this season too since there was some matcha props in the trailer. I'd say halloween but they released their OG counterparts in December last year so ??


Meanwhile, once the announced ones are out...
Gen 4 is still waiting on Phione, Manaphy & Arceus. I strongly suspect that Arceus will be treated like Eternatus in terms of power.
Gen 6 is now complete thanks to Volcanion & Honedge. Home, however, still can't fill in all the slots due to Zygarde being untransferrable. Z-A should force their hands on this and make them release more Zygardes, though. Probably why it's in the anniversary art.
Gen 7 still lacks 9 Pokemon: Wishiwashi, Pyukumuku, Minior, the ever waiting Mimikyu, Type Null/Silvally, Magearna & Zeraora. Type Null I think will be a season long research thing and hwo they decide to handle Silvally's forms will reflect on how they'll handle Arceus. We've all the UBs so it's posible they make us wait for these until they decide to do Ultra Necrozma. Who knows how long that'll be.
Gen 8's made good progress. Only 28 remain after Impidimp is out. I assume that Calyrex & the horses will be the centerpiece of a Go Fest. Maybe next year? Very unfortuante for me, Eternatus being a one-off gift Pokemon means you can't transfer it ala Zygarde. Who knows when they decide to release a second one.
Hisui is still only missing Basculegion. Cosnidering this season's gimmick is transformation, I think we can see it happen this year. White Stripe's been waiting for ages now.
Paldea, predictably, is missing a lot. 32 regular Pokemon; 3 of those are evolutions for Archaludon, Farigiraf & Dudunsparce. 34 legendary pokemon. The anniversary did tease paradoxes, perhaps we could start seeing those later in the year? Could also see Cyclizar as a prelude to the raidons.

And hey let's take a look at this now that we're done with the year

2025 - 58
-Jan 3 - 2 (Fidough line)
-Jan 15 - 2 (Shroodle line)
-Jan 21 - 3 (Rookidee line)
-Feb 11 - 1 (Dhelmise)
-March 5 - 1 (Kubfu [was Untransferrable])
-March 19 - 2 (Nickit line)
-March 26 - 2 (Sizzlipede line)
-March 31 - 2 (Mudbray line)
-April 9 - 2 (Gossifleur line)
-April 16 - 3 (Tinkatink line)
-April 24 - 3 [5] (Applin line [Dipplin & Hydrapple Home only])
-May 10 - 1 (Kingambit)
-June - 1 (Urshifu)
-Go Fest - 1 (Volcanion)
-June 20 - 2 (Yamper line)
-July 15 - 1 (Tatsugiri)
-July 22 - 3 (Honedge line)
-July 29 - 2 (Toedscool line)
-August 6 - 2 (Snom line)
-August 18 - 1 (Eternatus [cannot be transferred])
-August 25 - 1 (Dondozo)
--the new stuff after this line--
-September 16 - 1 (Indeedee)
-September 23 - 1 (Dudunsparce)
-September 30 - 1 [2] (Duraludon [Archaludon Home only])
-October 10 - 2 (Dipplin, Hydrapple)
-October 21 - 2 (Poltchageist line)
-November - 2 (Spidops line)
-November - 3 (Impidimp line)
-December 2 - 3 (Nacli line)
-December 11 - 2 (Clobbopus line)
-December 24 - 3 (Rolycoly line)

First off, quite a number of Pokemon, especially in December with 8 of them. Big focus on Gen 8 & 9 which isn't that surprising. Look at those 3-stage lines!
Duraludon is interestingly only released as a Dynamax Pokemon; even if you got it from research it will still be a Dynamax. Who knows how thisll effect Archaludon plans; guess it depends on Champions.
I'm still surprised that they did Dipplin & Hydrapple so soon. I also still can't believe their insane evolution requirements. Tacking onto the Duraludon observation, Applin doesnt have its Dynamax and I wonder if they wait for Champions to do so or if they'll release it but have it so DMax can't evolve into the Dipplin third of the line.
basculegion not happening this year was strange. White-stripe has been in for a while and it would haev fit quite well with the "Transformation" season's Halloween.

