The Pokémon GO Season of Heritage has arrived. Announced on the final day of the Season of Mischief event, Niantic is clearly wasting no time in getting started with the next leg of the Pokémon GO journey. There's still a lot we don't know, but we do know when it ends, the current egg Pokémon, and the first set of research
Initially, the teaser Niantic release was just that: a tease. Probably even more so than Niantic designed. The imagery suggested one of two possibilities. The promotional timing suggested one, but the image suggested another. With questions lingering, we're going to round up the theories before the big reveal.
If you're currently back into Pokémon GO because of the numerous mainline Pokémon games currently being hyped up, you may want to open up our Pokémon GO hub. It's a fast-moving title, and learning about the latest releases, events, and meta Pokémon can help you hop straight into the fun.
What Is the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage?
The Pokémon GO Season of Heritage is an event set to run over the next few months. The outgoing theme, the Season of Mischief, brought lots of spooky Pokémon and culminated with the arrival of the mythical Pokémon Hoopa, known for pulling interdimensional tricks.
By comparison, this newest season focuses on Dragon-type Pokémon, while also pushing out more Ice and Ground-type Pokémon typically used to counter the two initial legendary raid boss fight
Schedule
- Dec. 1
- Season starts
- Dec. 5
- Swinub incense day (Ice/Ground-type spawns)
- Dec. 7–12
- Dragonspiral Descent event starts
- Dec. 16–23
- Part 1 events
- Dec. 23–31
- Part 2 events
- Bergmite & Avalugg release
- Egg Incubator with every first PokéStop spin of the day
- New Timed Research feat. Galarian Mr. Mime
- Collection Challenge feat. Galarian Mr. Mime
- New Field Research feat. Holiday Delibird
- Increased trading distance (40km)
- New raid rotation
- New wild encounters rotation
- Jan. 1–Feb. 1
- New Research Breakthrough rewards (Onix, Steelix Mega Energy)
- Every Monday in January
- One PokéCoin bundle (Remote Raid Pass, etc.)
- Jan. 7–Feb. 1
- New Mega raid rotation (Mega Aerodactyl)
- Mountains of Power event starts (until Jan.13)
When Is the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage Start And End Time?
The Pokémon GO Season of Heritage ends at the same time on March 1. The Season of Heritage Johto Tour event will cap off the whole event on February 26–27.
What Are the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage Raid Bosses?
Date | One-Star | Three-Star | Five-Star (Legendary) | Mega |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 2–15 | Magnemite*, Dratini*, Tepig*, Drilbur, Klink* | Alolan Raichu*, Alolan Graveler, Typhlosion, Aggron | Reshiram*, Zekrom* | Mega Steelix |
Dec. 16–23 | Pikachu, Alolan Sandshrew, Swinub, Spheal, Cubchoo | Cloyster, Stantler, Delibird, Glaceon | Kyurem | Mega Steelix |
Dec. 24–31 | Pikachu, Alolan Vulpix, Spheal, Cubchoo, Galarian Darumaka | Lapras, Delibird, Stantler, Glaceon | Kyurem | Mega Abomasnow |
Jan. 7–15 | Alolan Geodude*, Onix*, Beldum*, Bronzor* | Ursaring*, Donphan*, Medicham*, Absol | Heatran | Mega Aerodactyl |
Jan. 15–24 | TBA | TBA | Genesect (Shock Drive) | Mega Aerodactyl |
Jan. 24–Feb. 1 | TBA | TBA | Regice | Mega Aerodactyl |
The second Season of Heritage raid rotation is now in effect, bringing a bunch of holiday-themed Pokémon to the game. Pikachu, Cubchoo, Spheal, Stantler, Delibird, and Glaceon are all wearing festive attire in the lower tiers. At the top end, Kyurem replaces Reshiram and Zekrom for a time, with Mega Steelix sticking around just a little while longer.
What Are the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage Seasonal Bonuses?
- Incense will be more potent whether you're standing still or moving
- Damage dealt while participating in a Remote Raid is increased
- Every PokéStop spin will reward at least one gift
- One additional Candy with every trade
- You're guaranteed to get Candy XL with trading
Regardless of the month, the above Seasonal Bonuses will be in effect for as long as the Season of Heritage remains active. That means you'll benefit from increased Remote Raid damage and Incense effectiveness all the way through to March.
