Pokemon GO Season of Discovery: Everything You Need to Know

Niantic Labs announced the arrival of its latest Pokemon GO content season—the Season of Discovery.

The developer revealed the new season via the official Pokemon GO Twitter page late on Sunday, May 30. In the initial post, they teased the possibility of "discovering" new Pokemon and new things about others. It's clear Niantic is looking forward to revealing quite a few new items and features during this season.

We've combed through the blog post detailing the season and picked out the most important aspects trainers need to know.

Pokemon GO Season of Discovery Guide

The Season of Discovery will run from Tuesday, June 1 to Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at 10 a.m. local time. It will envelop this year's Pokemon GO Fest and, according to Niantic, "will be all about the spirit of discovery in Pokémon GO." This includes both new Pokemon and "new things about the ones we’ve grown to know and love."

Raid Bosses

This season has a "colossal kickoff" with the three original Regi's making a return to five-star raids. Trainers will be able to engage Regirock, Regice, and Registeel from June 1 through to Thursday, June 17 at 10 a.m., local time.

After this, a "surprise Pokemon" will be making its debut as a five-star raid boss. Niantic encouraged trainers to "keep your eyes peeled" in the meantime.

"Unexpected guests" will be making appearances throughout the season—including during Pokemon GO Fest. However, Niantic decided not to reveal who these guests were and whether they would be making their debuts, or if they've already been released in-game.

Additionally, throughout the Season of Discovery, Mega Raids will only feature a single Pokemon at a time.

Wild Encounters

Wild Pokemon spawns will begin to shift according to the change of seasons. Trainers can expect more types that thrive in warmer weather—like Bellsprout and Doduo. Spawns will also differ according to biome with certain Pokemon such as Alolan Rattata or Dwebble appearing more frequently in cities and mountains, respectively.

Additionally, Hemisphere specific Pokemon will join the season-reflective change.

Northern Hemisphere trainers will be able to encounter:

• Alolan Diglett
• Staryu
• Barboach
• Petilil
• Treecko
• Torchic
• Mudkip
• Summer Form Deerling
• Sableye
• Scyther
• Combee

Southern Hemisphere trainers will be able to encounter:

• Alolan Sandshrew
• Alolan Vulpix
• Shellder
• Turtwig
• Chimchar
• Piplup
• Winter Form Deerling
• Lickitung
• Chimecho
• Cubchoo

These are only brief lists, however. We expect Niantic to release a more comprehensive list once the season takes off.

Egg Hatching

Egg groups will see an addition to their hatching pools according to the distance and obtainment method. Additionally, Niantic has implemented a new feature allowing trainers to see a list of Pokemon that could hatch from the available eggs in a trainer's inventory per individual egg.

We've further detailed the changes to egg hatching during the Season of Discovery in an earlier piece, as well. Trainers who are inclined to learn more information will find it there.

Notable Changes

PokeStops will be offering new Field Research tasks this season with new rewards. Tasks will be subject to change per month.

Trainers can earn Remote Raid Passes through Research Breakthroughs for the entire month of June. Additionally, throughout the entire Season of Discovery, all Research Breakthroughs will reward trainers with double their standard experience points.

Niantic noted that a more detailed post will be published once the season officially kicks off on June 1—tomorrow, at the time of writing.