Pokemon Go Adds New Deoxys Form, But It's Hard To Get

The Mythical Pokemon Deoxys first arrived in Pokemon Go earlier this year as the game's second EX Raid boss, replacing Mewtwo. Until now, the DNA Pokemon has only appeared in the mobile game in its Normal Forme, but a new variant of the Pokemon is set to arrive soon.

Developer Niantic has announced that Attack Forme Deoxys will be available in EX Raids later this month. Along with taking on a different appearance, Attack Forme Deoxys has a much higher attack stat than its standard form, and Niantic warns that it will be a "difficult challenge that requires Trainers to take advantage of every opportunity."

The new form of Deoxys is set to arrive with the next cycle of EX Raid invites, which are scheduled to go out beginning December 20. Unlike standard Raid Battles, you can only participate in EX Raids if you've received an invitation. In order to get one, you'll first need to have recently won a Raid Battle at a "qualifying" Gym. These are denoted by an EX Raid tag in the upper righthand corner when you look at the Gym's details.

In the meantime, players still have a little more time to catch Pokemon Go's latest Legendary, Cresselia. The Psychic Pokemon is scheduled to leave standard Raid Battles on December 18, just before Attack Forme Deoxys is set to arrive in EX Raids. Niantic hasn't announced when the game's next Legendary Pokemon will arrive, although the developer has teased that Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit--three more Legendaries originally from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl--are on the way.

Pokemon Go's annual holiday celebration is also set to return again soon. This year's event kicks off on December 18 and will introduce another handful of Gen 4 Pokemon, including Snorlax's pre-evolved form, Munchlax, as well as Snover, Abomasnow, and Croagunk. Festive hat Pikachu and Delibird will also return, and different bonuses will be meted out throughout the event until it ends on January 2.