In all, unless I miscounted, there were 58 Pokemon put out in 2025. 2 more than 2023 and 18 more than 2024.
Excluding Klawf since it's already been announced, there are:

• 48 "regular" Pokemon to release. 4 in Gen 7, 21 in Gen 8, 23 in Gen 9. I already went over the Gen 7 guys in the earlier posts, but since there's so few of the others Gen 8 & 9...
  • Gen 8 is missing the Orbeetle line (despite having its GMax teased when the feature launched lmao), Drednaw line, Sandaconda line, Alcremie line, Pincurchin, Eiscue...All of these feel like they could be released "whenever" since they're not tied to anything. Eggs, raids, research, whatever.
  • Same goes for the Barraskewda line, but with the extra caveat that I cannot see Cramorant releasing without them; it was odd Tatsugiri & Dondozo were so separated but Cramorant literally throws out Arrokudas.
    • I'm curious how the gulp missile will be implemented. Getting the missile will be easy, just use Surf or Dive charged moves, but how would firing it work? When hit by a charged move? How about raids, just when they do their big attack? Seems pretty rapid fire. Can see this stalling its release.
  • Copperajah line...I think might be put into the Safaris. It seems like the plan with those is introduce a 2-stage line that is quasi-regional for like a year, then introduce a new one where they then phase it out until it's just a normal release. Then maybe when Cufant exits the Safari cycle they release the GMax
  • The fossils definitely get released as a set considering their gimmick and we have "Adventure Week". Probably raid or research exclusive
  • Basculegion has to evolve eventually
  • Gen 9 is missing Kilowattrel line, Mabosstiff line, Scovillain line, Rabsca line, Espathra line, Orthworm, Flamigo, Veluza....I think any of these can be released with whatever. We do have psychic-focused events, and plenty of psychics to go with it, but like. Who cares
  • Cyclizar I think will happen just before we get the raidons
  • Glimmora line I bet is a 12k egg. It's a prominent poison type after all
  • Brambleghast I can see being saved for a Halloween. Mabosstiff could go here too but idk I can see that one just being a regular release.
  • Palafin is technically in the "release whenever" but its gimmick is probably annoying to implement. I also bet the candy to evolve is terrible, since the Hero form is so strong
  • Farigiraf probably just happens at any time, but Archaludon needs Duraludon to get another release anyway see earlier note. I strongly suspect Duraludon will need 200 candies to evolve
• 16 Legendary Pokemon.
  • Type Null & Silvally are the only ones left for Alola. Definitely going to be research-rewards and we'll have to see how they want to handle Silvally's forms. Will likely be similar to what they want Arceus to work.
  • Glastrier, Spectrier & Calyrex are all that's there for Gen 8. I think they'll be saved as a set for a Go Fest. 2028 maybe?
  • Treasures of ruin will just be dripfed throughout the year whenever they finally release them.
  • Raidons honestly should have been released already oh my god come on. Release them at the end of the season or something!!
  • Loyal 3 likely also, but I bet there's specifically a tie into a go fest that'll release Pecharunt research
  • Could Ogerpon be a Go-fest headliner with its Masks and power? Hard to say. Teal mask could be a season long research reward that also releases the Loyal 3
  • Terapagos is definitely a Go Fest. I was going to say that maybe it'll have to wait until Tera is implemented so they can release Stellar form with it, but it's not like Necrozma had to wait for Z-moves so it could Ultra Burst. And not every go fest's signature Pokemon will have a "grind this for energy" mechanic....
• 20 Paradox Pokemon. I'm separating them from their legendary peers since they have such a cozy dedicated category to them.
  • I think the Donphans will be first but within the same year time frame we'll get Scream Tail/Bundle and Flutter Mane/Jugulis. The others will just be drip fed over the year(s). The real question is will they do a regional split...maybe just the Donphans and Volcaronas?
  • Roaring Moon & Iron Valiant & the legendary paraodxes probably get "fancier" releases Like Wild Area releases or something
• 6 Mythicals
  • Phione, Manaphy, Arceus...we've talked about these at length. I bet Arceus will be like Eternatus in needing a ton of resources to power up, though
  • Magearna, Zeraora. We probably see Zeraora this year so they have a shiny to give out in Alola Tour. Can we please get more excuses to release shiny mythics, game freak?
  • And Pecharunt, of course. Per my earlier thing, I think its associated go fest will try to coincide with the Loyal 3.

