Trainers are hoping to learn that the recently announced Pokemon Raids including Mewtwo will also have another big bonus attached.
It was confirmed today that as part of the Ultra Bonus Event, players would get the chance to catch Mewtwo.
The powerful Psychic type has been locked behind the EX Raids system for a long time and has only ever been available in a public raid once.
This was in Japan and was part of a major celebration of the game.
Now Shiny hunters are hoping that today’s big announcement will also include Pokemon Go news about Mewtwo as well.
“On September 20 at 1:00 P.M. (PDT), Mewtwo will come to Raid Battles for the first time ever!” a message from Niantic reads.
“Mewtwo has previously only been available to Trainers invited to EX Raids, but now all Trainers will be able to challenge the Legendary Psychic-type Pokémon until October 23 at 1:00 P.M. (PDT).
“So prepare yourself, and don’t miss your opportunity to encounter this powerful Pokémon before it disappears.”
It’s a big long window for Mewtwo to be available, and shiny hunters are hoping that another announcement will be made during this time frame.
It’s worth a bet that Niantic may look to release a shiny Mewtwo, considering how the EX Raids system has worked.
Raid Battles occur when a Boss Pokemon takes over a Gym, with your goal to defeat it also offering the chance to catch it.
Raids have five tiers of difficulty, with the higher the difficulty, the stronger the Raid Boss and the more players you’ll need to succeed.
Mewtwo will be tier 5 and possibly the hardest Pokemon to beat ever in a Raid battle.
The most exclusive raids are EX Raid Battles, where you’ll have an opportunity to catch the most sought-after Pokémon.
Unlike other raids, you need to be invited to attend an EX Raid at a specific Gym at a particular time.
If you are selected to participate in an EX Raid, you will receive an invitation in advance so that you can coordinate and strategise for the chance at defeating the powerful EX Raid Boss.
However, since this system has been in place for a long time, there’s a lot of top Trainers who already have Mewtwo.
So what better way to get the most dedicated fanbase involved in the coming Ultra Bonus Event then to release a special shiny?
The odds are usually quite low in catching a special variant, so the replayability factor is there.
Not to mention needing to get enough people together to actually take down Mewtwo in the first place.
Trainers will be keeping their eyes open when the first Mewtwo Raid battles begin, as Niantic don’t always announce if a shiny is available.
Niantic also detailed the other Ultra Bonus Event rewards coming this month, which can be found below:
“Starting September 13 at 1:00 P.M. (PDT), Trainers all over the world will be able to encounter three Legendary Pokémon discovered initially in the Kanto region.
“Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres will appear in Raid Battles until September 20. And if you’re lucky, you may be able to encounter their Shiny forms!
“Also, Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region will appear more frequently all over the world and show up more regularly in Raid Battles until September 30!
“There is one more special surprise: Farfetch’d, Kangaskhan, Mr. Mime, and Tauros will be joining the Alolan Pokémon in 7 km Eggs through the end of September.
“These Pokémon have not migrated to many parts of the world, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to send Gifts to friends and finally achieve a complete Kanto Pokédex.”