If there’s one word to describe November in “Pokemon Go,” it would be “anticipation.” The month doesn’t have big splashy raids, and there hasn’t been many groundbreaking announcements. The highlight of the month is likely Shinx Community Day, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21.
Until November, the Flash Pokemon has only been in raids and 10km eggs, but with its own Community Day, everyone will have a chance at the shiny version of this sought-after Pokemon. For those who haven’t seen one, the variant is a beautiful gold and black.
What’s notable about Shinx Community Day is that the final form Luxray will learn a new Charged Attack called Psychic Fangs, which could be a game-changer in the meta. It costs 40 Power and is guaranteed to lower an opposing Pokemon’s defense. That’s huge. With a guaranteed debuff, it could have an impact comparable to Feather Dance for Pidgeot.
Aside from that, the November Community Day also brings several bonuses. The normal one attached to the event is the quarter distance for egg hatches. That means players should save their 12km, 10km and 7km eggs for the event. What’s more, Niantic is introducing two other bonuses because it marks the Community Day before the big December catch-all event. To help players make room in their storage, players will find triple transfer candy bonuses and a 4-times increase in the chance of getting Candy XL from transferring Pokemon.
If players have been hoarding legendary or rare Pokemon, now is the time to send them to the grinder Professor Willow.
CELEBRATING A REMAKE
The other big event influencing what happens in November is the release of “Pokemon Shining Pearl” and “Pokemon Brilliant Diamond.” Niantic will be holding an event for the games starting Nov. 16 to Nov. 21. In addition, the Spotlight Hours for the month will feature the starters found in the game’s Sinnoh region. On Nov. 16, Turtwig will be paired with double catch stardust. On Nov. 23, Chimchar will have double catch XP. Lastly, Piplup will be around Nov. 30 along with a double catch candy bonus.
All of the starters can be shiny because they already had a Community Day. Unfortunately, players won’t be able to send those Pokemon into the new games until early 2022. They’ll have to use Pokemon Home to do that. The other two Spotlight Hours features Cacnea and double catch candy on Nov. 2. That isn’t anything to get excited about. On the other hand, Chinchou on Nov. 9 with the double transfer candy bonus will be better. The bonus is good and the Angler Pokemon can also be shiny.
It’s no turkey but Vullaby will be the November Research Breakthrough. It’s a great pickup if players are building a Go Battle League team. Unfortunately, it won’t be shiny unless the Diapered Pokemon has the debut of its variant during the Festival of Lights or the mystery event coming at the end of the Season of Mischief from Nov. 26 to Nov. 29.
Those are the big wild cards for November. The Festival of Lights runs from Nov. 5 to 14, and it’s a time to celebrate light overcoming the darkness, according to Niantic.
The Dia de Muertos event occurs at the same time as the holiday on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. The two-day event features 90-minute incense and lures and a collection challenge that includes Shedinja and other items as rewards, according to the Silph Road subreddit.
When it comes to wild encounters, players will see Cubone, Sunkern, Murkrow, Houndour Sableye, Roselia, Drifloon and Yamask. All these Pokemon can be shiny. The only one in the event that isn’t is Sunflora. The same Pokemon will be attracted to Incense and Lures with Alolan Marowak added to the mix. Lastly, the event has gifts for players in the form of a free Dia de Muertos T-shirt for avatars and an event box that contains 20 Poke ball and Incense.
THE STATE OF RAIDS
The big disappointments are the raids this month as no new Pokemon are being introduced at the five-star level. Darkrai will be around until Nov. 5. From there, the Swords of Justice trio take the center stage. They’ll appear from 10 a.m. Nov. 5 to 10 a.m. Nov. 16. The big difference this time around is that Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion will know the Charged Attack Sacred Sword. It’s a great move that will slightly change the meta making Terrakion and Virizion more viable in Go Battle League. The only thing holding both Pokemon back are their Fast Moves.
Cresselia wraps up the month and will be around from 10 a.m. Nov. 16 to 10 a.m. Dec. 1. It’s a strong Pokemon in Great League, but unfortunately, the raids will give players Lunar Pokemon that will be viable in Ultra League, where it’s equally as good. Players should put the legacy move Grass Knot into its arsenal via Elite Charged TM. One of the benefits of these raid Pokemon is that they can all be shiny. There’ll be an incentive to catch a variant if trainers don’t have one already.
