Niantic has announced that players of Pokémon GO will be able to catch Bug-type more easily from April 2nd, 2019 until April 9th, 2019.

It’s time to bug out!

Trainers, Are you a serious Bug-type Trainer? Need to work on your Bug Catcher medal? You can get your Incense and catching nets ready for our first-ever Bug Out event!

Date + Time

• Apr. 2, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. PDT to Apr. 9, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7)

Features

• Bug-type Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.
• Incense will last twice as long.
• More Pokémon will appear when using Incense.

Field Research

• Limited-time Bug-type Pokémon Field Research will be available during this event.

Time to head outside and see what amazing Pokémon you’ll encounter! Let’s GO!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/bugout2019/

Niantic has announced that on March 30th, 2019, there will be a Weather Based Limited Research Day in Pokémon GO with a specific focus on the Pokémon Lotad.

Weather-focused Limited Research, featuring Lotad!

Trainers, Professor Willow is looking to conduct Limited Research on the impact of weather on Pokémon, with a focus on the Water- and Grass-type Pokémon Lotad. Spin Photo Discs at nearby PokéStops to obtain Field Research tasks that lead to encounters with this Water Weed Pokémon. While you’re completing research, keep an eye out for other Pokémon that could be impacted by weather conditions, such as Castform! See more details below:

Date + Time

• Mar. 30, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in your local time zone.

Features

• Pokémon that appear due to weather conditions will appear more frequently during the event.
• Limited Research tasks will be available when you spin Photo Discs at PokéStops.
• Completing the Limited Research tasks will award you encounters with Lotad.
• If you’re lucky, you may encounter Shiny Lotad and Shiny Castform in its Normal form!

Move

• The move Weather Ball for Castform will be permanently added to the game.

Remember, Trainers! As long as you’ve collected the Limited Research during the event window, you can complete it at any time. Don’t forget—you’ll need to venture onward to many PokéStops in order to get new Field Research tasks and encounter as many Lotad as possible!

We’re looking forward to seeing you out in the field! Stay safe and happy exploring!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/fieldresearch-mar2019/

Niantic has announced that Giratina will return to raids in Pokémon GO from March 28th, 2019 until April 2nd, 2019.

Giratina Returns, Ready to Transform!

Trainers, You did your team leaders proud back when you battled Giratina in its Altered Forme. However, there are still many mysteries to be unlocked about the Renegade Pokémon. Giratina has reemerged from the Distortion World to renew and transform. Starting March 28, Altered Forme Giratina will return to raids until April 2, when it will transform into Origin Forme to keep testing Trainers’ strength until April 29.

Date + Time

• Giratina (Altered Forme): Thursday, Mar. 28, 2019, at 1 p.m. PDT (GMT −7) to Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2019, at 1 p.m. PDT (GMT −7)
• Giratina (Origin Forme): Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2019, at 1 p.m. PDT (GMT −7) to Monday, Apr. 29, 2019, at 1 p.m. PDT (GMT −7)

Start prepping your teams to take on this Ghost- and Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region. Stay safe, and happy exploring!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/giratinareturns2019/

Legendary Comics announced at the Emerald City Comic Con that the they would be releasing the official Pokémon Detective Pikachu graphic novel adaptation in the summer of 2019. Follow Tim Goodman's journey through Ryme City, as he searches for his missing father with the help of a Pikachu with a penchant for coffee and danger.

Press Release - Legendary Comics to Release Pokémon Detective Pikachu Graphic Novel Adaptation

In anticipation of this summer’s big-screen adventure POKÉMON Detective Pikachu, the first-ever live-action Pokémon movie with a cast led by Ryan Reynolds opening May 10, Legendary Comics announced at Emerald City Comic Con today the official movie graphic novel POKÉMON Detective Pikachu. Written by Brian Buccellato, with art by Nelson Dániel, it is set to debut online and in stores in Summer 2019, following the film’s release. The graphic novel draws inspiration from the upcoming film that is based on the beloved Pokémon brand—one of the world’s most popular, multi-generation entertainment properties and one of the most successful media franchises of all time. Readers are invited to follow along as lead character Tim Goodman, played in the movie by Justice Smith, journeys through Ryme City searching for his missing father. With twists and turns around every corner, nothing is more twist-y than Tim's unexpected partner: a Pikachu with a penchant for coffee and danger, and the amazing ability to speak human language. In a city where humans and Pokémon live together in harmony, unexpected dangers surround them as they try to solve a mystery. Follow Facebook.com/LegendaryComics for the latest news and updates.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to work with The Pokémon Company International,” said Robert Napton, Senior Vice President of Legendary Comics. “Pokémon is a globally-adored brand, and we absolutely loved expanding the story of POKÉMON Detective Pikachu onto the page with the help of Brian’s words and Nelson’s art.”

