It's finally time.
From the start of Pokemon Go, we've had a number of big events to look forward to. The release of powerful new Legendary Pokemon and Signature Moves, the introduction of Mega Evolutions, the debut of entire regional Pokedexes. But few expectations have been quite as high as two legends; once great, now fallen, and prepared to rise again and retake their ancient powers; Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon.
It's their time to shine, and shine they shall. Among the most powerful Legendary Pokemon and the most powerful Mega Evolutions (which every clue points towards their being counted as), Kyogre and Groudon are prepared to take the game by storm. With their new formes, unique weather-like abilities, and access to their long-awaited Signature Moves, it's time to shake the earth and make some waves!
Primal Reversion
Typing: Water
- Attack: 331
- Defense: 251
- Stamina: 205
Fast Moves: Waterfall
Charged Moves: Surf, Hydro Pump, Thunder, Blizzard
Exclusive Charged Move: Origin Pulse
Typing: Ground/Fire
- Attack: 331
- Defense: 251
- Stamina: 205
Fast Moves: Mud Shot, Dragon Tail
Charged Moves: Earthquake, Fire Blast, Solar Beam, Fire Punch*
Exclusive Charged Move: Precipice Blades
As previously projected, it seems that Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon will likely be considered Mega Evolutions for all intents and purposes, undergoing the same procedure as typical Mega Evolutions to activate, including the need for "Primal Energy" which will lessen with subsequent Primal Reversions. And while we don't yet have confirmation as to if they will provide the basic Mega Boost that all Mega Evolutions grant while on the field, it is confirmed that their Type-Based Mega Evolution bonus will have a unique feature.
Kyogre and Groudon are the poster-children for Rain and Sun, respectively. When they were released in the main-line games, they were the dominant forces due to the fact that they instantly set these weather effects when taking the field. However, the Primals took that a step farther. Rather than being content with basic weather-patterns, Primal Kyogre used its Primodial Sea ability to generate Heavy Rain, while Primal Kyogre utilized its Desolate Land ability to summon Harsh Sunlight. And while we won't go into the deeper details here as these abilities and weather effects are largely irrelevant in Pokemon Go, the fact that these two lean heavily into their respective weathers did not go unnoticed by Niantic.
While prototypical Mega Evolutions boost other Pokemon that match their types, the Primals boost Pokemon that match their corresponding weather! This means that Primal Kyogre will boost Water, Electric, and Bug Types, while Primal Groudon will boost Ground, Fire, and Grass Types. And this boost also extends to the Mega Catch Bonus, granting additional candy for catches that correspond with these types as well.
Catching The Primals
As can be seen in the video displayed above, the Primals will release as Mega Legendary Raids in a manner similar to Mega Latios and Mega Latias. These are very likely to be hard-fought battles, so expect Raid Guides for them from us as the big day grows closer. Just be thankful that they don't operate like they do in the main series, as Primal Groudon was immune to Water Type attacks for the most part!
But we're still not done! In conjunction with the release of their Primal Formes, Kyogre and Groudon get one more little bonus: access to their Signature Moves, Origin Pulse and Precipice Blades. These moves have been sitting dormant in the data of Pokemon Go for years, and at long last they're on their way! The official News Post states that they will have 130 base power, which holds true for the historical versions of these attacks. So unless Niantic messes with their timing, these are set to be absolutely huge, and they will set Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre at the absolute top of the Ground and Water Metas, respectively.
Hopefully, these moves will also be added to their Elite Move Pool after their run finishes.
Go Tour: Hoenn - Las Vegas
Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon will be available for Go Tour: Hoenn, but they will first be available during the Go Tour: Hoenn - Las Vegas in-person ticketed event first. Players who purchase a ticket will be able to catch these titans early, assuming they are in the Las Vegas area.
Closing
Expect more coverage of these two absolute monsters in the coming days, as they're very important goals for anyone who puts an emphasis on Raid Teams. This is basically the grand-finale of Hoenn's big features, so it's time to prepare for what is likely to be the region's last big hurrah....
....or, rather, it would be the last hurrah, if Mega Rayquaza didn't also exist! It looks like this region's secrets aren't quite done yet!
Full Announcement
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Trainers,
Something big is coming…
Primal Reversion has been discovered in Pokémon GO, and Trainers can experience it for the first time during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas! Primal Reversion is a phenomenon powered by natural energy that transforms select Pokémon, which gives them a new appearance, improves their performance in battle, and more!
Primal Reversion has been observed in two Pokémon to date: the Legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon, originally discovered in the Hoenn region.
A brand-new power
When you collect enough Primal Energy, Kyogre and Groudon will be able to undergo Primal Reversion.
You can earn Primal Energy by defeating Primal Kyogre or Primal Groudon in a Raid Battle or by completing specific research tasks.
After undergoing Primal Reversion, Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon will stay in their primal form for eight hours, after which they will return to their standard form. The more times your Pokémon undergoes Primal Reversion, the less Primal Energy will be used.
New Bonuses
You’ll receive bonuses when your Kyogre or Groudon reverts to its primal form!
When Primal Kyogre is in your party, Water-, Electric-, and Bug-type attacks will benefit from attack bonuses in raids.
When Primal Kyogre is your buddy, catching Water-, Electric-, and Bug-type Pokémon will grant you additional XP and Candy.
When Primal Groudon is in your party, Fire-, Grass-, and Ground-type attacks will benefit from attack bonuses in raids.
When Primal Groudon is your buddy, catching Fire-, Grass-, and Ground-type Pokémon will grant you additional XP and Candy.
Kyogre and Groudon’s Primal Level will increase the more times they revert to their primal forms, improving their bonuses.
You can see a Pokémon’s Primal Level and the bonuses granted by that level by navigating to the Pokémon’s page and tapping the Primal Level icon.
A new Pokédex category
The Pokédex category for Mega Pokémon will be updated to include Pokémon that have undergone Primal Reversion!
Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn
Encounter Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon in Primal Raids during specific periods, beginning with Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas. Primal Raids are similar to normal Raid Battles, but the Pokémon you challenge will be more powerful than those you may have encountered previously.
Trainers will also have opportunities during both Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas and Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global to complete Primal Surge Field Research, which may lead to increased opportunities to encounter Primal Kyogre or Primal Groudon in raids.
Featured attacks*
Kyogre
Kyogre encountered in Primal Raids will know the Charged Attack Origin Pulse.
Groudon
Groudon encountered in Primal Raids will know the Charged Attack Precipice Blade.
Origin Pulse
Trainer Battles: 130 power
Gyms and raids: 130 power
Precipice Blade
Trainer Battles: 130 power
Gyms and raids: 130 power
*Featured attacks, Primal Energy rewards from Primal Raids, and the ability to perform Primal Reversion with Kyogre and Groudon is limited to ticket-holding Trainers during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas. Trainers without a Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas ticket will not collect Primal Energy, will not have the ability to perform Primal Reversion, and will not encounter Kyogre or Groudon with featured attacks until Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global.
For more information about Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas, head over to the event site!
