The first new Pokemon Go Gen 3 releases will be arriving this week, Niantic have confirmed.
It has now been revealed that dozens of Pokemon – including Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip – are being deployed today through a new update.
And that wasn’t the only big Pokemon Go news, with Niantic also confirming that more Hoenn region Pokemon will be arriving in the coming weeks.
The new arrivals will be drip-fed into the game, while around 50 Pokemon originally found in Hoenn will be boosting the game’s Pokedex for now.
Niantic are also making some other big changes to the game, using a new dynamic weather feature.
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The local weather in your area will now create several different effects on the game, changing the type of Pokemon spawning, their strength, as well as the Stardust bonuses available.
Different Pokemon will react to different weather changes, which will be displayed via a new UI Weather widget.
This fits in perfectly with the arrival of the new Gen 3 Pokemon on the scene, as Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire were the first games in the series where weather played an enhanced role in battling.
Niantic have also confirmed to the Express that there will be safety features in place, removing the weather bonuses if conditions outside become too severe.
It should be noted too that these new changes to the game will also impact Pokemon Gym Boss Battles.
Not only will you be able to see more weather effects but the Pokemon you are battling could either get buffs of nerfs, depending on what’s happening in the real-world.
Battling a fire-type in the sun will give its moves a boost in fire-power, while also affecting its CP.
Players will also be able to use the weather to boost the strength of their chosen Pokemon’s moves, something that is bound to prove helpful.
Here’s more from Niantic: “For the first time in an augmented reality mobile game, real-world weather will now be a factor in the gameplay experience.
“As Trainers are exploring the world around them in search of Pokémon, the current weather in their vicinity will be visible on the in-game map.
“The real-world weather around Trainers will impact the gameplay of Pokemon Go in a variety of ways that include changing Pokemon habitats and where they can be found, increasing Combat Power, and earning more Stardust after catching a Pokemon.
“Ace Trainers can take advantage of their climates to level up their Pokémon GO experience. Trainers can look forward to finding Mudkip splashing when it rains, Cacnea basking in the sun, and Snorunt huddling together in the snow.
“Certain Pokémon will be more likely to appear in the weather that suits them the most, so Pokemon Go Trainers will be excited to learn more about their local weather patterns and ecology to find these rare Pokémon and make progress on their Pokedexes.
“As the seasons change, they’ll encounter different Pokémon, thereby keeping their gameplay experience fresh.
“Whether they’re looking for the largest Wailord at a beach, chasing Swablu blowing on the wind, battling alongside their Salamence, or making their Feebas feel beautiful, players will know that as sure as the seasons change, Hoenn Pokémon have arrived.
“Rainy days just got more interesting for that next outdoor excursion.”