And a quick check-in on the untransferrables:

• Spinda still no luck. Did you know many of the patterns actually aren't "real"? Like they're impossible to get in the regular games spot generation. I'm starting to think this is more a Niantic mess up of a mon....To resolve this situation we need either
  • GameFreak to not care about consistency and just let Spinda reroll its spots on transfer when it gets its ID stuff made
  • Scopely to make a special "blank" spinda whose spots only show up when you transfer. A mystery box! But with bad pokemon.
  • Spinda to come back in a game and they simplify its spot patterns
  • Spinda to come back in a game and now the Go patterns are internally tracked "forms".
  • Spinda comes back and the valentines heart-spot spinda specifically is a form since it's the most iconic and they can do the broken heart shiny and everything
  • They introduce a regional Spinda that does not have the spot gimmick.
  • They release a Go-marked Spinda event that you download separately.
  • They just remove Spinda from the Home Go Dex
• Zygarde...well I thought that it will be at Kalos Go Tour but the only mention of it has been you can still gather cells on Routes during the event. There's still time to announce it'll be capturable in raids I guess. It would be kind of dull if it was just Xerneas & Yveltal and a bunch of megas....maybe Mega Zygarde releases and it lets you get Zygarde (with any of its million signature moves but uh oh make sure you get the right one~) but you still have to route for the cells to get to Complete to mega it.
• Eternatus. Just waiting for them to release another one. I think it'll happen at Wild Area this year, even. I don't think the plan with this one really worked in their favor so I don't see much reason to sit on it for years.

 

[pika pal]

This year really should be them starting to do the paradoxes, which equally feels like they shouldn't wait that long on their shinies. Maybe after Kalos tour? Should be close to the end of the season then too, and that's Paldea-focused.

And hey let's take a look at this now that we're done with the year

2025 - 58
-Jan 3 - 2 (Fidough line)
-Jan 15 - 2 (Shroodle line)
-Jan 21 - 3 (Rookidee line)
-Feb 11 - 1 (Dhelmise)
-March 5 - 1 (Kubfu [was Untransferrable])
-March 19 - 2 (Nickit line)
-March 26 - 2 (Sizzlipede line)
-March 31 - 2 (Mudbray line)
-April 9 - 2 (Gossifleur line)
-April 16 - 3 (Tinkatink line)
-April 24 - 3 [5] (Applin line [Dipplin & Hydrapple Home only])
-May 10 - 1 (Kingambit)
-June - 1 (Urshifu)
-Go Fest - 1 (Volcanion)
-June 20 - 2 (Yamper line)
-July 15 - 1 (Tatsugiri)
-July 22 - 3 (Honedge line)
-July 29 - 2 (Toedscool line)
-August 6 - 2 (Snom line)
-August 18 - 1 (Eternatus [cannot be transferred])
-August 25 - 1 (Dondozo)
--the new stuff after this line--
-September 16 - 1 (Indeedee)
-September 23 - 1 (Dudunsparce)
-September 30 - 1 [2] (Duraludon [Archaludon Home only])
-October 10 - 2 (Dipplin, Hydrapple)
-October 21 - 2 (Poltchageist line)
-November - 2 (Spidops line)
-November - 3 (Impidimp line)
-December 2 - 3 (Nacli line)
-December 11 - 2 (Clobbopus line)
-December 24 - 3 (Rolycoly line)

