Right, So 'Completely Normal' Means Anything But, Eh? Diving into Pokémon Go's Latest Shenanigans
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Niantic's latest Pokémon Go event is ironically dubbed 'Completely Normal,' but it's anything but, bringing the long-awaited Dudunsparce evolution (and its elusive three-segment form!) along with some sweet bonuses for the player base, even if that premium research ticket isn't quite the magical artifact it claims to be.
Alright mates, gather 'round, because Niantic's just dropped an event in Pokémon Go that they're calling 'Completely Normal.' And you know what that means, right? Absolutely nothing of the sort. It's like calling a wizard's potion a 'mild refreshment' when you know full well it's about to turn you into a newt. But hey, it’s all good fun, because this particular flavour of 'normal' brings with it a few interesting twists, not least of which is the long-awaited debut of Dudunsparce. Yes, the magnificent evolution of our beloved, long-necked enigma, Dunsparce, is finally here, and it’s stirring up the usual blend of excitement and a touch of existential dread for our Pokémon storage.
Now, let’s talk about the star of the show, Dudunsparce. For those of us who’ve been hoarding Dunsparce like a digital dragon hoards shiny coins, the moment has arrived. You just need 50 Dunsparce Candy to evolve one of your slithery pals. Sounds easy enough, right? Here’s the kicker, though: Dudunsparce can come in a rare three-segment form, a bit like finding a golden snitch amongst a flock of pigeons. Now, word on the street is that the chances of snagging one of these multi-segmented marvels are 'quite low.' So, while you can load up on candy during the event – and trust me, you’ll want to – prepare for a fair few two-segment Dudunsparce before you even sniff a three-segment one. It’s like trying to perfectly land a spell; sometimes you get a spark, sometimes you accidentally turn your neighbour’s cat into a teacup.
Beyond our new segmented friend, this 'Completely Normal' shindig, running from September 23rd to 27th, throws a few other rather nice bits into the mix. For the first time since last year, Ditto’s disguises are getting a shake-up. If you’re a fan of those tricky transformations, keep your eyes peeled! Plus, Niantic's being rather generous with the event bonuses: we're talking double candy for catching 'mon, double XP for evolving 'em, and an increased chance to find a shiny Dunsparce (which, let's be fair, would look quite spiffy in its shiny form) and, of course, more wild Dittos. It’s a good shout for anyone looking to power up their squads or just stock up on resources. Basically, it's a solid week to be out and about, catching everything that moves – and some things that don't quite look like they should be moving, if you catch my drift.
Now, every event worth its salt seems to come with an optional extra these days, and the 'Completely Normal' event is no exception. For a princely sum of $1.99, you can snag the 'Exceptionally Normal' premium Timed Research ticket. And honestly, mate, I reckon that's spot on: it's 'not really' worth buying 'unless you want some guaranteed Dunsparce spawns.' The tasks – catch 10 Pokémon, use 5 berries, spin 2 PokéStops, evolve 2 Pokémon – all reward you with more Dunsparce encounters. Plus you get 5,000 XP and two Lucky Eggs. If you’re desperate for more Dunsparce or just want some easy XP boosts, maybe. But for most of us, who are just looking to enjoy the event without dipping into our digital coin purse, it feels a bit like paying for a map to a treasure you could probably stumble upon yourself with a bit of exploration. It's not a rip-off, per se, but it's certainly not the 'must-buy' item of the season.
Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Pokémon Go event without some Collection Challenges to keep us busy, would it? We've got the 'Very Normal,' 'Fairly Normal,' and 'Quite Normal' challenges, each designed to get you catching and evolving specific 'mon like Dunsparce, Buneary (and its evolution Lopunny), and Pidgey (all the way up to Pidgeot). The rewards are decent too – some XP, Lure Modules, and more Dunsparce encounters. And while you're spinning those PokéStops, keep an eye out for the event-exclusive Field Research tasks. You might find yourself catching 5 Normal-type Pokémon for an encounter with a Lickitung, Dunsparce, or Miltank, or trying your hand at 5 great curveball throws in a row for a Spinda encounter. It's all fairly standard event fare, which, given the event's name, is rather fitting, isn't it? These are the bread-and-butter tasks that keep the grind feeling fresh, without requiring any complex incantations or portal-hopping.
Finally, let's chat about what you'll be seeing more of out in the wild. Niantic has cranked up the spawn rates for Ditto, Sentret, Dunsparce (naturally, with its shiny chance boosted), Buneary, and Audino. Players have also reported seeing more Teddiursa, Whismur, Slakoth, and Pidgey popping up. So, if you're chasing any of these for your Pokedex, candy, or just a good old shiny hunt, this is your window. All in all, the 'Completely Normal' event, despite its name, seems like a pretty solid, well, *normal* event for Pokémon Go. It gives us a new evolution to chase (and grind for, if you want that elusive three-segment Dudunsparce), boosts some useful resources, and provides the usual array of challenges. It might not blow a hole through reality like some grand, world-shaking event, but sometimes, a bit of reliable, 'completely normal' fun is exactly what the digital doctor ordered. Now go forth, trainers, and may your Dunsparce evolve into something truly magnificent (and maybe multi-segmented!).
Tags: Pokemon Go, Mobile Gaming, Event Guide, Dudunsparce, Niantic
Original article: Polygon