The recent release of Mega Lucario brought back memories of the first-ever Riolu Hatch Day held last year on July 22, 2023. This inaugural event marked the beginning of a series of hatch days, featuring Pokémon such as Azurill and Cleffa, and we’ve recently seen numerous hatch-focused events, including Varoom, Charcadet, and Larvesta.
Starting 2nd August 2024 we have Adventure Week, which has an increased chance of encountering certain shiny Pokémon, along with special event themed 7km eggs. While not solely an egg event, it is certain to be an event in which many trainers will grind eggs, hoping to hatch those elusive shiny fossils.
Despite not initially planning to participate in these hatching events, I often find myself drawn in, spending a considerable amount of Pokécoins. One year after the debut of Hatch Day, I wanted to delve into what makes these hatching events so captivating!
Thinking about these events, I feel that there are multiple stages that draw the player in. I’ll run through them.
The Prep
If you plan to go all out for a hatch event, you need to start preparing at least a few days beforehand. If there’s a pre-event reduction in hatch distance, you’re in luck; otherwise, you might struggle to clear out an inventory full of 7km eggs – especially using only the infinite incubator.
Hence, the prep stage often involves buying promotional boxes to stock up on incubators and ensuring you enter hatch day with no eggs in your inventory. If you’re really good at planning, you can hatch your full inventory during the first minute of the event to get stardust gains. This commitment means avoiding spinning stops and not opening gifts until further notice.
Once you’re this deep into the preparation, it feels like there’s no turning back. You can’t half-commit to the event; it’s all or nothing to hunt the desired Pokémon.
The Rarity Tiers
Having the desired Pokémon in the most common tier for a 10km egg is quite enticing. For example, the recent Larvesta hatching event had 3 only Pokémon in the egg pool all in the same rarity tier. This means that there should be 33% chance of hatching the desired Pokémon. When you stack up 10km eggs and get walking, it feels like you have a good shot at reaching your goal.
Even if the Pokémon is in the rarest tier of the 2km egg pool, it still makes you feel like you have a good chance of hatching one. It’s pretty easy to collect and hatch a bunch of 2km eggs at a time, particularly if there is a reduction in hatch distance. Yet another way to draw you in!
The Experience
Out of all of the events in the very busy Pokémon GO calendar, I have to say that I really enjoy hatch days and hatching events, especially if there’s a 1/4 hatch distance. You can be out and about playing as usual, hitting lots of raids while efficiently hatching eggs. This is slightly controversial, there are lots of shouts that the events get boring without featured spawns. For me, some events can be overwhelming with so much going on, so I like to embrace these slower-paced periods!
Events with ‘an increased chance of hatching a shiny Pokémon’ are a great way to lure people in. With the 12/12/12 hatch IV floor, other than raiding it’s one of the best chances of getting a shundo, or at least a hundo, along with plenty of candy.
Let’s face it… The FOMO
For players who love collecting shiny Pokémon, missing out on an event where shiny rates are boosted can be disappointing. Seeing others flaunt their new shiny catches can create a sense of urgency to participate.
Similarly, for those aiming to complete their Pokédex, missing a hatch event means potentially waiting a long time for another chance to get a specific Pokémon. This drives players to participate even if it means extra effort.
Online communities and social media amplify the FOMO. Seeing others’ successes and achievements can make you feel left out if you don’t participate.
Parting Words
Ultimately, while these events are exciting, it’s important to keep perspective:
- Pokémon Availability: Pokémon featured in hatch events will usually become available again. Missing an event doesn’t mean you’ll never get the chance to catch or hatch that Pokémon in the future.
- Long-Term Goals: If you’re not in a rush to complete your Pokédex or achieve specific goals, there’s no need to stress over every event. The game is designed to be enjoyed over the long term.
- Personal Enjoyment: The most important aspect is to play the game in a way that brings you joy. Whether you dive into every event or play more casually, the goal is to have fun and enjoy the experience.
Hatch events are designed to be captivating and rewarding, drawing players in with the promise of rare Pokémon and unique bonuses. While preparation and strategy can enhance the experience, the core enjoyment comes from the thrill of discovery and the camaraderie within the player community. Remember to play the game in a way that makes you happy and fits your lifestyle.
