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Mega Evolution Events Announced for September

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Article by Brian Tein

Niantic has announced a new set of events in honor of Mega Evolution.

Event 1: Mega Raids
Event Start Event End
September 1, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time September 7, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time
  • Mega Raids will be more common
  • The friendship attack bonus will be increased
  • Raid-related research will be available
  • Specific research rewards will grant Mega Energy for Venusaur, Charizard, or Blastoise.
  • If all players complete a total of two million raids, Mega Pidgeot will be unlocked
  • The release of Shiny Lotad
  • A special set of Pokemon will begin spawning more frequently:
Event 2: Mega Battles
Event Start Event End
September 11, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time September 17, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time
  • Special Timed Research will be released
  • Unique Team Rocket Pokemon lineups
  • Battle-related research will be available
  • Specific research rewards will grant Mega Energy for Beedrill.
  • If all players complete a total of 275 million battles, Mega Houndoom will be unlocked
  • The release of Shiny Ledyba
  • A special set of Pokemon will begin spawning more frequently:
Event 2: Mega Buddies
Event Start Event End
September 22, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time September 28, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time
  • Mega Evolution lasts for 12 hours instead of 4
  • 2x Poffin duration
  • Buddy-related research will be available
  • A special, limited-time timed research line that will unlock the ability to unlock Mega Gengar later this year
  • Specific research rewards will grant Mega Energy for Beedrill at boosted amounts 
  • Specific research rewards will grant Mega Energy for Venusaur, Charizard, or Blastoise.
  • The release of Shiny Doduo
  • Pokemon that are "large in size" will appear in raids
  • Taking a snapshot with a Mega Evolved buddy may cause a Pokemon of the same species to spawn
  • A special set of Pokemon will begin spawning more frequently:

We also have a 1 Pokecoin box in the shop to give players 3 remote raid passes to help with the first event.

Full Announcement

Full Text

Trainers,

Our Mega September event is right around the corner! Throughout September, there will be three weeks of Mega Evolution–themed events for you to enjoy. Whether it’s taking down Mega Raid Bosses, facing off in battles against other Mega-Evolved Pokémon, or just enjoying its company as your buddy, there’s plenty to do with your Mega-Evolved Pokémon.

If you haven’t already, be sure to read here for more details on how Mega Evolution works in Pokémon GO.

Complete two million Mega Raids to unlock Mega Pidgeot

From Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, September 7, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time, your goal will be to complete as many Mega Raids as you can! Gather Mega Energy to Mega Evolve your Pokémon and take down powerful Raid Bosses like never before! If Trainers win two million Mega Raids before the event ends globally, they’ll unlock Mega Pidgeot in Mega Raids!

Features

  • There will be an increased number of Mega Raids.
  • There will be an increased attack bonus from friends in raids.
  • Event-exclusive Field Research focused on raid-related tasks will be available for a limited time
  • You can receive Mega Energy for Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise by completing limited event-exclusive Field Research tasks.
  • The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild: Abra, Magnemite, Exeggcute, Rhyhorn, Tangela, Electabuzz, Omanyte, Aerodactyl, Murkrow, Treecko, Torchic, Lotad, and Roselia.
  • If you’re lucky, you may even run into a Shiny Lotad!

Complete 275 million battles to unlock Mega Houndoom

From From Friday, September 11, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time, use your Mega-Evolved Pokémon in Gym battles, Team GO Rocket battles, and Trainer Battles (excluding GO Battle League battles). If Trainers win 275 million of these battles before the event ends globally, they’ll unlock Mega Houndoom in Mega Raids!

Features

  • It’s all about Mega Beedrill! You can receive Beedrill Mega Energy by completing event-exclusive Field Research tasks. When you use Mega Beedrill in Gym battles, Team GO Rocket battles, and Trainer Battles (excluding GO Battle League battles) during the event period, it’ll receive a temporary CP boost!
  • You can receive Mega Energy for Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise by completing limited event-exclusive Field Research tasks.
  • The following Bug-type Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild: Caterpie, Weedle, Paras, Venonat, Scyther, Pinsir, Ledyba, Spinarak, Wurmple, Kricketot, and Burmy.
  • We're getting word that Team GO Rocket will be using different Shadow Pokemon during this event as well! Be sure to Mega Evolve Beedrill before you take on Team GO Rocket!
  • Be on the lookout for raid and battle-focused Timed Research during this event!
  • If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Ledyba!

Complete the Mega-Evolution themed Timed Research story to unlock an extra treat during Halloween

From From Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, September 28, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time, become buddies with your Mega-Evolved Pokémon and spend time with it! Be sure to take snapshots with your buddy and share them with us on social media using #GOsnapshot. During this time, Pokémon that are large in size will be appearing more often in the wild and in raids. Mega Evolve your buddy and give it a treat to have them appear on the map for comparison! Can you guess which one is taller: Furret or Mega Charizard X? We will also be releasing Timed Research at the end of September to usher in the spooky season.

Features

  • Spend more time with your Mega-Evolved buddy! Mega-Evolved Pokémon will stay in their Mega-Evolved form for three times longer, increasing from four hours to 12 hours.
  • Poffin duration will double during the event.
  • Pokémon that are large in size will be appearing more frequently in the wild, including Doduo, Alolan Exeggutor, Pinsir, Lapras, Snorlax, Furret, Wobbuffet, Mantine, Skarmory.
  • If you’re lucky, you might encounter Shiny Doduo!
  • Find Pokémon that are large in size in raids throughout the event!
  • There will be an increase in Beedrill Mega Energy received from Field Research.
  • You can receive Mega Energy for Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise by completing limited event-exclusive Field Research tasks.
  • Be sure to take a #GOsnapshot with your Mega-Evolved buddy! You might even have a surprise encounter with a Pokémon of the same species!
  • Complete the Timed Research during this event for a chance to unlock an exclusive Timed Research during this year's Halloween Event that features Mega Gengar for the first time in Pokemon GO!

Mega Bracelet avatar items available now!

Avatar items inspired by Mega Bracelets are now available in the shop! It’s said that their design is based on special accessories that Trainers from distant lands once used to help Mega Evolve their Pokémon... Luckily, all we need is Mega Energy!

Mega Evolution–themed Special Research is available

What else can we discover about Mega Evolution? Be sure to open the app to access the new Mega Evolution–themed Special Research, A Mega Discovery, and join Professor Willow as he learns about Mega Evolution. Plus, if you complete the Special Research, you’ll receive Beedrill Mega Energy, which can help Beedrill Mega Evolve!

Are you ready for a Mega September, Trainers? Let’s GO!

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated. For the latest on in-game events and feature updates, be sure to check this help center article.

—The Pokémon GO team

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About the Author(s)

Gamepress Pokemon Go site lead with a focus on theorycrafting and gameplay optimization and a background in business management and freelance writing.  A bit of a hermit, but also an outdoors enthusiast who loves cycling and hiking. Long-time Gamepress fan who is very proud to be a part of the team.

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