Pokemon Go Tour: Unova brings Black Kyurem and White Kyurem into the game

Niantic is bringing its Pokemon Go Tour even to the Rose Bowl again, and the event that celebrates all Unova pocket monsters is introducing two new variations that haven’t been seen in the mobile game before.

Those attending Pokemon Go Tour: Unova in Los Angeles will have the opportunity to catch Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. These special legendary Pokemon first appeared in “Pokemon Black 2” and “Pokemon White 2” on the Nintendo DS and were created using DNA splicers on the two mascots of the previous titles Zekrom and Reshiram.

In “Pokemon Go,” trainers can form the Pokemon by conquering five-star raids, featuring Black Kyurem or White Kyurem. That gives players a chance to capture Kyurem and later fuse the creature. It sounds as though the process will work similarly to Necrozma’s fusion from last summer’s Pokemon Go Fest. Players earn Volt Fusion Energy or Blaze Fusion Energy when completing the raid, and when they gather 1,000 fusion energy and have 30 Kyurem and 30 Zekrom or Reshiram candies, they can start the Absofusion process. (Yeah, this is all Pokemon terminology.)

The resulting Black Kyurem and White Kyurem will also have new attacks as long as the Kyurem knows the Charge attack Glaciate. If players’ Kyurem doesn’t know it, they can always use an Elite TM to give them the move. Black Kyurem learns Freeze Shock while White Kyurem has Ice Burn.

Players at the in-person events should go hard on those five-star raids to amass enough Fusion Energy to create one of each, and if they’re lucky enough to catch shiny Kyurem, that’s even better. Zekrom and Reshiram will also be available in five-star raids if you’re missing the shiny variants of those legendaries. If it works similarly to Necrozma, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem stats and shiny appearance will be determined by Kyurem.

SHINY DEBUTSPokemon Go Tour: Unova will also feature several debut shinies during the event and the most sought-after ones will be in the 10km eggs. Players should concentrate on hatching them to have a chance at shiny regional Pokemon such as Bouffalant, Sigilyph and Maractus.

The other shiny debuts will be Deerling and Red and Blue Basculin. Both will be available in Field Research while Deerling will also be appearing in different habitats during the event. Meanwhile, the Basculins can be obtained by doing Routes around Los Angeles. Unfortunately, Routes aren’t available at the Rose Bowl and the golf course area, so players will have to do it on their own time in the three-day event.

Lastly, Shiny Meloetta will be the prize at the end of the Masterwork Research. The variant is part of the event and will be available to all ticket holders, but don’t expect to get it immediately. Masterwork Research usually takes weeks if not months to finish.

OTHER SPECIAL PERKSAs with other in-person events, Niantic is offering a special background highlighting Los Angeles. It’s another collectible players can keep or share with friends. Unowns U, N, O, V and A will also be available to catch at the event and they will have a chance to be shiny. Along with that, players have 12 photo encounters for costumed Pikachu wearing a Hilbert’s or Hilda’s hat or Nate’s visor. Those can also be shiny.

Players will also have a chance to catch Incarnate Formes of Tornadus, Thundrus and Landorus. Players encounter them via a Timed Research experiences based on trivia. Players should make this a priority because it only lasts through the ticketed window of the event and then goes away.

Similar to last year, Niantic has strewn special enigma Poke Stops through Los Angeles, but this year, there’s an added benefit. If trainers spin them from Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, they can grab a special Field Research that will reward them with a special background Pokemon tied to the event. It’s worth doing especially if players don’t have Sigilyph. That’s a regional Pokemon is available in the spawn pool. Those enigma stops should be appearing in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas already, but again, they won’t be doling out those special tasks until the event.

Lastly, Niantic is giving nod to a special mode from the original “Pokemon Black” and “Pokemon White” games with special event PokeStops at the LA Metro stations. They feature Team Go Rocket grunts that have shadow Unova Pokemon such as Roggenrolla and Litwick. It’s reminiscent of the Battle Subway from the main series games.