Niantic just rolled out a critical patch for Pokémon GO, restoring the 1/2 egg‑hatching distance bonus and refunding lost XP. At the same time, a new Raid Day featuring Love‑Tross launches, and details for the upcoming Pokémon GO Fest in Tokyo are now live. Here’s everything you need to know to stay ahead.
Bug Fix Restores Egg‑Hatching Bonus
The recent update fixes the bug that prevented the 1/2 distance bonus from applying during the “Cave Deep” event. Once the patch is active, you’ll see the bonus reappear and any XP or items missed during the event should be reimbursed automatically.
Raid Day: Love‑Tross Highlights
Starting tomorrow at 14:00, Love‑Tross will be the focus of a special Raid Day. Rewards are boosted compared to regular raids, giving you extra stardust, rare candies, and higher XP gains.
- Key Weakness: Love‑Tross is vulnerable to Psychic and Fairy types.
- Recommended Team: Bring six Pokémon with strong Psychic or Fairy attacks to maximize damage.
Pokémon GO Fest Tokyo Details
The upcoming Fest will take place at two iconic locations: Shibuya Scramble Square and Yoyogi Park. Tickets will be sold on a first‑come, first‑served basis, so set a reminder for the release time and be ready to claim yours.
- Venue 1: Shibuya Scramble Square – urban backdrop with multiple raid stations.
- Venue 2: Yoyogi Park – spacious area ideal for large‑scale field research.
- Tip for you: Arrive early to secure a good spot and avoid crowd bottlenecks.
New Field Research Rewards
A fresh set of field research tasks now offers a heart‑patterned patch‑cable as a reward. This cosmetic item adds a subtle splash of color to your in‑game avatar.
Updated Raid Schedule
February’s raid lineup has been tweaked:
- Lunaara’s appearance window is shortened.
- During Raid Hour, both Dialga and Palkia will appear.
- The Global Battle League (GBL) introduces the Master/Champion Series Cup, with a 4× Snap Point multiplier for victories.
- Spotlight Hour will feature Muna, granting double XP for captures – perfect for a quick level boost.
Legend Raid Strategies
Six mega‑evolutions are set to debut in late August: Mega Rayquaza, Zekrom, Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and a new legendary. Below are the top twelve Pokémon you should consider for each encounter.
- Mega Rayquaza: Use Dragon‑type and Fairy‑type Pokémon to exploit its dual‑type resistances.
- Zekrom: Electric and Ground attackers work best.
- Yveltal: Focus on Psychic and Fairy moves.
- Primal Kyogre: Grass‑type counters are essential.
- Primal Groudon: Water‑type Pokémon with high defense are key.
Practitioner Tips
Check the Egg Bonus
After the fix, hatch any pending eggs again and verify that the correct XP is awarded.
Prepare for Raid Day
Review the type‑matchup chart beforehand and line up six strong counters to streamline the battle.
Plan Your Fest Attendance
Mark the ticket sale time on your calendar, set an alarm, and decide on a meeting point with your group to avoid confusion.
Adapt Legend Raid Teams
Match the suggested Pokémon with what you already own, and keep two to three backup options ready for weather or opponent shifts.
Capitalize on GBL Bonuses
The 4× Snap Point boost is a quick way to climb the leaderboard, and Muna’s double XP can fast‑track your level if you’re lagging behind.
