Pokemon GO trainers are having a pretty exciting month. In addition to the standard events that are currently ongoing (like last weekend's Community Day), Niantic has just revealed a brand new type of recurring event that packs some incredible rewards for players who are concentrating on the long grind up to the mobile AR game's new max level.
Friendship Day is a new type of recurring event that will likely feel a lot like Community Day, but with the focus more on activities that related to playing Pokemon GO in-person with a small group of Friends. As the weather warms up and vaccines become more readily available in many regions, it seems like Niantic is looking to deliver a new event type that offers something special for trainers who are looking to reconnect with their small, local play group after a year of remote and distance-themed events.
The April Friendship Day event is going to be Grass-type themed and will offer some fantastic bonuses in addition to the chance for some exciting Grass-type encounters and a boatload of experience points. Trainers should be able to make a serious dent in their XP grind if they plan ahead and take the time to complete the activity events....
Date and Time
Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time
Features
Various Grass-type Pokémon will be appearing more often in the wild.
Complete the Friendship Day Collection Challenge before the event concludes to earn 100,000 XP!
Take part in the Friendship Day Global Challenge! For each hourly challenge you complete, you’ll earn 20,000 XP!
Green confetti will be appearing on the map in celebration of Grass-type Pokémon!
Bonuses
You’ll have an increased chance of receiving a Lucky Pokémon when you complete a trade with a friend. Please note that this bonus will be active until 5:00 p.m. local time on the day of the event.
Trade distance will be increased to 40 km.
A 3× Catch XP bonus will be active.
Incense activated during the event will last for three hours.
Lures activated during the event will last for three hours.
The short event only lasts three hours, like a pre-pandemic Community Day event, so players will have to get to work quickly when April 24 rolls around if they want to cash in on that 100,000 XP Collection Challenge reward and all of the other XP that is up for grabs. It's no secret that the grind to max level is a long one for Pokemon GO players, but if this type of XP is on the table on a recurring basis going forward, then it will make a huge difference.
Over the next week or so players should begin to learn a lot more about what other events are on the way throughout the rest of the the Season of Legends. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Pokemon GO strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GO is available on Android and iOS.