Pokémon Go Beyond is the next expansion of Pokémon Go – and it’s bigger than anything that has come before. This update includes changes that rival the introduction of Raid Battles and Go Battle League to the game, and trainers of all levels will have something exciting to enjoy. We’ll be going into detail about all of the changes in their own guides, but this is the place you need to be for a quick catch-up on everything..
First of all, the way you level up is changing. Tasks like catching Pokémon, getting new Pokédex entries, and hatching eggs will grant more experience, and from Level 40 onwards you’ll have to complete research tasks as well as earning experience to level up. That’s right – the level cap has increased from 40 to 50. Trainers who reach Level 40 before the end of 2020, however, will earn a special badge and exclusive rewards for being “legacy trainers”.
Niantic has also promised updates for encountering and catching Pokémon, Adventure Sync, Buddy Adventure, Field Research, Gifts, and more, which we’ll find out about at the start of December.
Seasons are also coming to Pokémon Go – so Pokémon you encounter will be related to the season you’re currently in. Seasons kick off on December 1, so if you’re in the northern hemisphere, you’ll be more likely to encounter wintery Pokémon – we’re thinking Ice-types and the like, whereas the opposite will be true if you’re in the southern hemisphere. Different forms of Deerling will also be available depending on the season.
Events will be themed around the season they occur in, and different new mega-evolved Pokémon will be appearing in raids each season. What’s more, the Go Battle League will expand from 10 to 24 ranks, the top four of which will have all-new names and corresponding badges.
The first season is the Season of Celebration, which includes events and research tasks related to the regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, or Kalos. Niantic teases this as a “brand-new global event experience,” but we’ll have to wait and see exactly what’s in store.
Additionally, Pokémon originally found in the Kalos region are coming to Pokémon Go. This includes Chespin, Quilladin, Chesnaught, Fennekin, Braixen, Delphox, Froakie, Frogadier, Greninja, Bunnelby, Diggersby, Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame, Litleo, Pyroar, and Klefki. Klefki will be regionally exclusive to players in France. These Pokémon arrive from December 2, along with a mysterious one-star raid egg.
Finally, to celebrate the announcement of Pokémon Go Beyond, Niantic has introduced a 12 Days of Friendship event, which begins at 1:00pm today, November 18 (GMT -8) and lasts until the same time on November 30. Friendship levels will increase faster than normal through the usual means, you’ll get an attack boost when raiding with friends – including remotely – you can open more gifts each day, and you’ll earn increased XP from completing raids. What’s more, there is double XP when catching Pokémon until December 31.
Stay tuned for all the details and in-depth guides covering all of the Pokémon Go Beyond changes in the coming days, and check our Pokémon Go event guide for what’s happening now.