“Legendary Comics has done an outstanding job of bringing the world of POKÉMON Detective Pikachu to life in the form of this graphic novel,” said Heather Dalgleish, Director of Publishing at The Pokémon Company International. “We’re excited to be working with the Legendary Comics team on this initiative and can’t wait for readers to dive in to this Pokémon story.”

From Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures, POKÉMON Detective Pikachu will be released in theaters nationwide on May 10, 2019.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/legendarycomics/photos/a.625539290828950/2032476770135188/

Niantic has announced that to celebrate the equinox, players of Pokémon GO will have a chance to get some Grass-type Pokémon like Oddish, Exeggcute, Sunkern and Shroomish more easily from March 19th, 2019 until March 26th, 2019.

Celebrate the equinox with Pokémon GO!

Trainers, With spring days arriving in the northern hemisphere and autumn quickly approaching in the southern hemisphere, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the coming equinox with some Grass-type Pokémon.

Date + Time Mar. 19, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. PDT to Mar. 26, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7)

Features Grass-type Pokémon—like Oddish, Exeggcute, Sunkern, and Shroomish—will appear more frequently in the wild. Lunatone and Solrock will switch hemispheres at the start of the event in celebration of the equinox! These Pokémon will stay in their new hemispheres after the event.

Raids

• Grass-type Pokémon will be available to challenge in raids.

Field Research

• Limited-time Grass-type Pokémon Field Research will be available during this event.

Move
New moves will be permanently added to the game.

• Acid Spray: Arbok, Victreebel, Tentacruel, Muk, Alolan Muk, Quagsire, Qwilfish, Octillery, and Swalot.
• Leaf Tornado: Victreebel, and Shiftry.

New seasons mean new adventures, Trainers! Let’s get out and GO!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/equinox2019

Niantic has announced that Defense Forme Deoxys will be available to challenge in EX Raids beginning March 25th, 2019.

Get ready! Defense Forme Deoxys alters EX Raids!

Trainers, The DNA Pokémon, Deoxys, has tested the strength of Trainers in EX Raids and has changed form again! Defense Forme Deoxys will be in EX Raids with stronger defenses than previously seen, so make sure your team is prepared. This Psychic-type Mythical Pokémon will be available to challenge beginning March 25.

Are you new to EX Raids? You can become eligible to receive an EX Raid Pass when you win a Raid Battle at a qualifying Gym. You’ll be able to see which Gyms can host an EX Raid through a handy tag when you look at the Gym details. EX Raid Passes will give you the date and time when you’ll be able to challenge Defense Forme Deoxys, so mark your calendar and prepare your Pokémon for an epic battle!

Battling Defense Forme Deoxys will be a difficult challenge that requires Trainers to take advantage of every opportunity—so don’t forget to invite a friend to go along with you! Remember: invites can only be sent to an Ultra Friend or Best Friend, so don’t forget to battle with friends, send Gifts, and trade Pokémon to build up your Friendship level.

Do you have what it takes? Best of luck—Defense Forme Deoxys won’t back down!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/exraid-deoxys-defense/

Niantic has announced they are testing a new event called Legendary Lunch Hour. At Noon until 1pm in the players local timezone, players of Pokémon GO will have an increased number of raids.

Legendary Lunch Hour: A new experiment!

Trainers, To give you more ways to enjoy Pokémon GO, we’re trying out a new event called Legendary Lunch Hour! From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in your local time zone, there will be an increased number of raids to test your battle skills alongside your friends, coworkers, and classmates. The first Legendary Lunch Hour will take place on March 13, and with your help, we hope to make this an event you can enjoy every week!

Date + Time

• Mar. 13, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in your local time zone

Features

There will be an increased number of raids during the event hour.

We look forward to your feedback and thank you for helping with testing this new type of event.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/legendarylunchhour2019

The Pokémon Company International announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sun and Moon Unbroken Bonds set on March 7th, 2019 and it was released worldwide on May 3rd, 2019. High resolution images of the revealed cards from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

New TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX Introduced in the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Expansion, Arriving May 3

More Pokémon battle teams await in the upcoming new expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds, releasing globally on May 3.

Showcasing the power of teamwork, Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds features seven brand-new pairings of powered-up Pokémon, including Reshiram & Charizard-GX, Marshadow & Machamp-GX, Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX, Greninja & Zoroark-GX, Muk & Alolan Muk-GX, and the Ultra Beasts Pheromosa & Buzzwole-GX. In addition, Lucario will partner with the recently discovered Melmetal.

