Pokémon GO trainers worldwide are in for a treat as Niantic announces its Holiday Part 1 event, running from December 17 to December 22, 2024. This winter celebration brings exciting new content, including the debut of holiday-themed Pokémon and the first-ever appearance of Shiny Sandygast in the game.
The festive update introduces Dedenne in holiday attire as a new costumed Pokémon, adding to the game’s growing collection of specially dressed creatures. Players will have the chance to encounter its rare shiny variant during the event period, making it a highly sought-after addition to trainers’ collections.
To enhance the holiday experience, Niantic has implemented several player-friendly bonuses throughout the event. Trainers will enjoy double experience points for catching Pokémon and reduced egg hatching distances, making it easier to level up and obtain new Pokémon during the festive season.
The event features an expanded raid lineup, including special appearances by Mega Latias and Mega Latios in Mega Raids. Various costumed Pokémon will appear in different raid tiers, such as Pikachu wearing a Winter Carnival outfit and Glaceon sporting an Undersea Holiday outfit, offering unique collecting opportunities for dedicated players.
For egg enthusiasts, the 7 km egg pool has been refreshed with an exciting selection of Pokémon, including Hisuian Growlithe and holiday-themed variants of familiar favorites. The addition of Charcadet to the egg pool provides players with another chance to obtain this relatively new Pokémon.
Niantic continues its commitment to providing premium content options with a paid Timed Research track available for $2.00. This special research offers valuable rewards including Premium Battle Passes, an Incubator, and Stardust, along with encounters with event-themed Pokémon. In a player-friendly move, trainers can gift these tickets to their friends who have achieved Great Friend status or higher.
The Pokémon GO Web Store is offering special holiday bundles, including the Ultra Holiday Box for $4.99, which contains storage upgrades and Rare Candies. A Holiday Part 1 Ultra Ticket Box is also available for $6.99, bundling tickets for both parts of the holiday event with a bonus Premium Battle Pass.
The event incorporates Collection Challenges focused on catching and raiding, rewarding players with useful items upon completion. PokéStop Showcases will also feature event-themed Pokémon, adding another layer of engagement for participating trainers.
Wild encounters during the event will feature an increased appearance rate for various Pokémon, including winter-themed creatures like Snover and Bergmite. The debut of Shiny Sandygast marks a significant addition to the game’s shiny Pokémon collection, giving players a new rare variant to hunt.
Players have until December 27, 2024, to complete any Timed Research tasks and claim their rewards, ensuring ample time to participate in all aspects of the event. As with all Pokémon GO events, Niantic reminds players to be aware of their surroundings and follow local health guidelines while participating in the festivities.
This comprehensive holiday event demonstrates Niantic’s continued effort to keep Pokémon GO engaging and festive during the winter season, offering both free and premium content to satisfy different player preferences while maintaining the game’s core collection and exploration elements.
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