Niantic has been surprising Trainers with loads of campaigns, updates and perks recently! We have just completed the Pokemon Go Global Catch Challenge, went on a crazy hunt for Farfetch’d & Kangaskhan as well as team up to capture the legendary Ho-Oh! But they are not stopping at that, they have just released a series of updates that will not only introduce more Gen 3 Pokemon to collect but also a new dynamic weather system that is more than just for aesthetics! We are here to share how this new Dynamic Weather condition in the game will affect your experience moving ahead. You may want to read our post on Pokemon GO New Gen 3 Pokemon List Revealed – Full 55 Pokemon too.
Pokemon Go Dynamic Weather – Niantic Message
When we first started thinking about features we’d be introducing alongside the Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region, a dynamic weather system that reflects real-world weather in-game was one of the first concepts that came to mind. This feature brings us one step closer to how we’ve envisioned discovering Pokémon in the real world–further connecting the digital world to the physical world you experience around you.
We want changes in weather to have an impact on your gameplay experience. When it’s raining outside, the game world will match the real-world conditions. You’ll see rain falling from the sky and Water-type Pokémon appearing much more frequently, but that’s not all. While it’s raining, the Water-type Pokémon you catch in the wild or through Raid Battles will award more Stardust and have greater potential in battle. You’ll also be able to use your local weather patterns to your advantage in Gym battles and Raid Battles, as some move types will be more effective during certain weather conditions. We’re incredibly excited for you to experience this new dynamic weather gameplay system as it starts rolling out to Trainers around the world.
Pokemon Go Dynamic Weather – The Aesthetics Changes
Your map will change to reflect the current weather in your neighbourhood. It will not be your usual blue skies and green fields all the time anymore.
Pokemon Go Dynamic Weather – Spawn Rate
You will start to notice that weather will affect the spawn rate of Pokemon in the wild. If it starts raining in your neighbourhood, for example, you will probably start to encounter more water Pokémon. If it’s snowing, you might see Snorunts running around (damn, we will really miss that out in Singapore).
This spawn effect is not limited to the new Gen 3 Pokemon, you will see them affect the previous generations too.
Pokemon Go Dynamic Weather – Stronger Pokemon & More Stardust
Trainers will be thrilled to know that Pokemon brought out by weather will start out stronger – that is, they will start with higher CP than standard spawns. (Their max CP will be the same, they are just getting a little headstart. Pokemon brought out by weather will also give you a bit more stardust than usual
Pokemon Go Dynamic Weather – Gym Combat
Weather will affect gym combat moving forward. When it’s raining, water Pokémon will get a stat boost while fire Pokémon are weakened. If there’s snow, ice Pokémon are buffed. That holds true for both attacking and defending Pokémon – so if you’re trying to hold down a gym and know it’s about to rain all night, for example, you might lean toward using a water Pokemon.
Here is the breakdown of the weather condition and its effects on gym combat:
- Clear: Grass, ground, and fire Pokémon will be stronger and appear more
- Foggy: Dark and ghost Pokémon will be stronger and appear more
- Rainy: Water, electric, and bug Pokémon will be stronger and appear more
- Snowy: Ice and steel Pokémon will be stronger and appear more
- Windy: Dragon, flying, and psychic Pokémon will be stronger and appear more
As you can see from the above, all of the changes will positively impact Pokemon. You will not see instances where an ice-type is weaker because it’s a blistering summer day. Niantic explains that they prefer to give bonuses rather than penalties where we can. They do not want to penalize a player by, for instance, de-powering a Pokemon that they may be very attached to.
They also want to encourage behaviour rather than punish it so they have been trying to strike a balance between promoting gameplay that utilizes weather, without penalizing everyone who might not have that super high-level Charizard when it’s hot outside.
We hope this article offers you a good summary of how the new Pokemon Go Dynamic weather will affect your game play and experience. Do share with us your experience and feedback in the comments section below. You may want to read our post on Pokemon GO New Gen 3 Pokemon List Revealed – Full 55 Pokemon too.
