What is in the latest Pokemon Go update? From new monsters to evolution items and events – here’s all you need to know
We've got the skinny on what's new in the smash hit game, which has just received a massive overhaul
THE latest Pokemon Go update might not be the major release we were hoping for, but it contains some seriously juicy gossip that hints at things to come.
While we blub over the annoying GPS Drift fix, there's evidence below the surface for a major Pokemon Go update soon.
The Pokemon Go v0.53.1 update might not be the biggest to date, offering users little more than "minor fixes".
However, thanks to the clever folks over at who have delved into the tech code that powers the app and there's plenty to suggest that the Generation 2 Pokemon are on the way.
Yes, that's right, we could soon see fan favourites like Umbreon, Ampharos and Blissey along with the starter Pokemon Chikorita, Totdile and Cyndaquil arrive in the game.
The Generation 2 baby Pokemon like Togepi and Pichu are already available in the app by hatching eggs, but we're more than ready to see other Generation 2 Pokemon roaming the streets near our house.
So here's everything creator Niantic wants and doesn't want you to know about the all the features added by latest Pokemon Go update.
A major GPS Drift fix
Okay, so the big visible update for Pokemon Go players is the fix to the GPS Drift. As we explained in full in our news story on the subject, GPS drift is where the satellites that track your real-world location can't quite find you, causing your little mini-me to wobble about on the screen.
Such wobbles were a happy circumstance for users though, as they could slowly accrue step counts without having to move a muscle - quite the useful trick especially when it's so chilly outside.
But Niantic has put the breaks on such a mini hack, despite the fact that the step tracking in general is pretty flawed and inaccurate.
Related Stories
Eggs work better on Apple Watch
Anyone with a fancy Apple Watch strapped to their wrist while playing Pokemon Go will now be notified whenever they've collected an egg from a PokeStop.
It's been a small issue with the app on the Apple Watch since compatibility arrived in late December.
Brand new moves
Now the boring bits are out of the way, we can move onto the hidden features of the new Pokemon Go update as discovered by the dataminers.
The first is do with brand new Pokemon moves added to the back-end of the game, which may well mean a whole batch new monsters are on their way.
These are the first new moves added to the game since it was first launched back in July - apart from Ditto and its unique Transform move which were both added late last year.
There have actually been 32 new moves added to the app, which are as follows:
New Quick Moves
Counter
Powder Snow
Charge Beam
Volt Switch
Dragon Tail
Infestation
Struggle Bug
Astonish
Iron Tail
Fire Spin
Bullet Seed
Extrasensory
Air Slash
Hex
Snarl
New Charge Moves
Close Combat
Dynamic Punch
Focus Blast
Aurora Beam
Wild Charge
Zap Cannon
Avalanche
Brave Bird
Sky Attack
Sand Tomb
Rock Blast
Silver Wind
Night Shade
Gyro Ball
Heavy Slam
Overheat
Grass Knot
Energy Ball
Futuresight
Mirror Coat
Outrage
Crunch
Foul Play
All of these moves aparently have associated animations too, so prepare for an enslaught of new Gen 2 critters.
Brand new items and Evolution stones
Also supporting the idea of a whole load of Generation 2 Pokemon being added to Pokemon Go in the very near future is the mention of new item, particularly Evolution Stones.
For anyone not too familiar with the way some Pokemon evolve, some species only evolve into different forms when they're exposed to certain items.
For example, Pikachu will only evolve into Riachu when exposed to a Thunder Stone in the main game series, although it can be done with candies in Pokemon Go.
However, in the code with the latest Pokemon Go update, the following Evolution Stones and items are mentioned specifically by name:
- Sun Stone
- King's Rock
- Metal Coat
- Dragon Scale
- Upgrade
Gloom from Generation 1 actually evolves into the cute Bellossom when exposed to a Sun Stone in Generation 2, so that could be one of the familiar faces coming to Pokemon Go soon.
As for the King's Rock, that's used in Generation 2 to make Poliwhirl evolve into Politoed and Slowpoke into Slowking, but both only when traded while holding the King's Rock.
Does that mean trading is FINALLY coming too? We can but hope.
Unowns inbound?
One of the stranger Pokemon species found in Generation 2 was the Unown.
This weird monster came in various forms, one for every letter of the alphabet and a few punctuation versions too.
Well, it looks like at least a few Unown forms are coming to Pokemon Go soon, including Unown A, Unown B, Unown C, Unown Z, Unown Question Mark and Unown Exclamation Point.
It could well be that Pokemon Go's Pokedex is about to get a lot busier.
Even better character customisation
Okay, so these next two aren't to do with the arrival of new Pokemon, but they could be interesting additions if they arrive in the next major update.
Firstly, you've got even better character customisation. Currently you can only change the colour of your hat, top, trousers and shoes in the game.
But it looks like you'll soon be able to add in belts, glasses, necklaces and potentially more accessories too.
Official news
It also looks like there's going to be a special news section added to the Pokemon Go menu, which should bring you all the latest Niantic blog posts straight to your phone.
That means all the details about any upcoming events and more, without having to leave the app.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a hot tip for The Sun Online gaming news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368