First off, quite a number of Pokemon, especially in December with 8 of them. Big focus on Gen 8 & 9 which isn't that surprising. Look at those 3-stage lines!
Duraludon is interestingly only released as a Dynamax Pokemon; even if you got it from research it will still be a Dynamax. Who knows how thisll effect Archaludon plans; guess it depends on Champions.
I'm still surprised that they did Dipplin & Hydrapple so soon. I also still can't believe their insane evolution requirements. Tacking onto the Duraludon observation, Applin doesnt have its Dynamax and I wonder if they wait for Champions to do so or if they'll release it but have it so DMax can't evolve into the Dipplin third of the line.
basculegion not happening this year was strange. White-stripe has been in for a while and it would haev fit quite well with the "Transformation" season's Halloween.

In all, unless I miscounted, there were 58 Pokemon put out in 2025. 2 more than 2023 and 18 more than 2024.
Excluding Klawf since it's already been announced, there are:

• 48 "regular" Pokemon to release. 4 in Gen 7, 21 in Gen 8, 23 in Gen 9. I already went over the Gen 7 guys in the earlier posts, but since there's so few of the others Gen 8 & 9...
  • Gen 8 is missing the Orbeetle line (despite having its GMax teased when the feature launched lmao), Drednaw line, Sandaconda line, Alcremie line, Pincurchin, Eiscue...All of these feel like they could be released "whenever" since they're not tied to anything. Eggs, raids, research, whatever.
  • Same goes for the Barraskewda line, but with the extra caveat that I cannot see Cramorant releasing without them; it was odd Tatsugiri & Dondozo were so separated but Cramorant literally throws out Arrokudas.
    • I'm curious how the gulp missile will be implemented. Getting the missile will be easy, just use Surf or Dive charged moves, but how would firing it work? When hit by a charged move? How about raids, just when they do their big attack? Seems pretty rapid fire. Can see this stalling its release.
  • Copperajah line...I think might be put into the Safaris. It seems like the plan with those is introduce a 2-stage line that is quasi-regional for like a year, then introduce a new one where they then phase it out until it's just a normal release. Then maybe when Cufant exits the Safari cycle they release the GMax
  • The fossils definitely get released as a set considering their gimmick and we have "Adventure Week". Probably raid or research exclusive
  • Basculegion has to evolve eventually
  • Gen 9 is missing Kilowattrel line, Mabosstiff line, Scovillain line, Rabsca line, Espathra line, Orthworm, Flamigo, Veluza....I think any of these can be released with whatever. We do have psychic-focused events, and plenty of psychics to go with it, but like. Who cares
  • Cyclizar I think will happen just before we get the raidons
  • Glimmora line I bet is a 12k egg. It's a prominent poison type after all
  • Brambleghast I can see being saved for a Halloween. Mabosstiff could go here too but idk I can see that one just being a regular release.
  • Palafin is technically in the "release whenever" but its gimmick is probably annoying to implement. I also bet the candy to evolve is terrible, since the Hero form is so strong
  • Farigiraf probably just happens at any time, but Archaludon needs Duraludon to get another release anyway see earlier note. I strongly suspect Duraludon will need 200 candies to evolve
• 16 Legendary Pokemon.
  • Type Null & Silvally are the only ones left for Alola. Definitely going to be research-rewards and we'll have to see how they want to handle Silvally's forms. Will likely be similar to what they want Arceus to work.
  • Glastrier, Spectrier & Calyrex are all that's there for Gen 8. I think they'll be saved as a set for a Go Fest. 2028 maybe?
  • Treasures of ruin will just be dripfed throughout the year whenever they finally release them.
  • Raidons honestly should have been released already oh my god come on. Release them at the end of the season or something!!
  • Loyal 3 likely also, but I bet there's specifically a tie into a go fest that'll release Pecharunt research
  • Could Ogerpon be a Go-fest headliner with its Masks and power? Hard to say. Teal mask could be a season long research reward that also releases the Loyal 3
  • Terapagos is definitely a Go Fest. I was going to say that maybe it'll have to wait until Tera is implemented so they can release Stellar form with it, but it's not like Necrozma had to wait for Z-moves so it could Ultra Burst. And not every go fest's signature Pokemon will have a "grind this for energy" mechanic....
• 20 Paradox Pokemon. I'm separating them from their legendary peers since they have such a cozy dedicated category to them.
  • I think the Donphans will be first but within the same year time frame we'll get Scream Tail/Bundle and Flutter Mane/Jugulis. The others will just be drip fed over the year(s). The real question is will they do a regional split...maybe just the Donphans and Volcaronas?
  • Roaring Moon & Iron Valiant & the legendary paraodxes probably get "fancier" releases Like Wild Area releases or something
• 6 Mythicals
  • Phione, Manaphy, Arceus...we've talked about these at length. I bet Arceus will be like Eternatus in needing a ton of resources to power up, though
  • Magearna, Zeraora. We probably see Zeraora this year so they have a shiny to give out in Alola Tour. Can we please get more excuses to release shiny mythics, game freak?
  • And Pecharunt, of course. Per my earlier thing, I think its associated go fest will try to coincide with the Loyal 3.

