Pokémon GO Tour Pass: Unveiling the Free In-Game Progression

The Pokémon GO Tour Pass: A Free and Paid Option Explained

With Niantic's frequent introduction of in-game tickets and passes, cost is often the first question on players' minds. The new Pokémon GO Tour Pass, however, offers a surprising twist: a free option! But what exactly does this pass entail?

Understanding the Pokémon GO Tour Pass

Debuting with the Pokémon GO Tour: Unova global event, the Tour Pass introduces a points-based system. Players earn Tour Points by completing various in-game tasks, unlocking rewards, increasing rank, and boosting 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 version, the Tour Pass Deluxe, is also available for $14.99 USD (or local equivalent). This offers an immediate Victini encounter, enhanced rewards, and faster progression through the Tour Pass tiers.

Earning and Utilizing Tour Points

Tour Points are earned via familiar in-game activities such as catching Pokémon, participating in raids, and hatching eggs. Daily Pass Tasks provide additional points.

Accumulated Tour Points unlock rewards, increase rank within the Tour Pass tiers, and enhance event bonuses. Higher ranks unlock more rewards, including Pokémon encounters, Candy, Poké Balls, and more. A significant benefit is the increased 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 hasn't revealed all rewards, the free Tour Pass culminates in a Zorua encounter with a unique background. The Tour Pass Deluxe offers a different top-tier reward: the Lucky Trinket.

Decoding the Lucky Trinket

Exclusive to the Tour Pass Deluxe, the Lucky Trinket is a single-use item that transforms a friend into a Lucky Friend. This allows a Lucky Pokémon trade without requiring Best Friend status (though Great Friend status is necessary to use the item). Note that Lucky Trinkets obtained during GO Tour: Unova expire on March 9, 2025.

Pokémon GO is available now.