Another new feature has been added during the Season of Hidden Gems. For anyone following the game’s datamines, this new feature has been known for months. Yes, just like PokéStop Showcases, Routes are here!
To celebrate the new feature, an event celebrating Routes will launch alongside it. As for what Routes are, they’re a bit like planned walking tours. Trainers can craft their own or embark on one that’s publically available for all Trainers. Participating in one will grant Trainers bonuses as well as count towards Routes-focused medals. (For more information on Routes, you can check out the dedicated Routes info page on the official Pokémon GO website.)
Now, check out what’s happening during the Blaze New Trails with our guide below:
Pokémon GO’s Season of Hidden Gems – Blaze New Trails
Begins: Friday, July 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
Ends: Monday, July 24th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time.
Pokémon debuts – Zygarde
Zygarde is available in Pokémon GO! … Okay, previously, Zygarde (50% Forme) was available via Five-Star Raids in Pokémon GO. With the debut of Routes, Zygarde Cells will become an item to collect in-game. This item will allow for Zygarde’s other forms to be available in Pokémon GO – Zygarde (10% Forme) and Zygarde (Complete Forme). Currently, for this event, only one of these two other forms will be featured – Zygarde (10% Forme).
- Zygarde (10% Forme): Zygarde’s “doggo form” will be available and is tied to the Special Research Story “From A to Zygarde”. This Special Research Story will be issued to Trainers at the start of the event.
As for Zygarde’s Complete Forme… that has been teased on the Routes info page. If that form hasn’t been added to the game, it would be a surprise to see it added before GO Fest 2023 or just before the Season of Hidden Gems ends.
Event Bonuses
- 2/3 distance to earn Buddy Candy while exploring Routes with your buddy.
- Increased chance to encounter Shiny Yungoos.
Route Bonuses
According to the Routes info page, Trainers can enjoy the following bonuses when partaking in Routes (during and beyond the event):
- Follow a Route to its end for the first time to earn a new Route Badge.
- Earn Buddy Candy more quickly.
- Pokémon will be more attracted to Incense when you’re exploring a Route for the first time. (Does not state whether or not Daily Adventure Incense is excluded.)
- Earn an XP bonus for the first Route you complete each day. After completing Routes for seven days, you’ll receive an increased XP bonus.
- Earn a Buddy Heart when you complete a Route while adventuring with your buddy!
Event Boxes
If any special event boxes or bundles are released during the event, they’ll be listed here once the event is live.
Wild Encounters
- The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild: Growlithe*, Ponyta*, Doduo*, Lillipup*, Blitzle*, and Yungoos*.
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Eggs
The following Pokémon will be hatching from Eggs that are obtained during the event:
- 7 km Eggs
- ?-Egg Rarity: Rockruff*, Skwovet, and Falinks.
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might hatch a Shiny one!”
Field Research Tasks
There will be event-exclusive Field Research Tasks available and the rewards include the following Pokémon encounters: Yungoos*. These Field Research Tasks can be found when spinning PokéStops (and acquired if you have an open slot in your Field Research menu) when the event is active.
A complete list of tasks and rewards will be shared here once the event is live.
- Task: Spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms
- Reward: Yungoos* Encounter
More unannounced Field Research Tasks were released once the event rolled out. These particular tasks pay out in either Poké Balls or Stardust.
- Task: Catch 5 Pokémon
- Reward: 7 Poké Balls
- Task: Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms
- Reward: 500 Stardust
- Task: Spin 5 PokéStops you haven’t visited before
- Reward: 2,000 Stardust
- Task: Walk 1 km
- Reward: 500 Stardust
- Task: Walk 3 km
- Reward: 2,000 Stardust
- Task: Hatch an Egg
- Reward: 2,500 Stardust
Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
Special Research – From A to Zygarde
A Special Research Story will launch during the event that’s centered around Zygarde and Route’s feature of finding Zygarde Cells. It has been confirmed that Zygarde (exact form unknown) will be a catch reward encounter during this Special Research.
A complete list of tasks and rewards of this Special Research will be shared here once the event is live.
Note: Routes are repeatable.
| From A to Zygarde | |
|---|---|
| Step 1/6 | Reward |
| Walk 1 km | 5 Pinap Berries |
| Catch 10 Pokémon | 5 Potions |
| Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon | 5 Poké Balls |
| Completion Rewards | 500 Stardust |
| Step 2/6 | Reward |
| Make 5 Great Throws | 10 Razz Berries |
| Power up Pokémon 5 times | 10 Nanab Berries |
| Hatch an Egg | 10 Poké Balls |
| Completion Rewards | 1,000 Stardust |
| Step 3/6 | Reward |
| Claim Reward! | 10 Great Balls |
| Claim Reward! | 10 Super Potions |
| Claim Reward! | 1,000 Stardust |
| Completion Rewards | Zygarde (10% Forme) Encounter and Zygarde Cube |
| Step 4/6 | Reward |
| Follow 3 Routes | 1 Incense |
| Catch 20 Pokémon while following Routes | 3 Revives |
| Find a Zygarde Cell | 5 Ultra Balls |
| Completion Rewards | 1,000 XP and 1,000 Stardust |
| Step 5/6 | Reward |
| Use an Incense while following a Route | 15 Great Balls |
| Earn 3 Candies walking with your Buddy | 1,500 Stardust |
| Follow 5 Routes | 10 Ultra Balls |
| Completion Rewards | 2,000 XP |
| Step 6/6 | Reward |
| Claim Reward! | 1 Star Piece |
| Claim Reward! | 2,000 XP |
| Claim Reward! | 1 Golden Razz Berry |
| Completion Rewards | 2,500 XP and 2,500 Stardust |
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Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
