Niantic has issued an official list of events for March, and it looks like we've got a few that you won't want to miss! From shiny Mythicals to Exclusive Moves long over-due, let's dive into what the change of season is set to bring!
Note that these events are subject to change in Japan, South Korea, and Italy
Tier 5 Raids
The big question at the start of the month seems to always revolve around the Tier 5 raid bosses that are to come. This time around, we have a number of them!
Thundurus Makes its Grand Debut
Stating on March 2 at 1:00 p.m. PST, Thundurus will be joining the Tier 5 raid scene. This Electric/Flying Type Pokemon is the second member of the Forces of Nature after Tornadus. The Bolt Strike Pokemon, as it's called, will be in raids for a yet-to-be-determined period, though it's going to have to share that spotlight, as every full weekend in March will have a special raid event!
Darkrai Special Raid Weekend
| Raid Weekend Start | Raid Weekend End |
|---|---|
| March 6, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time | Monday, March 9, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time. |
The ever-popular Darkrai is making its first appearance in 2020! The Pitch Black Pokemon is a particularly popular Mythical Pokemon with a very strong niche as one of the absolute best Dark Type attackers in the game. And on top of that, it will be our first chance to catch the elusive Shiny Darkrai!
Shiny Darkrai
This is not an event to miss! Get out there for your chance as this powerful Pokemon!
Giratina - Altered Special Raid Weekend
| Raid Weekend Start | Raid Weekend End |
|---|---|
| March 13, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time | Monday, March 16, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time. |
The Renegade Pokemon is back for its special raid weekend! Giratina-Altered is one of the defining Pokemon of the Ultra League, and a hugely powerful Pokemon in the Master League. If you don't have one, then now is your chance to make that catch, and it may even be shiny!
Shiny Giratina - Altered
Cobalion Special Raid Weekend
| Raid Weekend Start | Raid Weekend End |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time | Monday, March 23, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time. |
While it hasn't been long since we've seen the first of the Swords of Justice, the Iron Will Pokemon will be making a return for a special weekend, with Shiny Forme available!
Shiny Cobalion
What makes Cobalion especially interesting is the fact that its raid weekend will give it access to its signature attack: Sacred Sword! While we don't have access to this move's stats yet, we do know that it will be a Fighting Type move, and it will likely set the tone for the future, as both Cobalion and Virizion are likely to learn this attack as well moving forward!
Lugia Special Raid Weekend
| Raid Weekend Start | Raid Weekend End |
|---|---|
| March 27, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time | Monday, March 30, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time. |
The grand reward of the first Go Fest and of the very first Legendary Pokemon ever released, Lugia is making its return to the raid scene. As has been the case in the past, its Shiny Forme will be available.
Shiny Lugia
But that's not even the best news! After all of these years it's happening; Lugia is being given access to its signature attack: Aero Blast! Much like Sacred Sword, we don't know what this attack will entail. However, given the fact that Lugia already has access to the outstanding Sky Attack, it will likely have to be absolutely phenomenal to compete. This could make for an exciting end to March!
Month-Long Events
Save Shadow Entei from Giovanni
As has become somewhat of a tradition since his release into Pokemon Go, Giovanni has enslaved yet another Legendary Pokemon and turned it into a Shadow Pokemon. For March we have the Fire-Type member of the legendary beasts of Johto, Entei.
Players will have to fight through Team Rocket grunts and bosses while saving and purifying Shadow Pokemon in order to reach this once-per-month Pokemon, so get ready to get to work!
Research Breakthrough Reward: March 2020
Woobat's time is coming to a close, and in its place we'll be seeing the Thorn Seed Pokemon, Ferroseed!
Ferroseed and its evolution, Ferrothorn, are particuarly rare Grass/Steel Type Pokemon from Generation 5/Unova. They are highly defensively-oriented, and Ferrothorn is a niche pick in Great League PvP. On top of a rare Pokemon, the research breakthough will also feature Bonus Stardust, though we're not yet sure how much.
Limited Events
A Mysterious Weekend Event
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| Friday, March 20, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time | Monday, March 23, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time |
In a special weekend event noted to be "mysterious" is coming! Here are the bonuses to this event:
- 2x Catch and Hatch Stardust
- An increase in Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, and Ice-Type Pokemon Spawns
- Kerrablast and Shelmet will Hatch from 5k Eggs More Often
- One Star Raids will feature Steel and Bug Type Pokemon
This event will also feature a Brand New Special Research Event, the first that we've seen since A Colossal Discovery with Regigigas. Based on the theme of the event, we're predicting that the featured Pokemon will be the Bug/Steel Type Mythic Pokemon with a signature attack that can be Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, or Ice-Type in the main series; Genesect.
If this is the case, we would like to point out some very important facts:
- If caught via special research, Genesect will be Lv.15
- Genesect cannot be traded
Based on these two facts and its normal CP range, THIS COULD BE OUR ONLY CHANCE TO GET A GENESECT WITH A CP BELOW 1500! If you want one for Great League, don't miss this event!
Team GO Rocket Global Take-Over
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| Friday, March 6, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time | Monday, March 9, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time |
Team Go Rocket is at it again! In this short event, we'll see a few great and unique bonuses hit!
- Poison and Dark Type Pokemon will be appearing in the wild more often
- Pokemon related to Team Rocket will be appearing in the wild more often, including Absol
- All Past Pokemon Held by Leaders Will Be Obtainable, and Can be Shiny!
- Team Rocket Grunts give 2x Stardust
- Special in-game Team Rocket music will be available
- Use a Charged TM on a Shadow Pokemon and you can remove its special move, Frustration, for the span of the event!
On top of all of this, on March 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time, Team Rocket will be more active than normal, including the bosses and Giovanni!
And the icing on the cake: Skorupi will be available in its shiny forme regardless of how it's discovered!
Shiny Skorupi Family
The Psychic Spectacular
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| Friday, March 27, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time | Monday, March 30, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time |
It's time for yet another returning event! This time it's the Psychic Spectacular, and it's got some fun bonuses!
- Special Psychic-Themed Field Research
- Psychic-Type Pokemon Featured in Raids and In the Wild
- The Release of Two New Unova Species!
The Gothita family will be available to players at night, while the Solosis family will be available during the day. Time to set those clocks! These Pokemon will continue to be available in the wild after the event, and will revert to being available in 5k eggs.
We also have a special selection of Pokemon hatching from 2k eggs:
And to top the event off, we have Shiny Baltoy!
Shiny Baltoy Family
Spotlight Hour and Mystery Bonus Hour.
Niantic has announced that these events will continue into March! Every Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. local time we can expect a Pokemon Spotlight Hour with a unique species appearing more frequently in the wild for the duration, and every Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. local time we can expect Mystery Bonus Hour with a special bonus!
