Pokemon GO players cast their votes last month and helped determine the featured Pokemon for both September and October Community Day. The first winner, Porygon, will be featured in the spotlight during the September 20 event and offers players a chance for a new shiny and a powerful Pokemon with two impressive evolutions. That said, obtaining those evolutions will be a little more tricky this time around than on a usual Community Day.
Fans of Porygon are likely aware that this particular Pokemon takes more than just the right amount of Candy to trigger an evolution. Some Pokemon require a particular item to help with the evolution process and that is the case for both of Porygon's evolutions (Porygon2 and Porygon-Z). Evolution items can be a little tricky to come by in Pokemon GO, but luckily a few events surrounding Community Day should help eliminate this barrier for players who take the time to prepare carefully.
To Evolve Porygon to Porygon2, players need to use 25 Candy and an Upgrade. To evolve Porygon2 to Porygon-Z (which is necessary to gain the event's exclusive move), players need to use 100 Candy and a Sinnoh Stone. There are a handful of ways to earn each of those items this month, so we'll break down the best options to get players ready to go...
Mega Battle Challenge Timed Research
First off is the Mega Battle Challenge event. This kicks off on September 11 and players who complete the Timed Research tasks will end up earning both an Upgrade and a Sinnoh Stone as part of the rewards. Be sure to stay on task and complete these challenges before they disappear.
"During the Mega Battle Challenge event week from Friday, September 11, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time, all Trainers can earn an Upgrade and a Sinnoh Stone by completing the event’s Timed Research."
September 20 Timed Research Tasks
Next up is the Community Day Timed Research tasks, which will take place on September 20. These limited time tasks should offer multiple Upgrades and Sinnoh Stones (up to three) to use during the event.
"On September 20, all Trainers can earn up to three Upgrades and three Sinnoh Stones by completing Timed Research tasks."
Ticketed ($1) Community Day Special Research Story
Last, but not least, is the Community Day ticketed storyline. This $1 event, Decoding Porygon, also offers an Upgrade and a Sinnoh Stone as part of the rewards.
"Trainers who purchase a ticket for the September Community Day–exclusive Special Research story, Decoding Porygon, can earn an Upgrade and a Sinnoh Stone by completing that Special Research."
All of those opportunities combined should provide players with enough Upgrades and Sinnoh Stones to evolve 3-5 of their best Porygon sometime towards the end of the event. Hardcore players may be disappointed that they can't evolve more, but that should be plenty for the average gamer to take advantage of.
Now that the Mega Evolution Special Research event is live and the new mechanic is in place, the festivities should give trainers a good reason to continue catching the best Unova Pokemon in the game and getting closer to that complete Pokedex. Check back for more Pokemon GO updates closer to the event. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GO is available now in select regions on Android and iOS devices.