And a quick check-in on the untransferrables:

• Spinda still no luck. Did you know many of the patterns actually aren't "real"? Like they're impossible to get in the regular games spot generation. I'm starting to think this is more a Niantic mess up of a mon....To resolve this situation we need either
  • GameFreak to not care about consistency and just let Spinda reroll its spots on transfer when it gets its ID stuff made
  • Scopely to make a special "blank" spinda whose spots only show up when you transfer. A mystery box! But with bad pokemon.
  • Spinda to come back in a game and they simplify its spot patterns
  • Spinda to come back in a game and now the Go patterns are internally tracked "forms".
  • Spinda comes back and the valentines heart-spot spinda specifically is a form since it's the most iconic and they can do the broken heart shiny and everything
  • They introduce a regional Spinda that does not have the spot gimmick.
  • They release a Go-marked Spinda event that you download separately.
  • They just remove Spinda from the Home Go Dex
• Zygarde...well I thought that it will be at Kalos Go Tour but the only mention of it has been you can still gather cells on Routes during the event. There's still time to announce it'll be capturable in raids I guess. It would be kind of dull if it was just Xerneas & Yveltal and a bunch of megas....maybe Mega Zygarde releases and it lets you get Zygarde (with any of its million signature moves but uh oh make sure you get the right one~) but you still have to route for the cells to get to Complete to mega it.
• Eternatus. Just waiting for them to release another one. I think it'll happen at Wild Area this year, even. I don't think the plan with this one really worked in their favor so I don't see much reason to sit on it for years.

For Kalos Tour, my leading theory is that the headline will be the Mega Mewtwos and if Zygarde is present, it'll be an Eternatus style "no dupe catching" implementation.

Mega Mewtwo is "Big" enough to headline some kind of event like the Hoenn Megas, it's the franchise's 30th anniversary to expect Kanto callbacks (on top of Mewtwo's established presence in Kalos), Mewtwo I BELIEVE is the last Mega we're waiting on from the pre-ZA roster if they want to clean those ahead of said ZA Megas entering their event plans, and to top it off, this would be the first time regular Mewtwo has been in raids in YEARS for Shiny Hunters (and casual availability of Psystrike without Elite TMs on Shadow/Purified).

Mega Zygarde is also possible but I feel like it's removed enough from "Gen 6" Kalos that it might headline a Fest once we have some ZA Megas in the mix.

 

[Esserise]

Duraludon is interestingly only released as a Dynamax Pokemon; even if you got it from research it will still be a Dynamax. Who knows how thisll effect Archaludon plans; guess it depends on Champions.
I'm still surprised that they did Dipplin & Hydrapple so soon. I also still can't believe their insane evolution requirements. Tacking onto the Duraludon observation, Applin doesnt have its Dynamax and I wonder if they wait for Champions to do so or if they'll release it but have it so DMax can't evolve into the Dipplin third of the line.

