Trainers, Based on the current global health situation, Niantic and Pokemon GO Team have teamed up and have made several in-game changes in the Pokemon GO to keep the global player community safe from the Coronavirus Outbreak.
The changes include Postponding few public gathering events, extending existing events, in-games changes and few others.
Here’s the summary of all the changes:
- Abra Community Day Postponed.
- In-game changes (Egg Distance lowered, Increased spawns and few others)
- GO Battle League changes
- Changes in Ex-Raid
- Trainer Battle Changes
- Event Extension
- Safari Zone (St. Louis) cancelled or postponed.
Abra Community Day Postponed
We know how much everyone is excited for the upcoming Abra Community Day, But according to the current world health situation, To keep players safe from public gathering, Niantic has decided to Postpone the Abra Community Day.
The postponed dates for the Abra Community Day haven’t been declared yet.
Here’s the official statement from Niantic:
The safety of our global player community is our top priority. COVID-19 is challenging us and the world to adjust. We’re putting our focus on expanding features and experiences in our games that can be enjoyed in an individual setting and that also encourage exploration!
— Niantic, Inc. (@NianticLabs) March 13, 2020
In-game changes
To deal with the current situation Niantic is putting the focus on expanding features and experiences that can be enjoyed on an individual level without exploring a lot.
The following changes have been made in the game and will remain until further notice.
- A one-time purchase bundle of 30 Incense for 1 PokéCoin. Incense will also last for one hour.
- 1/2 Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed into Incubators during this time period
- PokéStops will now drop Gifts more frequently
- Pokémon habitats will increase and more Pokémon will be appearing in the wild
GO Battle League changes
The Changes have been made in the GO Battle League too, Starting from today Niantic has removed the minimum walking of 3KM which was required to Unlock a set of GO Battle league for the next 30 days.
We are removing the walking requirement in GO Battle League to unlock sets. If you’re currently in the middle of walking to earn a set, it will take effect from your next set.
— Niantic Support (@NianticHelp) March 13, 2020
Changes in Ex-Raid
Ex-Raids are not that easy and require a lot of players to gather together, to deal with current situation Niantic is temporarily halting the distribution of the Ex-Raid Passes.
The Upcoming Ex-Raid which is on 15/16th March will not be affected.
Trainers, for community safety, we will be temporarily halting invites for EX Raids. Those who currently have invites will be able to complete their EX Raids, but for the time being, new invites will not be issued. We’ll share an update when we start sending invites again.
— Niantic Support (@NianticHelp) March 13, 2020
Changes in Trainer Battle
Niantic has lowered the requirement for sending the challenge invites to friends. Now you can remotely battle with your Good Friends, which previously required Ultra or Best Friend level.
For Trainer Battles with friends, we’ve lowered the requirement so you can send challenge invites to Trainers who are your Good Friends.
— Niantic Support (@NianticHelp) March 13, 2020
Special Raid Weekends Extension
Niantic has extended the Lugia and Coballion Special Raid Weekend events from 3 days to 6 days each.
We currently don’t know these change has been made considering the global health or not, but it was announced at the same time with all the previous changes.
- Cobalion will be available to challenge in Raid Battles from Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, March 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7). You’ll also have a chance to encounter Cobalion as a GO Battle League reward encounter during this time!
- Lugia will be available to challenge in Raid Battles from Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7). You’ll also have a chance to encounter Lugia as a GO Battle League reward encounter during this time!
Safari Zone (St. Louis) postponed
As Safari Zones are big events of public gathering, Niantic has decided to postpone the Safari Zone St. Louis event.
Niantic is looking for an alternate date which might be within the next 12 months.
Niantic will refund the amount paid by Trainers if they request a refund of their tickets via in-app support. Deadline to request a refund is March 25, 2020, at 11:59 pm PT.
If you do not request a refund, you will be able to use your existing ticket for the rescheduled Safari Zone.
Do you know?
You can check-out the Countdown Timer of all Events at our All New Mobile App GO Field Guide for all Countdown Timers, Raid Boss Guides, Egg Hatch List, Shiny Checklist and much more…
iOS – App Store
Android – Google Play Store
Feel free to ask anything else you may want to know. If we can’t answer them, maybe someone else reading can. Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion on our Pokemon Go – WorldWide Niantic News Update Facebook Group!
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15th March 2020 at 6:14 pm
I’m so excited to have the same 5 Pokemon spawning even more frequently it’s awesome. Has Niantic ever played Pokemon, because you can literally play the whole game without physical contact of anyone from the inside of your vehicle……
16th March 2020 at 4:59 am
Only 3 types pokemon keeps appearing: mankey,meditite,meowth,since thursday till today….kind of bored n disappointing
16th March 2020 at 9:13 am
So instead of making so players can access raids from other locations. You just cancel them. SMH.
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