The Season of Legends begins in a few days in Pokémon GO, and Niantic has started outlining some features. Let’s take a look at the details of the Mega Raid rotations coming in March, including a brand new Mega Evolved Pokémon and two new Mega-centric bonus hours being tested for the first time.
Niantic announces the Mega Raid slate of March 2021 on the official Pokémon GO blog:
Mega Blastoise, Mega Pidgeot and Mega Ampharos will be presented from Monday 1 March 2021 at 08:00 to Tuesday 16 March 2021 at 10:00 local time in Mega Raids.
So we lose Charizard and Venusaurus and we get Mega Pidgeot and Ampharos. Niantic is switching back and forth between the available Megas at a much higher speed than recently, which seems to be arousing more interest than their previous way of keeping these Pokémon in raids for a long time.
Mega Houndoom, Mega Abomasnow and a surprising Mega-Evolved Pokémon will appear from Tuesday 16 March 2021 in Mega Raids at 10:00 local time.
It’s interesting to note that this new surprise Pokémon is being introduced to raids on the day the Electric-type event ‘Charge Up’ starts in Pokémon GO. There’s no telling if this Mega Add-on is related, but if we assume it is, there are only two Mega Pokémon with electric types: Ampharos, which is already out, and Manectric. Stay tuned for confirmation, but my current theory is that Manectric will enter the Mega Raid cycle today.
Also stay tuned for dedicated, updated Raid Guides for all three of these.
Thursday 11 March 2021: Mega Bonus Hour: Candy – You earn more candy if you catch Pokémon that share a type with your active Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
Thursday 18 March 2021: Mega Raid Hour – Mega Raids take place more frequently.
This is the first time we’re seeing any megafocus hours in the game, so it’s fun. Just theorizing here, I believe it will eventually be mixed. Remember, the original Spotlight Hour tests offered Spotlight Pokémon and Thursday a Spotlight bonus. It feels very much like that.
Stay tuned for Bleeding Cool for more updates, co-coaches!