Analysis: Here’s what to catch for the ‘Pokemon Go’ Winter Holiday event

While the first half of the month belonged to dragons, Niantic is getting into the holiday spirit in the second half of December.

“Pokemon Go” Winter Holiday runs from 10 a.m. Dec. 16 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31 and comes in two parts. The first half runs until 10 a.m. Dec. 23 and is all about costumes as players will discover Piakchu, Delibird, Stantler, Spheal, Cubchoo and Glaceon dressed up for winter. Of those creatures, Spheal and Glaceon are new this year.

The costumed Pokemon will be good to add to a player’s collection, but the most coveted pocket monsters will be shiny variants with costumes. Because of their limited run, they’re some of the most desirable.

In addition to the dressed up Pokemon, players will find the following in the wild:
Swinub (shiny available)
Snorunt (shiny available)
Snover (shiny available)
Alolan Sandshrew (shiny available)
Vanillite
Cryogonal

I would concentrate on catching Pokemon such as Swinub, Snorunt, Snover and Alolan Sandshrew because they can be useful in Go Battle League. Swinub’s final evolution Mamoswine is great for raids and gyms. It’s also serviceable in Master League. Female Snorunt can evolve into Froslass, a strong Pokemon in Great League. Snover and Alolan Sandshrew’s final evolutions, Abomasnow and Alolan Sandslash, respectively, have niche roles in Go Battle League, but they’re effective in some formats.

The raid situation will be dominated by Kyurem, which will have its shiny variant availabl in five-star raids. The three-star category will be tempting to collectors because Holiday Stantler, Holiday Delibird and Holiday Glaceon will be appearing in those battles and they have a chance to be shiny.

If players don’t want to spend money in raids, they can look to event Field Research Tasks for encounters with some Pokemon. Players will find a costumed Pikachu, Alolan Vulpix, Holiday Stantler, Holiday Spheal and Holiday Cubchoo, all of which can be shiny.

PART 2 IS ALL ABOUT DEBUTS
Running from 10 a.m. Dec. 23 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31, the second half of the “Pokemon Go” Winter Holiday event is more exciting because it features the debut of Bergmite, Avalugg and shiny Galarian Darumaka. Avalugg has some potential in PvP with decent stats for Great and Ultra leagues with high defense and decent stamina and attack. Its move set is also interesting with Body Slam, Avalanche, Crunch and Earthquake being among its Charged Moves. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the best Fast Moves with Bite and Ice Fang but it could be spicy pick for a team.

The most sought-after shiny will be Galarian Darumaka, which is making its debut. It is found in one-star raids, Field Research tasks and 7km eggs. Other than that, the second-half event raids are almost the same save for Alolan Vulpix replacing Alolan Sandshrew in one-star raids and Lapras taking over Cloyster’s spot in three-star raids. In this part of the event, Mega Abomasnow replaces Mega Steelix.

If players are looking for Bergmite, they can find the Ice Chunk Pokemon in the wild or in 7km eggs along with Swinub, Holiday Cubchoo, Smoochum (shiny available) and Cryogonal. Bergmite cannot be shiny.

As for event Field Research tasks, the reward encounters are mostly the same excelpt Alolan Sandshrew replaces Aoloan Vulix and Galarian Darumaka takes over for Cryogonal in certain quests.

The other big encounter for Part 2 is Galarian Mr. Mime. Previously offered in a ticketed special quest, this Pokemon will be part of a Timed Research. They will be the reward for two research lines. Speaking of quests, players will have Collection Task as part of a mini-event during the Christmas weekend. It also gives trainers a Galarian Mr. Mime while the event bumps up the trade distance to 40km.

If you’re looking for a shiny Holiday Delibird, the mini-event is the time to do Field Research tasks because special ones during the weekend give out encounters for the Delivery Pokemon.

For the overall bonus of the event, players will find that they can open up to 45 gifts per day and hold up to 40 gifts. If players are looking to level up their friendship levels, the last two weeks of the year is the time to do it. Team Go Rocket Grunts will also have more Water- and Ice-type Pokemon.

The other trimmings for the event are disappointing. The festive Bundles this year are not as good compared to past years. The one good bonus from Part 2 of the holiday is that players will receive an Egg Incubator by spinning a Pokestop each day. That’s a blessing if players are trying to hatch something a 7km egg.