Pokemon Go Wild Area: Global is almost upon us, and the final major event of the year takes a different approach from the others. The Go Tour in February celebrates a region, offering a chance to complete a Pokedex, and Go Fest is the major summer event that introduces new features and rare shiny variants.
Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15, Wild Area: Global acts as a supersized catch-up “Pokemon Go” celebration with several bonuses. It introduces a special Gigantamax Pokémon. This year, it’s the skyscraper-like Duraludon, which can be shiny. It features Dynamax legendaries in the form of Dialga (available Saturday) and Palkia (available Sunday), two heavyweights that will be powerful additions in future Gigantamax raids.
“It’s a test of strength,” said Angela Ferguson-Martens, Scopely Explore’s project manager for global live events, earlier in the year. “Can you complete those difficult raids? It’s really a culminating moment at the end of the year to see how much you grew. I think it’s a really fun progression we built.”
The biggest feature is the Mighty Pokémon, which are powerful versions of evolved pocket monsters. They have high combat power and near-perfect stats. They’re also often extra large or bigger. They sound like the ideal Pokémon, but the issue is that they’re hard to catch, and the way to easily catch them is by throwing special Safari Balls. Those are obtained by spinning PokeStops.
This year, players can catch these Mighty Pokémon:
Saturday
Alolan Exeggutor, Scizor, Flygon, Walrein, Metagross, Empoleon, Magnezone, Conkeldurr and Haxorus
Sunday
Azumarill, Kingdra, Aggron, Ferrothorn, Hydreigon, Goodra, Noivern, Tinkaton and Clodsire
Along with the Mighty Pokemon, players will have a chance to capture event-themed spawns that change each hour. One hour is called Solid as Steel and features mostly Steel-type pocket monster. Many of the Pokemon have been featured in events or in Community Days, but some like Drillbur, Shellder, Durant and Ferroseed will be some of the rarer ones. The Daring as a Dragon hour is heavy on the Dragon types and also features Pokemon that have had Community Days and events. The rarer ones will be the likes of Skrelp, Turtonator, and Sizzlipede.
When it comes to raids, aside from the legendaries, trainers will be gunning for a special Machamp wearing a coat that makes it look like one of the World Government admirals from “One Piece.” Wild Area: Global will feature a special 10km eggs with the likes of Honedge, Klefki, Drampon and Duraludon available. Their shiny variants are available, but the regional Klefki will be the sought-after hatch.
Machamp with a special coat costume is available in raids in Pokemon Go Wild Area: Global. (Scopely Explore)
TICKETS FOR SALE
Although the event is available to all with freebies such as three raid passes, the Wild Area: Global will have a ticketed component, which offers trainers a Special Research questline and more spawns. The ticket will give trainers access to Mighty versions of Latios and Latias, Unowns D, I, L, W. Other perks include a higher chance to catch shiny Pokemon, six free raid passes, a higher chance to grab 10km eggs, increased access to Max Particles and more.
Tickets cost $11.99.
Wild Area: Global isn’t as big as the other two events, but it does have a few elements going for it. The celebration is ideal for newcomers. The bigger challenge for Bay Area players will be the weather. It’s going to rain for part of the weekend, and that means players should search for areas such as malls that offer Gyms, PokeStops and shelter.
In the South Bay, Valley Fair mall would be a good option. It’s indoors and features several stops and gyms. In the East Bay, El Cerrito Plaza is outdoors but has great spawns and places to stay out of the rain. Let me know if have any other locations to play “Pokemon Go” amid the rain.