Weekend Download: February 12

1. Who Let The Dogs Out?

In celebration of the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dog, Niantic threw a two-day mini-event. Dog-like Pokémon spawned with increased rates an gave triple Stardust. The event also introduced the Shiny variants of Poochyena and Mightyena.

2. Lots of Love From Luvdisc

In celebration of Valentine's Day, Niantic held a mini-event. Chansey and Luvdisc spawned with increased rates an gave triple Stardust. The event also introduced Shiny Luvdisc.

The event was intended to be two days long, but was extended due to server issues. Additionally, we ran a poll to determine how many people got a Shiny Luvdisc.
  - NONE: 70%
  - ONE: 14%
  - 2-5: 12%
  - 5+: 4%

3. Go On a Safari in Taiwan

Niantic has announced the latest Pokémon GO Safari Zone. The event will be a part of the Chiayi Lantern Festival in Taiwan. The Safari Zone is from February 26 to March 3.
SOURCE: Niantic

4. Lugia Returns to the big screen

A leak in a credible, Japanese magazine has revealed some very significant information about the upcoming Pokémon movie. We don't have all the details yet, but it has set off a storm of speculation.

The magazine confirms that Lugia will play some role in the upcoming, twenty-second movie. This was already being speculated on by fans after hearing some music and seeing a Lugia-like shadow in a trailer. We'll bring you more details over the next couple of months as we learn more.

CONTEXT: Lugia's upcoming appearance will be the third time this fan-favorite Pokémon has appeared in a Pokémon movie. It first appeared in Pokémon the Movie: 2000, and was also featured recently in Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages.
SOURCE / IMAGE CREDIT: CoroCoro Magazine, via Serebii.net

5. More Figures come to Pokemon Duel

New figures have been added to Pokémon Duel. They are the following:
  - Mega Altaria (UX)
  - Mega Sableye (UX)
  - Guzzlord
  - Altaria (EX)
  - Zoroark (EX)
  - Shiinotic (R)
  - Zorua (R)
  - Swablu (UC)
- Morelull (UC)

Additionally, some Pokémon have had their battle wheels or Ability altered. They are Incineroar, Greninja, Sneasel, and Hydreigon.
SOURCE: Serebii.net

6. Quest code removed!

Niantic has removed the recently-added coding for quests with their latest update to Pokémon GO. This could mean a variety of things. Niantic could be scrapping the idea, they used an old set of code for the update, or are hiding the code out of their signature secrecy for the upcoming update.
SOURCE: The Silph Road Reddit

7. Prepare for trouble, and make it double!

Niantic has introduced new avatar clothing into Pokémon GO. The first set is based off of the outfits of Team Rocket from Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal. The second set is based off of the outfits of Team Rainbow Rocket from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon.
SOURCE: Niantic

8. Deluge of Draco Meteors On Community Day

Niantic has announced that the upcoming Community Day's exclusive move will be Draco Meteor. This time, though, things will work differently.

Firstly, the move won't be given to Dratini (the featured Pokémon). Instead, it will be given to Dragonite. This change will make the move actually worth something, and give Dragonite a useful, meta-relavent move.

Secondly, the move will only be able to given to a Dragonite based on evolution. Technical Machines (TMs) will not be able to teach an old Dragonite the move Draco Meteor.

As a reminder, the next Community Day is for three hours on February 24. Timeframe will vary based on local timezones.
SOURCE: Niantic

9. Weekend Trivia

This Pokémon's unique head ornament symbolizes its kingship. The larger it is, the more respect it earns from its "subjects." Who's that Pokémon: Slowking, Kingler, Nidoking, or Politoed?

Voters were in favor of Slowking. Surprisingly, the correct answer is Politoed. The curly hair on its head is its own version of a crown.
SOURCE: Pokédex, pokemon.com

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