In 2022, we had several amazing events in Pokémon GO. This includes super hyped community days such as Litwick and Deino, a spectacular Johto Tour, and many more banger events like Safari Zones, GO Fests, and the Halloween Update.
Even though it had its ups and downs, I look back at this year as any other, and figured that it couldn’t hurt to get a little bit excited about what’s upcoming next year. Remember that these all are nothing more than speculations!
Raids
These are some Pokémon that were teased out by Niantic in November via twitter, shortly after the Ultra Beast Incursion Event. There were videos of these Ultra Beasts appearing alongside some trainers labelled as in “Far Future”.
These Pokémon should be making their ways to the game sometime soon. I can definitely see them coming in future, most likely through 5-star raids. Necrozma is a Psychic type Pokémon, and could see some play in PVE if it gains the right moveset.
Additional Cosmog
Cosmog was available through a ‘Cosmic Companion’ special research in the Season of Light. But the research wouldn’t let the trainers progress through if they didn’t evolve their Cosmog, which was one of the steps.
Many trainers didn’t want to evolve their only Cosmog, or were tore apart on which end evolution to choose; Solgaleo or Lunala. I personally chose Solgaleo because I wanted to evolve a good IV Cosmog when I got one in the future, into Lunala. A number of trainers also accidentally transferred their Cosmog due to a glitch.
Although Niantic did announce that trainers would be able to encounter additional Cosmog in the distant future, we still have no news.
I can definitely see this coming next year as a limited Elite Raid Boss, but it wouldn’t be too surprising if it gets released in some ticketed timed or special research since a lot of those have been happening recently.
The Hoenn Tour
I know I wrote an article about this a couple of weeks ago, but the Hoenn Tour is another big event to look forward to. There are two parts to this: In-person event held in Las Vegas, US and Global.
There are tons of new shiny releases including the Surskit, Gulpin, Cacnea and their respective evolutions. shiny Jirachi is being introduced, along with Unown H, and even shiny regionals, such as Torkoal, Tropius and Relicanth.
We will also see Primal Raids, for the first time ever and both Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre can be shiny. These two Pokémon will be really meta relevant in PVE, in fact one of the best raid attackers of their respective types.
There’s a lot more to the Hoenn Tour, such as potential Latios and Latias encounters from photobombs (spotted in datamines), increased shiny odds, and spawn rotations. We merely have the bare bones of this event, and a lot more is yet to be announced. It is definitely going to be the biggest event of 2023 apart from the Go Fests.
Black and White Kyurem
The Black and White sprites for Kyurem were added to the Game Master File not so long ago. And if they do get released, they will be core breakers of their types, topping the PVE list as the best Pokémon of their respective types. If you don’t know what I am saying, read the statistics below provided by the GO Hub Database:
“Black Kyurem is a legendary Dragon and Ice type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. It has a max CP of 5206, with the following stats in Pokémon GO: 310 ATK, 183 DEF and 245 STA. Black Kyurem’s best moves in Pokémon GO are Dragon Tail and Blizzard (17.98 DPS)
White Kyurem is a legendary Dragon and Ice type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. It has a max CP of 5206, with the following stats in Pokémon GO: 310 ATK, 183 DEF and 245 STA. White Kyurem’s best moves in Pokémon GO are Dragon Breath and Blizzard (17.49 DPS)”
We saw a leak from the PokéMiners in 2020 regarding Black and White Kyurem’s 3D assets being added into the game, but there are yet to be introduced into the game, and what better year to implement them into the game other than 2023. Their shinies look beautiful as well, and I am desperately waiting for their releases.
(For additional details about Black and White Kyurem, visit the GO Hub database)
GO Fest 2023
We will probably see some exciting drops during the Pokémon GO Fest 2023 event (yet to be announced). My guess for the new Mythical is either Phione or Manaphy, or both; but for ticketed players. These two are the only Pokémon from the Sinnoh region remaining to be released in Pokémon GO apart from Arceus, which I doubt will make its appearance anytime soon.
In the previous GO Fests we have seen Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Victini, Meloetta and Shaymin (Sky and Land Form), being featured. The costume Pikachu gets will depend on this Mythical Pokémon, and so will the exclusive ticketed Pose. This year we saw Gracidea Flower and Shaymin Scarf Pikachu and a Gracidea Bouquet Pose.
There are obviously going to be some in-person live events just like we had this year, and I am sure one will happen in the United States. And the return of the one and only Ultra Unlock events that come along with tons of bonuses, running all summer if we manage to complete the challenges during the GO Fest.
The GO Fest will also likely include tons of shiny releases, spawn rotation hours, special researches, collection challenges and new avatar themed outfits, and much more bonuses and aspects.
