New Pokémon in 2024

The year 2024 has brought significant changes for Pokémon GO enthusiasts, introducing a wealth of exciting features like Dynamax and Gigantamax forms, the Go Wild Area, unique fusions, and diverse biomes.

However, let's focus on the essential element of the game: the new Pokémon. The primary goal has always been to catch them all!

So, how did 2024 stack up in terms of fresh pocket monsters? Did these newcomers shake up the existing meta?

Let’s delve into the details!

In 2024, the Pokémon community was introduced to the much-anticipated Lycanroc Dusk, alongside its shiny variant. However, this release came with its fair share of controversy.

To evolve Rockruff into its Dusk form, players were required to capture Rockruff specifically from the Lustrous Odyssey event. This restriction meant that all previously obtained Rockruff, including those with perfect stats (hundo/shundo), could only evolve into the Midday or Midnight forms.

The Dusk form of Lycanroc is not just rare in the main series games; it is also notable for being the Pokémon that helped Ash Ketchum secure the Alola championship title, breaking his long-standing streak without a win.

This decision sparked outrage among fans who were eager to access the Dusk form. The frustration was compounded by the fact that Rockruff was only available through eggs and raids, which felt particularly unfair to many players.

While none of the Lycanroc forms hold significant competitive value, the limited availability of a new Pokémon and its shiny variant left a disappointing impression at the beginning of the year.

In 2024, players were introduced to the intriguing Hisuian Typhlosion during a special raid day event.
However, its shiny version didn't create much excitement, as its visual differences from the standard form were minimal.
While the traditional Typhlosion excels in both the Great and Ultra Leagues, the Hisuian variant falls short, serving primarily as a Pokédex entry rather than a competitive choice.

Annihilape emerged as one of the most exciting new Pokémon in Pokémon GO throughout 2024.

As a Fighting/Ghost type evolution of Primeape, it made quite the impact on the game right from its debut, causing a stir in the competitive scene.

Upon entering the Great Battle League (GBL) meta, Annihilape quickly established its place across various PvP leagues until a significant nerf hit the move 'Counter' during the max out season.

Many players speculated that this would mark the decline of Annihilape’s dominance. However, November brought a pleasant surprise for both Annihilape and Primeape with the introduction of their unique move, Rage Fist.

What makes Rage Fist particularly intriguing is its low energy cost of just 35, coupled with a guaranteed attack boost of 1.25x upon usage.

This powerful combination led to a swift response from the developers, resulting in the dual destiny GBL update that initially nerfed this feature before ultimately retracting it.

Even after these changes, Annihilape has continued to thrive in GBL, solidifying its reputation as one of the standout newcomers of the year.

In 2024, the Pokémon franchise introduced its inaugural Steel/Poison type Pokémon, Vroom and Revavroom.

These unique Pokémon can be acquired through 12km eggs, which are earned by battling Team GO Rocket leaders.

Inspired by automobile engines, Vroom and Revavroom boast a striking and innovative design that stands out in any collection.

While they may be considered rare in terms of 12km egg hatches, their role in the competitive meta primarily serves as mere entries in the Pokédex rather than impactful players.

Drampa, the sole Pokémon combining Normal and Dragon types, can primarily be found in raids, with some availability through eggs in previous events.

This Pokémon boasts a stunning shiny form that many trainers strive to obtain. Its attack power is impressive, though its overall durability leaves something to be desired.

For Drampa to stand out in the competitive landscape, it requires an improvement in its moveset. Without this enhancement, it struggles to make a mark among the numerous Dragon types currently dominating the meta.

In January 2024, players were introduced to Hisuian Typhlosion, marking the start of a new wave of releases.

Following closely, on February 11, a raid day showcased Hisuian Decidueye.

While this new form boasts a unique shiny variant, it unfortunately does not hold a significant position in the current competitive landscape.

Overall, Decidueye appears to surpass Typhlosion in terms of usability.

On Valentine's Day in 2024, the introduction of Enamorus Incarnate took place, but it didn't garner much affection from the Pokémon community.

The main reason for this lukewarm reception was its limited accessibility, as it was exclusive to elite raids.

Additionally, the scheduling of the event and the lack of remote raid pass options made it quite difficult for many trainers to participate.

Despite these challenges, Enamorus Incarnate stands out as a formidable Fairy and Flying type attacker in PvE scenarios.

With an impressive attack stat of 281, it effectively utilizes the Fairy Wind and Dazzling Gleam combination.

Moreover, its significant resistance to Fighting-type moves makes Enamorus a valuable asset for any team focused on countering Fairy types.

In 2024, two significant Pokémon evolutions emerged: Dialga Origin and Palkia Origin.

Dialga Origin presents itself as a more robust variant of Dialga, featuring slightly lower attack stats but enhanced durability. The standout feature of this Titan is its unique move, Roar of Time. In player versus player (PvP) scenarios, Roar of Time functions similarly to Draco Meteor in terms of damage output, yet it lacks the detrimental self-attack debuff, positioning it as a beneficial alternative.

