Piplup's Grand Encore: Is Pokémon Go's Community Day Classic a Blast from the Past or a Future Win?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Pokémon Go is bringing back Piplup for a Community Day Classic on January 4th, offering increased shiny rates and the exclusive Hydro Cannon move for Empoleon. While Empoleon is a decent PvE option, it truly shines as a 'very good pick' in PvP Great and Ultra Leagues, making this a prime opportunity for trainers to snag a powerful new addition.
Right then, gather 'round, folks! I've been tinkering with the latest whispers from the digital ether, and it seems the Pokémon Go universe is dusting off an old favourite for a special encore. We're talking about a Community Day Classic, and this time, the spotlight swings back to that undeniably dapper little penguin, Piplup!
You know that feeling when you cast a spell, and it works, but it's more of a 'been there, done that' sort of charm? That's kinda the vibe with a 'Classic' Community Day. It's not about brand-new discoveries or earth-shattering Pokémon debuts. Nah, this is for the trainers who perhaps missed out the first time, or those who, like me, are forever chasing that perfectly-rolled shiny or a flawless IV beast. It’s a chance for a do-over, a cosmic rewind, if you will, happening on **Sunday, January 4th, from 2-5 p.m. in your local time zone**.
Now, for those of us who get a genuine kick out of adding a splash of rare colour to our collections, the shiny hunt is, fair dinkum, the main event. Polygon's intel, which nods to some legendary number-crunching by the now-mythical (and sorely missed) Silph Road, suggests the shiny rate on these Community Days hovers around **1 in 24**. That's a pretty generous drop rate, isn't it? It means if you dedicate a decent chunk of those three hours to tapping away, you're practically guaranteed to stumble upon a few of these pastel-blue beauties.
Got a limited supply of Poké Balls, or perhaps your actual human legs are protesting after all that virtual wandering? My wizardly tip for the time-poor trainer is to pop an Incense – those things last the full three hours during the event, which is bloomin' handy – then just tap, tap, tap on every Piplup you see. If it's not shiny, simply run away (no harm done, mate!). The clever bit? Any Piplup you've already checked will face your player model, so you won't waste precious moments double-checking the same little critter. It's like having a mental map of your shiny hunt, but for Pokémon!
But what happens when our little Piplup grows up? When Prinplup finally dons its majestic, steel-type crown and becomes Empoleon? Well, if you evolve your Prinplup into Empoleon **from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. local time on January 4th**, it'll learn the charged move **Hydro Cannon**. This is absolutely crucial, folks. Hydro Cannon is Empoleon's signature, powerful Water-type attack, and if you miss this window, you'll either have to wait until a potential December Community Day recap event (no guarantees, mind you!) or shell out for an Elite Charged TM, which are rarer than a perfectly brewed potion in a dungeon crawl.
Now, let's talk about Empoleon's place in the grand scheme of things – the 'meta,' as the cool kids say. In PvE content – that's gyms and raids, for the uninitiated – Empoleon is… fine. It's perfectly serviceable, a solid performer, but honestly, it's not going to blow a hole through reality for you. Polygon points out it generally trails behind many other Water-type starters like Quaquaval, Primarina, Greninja, Swampert, Samurott, and Feraligatr. And let's not even mention the Mega Evolutions, like Mega Blastoise or Mega Swampert, which just operate on a different plane of existence entirely. If you've got those heavy-hitters, you'll probably use them. But if you're building out your roster and need a reliable Water attacker, an Empoleon with **Waterfall** and **Hydro Cannon** will certainly do the job. It's more of a trusty workhorse than a legendary dragon, if you catch my drift.
However, in the cutthroat world of PvP – player-versus-player battles – Empoleon really shines, particularly in the **Great and Ultra Leagues**. Its unique Water/Steel typing gives it some fantastic resistances and only a few weaknesses, making it a surprisingly resilient and versatile pick. Throw in a moveset of **Metal Sound** (for fast energy generation and potential debuffs), **Hydro Cannon** (for that brutal Water-type damage), and **Drill Peck** (for crucial Flying-type coverage against Grass and Fighting types that threaten its Steel side), and you've got yourself a proper contender. It's like finding a hidden rune that turns a decent spell into a game-changer – suddenly, it's very, very good.
To make the absolute most of this Piplup extravaganza, you'll want to stack up those bonuses like a mad wizard preparing for an epic quest. We're getting:
* **1/4 hatch distance** for eggs placed into Incubators during the event. This is fantastic! Pop those 10km eggs in, and watch them hatch in no time. It's practically free stardust and XP! * **Incense lasts three hours** – as mentioned, crucial for efficient shiny checking. * **Lure Modules last one hour** – perfect for setting up camp at a PokéStop and letting the Piplups come to you. Don't forget, these Lures will keep attracting Piplup (with the increased shiny rate!) until 9 p.m., even after the main event ends at 5 p.m. * **Piplup special photobombs** when taking snapshots – a nice little visual treat and often a free encounter with a potential shiny!
Seriously, don't skimp on those Incubators and Incense. It's the equivalent of having an extra mana potion during a boss fight. And for those of you who've mastered the arcane art of Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion, remember that Mega Evolving Blastoise, Slowbro, Gyarados, Swampert, or Sharpedo (or Primal Reverting Kyogre) will net you additional Piplup Candy per catch. More candy means more power-ups, more evolutions, and more chances at that perfect Empoleon. It’s all about optimising your magical returns, isn't it?
So, is Piplup's Community Day Classic a must-play? For shiny hunters, absolutely. For those needing a solid PvP Water/Steel contender, definitely. For everyone else, it’s a lovely, casual stroll down memory lane, a chance to stock up on candy, and perhaps snag a few more of those delightful penguins. It might not be a reality-bending, never-before-seen phenomenon, but sometimes, a familiar, well-executed spell is exactly what you need. Happy hunting, trainers! May your taps be fruitful and your shinies plentiful!
Tags: Pokémon Go, Community Day, Piplup, Empoleon, Shiny Hunt
Original article: Polygon