The Pokémon GO Tour Pass: A Free and Deluxe Option Explained
With Niantic's frequent introduction of in-game tickets and passes, a common question among Pokémon GO players is always "How much will this cost?" The recent unveiling of the Pokémon GO Tour Pass surprised many with its free availability, but what exactly does it offer?
Understanding the Pokémon GO Tour Pass
Debuting with the Pokémon GO Tour: Unova global event, the Tour Pass introduces a new system of earning Tour Points through various in-game activities. These points unlock rewards, boost your rank, and enhance event bonuses throughout the Unova event.
The standard Tour Pass is free and automatically granted to players upon the event's commencement on February 24th at 10 AM local time. A paid option, the Tour Pass Deluxe, is also available for $14.99 USD (or local equivalent). This provides an immediate encounter with Victini, along with upgraded rewards and faster progression through the Tour Pass tiers.
Earning and Utilizing Tour Points
Tour Points are accumulated by completing in-game tasks, reminiscent of familiar research tasks. These include catching Pokémon, participating in raids, hatching eggs, and completing daily Pass Tasks.
Accumulated Tour Points unlock rewards, increase your rank within the Tour Pass tier system, and unlock various prizes such as Pokémon encounters, Candy, Poké Balls, and more. Higher ranks also increase your Catch XP bonus during the Pokémon GO Tour: Unova event:
- 1.5x Catch XP at Tier 2
- 2x Catch XP at Tier 3
- 3x Catch XP at Tier 4
While Niantic remains tight-lipped on some rewards, promising further details, the free Tour Pass culminates in a Zorua encounter with a unique background. The paid Tour Pass Deluxe offers a different final reward: the Lucky Trinket.
Decoding the Lucky Trinket
Exclusive to the Tour Pass Deluxe, the Lucky Trinket is a one-time-use item that transforms a friend into a Lucky Friend. This allows for a Lucky Pokémon trade without requiring Best Friend status, although Great Friend status is necessary to use the item. Note that Lucky Trinkets obtained during the Pokémon GO Tour: Unova expire on March 9, 2025.
Pokémon GO is available now.