When it comes to player versus environment (PvE) battles, Dialga Origin faces limitations due to the Dragon Breath move. However, its Steel/Dragon typing grants it resistance against Dragon-type attacks, allowing it to endure longer in raid encounters.

Additionally, the Origin forms possess unique adventure effects tied to their signature moves. Roar of Time has the ability to pause timers for items like incense, lucky eggs, and star pieces for a duration of six minutes. Players can extend this time by using Dialga candy and stardust.

On the other hand, Palkia Origin is a clear enhancement over its predecessor, showcasing greater attack and bulk. Its signature move, Spacial Rend, is exceptionally powerful in both PvP and PvE contexts. Palkia Origin boasts the dual moves of Dragon Tail and Dragon Breath, offering versatility in battle.

In raids, Palkia Origin stands out as the top Dragon-type attacker, excluding Mega Evolutions and Shadow Pokémon.

As for its adventure effect, Spacial Rend alters space dynamics, increasing the distance at which wild Pokémon can be encountered for ten minutes. This timer can also be extended through the use of Palkia candy and stardust.

While these two Pokémon may catch your eye, their primary purpose right now is simply to complete your Pokédex.

They offer a unique charm, yet they don't bring significant gameplay advantages at this stage.

Collectors may find joy in adding them to their roster, but for competitive trainers, they might not offer the edge needed in battles.

In essence, they serve as charming additions to your collection, rather than game-changers.

In the Season of Wonders, trainers were introduced to the ultra beast Poipole through various research quests.

Although Poipole itself didn't provide significant advantages, anticipation grew among the community for its evolution, Naganadel.

Fans eagerly awaited the opportunity to evolve their Poipole, hoping for the enhanced capabilities that Naganadel would bring.

2024 Pokémon Highlights

In 2024, the Pokémon Horizons: The Series celebration introduced the Charcadet family, featuring notable Pokémon from the Scarlet and Violet titles.

Both Armarouge and Ceruledge boast impressive designs, yet their absence of key moves—Armor Cannon and Bitter Blade—means they fail to make a significant mark in the competitive scene.

Additionally, players expressed frustration as Charcadet is only obtainable through 10km eggs, limiting its availability.

In 2024, the introduction of Mega Heracross marked the debut of a new mega evolution.
This formidable Bug/Fighting type boasts an impressive Attack stat of 334.
Equipped with powerful moves like Counter and Close Combat, it establishes itself as a top contender in the PvE meta.
In terms of fighting capabilities, it stands out as the leading mega evolution following Mega Lucario and Blaziken.

In 2024, the Kanto region saw a revival with the launch of the Rediscover Kanto campaign.
This initiative introduced unique convergent species, showcasing Pokémon that share similar traits but belong to different species.
Among the highlights were Wiglett and Wugtrio, which made their presence felt predominantly in coastal areas.
These whimsical additions enriched the Pokédex, bringing fresh excitement to trainers exploring the beach biome.
Overall, they served as delightful new entries, enhancing the adventure without overwhelming the existing roster.

The year 2024 saw the arrival of the final set of Ultra Beasts, generating significant excitement among trainers.

One standout from this group is Naganadel, a Poison/Dragon type that often flies under the radar.

Despite not receiving much attention, Naganadel is a powerhouse in PvE scenarios, ranking as one of the top Poison-type attackers available.

Its Dragon typing provides valuable resistance against Grass-type attacks, making it an excellent choice for countering those threats.

While it may not shine in PvP battles and lacks viability as a Dragon-type, Naganadel remains an impressive option for PvE gameplay.

Then there's Blacephalon, a remarkable Pokémon that embodies the spirit of Pennywise, standing out as the top non-mega and non-shadow Fire-type, as well as the second strongest non-mega and non-shadow Ghost-type.

Simply put, Blacephalon is an essential addition to any trainer's roster!

On the other hand, Stakataka boasts an astonishing defense stat of 298.

Unfortunately, despite this impressive figure, it ranks low among Ultra Beasts in terms of utility.

Its Rock/Steel typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting and Ground-type moves, which are double weaknesses, along with a susceptibility to Water-type attacks.

Nonetheless, its eerie appearance with numerous eyes definitely adds to its character!

In 2024, the Pokémon scene saw the return of Necrozma, and its fusions took the competitive landscape by storm.

Dusk Mane Necrozma, a Psychic/Steel type, has firmly established itself as a powerhouse, surpassing Metagross and its shadow form to claim dominance in the Steel category.

Its signature move, Sunsteel Strike, boasts incredible damage output, making Dusk Mane Necrozma a formidable contender in both PvP and PvE formats.

On the other hand, Dawn Wings Necrozma emerged as the leading Ghost type with its potent Moongeist Beam.

This move offers exceptional neutral coverage, making it a devastating choice in battles, whether in raids or competitive matches.

