Niantic’s bi-monthly Dev Diaries series is back with a new episode. Its focus is Pokémon GO’s incorporation of the Mega Evolution mechanic. While Trainers who’ve pursued datamines about the mobile game might not be surprised at the topic, what is surprising is the release schedule. Get ready to enjoy a revamped Mega Evolution system soon, or today if you live in Australia or New Zealand!
The announcement was made on the official Pokémon GO Twitter account and blog. First, here’s the new trailer teasing a new Mega Evolution system and the future arrival of Mega Kangaskhan.
Now, as for the particulars, Ibe Owunwanne (a Product Manager for the game), outlined what Mega Evolution and Mega Battles will look like in April’s Dev Diaries video.
Niantic also released the information via text on the official Pokémon GO blog:
Highlights
- Most Mega Raids will be easier. You can now take them on with fewer people!
- You’ll be able to Mega Evolve your Pokémon from raid and battle prep screens.
- Pokémon you have Mega Evolved before will now have an additional visual effect added to their information page to commemorate this momentous achievement.
- We’re implementing Mega Levels and changing how Mega Energy is used.
MEGA MASTERY: Introducing Mega Levels
Being a Pokémon Trainer is all about helping your Pokémon grow, and we’re introducing a new way for you to do just that—Mega Levels! Every time you Mega Evolve a Pokémon, you work toward increasing its Mega Level. You’ll get more bonuses every time a Pokémon’s Mega Level goes up, and these bonuses will stay active while your Pokémon is Mega Evolved.
Each Mega Level grants various bonuses. Bonuses vary by Pokémon, and all bonuses will improve as a Pokémon’s Mega Level increases.
Existing bonuses
- Increased Candy when you catch Pokémon that are the same type as your Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
- While attacking with a Mega-Evolved Pokémon in a Raid Battle or a Gym battle, the attacks of other Trainers’ Pokémon challenging that same raid or Gym will deal more damage. Their Pokémon’s attacks will deal even more damage if the attack is the same type as your Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
New bonuses
- Increased chance of earning Candy XL when you catch Pokémon that are the same type as your Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
- Increased XP for catching Pokémon that are the same type as your Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
- A Pokémon’s rest period decreases as its Mega Level increases.
MORE MEGA MOMENTS: A one-time cost to Mega Evolve
With this update, after you Mega Evolve a Pokémon for the first time, you’ll be able to Mega Evolve that same Pokémon again without using Mega Energy!
- After Mega Evolving, your Pokémon will be fatigued and need time before it can Mega Evolve again. Once this rest period is over, that Pokémon can Mega Evolve again without using Mega Energy.
- You can use Mega Energy to decrease a Pokémon’s rest period. The Mega Energy required to Mega Evolve a Pokémon will decrease as the Pokémon’s rest period becomes shorter.
Rollout dates for other regions are pending, but based on previous tests, get ready to enjoy Mega Raids and the new Mega Evolution system in the coming weeks!
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?)
