Spoiler Warning: The following contains spoilers for Pokémon GO and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. If you don’t want to know about a new Pokémon debuting in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and/or details about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet integration into Pokémon GO, do not read past this point.
UPDATE (Saturday, November 5th, 2022): New details have emerged about this Pokémon’s debut in Pokémon GO. These are included at the end of the article.
We’re two weeks away from the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on the Nintendo Switch. And while today’s big official Pokémon news goes to the release of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Nintendo Switch OLED, the Pokémon Center US/CA/UK release of Holiday 2022 plushies, and that Target in the US will have that adorable figure of the Paldean starters in-stores on launch day… make way for a big leak that will be the focus of the Pokémon community as we head into the weekend.
Spotted by PokéMiners, a group dedicated to datamining Pokémon GO, a new Pokémon has been discovered. PokéMiners shared a short clip of this Pokémon on their Twitter account and Discord server.
A brand new Pokémon?
A new Pokémon has been added with a file named "pmMystery" inside the file is it referred to as pm1080 so Pokémon Number 1080. Only 3D assets were added, no 2D yet to see.
What could this mysterious new creature be? pic.twitter.com/e6e6CMDjiT
— PokeMiners (@poke_miners) November 4, 2022
The coin-like object on the Pokémon’s back was datamined last month as a separate asset and included in an infographic for new assets found in the 0.253.0 release. Eagle-eyed fans were also able to point out that we’ve got a glimpse of this Pokémon before in the “Jump into a Paldean Journey” trailer around the 9:33 mark.
Coin, not formal form. pic.twitter.com/CezijIUdrJ
— Zodiac Khuller (@Riddler_Khu) October 6, 2022
Of course, that less than a second of onscreen time was obscured by the camera UI controls, whereas PokéMiners found the 3D model of this Pokémon waiting in the wings for a possible appearance in Pokémon GO.
As for potential times this new Pokémon could debut in Pokémon GO, there are a few possibilities. This month’s schedule of Pokémon GO events includes an event dubbed “Greedy Gluttons” and it kicks off on Wednesday, November 9th, and ends on Thursday, November 17th (a day before Scarlet and Violet’s release). While it’s been assumed that Guzzlord will be debuting during this event, some have speculated that Pokémon could suddenly appear during the event (building onto the greed theme given that part of its body has a coin). Of course, there’s also an event planned for Sunday, November 27th in Pokémon GO that’s mysteriously labeled “???” where this Pokémon could appear. Or, to copy the release of Meltan in Pokémon GO, Niantic could have this new Pokémon spawn afterwards during one of this month’s two Community Day events.
Yet, we also need to take note that this Pokémon’s debut may also include a new character to the world of Pokémon GO. After finding assets for this new Pokémon, PokéMiners have also found an in-game render of Jacq, the playable Trainer’s homeroom teacher in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (this has only been shared in the group’s Discord server). (Edit: The render has now been posted on PokéMiner’s website.) He’s labeled as WillowB in the datamine.
A few changes just now,
Willow and WillowB have just been added with Invasion settings, they both play "QuestMusic" when in the party selection screen.
The event badge was removed from the generic invasion
— PokeMiners (@poke_miners) November 4, 2022
Basically, prepare for Pokémon GO to join in on celebrating the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet when it launches on Nintendo Switch on Friday, November 18th.
UPDATE (Saturday, November 5th, 2022): It has been confirmed that this coin-like Pokémon does indeed appear after November 2022’s Community Day Classic featuring Dratini. Beginning at 5 p.m. your local time on Saturday, November 5th, some nearby PokéStops will turn gold (similar to how PokéStops were orange and decorated for the Halloween 2022 events). When spinning these special PokéStops, you’ll be greeted by Professor Willow and Jacq (the homeroom teacher in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet). After talking with them, the new coin-like Pokémon will follow you around like a Buddy Pokémon and cannot be caught. Also, spinning gold PokéStops will give Trainers “?????? Coins” which are described as “[a] coin with a mysterious air. It seems to have originated in the Paldea region.”
Combine this with the newly released Pokémon webpage that shows off a treasure chest with a similar coin-like emblem on the front… we’ll know ??????’s name soon!
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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?)