Key highlights of the expansion include:

• Over 210 cards
• Seven new TAG TEAM Pokémon GX
• Seven more Pokémon GX
• More than 25 Trainer cards and a new Special Energy card

At launch, Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds will be supported in the Pokémon TCG Card Dex app, which offers an easy way to browse and discover cards from the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Series.

Fans will also have the opportunity to try out Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds before it’s available by participating in one of the many Prerelease tournaments taking place April 20–28.

Be the First to Get Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds at Prerelease Tournaments

Pokémon TCG Prerelease tournaments let players be the first to get their hands on the newest expansion and try out the latest cards in action. Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Prerelease tournaments will be held April 20–28, 2019, shortly before the expansion launches on May 3. Check with your local game store to see when they’re hosting one of these events!

When you sit down to play at a Prerelease tournament, you’ll receive a Build & Battle Box containing a 23-card Evolution pack, which includes an exclusive foil promo card and is designed to give you a strong foundation for building a new deck. Each box also includes four 10-card booster packs from Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds. You’ll use these cards, plus basic Energy provided by the Tournament Organizer, to construct your own 40-card deck. You’ll get to keep all the cards from your Build & Battle Box, whether you use them in your deck or not. If you’re really lucky, you might even open one of the shining stars of this expansion: a TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX!

The promo card you’ll receive is a cool collector’s item, with a shiny foil stamp marking it as a Prerelease promo. It can also be used in your deck, and you’re likely to wind up with plenty of cards that match its type. Take a look at the four promo cards available at Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Prerelease tournaments, and get some tips to make the most of the one you receive.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/strategy/be-the-first-to-get-sun-moon-unbroken-bonds-at-prerelease-tournaments

Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box

The Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box was available to purchase at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold on May 3rd, 2019.

Get a solid hold on your Pokémon TCG game with the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box! The collection is packed with everything a Trainer needs to compete, including card sleeves, high-quality dice and damage counters, and much more. It also includes eight Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds booster packs to help put you on the path to victory. And everything fits in the collector’s box, making it easy for you to compete with friends or head to your next big tournament. Victory is within your grasp with the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box!

The Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds booster packs
• 65 card sleeves featuring Reshiram & Charizard
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds expansion
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers and 1 acrylic TAG TEAM GX marker
• A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/sun-moon-unbroken-bonds-elite-trainer-box

Niantic has announced that a Battle Showdown event will take place from March 5th, 2019 until March 12th, 2019 and players of Pokémon GO that challenge team leaders and fellow Trainers can level up Gym Badges and earn Stardust!

Challenge fellow Trainers in our Battle Showdown event!

Trainers, It’s time to challenge team leaders and fellow Trainers for special rewards during our Battle Showdown event! Level up Gym Badges, earn Stardust, and show your team pride during this limited-time event.

Date + Time: Mar. 5, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8) to Mar. 12, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7)

Features

• Fighting-type Pokémon like Mankey, Machop, Makuhita, and Meditite will appear more frequently in the wild.
• If you’re lucky, you may encounter Shiny Mankey and Shiny Machop!

Bonuses

• 2× Catch, Battle, and Raid Stardust
• 2× XP for Gym Badges
• Earn up to five rewards per day from Trainer Battles, including Rare Candy.
• Earn up to three rewards per day from challenging team leaders, including Rare Candy.

Move A new move has been permanently added to the game! Power-Up Punch will now be available for certain Pokémon, such as Poliwrath, Hitmonchan, Kangaskhan, Medicham, and Lucario.

Our Battle Showdown event is sure to pack a punch, so don’t miss it!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/battleshowdown2019/

Niantic has announced that from March 1st, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 28th, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. PDT, players of Pokémon GO can join Raid Battles across the world and battle the Dragon-type Temporal Pokémon, Dialga.

Don’t waste time - challenge Dialga in Raids!

Trainers, A new arrival to Raids will test your strength this next month! The Steel- and Dragon-type Temporal Pokémon, Dialga, will join Raid Battles across the world from March 1 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 28 at 1:00 p.m. PDT!

With the ability to warp time by slowing it down, speeding it up, and even stopping it altogether, Sinnoh region mythology says that time began moving when Dialga was born. Be sure to assemble a team that includes Fighting- and Ground-type Pokémon to take down this Legendary Pokémon of Sinnoh before it overpowers your Pokémon with its special attacks!

Don’t miss this chance to catch this Legendary Pokémon before it leaves for a new dimension! Stay safe, and happy exploring!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/legendary-dialga2019/