Pokémon GO’s Johto Tour will be taking place at the end of February, offering players a slew of content to enjoy for the price of an event ticket.
February will be a busy month for Pokémon GO players thanks to the upcoming paid Johto Tour event, and players curious about how to join will find it easy – though not free. Like last year’s Kanto Tour, the one-day celebration will be loaded down with Research opportunities, Raid Battles, and special Pokémon appearances. However, those hoping to participate fully will need to purchase an event ticket, creating a frustrating roadblock for players who want to attend but aren’t interested in paying money to access gameplay.
Pokémon GO has recently engendered controversy for pay-to-play content. While some options, like Community Day Special Research tickets, aren’t overpriced, the coins needed to purchase upgrades or additional in-game items can be a steep investment. This has been compounded by a lack of access to needed items like Lures, Lucky Eggs, and Star Pieces through standard gameplay, as well as difficulty obtaining premium coin currency in-game which is used for storage upgrades. While the upcoming Johto Tour will offer players plenty to do throughout the day, the limited time frame for participation, mixed with the steep cost for the ticket, will likely be off-putting for those trying to enjoy the “free-to-play” Pokémon game.
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The Johto Tour in Pokémon GO will take place worldwide on Saturday, February 26 from 9 AM to 9 PM local time. In order to access all the content included in the event, a premium ticket can be pre-ordered or bought the day of the event for $11.99 USD through the Pokémon GO in-game store. The ticket also has several limitations, forcing players to pick between the “Gold” or “Silver” versions that offer different exclusive Pokémon spawns. While this is likely to encourage trading, it might be another frustration point for players. Those who pre-order their ticket before February 10 will also gain access to exclusive Pokémon GO Timed Research, offering tasks to complete while waiting for the Johto Tour to take place.
All Exclusive Gameplay Opportunities In Pokémon GO Tour: Johto
Additionally, the update post for thePokémon GO Johto Tour also gives a breakdown of the gameplay that will be featured during the event. Players will be able to select one of the Johto starters, Cyndaquil, Chikorita, or Totodile, and participate in an array of different Research opportunities and Johto region-inspired content. Below is a list of the confirmed gameplay according to PokémonGoLive’s Johto Tour webpage, and what content is locked to the global event tickets.
- Rotating hourly Pokémon wild Pokémon encounters.
- Luigia And Ho-Oh will be featured in special attacks.
- Meganium, Typhlosion, Feraligatr, Tyranitar, Espeon, Umbreon, and Mamoswine will be featured in special attacks.
- Overworld music will feature the GO Tour 2022 Special Music: Johto Arrangement.
- Raikou, Entei, and Suicune will be encountered through special Timed Research tasks.
- Timed Research focused on the Johto Battle League.
- Special Legendary Pokémon Raid Battles will occur featuring Legendary species from specific areas.
- There will be a heightened chance of catching a Shiny Smeargle.
- Espeon and Umbreon can be evolved from Eevee without the needed walking distance until 11 PM local time.
- Johto Pokémon will hatch from 7 KM eggs.
- 2 KM eggs received from Pokéstops will have the chance of hatching Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, Tyrogue, Smoochum, Elekid, and Magby.
- Players will be able to 6 Special Trades.
- The in-game map will be decorated with splashes of confetti.
- A Special Research will end in a chance to encounter and catch Pokémon GO’s Celebi. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- A Masterwork Research will be available to complete. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Depending on the ticket choice, certain Pokémon will have a heightened chance of appearing Shiny. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Incense will attract a different variety of Pokémon. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Themed hourly collection challenges will be available, including Gold, Silver, Special, Evolutionary, and Raid challenges. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- x3 complimentary Remote Raid Passes will be gifted to participants. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Special event-themed surprise encounters will occur. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Eggs will hatch with 1/4 the required distance. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Hatch Candy will be boosted by x2. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Players will earn extra Candy for catching event-featured Pokémon. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- The ability to get x9 bonus Raid Passes from spinning Gyms. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Players will earn an event-themed in-game medal. (For Ticket Holders Only)
- Players can find event-themed Pokémon GO stickers when spinning Pokéstops or opening Gifts. (For Ticket Holders Only)
Pokémon Go Tour: Johto Will Include Rotating Habitats During The Event
Pokémon GO Tour: Johto will also include rotating habitats according to a blog post shared on PokémonGoLive. This feature, which will use five iconic Johto areas, influences what Pokémon will be spawning throughout the day. Because of this, players attempting to catch all the Pokémon included in the event will want to check in throughout the day, snagging exclusive species limited to certain windows of time. Thankfully, each location has is slotted to appear twice – Once earlier in the day, and once later in the afternoon. Below are the rotating habitat times according to the blog post.
- New Bark Town: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM local time.
- Violet City: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM local time.
- National Park: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time.
- Goldenrod City: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM local time.
- Mt. Silver: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time.
While the wait to join in on Pokémon GO’s Johto Tour is still several weeks long, there will also be plenty to pass the time throughout the month of February. Players will be able to participate in a Hoppip-themed Pokémon GO Community Day Saturday, February 12 from 11 AM to 5 PM local time. This is the perfect chance for players to snag a Shiny to evolve into Jumpluff, as well as take advantage of the x3 boost to catch-earned Stardust. Additionally, all four forms of the Mythical space Pokémon Deoxys will be appearing in raid battles through the course of February, offering players a chance to catch it with several different stat options. Mega Raids will also feature Mega Houndoom from February 1 to the 15 and Mega Ampharos from February 15 to March 1, with a chance for both to be Shiny. With so many exciting events and Pokémon to catch, hopefully, Pokémon GO fans will stay busy while they wait to jump in on the Johto Tour at the end of the month.
Source: PokémonGoLive, PokémonGoLive
About The Author
Laura Gray
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Laura Gray is a writer, illustrator and gamer in cozy Boise Idaho. They have had a wild freelance career in being a nerd, spending time traveling as a professional cosplayer and becoming a published illustrator while working the night grind as an IT tech. Laura is currently a content writer for D&D campaigns and Screenrant while working on personal writing projects for publication. They are also busy welcoming their first child into their life, which has been the best adventure life has given yet.
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