Pokémon Go’s fourth anniversary comes with new weekly challenges

Pokémon Go turns four years old in just a few days, and the Pokémon Go team has some new objectives to help trainers celebrate. Starting the week of July 3 and leading up to Pokémon Go Fest 2020, players can compete in Timed Research line challenges. Players don’t need a ticket to Go Fest to participate, but they’ll unlock new species of Pokémon to find and catch during the event later this summer.

The first challenge, Skill, is all about catching Pokémon. It runs from July 3-8, and also coincides with the game’s fourth anniversary. By individually completing the research, players can battle and catch flying Pikachu and Ducklett, as well earn a Star Piece.

If a certain number of members from each Pokémon team complete this weekly challenge, certain Pokémon will become available during Pokémon Go Fest 2020. One million completions from Team Instinct players unlocks Chimecho for all, while the same number of completions from Team Mystic players unlocks Alomomola, and Chansey from Team Valor players.

During the fourth-anniversary event, players can encounter flying-type Pokémon and Pokémon with party hats. Ducklett will also come to Pokémon Go for the first time during this event, and players who missed last year’s celebration can get some bonus research. As part of the anniversary, Ho-Oh will appear as a special raid battle from July 3-6.

The second challenge, Battle, runs from July 10-15. Players can earn a chance at catching Hitmonlee and Absol. They can also pick up a Super Rocket Radar. If 1 million players complete the research from each team, Team Instinct players can unlock Ferroseed, Team Mystic players can unlock Alolan Grimer, and Team Valor can unlock Alolan Marowak. There will also be a special battle event on Sunday, July 12.

The third challenge, Friendship, runs from July 17-22. Players will need to hang with their buddy Pokémon and send gifts to friends. Players can complete the research to encounter Alolan Raichu and Petilil. They can also earn a Lucky Egg. Team Instinct members can unlock Togetic, Team Mystic players can unlock Dratini, and Team Valor players can unlock Litwick using the same perimeters as the previous weeks.

During the third week, players can also compete in a summer event. Summer-themed Pokémon like Bellsprout or Summer Style Pikachu will appear around the world, and players can catch a Petilil for the first time in Pokémon Go.

Players who manage to complete these research tiers during a given week earn a Go Fest Elite Skill challenge for personal bragging rights. But this research is optional, and won’t impact Pokémon Go Fest.

All three of these challenge weeks lead up to Pokémon Go Fest 2020, which runs from July 25-26, and is online this year due to COVID-19. Players can opt-in to Go Fest by picking up the $14.99 ticket in-game.

Pokémon Go Plus

The Pokémon Go Plus is a small Bluetooth device that lets you enjoy Pokémon Go while you’re on the move and not looking at your smartphone. The device notifies you about events in the game, such as the appearance of a Pokémon nearby using an LED and vibration.

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