How virtual habitats work for Pokémon Go Fest 2020

Pokémon Go Fest 2020 will be happening from July 25 to the 26 and will have a variety of new features. The most notable one is that it will be held virtually around the world. Previously, trainers would arrive at a physical location to meet other Pokémon Go trainers and engage in local, time-based activities. However, due to COVID-19, developer Niantic wanted to ensure everyone had a chance to participate through a virtual experience. To make the event even more unique, it’s introducing virtual habitats.

Virtual habitats will have exclusive Pokémon available during different timetables for the Pokémon Go Fest. During physical Pokémon Go Fest events, the Niantic team had built iconic regions that reflected the type of Pokémon that were available in that area. These virtual habitats will work in a similar concept, except that instead of visiting these locations, there will be specific timetables for when these virtual habitats will become available to Pokémon Go players who have a ticket.

There will be five different virtual habitats available during the event:

• Fire
• Water
• Grass
• Battle
• Friendship

These will be on July 25, the Saturday of the event, and these habitats will be rotating every hour. 75 unique Pokémon will be exclusively available at the event, spread out amongst these five virtual habitats.

These rotating habitats will have global challenges attached to them. For example, during the Fire-type virtual habitat, all trainers may need to capture a certain number of Fire-type Pokémon before the timer runs out or gifts during the Friendship virtual habitat. Once players reach the quota, a special bonus unlocks of the remainder of the hour. The quicker everyone opens them, the longer these bonuses remain active.

You will want to make sure you double-check what habitat is currently active and what Global Challenge you need to complete during Pokémon Go Fest 2020. Because everything is only available for an hour, you need to act fast and work with your friends to receive the most benefits.