February, generally considered to be the last "true" month of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, is finally coming to a close. We now look to March for the beginning of a change of season, and in its wake we have a new update from Niantic outlining the experience that we can expect in the coming month. This marks the beginning of the Season of Legends, so let's get our first taste of what this season is set to bring.
March 2021 Research Breakthrough
| Research Start | Research End |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. PST | April 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. PST |
This is the first objectively "good" research breakthrough that we've had in quite some time! Garchomp, Gible's evolved forme, has long been hailed as an upper-class Pokemon with very solid utility, and it has been at least fairly rare since its release. Giving players an opportunity to catch a few of these is worth looking forward to! Don't forget to Pinap, and maybe have a Mega Charizard X or Mega Ampharos active when you do for a bit more candy!
Five Star and Mega Raid Bosses
Raids Start: March 1, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: March 6, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. local time
Shiny Landorus - Incarnate Forme will be available
Raids Start: March 6, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: March 11, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. local time
Shiny Tornadus - Incarnate Forme will be available
Raids Start: March 11, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: March 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time
Shiny Thundurus - Incarnate Forme will be available
Raids Start: March 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: March 30, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids Start: March 30, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: TBA
Mega Raids
Raids Start: March 1, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: March 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Raids Start: March 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Raids End: TBA
This time frame will also feature one not-yet released Mega Evolution
Spotlight Hours
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Transfer Candy |
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Evolution XP |
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Catch Stardust |
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Catch XP |
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Catch Candy |
Bonus Hours
A new feature being tested in March is the Bonus Hour. On Thursdays from 6:00-7:00 pm, a special bonus will be active for players to enjoy:
| Date | Bonus |
|---|---|
| March 4 | Rocket Balloons will spawn more frequently. |
| March 11 | 2x Catch Candy when a Pokemon's type matches the type of your active Mega Evolution. |
| March 18 | Mega Raids will be more common. |
March Events
While it's likely that this is not a complete list, Niantic has given us information on at least a few upcoming events:
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| March 9, 2021 | March 14, 2021 |
Apparently, this is an event with a heavy emphasis on Nosepass, with its Shiny variant available.
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| March 14, 2021, time unknown | March 14, 2021, time unknown |
Another Incense day, this time flipping between Psychic and Steel Types. Beldum is the featured Pokemon for the event.
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| March 16, 2021 | March 22, 2021 |
An event tied to Electric Types. Not much is known, save the fact that we'll be getting a new Electric Type Pokemon. Here are the currently unreleased Electric Type Pokemon and formes up to Generation 6, barring Thundurus Therian Forme, as it's now known when it will be released:
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| March 24, 2021 | March 29, 2021 |
Weather-themed Pokemon will spawn in the wild more frequently.
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| March 27, 2021 | March 28, 2021 |
The date lines up with Thundurus - Therian Forme's run, but this is unlikely. We'll have to wait and see what Pokemon will be the star of this event.
Other Updates
- Free bundles will be available every week with the following:
- 10 Ultra Balls, 10 Razz Berries, 1 Remote Raid pass
- Pokemon traded will have a chance to grant XL Candy to the trader. Odds increase with trade distance
- Pokemon walked have a chance to grant XL Candy
- All captures of Legendary, Mythical, or Evolved Pokemon will grant XL candy
- Raid Hours will continue like normal
- We will have a bonus Raid Hour on March 15 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time. This is during Thundurus - Incarnate Forme's run, though we may get a different raid boss for the event.