Just as an interesting thing to note on this bit, Masters EX just introduced Hisuian Electrode that can Dynamax, making it the first Pokémon that wasn’t available in SwSh to get a Dynamax model.

image from Serebii

So the floodgates are now open on that. I’m guessing you’re right that Archaludon and Applin’s Dynamaxes will probably come after Champions.

 

[R_N]

For Kalos Tour, my leading theory is that the headline will be the Mega Mewtwos and if Zygarde is present, it'll be an Eternatus style "no dupe catching" implementation.

Mega Mewtwo is "Big" enough to headline some kind of event like the Hoenn Megas, it's the franchise's 30th anniversary to expect Kanto callbacks (on top of Mewtwo's established presence in Kalos), Mewtwo I BELIEVE is the last Mega we're waiting on from the pre-ZA roster if they want to clean those ahead of said ZA Megas entering their event plans, and to top it off, this would be the first time regular Mewtwo has been in raids in YEARS for Shiny Hunters (and casual availability of Psystrike without Elite TMs on Shadow/Purified).

Mega Zygarde is also possible but I feel like it's removed enough from "Gen 6" Kalos that it might headline a Fest once we have some ZA Megas in the mix.

Mega Mewtwo definitely feels like it has to be this year yeah. If not Kalos tour, then certainly this year's Go Fest

However, while I do have worries about it, I don't think they make Zygarde an Eternatus styled thing. I mean Complete Zygarde isn't near as strong as Eternatus and people who really care about that have likely already done it AND powered the thing up (with normal costs) so there's little reason to want to grind out Zygardes to the long standing player base and it's probably not a big incentive for the more casual or more recent players. Meanwhile, if you can raid for it, suddenly everyone gets to:
-Roll for better Zygardes
-Roll for Shiny Zygarde if they decide to release it here. iirc once the tour starts the only Gen 6 shinies unaccounted for would be Hoopa, Volcanion and Zygarde. & two of those have to wait to be properly released in the main games
-Roll for Zygardes with its signature moves that probably all get different adventure effects (& core enforcer will get to turn into Nihil Light, presumably). Collect them all!

And as for Mega Zygarde being too "removed", Sinnoh Tour's main thrust was Legends Arceus forms and had a gimmick of Legends Arceus time-space distortions and Hisuian Pokemon. So I think if they don't have it here it will be for other reasons, like wanting it to be the Mewtwo of Z-A era megas, or save it for a Go Fest so they can double dip on the mon, or some "Mega Finale" follow up

Just as an interesting thing to note on this bit, Masters EX just introduced Hisuian Electrode that can Dynamax, making it the first Pokémon that wasn’t available in SwSh to get a Dynamax model.

image from Serebii

View attachment 798102

So the floodgates are now open on that. I’m guessing you’re right that Archaludon and Applin’s Dynamaxes will probably come after Champions.

iirc Masters had Greta Dynamax a Breloom as well. Who knows why Masters is the only one that breaks this mold. It was interesting to see that even VMax stuck to SWSH Dynamaxers in the TCG...

Well whatever Champions will surely be out within a month (...right...?) and probably have a Dynamax mode so if that's open to everyone it's all open and shut anyway.

 

[RocketSurgery]

Serebii is just pointing out that hisuian electrode is the first mon/form that didn't exist during SwSh to dynamax. In addition to Greta's Breloom that RN mentioned, there was also Emmet(?)'s Eelektross in Masters. TCG did have a Deoxys Vmax.

So while I wouldn't exactly call this a flood, I don't think mons not being in SwSh was/is an actual impediment to those mons getting to Dmax in GO, but I could imagine Niantic games just haven't done it because they need TPC's stamp of approval and they don't feel like bothering so that they can add dynamax pidgey to the game, but would do it to add Archaludon or Appletun and Flapple's Gmaxes.