With the Pokemon GO Fest 2020 Weekly Challenge event officially live in New Zealand, details are beginning to pour in. This three-part event marks the fourth anniversary of Pokemon GO, and has players completing theme-based challenges to unlock global rewards.
The first of three GO Fest Weekly Challenges will test players' Skill - that is, the skill of throwing Poke Balls. Pokemon Trainers will have to unite from Friday, July 3, at 8 AM to Wednesday, July 8, at 10 PM local time to complete three sets of tasks as part of the Skill Timed Research. Apart from the rewards offered by the Timed Research itself, players have the opportunity to add an additional Pokemon to the Pokemon GO Fest 2020 spawn pool by following the Timed Research through to completion.
If one million players from each team complete the Timed Research, then the following Pokemon will be seen more frequently during Pokemon GO Fest 2020:
- Chimeco (Team Instinct)
- Alomomola (Team Mystic)
- Chansey (Team Valor)
Pokemon Trainers who manage to finish off the Timed Research will also unlock access to the GO Fest Elite Skill Challenge, a special set of extra-tough research tasks available for those who just enjoy the challenge. These tasks are formidable, unless landing excellent throws is "no biggie," but players shouldn't stress too much - they don't count toward the Pokemon GO Fest 2020 unlock goals.
Fans of Pokemon GO who want to know what to expect during the first of these three Weekly Challenges should read closely below:
GO Fest 2020 Weekly Challenge: Skill Timed Research
Part 1
- Catch 20 Pokemon - 100 Stardust
- Make 5 Nice Throws - 10 Poke Balls
- Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokemon - 5 Pinap Berries
- Complete Part 1 of 3 - 100 XP, 10 Golden Razz Berries, 10 Great Balls
Part 2
- Catch 30 Pokemon - 300 Stardust
- Make 10 Great Throws - 10 Great Balls
- Transfer 20 Pokemon - 20 Poke Balls
- Complete Part 2 of 3 - Ducklett encounter, 300 XP, 1 Silver Pinap Berry
Part 3
- Catch 50 Pokemon - 1000 Stardust
- Make an Excellent Throw - 10 Ultra Balls
- Catch 15 different species of Pokemon - 20 Great Balls
- Complete Part 3 of 3 - Flying Pikachu encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 1 Star Piece
GO Fest Elite Skill Challenge
- Catch 100 Pokemon - 5 Poke Balls
- Catch 25 different species of Pokemon - 5 Great Balls
- Make 50 Excellent Throws - 5 Ultra Balls
- Complete GO Fest Elite Skill Challenge - 500 XP, 500 Stardust, 5 Razz Berries
The rewards for the Elite Skill Challenge are rapidly drawing fire for their relative insignificance, but Elite Fans have been quick to remind disgruntled players of Niantic's disclaimer: these are tasks players can complete "for personal bragging rights." If Pokemon Trainers aren't fulfilled by the sight of an Elite Challenge marked "complete," then perhaps the much more rewards-oriented Timed Research alone, with a chance at a Flying Pikachu and Ducklett, is a better investment.
Pokemon Trainers should also remember that Flying Pikachu, Ducklett, and Shiny Pidove, will also be making their debut in the wild during this week's Pokemon GO Fest 2020 challenge. All three will be roaming the wild, but Flying Pikachu (and its Shiny variant) will also be appearing in raids, and Ducklett will be found in 5 km eggs. Flying-type Pokemon and Pokemon wearing party hats will also be featured in raids and eggs (alongside Ducklett and Flying Pikachu) throughout the week.
If all those tasks and bonuses aren't enough to keep busy, Pokemon GO fans are also invited to challenge the majestic Ho-Oh in Raid Battles from Friday, July 3, 8AM, to Monday, July 6, 10PM (local time). Not to mention, any Pokemon Trainers who missed out on last year's anniversary celebration have the chance to complete the Jump-Start Special Research this week - be sure to claim it before the Skill Weekly Challenges wrap up on July 8.
Pokemon GO is available now on the App Store and Google Play.
Source: Niantic, u/SilphScience