Pokémon GO's New Free Progression Tour Pass Unveiled

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

With Niantic's frequent introduction of in-game tickets and passes, the 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 it 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 their rank, and enhancing event bonuses throughout the Unova event.

The standard Tour Pass is free, automatically granted to players upon the event's commencement on February 24th at 10 AM local time. A premium version, the Tour Pass Deluxe, is also available for $14.99 USD (or local equivalent). This paid version offers an immediate encounter with Victini, alongside upgraded rewards and accelerated progression through the Tour Pass tiers.

Earning and Utilizing Tour Points

Tour Points are accumulated through familiar in-game activities, such as catching Pokémon, participating in raids, and hatching eggs. Dedicated Pass Tasks, refreshed daily during the GO Tour, provide additional point-earning opportunities.

Accumulated Tour Points unlock rewards, ranging from items and Pokémon encounters to candy and Poké Balls. Tier progression unlocks further rewards and boosts the Catch XP bonus during Pokémon GO Tour: Unova. These bonuses scale with tier:

• 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 all rewards, the free Tour Pass culminates in a Zorua encounter with a unique background. The paid Tour Pass Deluxe offers a distinct 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 Lucky Pokémon trades without requiring Best Friend status, although Great Friend status is necessary to utilize the Trinket. Note that Lucky Trinkets obtained during GO Tour: Unova expire on March 9, 2025.

Pokémon GO is available now.