What Is the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage Monthly Bonus?
January
- 2x XP for First Catch of the Day
The Pokémon GO Season of Heritage monthly bonus for January will be double EXP gains for your first catch of the day. Furthermore, bonus rewards will become available for those who manage to accumulate high amounts of XP throughout the month, with Pokémon like Goomy, Cranidos, and Togetic up for grabs.
These rewards will only be available to those who pre-purchase a ticket to the Johto Tour event before January 10, 2021.
February
- 2x XP for egg hatches
- Increased Candy XL from egg hatches
The Pokémon GO Season of Heritage monthly bonus for February will be in double XP and increased Candy XL drop from egg hatches.
The final challenge of the season asks that you catch an insane number of Pokémon—600 for all of the rewards. For your efforts, you can grab Pokémon like Primeape, Noibat, Pupitar, and Galarian Zigzagoon.
These rewards will only be available to those who pre-purchase a ticket to the Johto Tour event before February 10, 2021.
What Is the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage Mythical Pokémon?
Initially, we suspected it to be Arceus—the main mythical Pokémon of the Sinnoh region, and the focus of the game this season is likely promoting.
That could still happen if the Tohjo Ruins, an area between Johto and Sinnoh where Arceus can create new Pokémon, is mentioned during the Pokémon GO story, but we'll have to wait and see. Without that, Celebi could be set to make a comeback instead.
What Are the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage Spawns?
Biome | Pokémon |
|---|---|
Cities | Porygon, Snubull, Glameow, Bronzor, Lillipup, Trubbish, Solosis |
Forests | Caterpie, Tailow, Croagunk, Joltik, Ferroseed, Karrablast, Shelmet |
Mountains | Clefairy, Aerodactyl, Teddiursa, Meditite, Numel, Hippopotas, Munna |
Water | Psyduck, Lapras, Wingull, Barboach, Finneon, Feebas, Bidoof |
Northern Hemisphere | Delibird, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Cottonee, Vanillite, Deerling (Winter) |
Southern Hemisphere | Tangela, Treeko, Torchic, Mudkip, Carvaha, Combee, Deerling (Summer) |
Throughout the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage, the above Pokémon will all feature prominently in their listed biomes.
Those in the Northern Hemisphere should see the Sinnoh starter Pokémon more frequently, while those in the Southern Hemisphere will see the Johto starters in their place. Visiting cities should give you plenty of opportunities to make catch enough Porygon to evolve the Pokémon GO Arlo counter Porygon-Z, while a trip to the mountains can net you Aerodactyl—a potential Mega Evolution with a mean bite.
What Are the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage Egg Pokémon?
Date | 2km | 5km | 5km (Adventure Sync) | 7km | 10km | 10km (Adventure Sync) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 2–23 | Poliwag, Bellsprout, Swinub, Meditite, Barboach, Swablu, Bunnelby | Onix, Azurill, Happiny, Munchlax, Snover, Froakie, Hippopotas | Cranidos, Shieldon, Frillish, Skrelp, Clauncher, Dedenne | N/A | Audino, Darumaka, Mienfoo, Rufflet, Espurr, Goomy, Noibat | Dratini, Bagon, Beldun, Riolu, Deino, Noibat |
Dec. 17- | Poliwag, Bellsprout, Swinub, Meditite, Barboach, Swablu, Bunnelby | Onix, Azurill, Happiny, Munchlax, Snover, Froakie, Hippopotas | Cranidos, Shieldon, Frillish, Skrelp, Clauncher, Dedenne | Swinub, Cubchoo, Smoochum, Galarian Darumaka, Bergmite, Cryogonal | Audino, Darumaka, Mienfoo, Rufflet, Espurr, Goomy, Noibat | Dratini, Bagon, Beldun, Riolu, Deino, Noibat |
The Pokémon GO Season of Heritage has, as expected, mixed up the current egg Pokémon offerings. Just refer to the table above to know which Pokémon to expect from each type of egg. Others can hatch as well, but these are the featured egg Pokémon for the new season, according to the official website.
And that's about all we know about the Pokémon GO Season of Heritage right now. With all the talk about the past, it's set to be a season full of lore nuggets and unexpected events.