Niantic’s controversial Pokémon GO April Community Day
A new Pokémon debuts, but the times are changing
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So, this is a big one. Niantic has yet again pissed people off with the announcement of April 2022’s Pokémon GO Community Day, but there’s some good news in there, too.
On the one hand, a brand-new Pokémon to the ever-increasing PoGO dex makes its debut as part of April’s Pokémon GO Community Day, something which hasn’t happened since the early days of the monthly, species-specific event. However, this was probably a decision made to soften the blow of the second Community Day announcement – it’s dropping back down to three hours.
April Community Day – Stufful make its Pokémon GO debut
So let us start with the good news. The Pokémon in the spotlight for April’s Community Day is Stufful, a Gen VII Alolan Pokémon which hasn’t yet been released to Pokémon GO, and will make its first appearance on Community Day. The main reason for Stufful being released now is that it is one of the Alolan Pokémon still missing from the mobile game, most of which are being rolled out between March and June, 2022, as part of the Season of Alola.
This is great news. A new Pokémon being the focus of a Community Day hasn’t happened since the early days of the event, and long-term players have often got countless [Community Day Pokémon here] over in the PC, boxes, Willow’s lab or the pastures. (Or wherever else you believe Pokémon GO once they’re transferred to Professor Willow.) They may even have a shiny or two to boot, depending on the availability of said Pokémon’s rare color-variant. Instead, everyone will be going into April’s Community Day in the same position, not a Stufful or a Stufful Candy in their storage, and full of excitement for this new Pokémon to appear on their screen. Which is what makes this next part so surprising…
April’s Pokémon GO Community Day is only three hours long
Yep, they’ve gone back to the old days with this one. During the global pandemic, Niantic increased the length of the monthly Community Day from three to six hours. I can’t remember their reasoning at the time, but it was among a bunch of changes to help Trainers in lockdown get out and about while also keeping distance from others. But they’re not using that as the reason for bringing the time back down. Instead, the decision is apparently because research has shown that only 5% of Trainers stay out longer than three hours during a Community Day. But many people think they’re missing the point.
While Trainers might not spend more than three of the six hours out and about, many love the options it gives them – especially those that work on a weekend. With the event being restricted to the old three-hour window, many will miss out completely. Add to that the fact that you need a whopping 400 Candies to evolve Stufful, and the decision to do this now becomes even more laughable. Players that might only be able to get out on a quick lunch break – if at all – will still need to catch 67 Stufful (34 with Pinap Berries) to evolve one. But that is less than it could have been thanks to a double Catch Candy bonus on the day.
So who is Stufful and what is its evolution?
Having said all of that, we’re still very much looking forward to Stufful’s Community Day. Stufful is an adorable Pokémon which franchise fans may remember fondly from the Sun & Moon games or the Sun & Moon anime, in which its evolution, Bewear, plays a major role.
Known as the Flailing Pokémon, Stufful is a fluffy Normal and Fighting-type. While not a particularly strong Pokémon itself, Stufful evolves just once, into the fairly strong Bewear, also a Normal and Fighting-type. Bewear, the Strong Arm Pokémon, shows its strength by being a far better attacker than it is in defence, and – according to its Pokémon Sword Pokédex entry, could easily shatter your bones with one of its friendly hugs.
Bewear’s Community Day-exclusive move — Drain Punch
While – with enough Candies – Stufful can be evolved into Bewear at any time, for the duration of Community Day and two hours afterwards (7pm local time), Bewear will learn the event-exclusive Charged Attack Drain Punch. This will be the first time Drain Punch has been available in Pokémon GO. Bewear’s exclusive move packs a punch with 50 Atk Damage in Gym Battles and Raids, and does 20 Atk Damage in Trainer Battles, while also increasing the user’s Defense.
Other Pokémon GO Community Day bonuses
We’ve already mentioned that, thankfully, there is a double Catch Candy bonus on April’s Community Day, probably to make up for those 400 Candies needed to evolve Stufful into Bewear. This means that, with a Pinap Berry, you could earn up to 12 Stufful Candies with each encounter.
Players will also benefit from three times the Catch XP, so you’ll be able to level up much faster during April Community Day – especially if you use a Lucky Egg at the right times.
Other bonuses
- Twice the chance of receiving Stufful XL Candy from catches
- Lure Modules activated during the event will last three hours – full event duration
- Incense activated during the event will last three hours – full event duration
- Additional Stufful will appear in snapshots during the event
- One extra Special Trade can be made during the event and up to two hours after
- Trades made during the event and up to two hours after will cost 50% less Stardust
Group Play Bonuses
A new bonus has been added for April’s Community Day, in which players must work together to activate XP bonuses. This works by players catching Pokémon from a Lure. If enough Pokémon are caught from that Lure, the three-times XP bonus will increase to four-times the XP for a 30-minute period.
Plus, there will be the usual Community Day box in the in-game Shop for those with enough Pokécoins, and new Stufful-themed stickers from Pokéstops and the shop.
Pokémon GO Community Day meetups
Following a successful launch in March 2022, Community Day meetups are back, and there’s more than ever. Take a look at our guide to the April Community Day meetup locations to find out more about where the meetups are taking place, and where trainers can get boosted Pokéstop rewards.
April Pokémon GO Community Day Research Story: Strong Stuff
As usual, there will be a Community Day-themed Research Story available to play during the event, for which a ticket must be purchased. For $1 (or your local equivalent), you will get access to the Special Research, during which you will be able to encounter additional Stufful – which have the chance to be shiny – as well as other rewards.
Niantic’s Earth Day commitment on Community Day
Finally, to celebrate Earth Day, which takes place the day before Community Day on April 22, 2022, Niantic have pledged to plant a tree for every Trainer who adventures five kilometers or more on Stufful Community Day, capped at a cost of US$100,000. So what better excuse to lace up your comfiest walking shoes and get out there!
When is Pokémon GO’s April Community Day?
The Stufful Community Day will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2022, between 2pm and 5pm local time.
Phew! That’s about it, but it’s a lot this time. We hope you are able to attend April’s exciting Community Day, at least for some of it, and earn enough Candies to get your own Bewear. Remember those Pinap Berries, as they’ll be more crucial than ever! While you wait for Stufful and Bewear’s Pokémon GO debut, don’t forget about little Fomantis and its evolution Lurantis, currently making their own debut as part of the Pokémon GO Lush Jungle event.
