Massive Pokemon Go "Go Beyond" Update Announced, Adds New Level Cap, Gen 6 Pokemon, And More

Pokemon Go has received a regular stream of tweaks and new content since it launched back in Summer 2016, but the game is getting its first major branded update this week. Dubbed Go Beyond, the massive update will be rolled out over the week of November 30, and it'll introduce some significant changes to the mobile game, including the first Gen 6 Pokemon, a higher level cap, seasons, and much more.

Kalos Pokemon

Niantic had previously teased that Kalos Pokemon were on the way to Pokemon Go, and the first Gen 6 monsters will arrive as part of the Go Beyond update. Starting December 2, players will be able to encounter a handful of Gen 6 Pokemon (and their evolutions) in the game, including X and Y starters Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, as well as Bunnelby, Fletchling, and Litleo.

To coincide with the arrival of Gen 6 Pokemon, Niantic is holding a special event in the game in early December. Throughout the event, Gen 6 Pokemon will appear in the wild more frequently, effectively ensuring everyone gets a chance to catch them. The event kicks off at 10 AM local time on December 2 and runs until 10 PM local time on December 8.

Increased Level Cap And Leveling Changes

As part of the Go Beyond update, Niantic is implementing some major changes to the game's leveling system. Starting November 30, the studio is making the process of leveling up to 40 easier by doling out more XP for capturing and evolving Pokemon, registering new Pokedex entries, hatching eggs, and other tasks. Niantic says the extra XP "will be as much as double what it was before" in some instances, which should make it much easier for lower-level players to catch up.

Everyone who reaches level 40 by the end of the year will earn the distinction of being a Legacy 40 Trainer. Along with this accolade, they'll receive a few rewards, including a Legacy 40 medal and access to exclusive Timed Research that will offer its own rewards, including a Gyarados trainer cap for their avatar. You have until 11:59 PM local time on December 31 to earn the Legacy 40 rewards. To make it easier to hit that milestone, Niantic is offering a double catch XP bonus from now through the remainder of the year.

On top of that, Niantic is bumping Pokemon Go's player level cap up from 40 to 50. However, the leveling process will work a little differently for these high-level players. In addition to earning enough XP, players will need to complete new Level-Up Research challenges to raise their level beyond 40; for instance, to level up to 41, players will need to catch a high number of Pokemon in one day and complete other tasks. There will be similar challenge requirements for each successive level as well.

Players aren't the only ones getting a level cap increase; Niantic is also making it possible to power up Pokemon even further than before. The studio is introducing a new type of Candy called Candy XL, which will let you increase a Pokemon's CP further than originally possible. Niantic says you'll be able to acquire Candy XL either by catching Pokemon or converting regular Candy.

Seasons

Another new feature coming as part of the Go Beyond update is Seasons. A new Season will begin in the game every three months, and each one will usher in some big changes. For instance, the kinds of Pokemon that spawn in the wild will vary by Season. Different Pokemon will also appear during a Season depending on your hemisphere; for example, players in the Northern Hemisphere will encounter wintry Pokemon during the game's first Season, while those in the Southern Hemisphere will find summer-themed Pokemon like Burmy and Darumaka.

Naturally, the Season Pokemon Deerling will also tie into this new feature. You'll be able to find a different Deerling form in the game each Season. Niantic also says that events will be themed around the Season they occur in, and different Mega-Evolved Pokemon will appear in Mega Raids depending on the Season.

12 Days Of Friendship Event

Ahead of the Go Beyond update, Niantic is holding a 12 Days of Friendship event in Pokemon Go beginning November 18. Throughout the event, your friendship level with another player will increase much more quickly than normal when you open gifts, trade Pokemon, or battle together in Raids and Gyms. Additionally, you'll receive an attack boost when you battle in a Raid alongside a friend as well as increased XP for successfully completing the battle, and the number of gifts you can open each day has been increased. The 12 Days of Friendship event runs until 1 PM PT on November 30.