With the announcements of the various GO Fest events taking place both in person and globally, it’s time to speculate about what might happen at the events. With no information about any raid bosses, and other information seemingly hinting at what may come, it looks set to be an exciting time in Pokémon GO…
Necrozma
Various Unown will be spawning during GO Fest, that spell out ‘DAYNIGHT?’. Unown have previously spelt out the locations for events, GO Fest, and teased at the arrival of the Ultra Beasts (GO UB).
What could DAYNIGHT? hint at? With no raid bosses announced yet for any of the GO Fest events, could Necrozma be coming?
Necrozma
GO Fest usually brings with it special raid bosses, and the debut of Necrozma would certainly fit that bill. Necrozma is a Psychic type Legendary Pokémon first discovered in the Alola region.
Necrozma being from the Alola region also ties in with the DAYNIGHT theme, with the first appearance of Necrozma being in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
Why Necrozma? Necrozma has four different forms, three of which require fusion, Dusk, Dawn and Ultra. The Unowns spelling out DAYNIGHT? could tease this, with day hinting at dawn, and night for dusk. The Dusk form of Necrozma is fused with Lunala, and the Dawn version is fumed with Solgaleo.
Fusing Pokémon has been discovered recently in a datamine of the game master file, at the time we discussed the possibility of Black and White Kyurem coming, and mentioned Calyrex, but Necrozma is another option.
According to Bulbapedia, the three different fusions occur in the following ways:
- Dusk Mane Necrozma is a dual-type Psychic Steel fusion with Solgaleo using the N-Solarizer.
- Dawn Wings is a dual-type Psychic Ghost fusion with Lunala using the N-Lunarizer.
- Ultra Necrozma is a dual-type Psychic/Dragon form obtainable only in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon when either Dusk Mane Necrozma or Dawn Wings Necrozma holds the Ultranecrozium Z and uses Ultra Burst.
Ultra Necrozma is the trickiest of the three fusions because it has such a complicated way to obtain it, we suspect that Dusk and Dawn Necrozma are the most likely to appear.
How will fusion happen? Right now we don’t know, it could be an entirely new mechanic that requires one of each Pokémon to fuse, along with their respective items, or it could take inspiration from Mega Evolution, and be a temporary form change, requiring a specific item.
Solgaleo and Lunala
If Necrozma is going to potentially debut, we’ll also need Solgaleo and Lunala for those fusions to occur. We’ve had limited access to both these Pokémon, only being able to obtain them via Cosmog themed special research. DAYNIGHT? could easily hint at Solgaleo (sun) and Lunala (moon) making a debut in raids.
It’s been a long time since we had the potential to encounter Cosmog, so seeing the final evolutions in raids would be a really fun feature for GO Fest, especially if it leads to fusions with Necrozma.
Necrozma, Solgaleo and Lunala form the Light Trio, the Alolan Legendary Pokémon trio. They originated in Ultra Space, but are currently found in the Alola region. Solgaleo and Lunala were the game mascots for Pokémon Sun and Moon, whereas Dusk Mane Necrozma and Dawn Wings Necrozma were the mascots for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The distinct focus on day and night and therefore sun and moon, really hints at a focus on the Alola region.
Pokémon Worlds and the Alola Region
Another reason I think the focus on the Legendary Pokémon will be Alola focused, is that Pokémon Worlds 2024 is going to be hosted in Honolulu, Hawaii this year. The Alola region is based upon Hawaii, “the name may come from ‘ola’ (Hawaiian for life) and the traditional Hawaiian word ‘aloha’ which, beyond its use as a greeting, also signifies a respect and love for the shared life force between all” (from Bulbapedia).
The Alola region is formed of four islands:
- Melemele Island is based on the Hawaiian island Oʻahu.
- Akala Island is based on the Hawaiian island Maui.
- Ula’ula Island is based on the Hawaiian island Hawaiʻi (the Big Island).
- Poni Island is based on the Hawaiian island Kauaʻi.
Of the new shiny Pokémon debuting at the various events, Crabrawler and Jangmo-o are both from the Alola region, whereas Ducklett and Emolga are Gen V. Again, another focus on the Alola region.
Several Alolan Pokémon are making key appearances at GO Fest, with various forms of Ocicorio appearing at the in-person events. Cutiefly, Yungoos, Rockruff, Dewpider, Fomantis, Oranguru, Alolan Rattata, Jangmo-o, Crabrawler and Morelull are also spawns noted for the events, and are all from Alola.
Marshadow
We know that Marshadow is the Mythical Pokémon debuting at GO Fest 2024, it is also from the Alola region, this ties in with the theory that Necrozma, Solgaleo and Lunala could make appearances.
We’ve also seen a general focus on the Alola region this year, with Community Day events for Rowlet and Litten, the debut of Poipole, and the suggestion of more new Ultra Beasts as the year progresses. Even Sandygast, another Alolan Pokémon, has been added to the research breakthrough research box for the World of Wonders season. Could 2024 be the year of Alola?
Conclusion
In all, we feel that Niantic are strongly hinting at the debut of Necrozma for Pokémon GO Fest 2024, and this could even see the brand new Pokémon Fusion mechanism introduced! What do you hope to see at GO Fest this year?
