Pokémon GO Season of Discovery: Events, exclusive Pokémon, raids and more

After three months full of great events in which players could enjoy themed celebrations based on the Legendary Pokémon of Unova and Kalos with the Season of Legends, it is time to say goodbye to this to usher into a new stage. Ahead of the celebrations for both the fifth anniversary of Niantic's flagship game, as well as the recently announced Pokémon GO Fest 2021, a new themed season in which you can find never-before-seen Pokémon and learn more about your favourites has begun: The Season of Discovery.

Season of Discovery: Featured Pokémon and Raids

To kick off this season in a massive way, the Legendary Titans from the Hoenn region, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, will be appearing again on five-star raids until 17th June at 10:00, local time, and after this, a couple of surprise Pokémon will make their debut into the game, so maybe we could be seeing Regieleki and Regidrago as part of this season’s additions.

(Picture: Niantic / The Pokémon Company)

Some unexpected guests will be making an appearance in five-star raids, including exciting encounters during Pokémon GO Fest 2021 where there have been strong rumours about the arrival of Meloetta, the Aria Pokémon from Unova and which could be the featured Pokémon of this global event.

One of the biggest changes during this season will be that only one Mega-Evolved Pokémon at a time will be featured on the weekly Mega Raids, with the first three for the month of June being Mega-Lopunny, Mega Slowbro and Mega-Gyarados.

Season of Discovery: Wild and Hemisphere-exclusive Pokémon

(Picture: Niantic / The Pokémon Company)

As with the seasons of the year in the real world, the Pokémon that will appear in Season of Discovery will have a regional rotation, with many of these appearing for the first time in various cities and regions around the globe.

Additionally, Niantic will continue to expand the list of exclusive Pokémon depending on which hemisphere you are in, with the following Pokémon announced so far:

Northern Hemisphere Pokémon

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

Southern Hemisphere Pokémon

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

Season of Discovery: Egg Pokémon and Special Researches

(Picture: Niantic / The Pokémon Company)

Many known Pokémon from different generations will have a bigger chance of hatching from Eggs, including:

• 2 km: Meditite, Buizel, Spritzee, Swirlix
• 5 km: Togepi, Gligar, Skarmory, Bonsly
• 10 km: Timburr, Rufflet, Goomy, Noibat
• 5 km Eggs from Adventure Sync rewards: Cranidos, Shieldon, Skrelp, Clauncher
• 10 km Eggs from Adventure Sync rewards: Bagon, Beldum, Gible, Riolu

The list of Pokémon available through Eggs will continue to expand as the season continues.

Also with the start of the season, all Trainers will be able to receive different Field Research from PokéStops than before, including new tasks and new rewards, and with monthly changes to select Field Research tasks.

Pokémon GO Season of Discovery: June events and Rewards

(Picture: Niantic / The Pokémon Company)

Throughout the Season of Discovery, various events will be active, the first corresponding to June includes:

• Pokémon Spotlight Hours: Every Tuesday from 6 to 7 pm local time, a single featured Pokémon will appear all around the map with special bonuses included, these being Dwebble, Abra, Slowpoke, Swinub, and Aipom.
• A Very Slow Discovery: On 8-13th June, Galarian Slowpoke, Galarian Slowbro, and Mega Slowbro will make their Pokémon GO debuts, including a Collection Challenge featuring Slowpoke and others.
• Solstice Event: On 17-20th June, trainers in the northern hemisphere will encounter summer-themed Pokémon, while Trainers in the southern hemisphere will encounter winter-themed Pokémon.

Trainers will be able to sink their two front teeth into an unexpected event from 25th June to 1st July.

To finish, all players will receive a free Remote Raid Pass from Research Breakthrough rewards throughout June, while also being able to earn twice the XP from Research Breakthroughs, with Clamperl being the featured Pokémon for these tasks.

The Season of Discovery will be available from 1st July at 8 am to 1st September at 10 am local time. More details on the events of this themed season will be revealed as it progresses.

• Read more: New Pokémon Snap: How to unlock all islands and stages

Don’t forget to check our dedicated Pokémon section for more news, guides and big announcements to come.