due to the situation following COVID-19. This guide will help players defeat their boredom with 5 things to do while inside. The entire world has been put at a standstill due to a pandemic affecting everyone. The Summer of 2016 changed the world with the release of Pokemon Go. For the first time in what feels like forever, world peace was met, players were outside capturing all 151 available Pokemon, spending hours exploring their neighborhoods, cities, and even traveling to different locations. The sense of community has never been higher and as the Pokemon Go trend died down, the player base also significantly dropped. Although, the game is still massively successful, receiving several gameplay updates and tweaks like trading, Raid Battles, and more story quests. Now for the Summer of 2020, it acts as the complete opposite of when Pokemon Go released. Everyone is required to stay home for the greater good, preventing the spread of the virus. This has been going on for over 2 months now and the patience of the general public is running thin. Pokemon Go has made some changes for its game to adapt around this pandemic. This guide will help with 5 things players can do while at home in Pokemon Go.
Pokemon Go is a game that required its players to go outside and explore real-world environments. Going near rivers would increase the chance of water-type Pokemon like Magikarp appearing and the weather in the real-world would affect what was happening in-game. This really changed how players enjoyed Pokemon and brought it along to a more casual audience. There was no feeling like getting on a bike and riding through your local neighborhood and seeing what would spawn. Raid Battles also changed the fundamental nature of the game, requiring that players worked together to defeat a super boss. These super bosses would consist of legendary Pokemon that would roll out every few months or so. Players were required to stand at a specific location to participate in Raid Battles. Players could visually see other players standing around them. That sense of community cannot be done by any other video game, where complete strangers will come together for a common cause, and that would be to Catch-em-all. Now, players are unable to participate in many of these social events, but there is still much to do in Pokemon Go. Here are 5 things players can accomplish at home in Pokemon Go.
Pokemon Go League: Home Edition
The Go League released shortly before the world began to fall to this sickness. Players were able to battle other trainers online and win prizes for participating and winning. Initially, players would need to walk 3km before stepping into another much. Due to COVID-19, the 3km wait time has been removed, allowing players to play as much as they want. This makes it easier to jump into games and practice battling more Pokemon, even though players can't walk around as much anymore.
Double Hatch Speed and Longer Incense in Pokemon Go
Pokemon Go has doubled the hatch speed of Eggs in the game. While the player is still required to walk around the hatch them, this makes it much easier to see what is hidden inside. Although the more interesting of the two is the longer-lasting Incenses. Incenses are items that bring Pokemon to the trainer rather than the trainer going to the Pokemon. Originally, these would only last for 30 minutes, now being extended to an hour. Players will still need to pay for the Incense in the shop, but this is a neat way to continue social distancing.
Increased Spawn Rates and Community Days in Pokemon Go
Pokemon now spawn more frequently in Pokemon Go, regardless of if the player is using an Incense or not. This is great for trainers who are still trying to complete their daily tasks or get candies for a specific Pokemon. Community Day is also receiving a small change as well. Originally, Community Days would reward players on a specific date and time with a chance to catch Shiny versions of a specific Pokemon. Due to COVID-19, Community Days have changed to be more "at home" friendly. The most recent Abra Community Day proved to be successful with this formula.
PokeCoin Price Drops in Pokemon Go
PokeCoins are extremely valuable items, allowing the player to purchase special items and perks within the shop. With COVID-19, Niantic has given several items within the shop a price drop. Every week, a different bundle from within the shop is reduced to just 1 PokeCoin. This is huge for players who want to get valuable items for the low. Also, Stardust and XP for the first catch of the day will be tripled. Players can also open 30 gifts per day versus the usual 20.
Remote Raid es in Pokemon Go
Raids are a big part of what makes Pokemon Go special. To continue to keep players invested, players can participate in Remote Raids. No matter the distance from a raid, the player can jump into a raid if they have a Remote Raid . The catch here is the Remote Raid cost 100 PokeCoins to purchase. This is pretty hefty for something players could originally do for free, but now as players cannot physically reach the raids, this is an alternative option. Also, the raid radius has also doubled. It might not be much, but it's better than nothing.
Pokemon Go is a game that thrives on players exploring the outside world. While the game may never reach the popularity it had back in 2016, the game has a dedicated fanbase that returns to participate every single day. The game is still wildly successful and is compatible with the future mainline titles of the series. Currently, players can bring over Pokemon from Pokemon Go and put them in Pokemon Let's Go Eevee and Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu. Pokemon Bank is currently in the works and will allow players to their Pokemon into the subscription cloud service for safekeeping. Hopefully, the world and Pokemon Go can return back to normal soon.
Pokemon Go is available now on iOS and Android.
