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Xerneas and Yveltal are coming to Pokémon GO, and more

Xerneas, the Life Pokémon, will make its Pokémon GO debut during the Luminous Legends X event, while Yveltal, the Destruction Pokémon, will be making its Pokémon GO debut during the Luminous Legends Y event.

Niantic has posted their planned events in Pokémon GO for May, which includes the debut of Xerneas and Yveltal in Pokémon GO. Let’s dive in to what’s in store for Pokémon GO this May.

Everything that’s coming this May

5-Star Raids

  • Incarnate Forme Tornadus, Incarnate Forme Thundurus, and Incarnate Forme Landorus will continue to appear in five-star raids until May 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time. If you’re lucky, you might even encounter a Shiny Tornadus, Thundurus, or Landorus!
  • Xerneas will make its Pokémon GO debut in five-star raids on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time and will depart on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
  • Yveltal will make its Pokémon GO debut in five-star raids on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time and will depart on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Mega Raids

  • Mega Venusaur, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Abomasnow will continue to appear in Mega Raids until Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
  • Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Lopunny will appear in Mega Raids from Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. local time.
  • Mega Ampharos, Mega Houndoom, and a surprise Mega-Evolved Pokémon will appear in Mega Raids, from Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. to Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

May Research Breakthrough encounters

From Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, May 31, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7), you’ll encounter Galarian Ponyta in Research Breakthrough encounters.

Save Shadow Moltres from Giovanni

This month, Giovanni will have Shadow Moltres in his grasp! If you haven’t already, complete the latest Team GO Rocket Special Research – The Higher They Fly… – to earn a Super Rocket Radar.

This will help you track down the Team GO Rocket Boss and save Shadow Moltres!

You can also receive a Super Rocket Radar from Timed Research that’ll be available during the Luminous Legends X event.

Pokémon Spotlight Hours

In the month of May, Pokémon Spotlight Hour will take place every Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, and each of these hours will spotlight a different Pokémon and special bonus!

  • Tuesday, May 4, 2021: Cottonee will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Candy for catching Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, May 11, 2021: Dratini will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Candy for transferring Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, May 18, 2021: Alolan Rattata will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the XP for evolving Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, May 25, 2021: Marill will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Stardust for catching Pokémon.

Upcoming Events in the game

Luminous X Event

From Tuesday, May 4, 2021, to Monday, May 17, 2021, the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas will be making its Pokémon GO debut!

Some Dragon- and Fairy-type Pokémon originally discovered in the Kalos region will be coming along for the journey as well, such as Spritzee, Swirlix, and Goomy! A new item will also be coming to Pokémon GO—the Rainy Lure Module, which can be used to evolve Sliggoo (the Evolution of Goomy) into Goodra. You can also evolve Sliggoo when the in-game weather is rainy.

Our research also shows that you can complete challenges to unlock rewards during the second week of this legendary event.

Luminous Y Event

From Tuesday, May 18, 2021, to Monday, May 31, 2021, the Legendary Pokémon Yveltal will be making its Pokémon GO debut!

We’ve also received word that Team GO Rocket could be planning on causing some trouble around then, and also that Dark type Pokémon will be appearing more often in the wild.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to put your newly caught Dragon and Fairy type Pokémon to use!

Like the Luminous Legends X event, you’ll be able to unlock rewards during the second week of the Luminous Legends Y event by completing select challenges.

May Community Day and other Weekend events

This month’s Community Day is on Saturday, May 15, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. More details—including which Pokémon will be featured—will be revealed in an upcoming blog post.

Keep an eye out for more details on additional weekend events occurring throughout May, and get ready for a new season starting in June!

Edited by bobandbill, Rabinov, and Zach.