The impact of these Necrozma fusions is particularly evident in the Master League, where they frequently appear in top counter lists, even against raid bosses that are resistant to their moves.

To add to the excitement, shiny versions of these Pokémon became available, providing trainers with more reasons to hunt for them.

Moreover, activating their signature moves brings unique adventure effects; Sunsteel Strike attracts Pokémon typically seen during the day, while Moongeist Beam draws in nocturnal Pokémon, mimicking the effects of incense.

The 2024 Pokémon release not only showcased powerful new contenders but also enriched gameplay with exciting new mechanics and features.

A new addition to the Pokédex has arrived.

What’s next on the horizon?

Let’s keep our eyes peeled for more exciting releases!

In 2024, Pokémon fans were introduced to the mythical Pokémon Marshadow, which boasts a unique Fighting/Ghost typing, similar to the newly popular Annihilape.

When it comes to PvE battles, Marshadow stands out with an impressive Attack stat of 265, compared to Annihilape's 220.

However, in the realm of PvP, Annihilape gains an advantage with its powerful move, Rage Fist, making it a formidable opponent.

Marshadow remains a fascinating mythical Pokémon, especially with its signature move, Spectral Thief, hinting at a bright future ahead.

Tandemaus, the charming duo, is well-known for its unique evolutionary process.

When they evolve, they merge with their little ones, transforming into Maushold.

There are two distinct family configurations:

the common family of four, which features two offspring,

and the much less common family of three, showcasing just one offspring.

Trainers enjoyed the challenge of capturing both evolutionary forms, making it an exciting adventure!

In 2024, a highly anticipated event brought forth the ultimate fighting type Pokémon, marking a significant moment for fans.

This special raid day was part of the ultra unlock festivities and offered enhanced chances to acquire rare candy XL, along with the opportunity to catch shiny Lucario.

Additionally, Mega Lucario received an impressive upgrade with the introduction of the fast move, Force Palm, which further elevates its already formidable prowess.

As the reigning champion of the fighting type, Mega Lucario dominates in most Team GO Rocket encounters, showcasing its elite battle skills.

Certainly, this debut stands out as one of the most unforgettable highlights of the year!

The long-awaited arrival of Galar Pokémon has finally taken place during the Max Out season.

As anticipated, the starter Pokémon became available for players to catch.

Among them, Rillaboom stands out with the highest overall stat product among all starter Pokémon in PvP battles.

However, its effectiveness is somewhat limited due to its current moveset.

Once it gains access to the move Frenzy Plant, Rillaboom is poised to become a top contender in both the PvP and PvE landscapes for Grass-type Pokémon.

The fire bunnies are quite interesting.
Cinderace boasts the second highest attack stat among all fire-type starters, just behind Blaziken.
With the move Blast Burn, it can perform reasonably well as a fire attacker in PvE.
However, it doesn't quite stand out compared to the other two starters from Galar.

Introducing Inteleon, the sleek water starter that has taken the Pokémon world by storm.

With an astonishing attack stat of 262, it rivals the might of many legendary and pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

Despite its low defensive capabilities, Inteleon boasts impressive power right out of the gate.

Once it learns Hydro Cannon, this Pokémon will truly dominate the battlefield, leaving its rivals in its wake.

In fact, Inteleon could potentially outperform Surfing Kyogre, establishing itself as one of the top hitters in the competitive scene, excluding mega evolutions and shadow variants.

If you happen to have a perfect Sobble, be sure to hold onto it for the upcoming community day!

Pokémon Insights and Updates

In the world of Pokémon, Dragapult stands out as the pseudo-legendary from Generation 8, known for its incredible speed and dual typing of Dragon and Ghost.

In Pokémon Go, it serves as a formidable attacker, boasting an impressive Attack stat of 266. While it falls just shy of Salamence at 277 and Haxorus at 284, Dragapult’s moveset makes it a worthy competitor in both Player vs Player (PvP) and Player vs Environment (PvE) battles.

Its primary moves, Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe, allow it to perform well, though it's not currently at the very top of the rankings.

On the Ghost-type side, Dragapult can utilize Astonish, a move that was previously a strong counter option, paired effectively with Shadow Ball. This combination allows Dragapult to shine as a fearsome Ghost-type attacker in various battle scenarios.

Adding to its appeal is its signature move, Dragon Darts, which enhances its offensive capabilities even further.

Overall, Dragapult is not only a fun Pokémon to use but also a strategically valuable choice for trainers.

In Pokémon Go, Stonjourner is a unique regional Pokémon found exclusively in the United Kingdom.

Although it may not be the most competitive choice for battles, its rarity makes it a desirable addition to any collection.

If you can, consider meeting up with friends from the UK for a fun trading experience!

In 2024, the Psychic Spectacular event unveiled the enigmatic Hatterene family.

Hatterene shares its typing of Psychic and Fairy with Gardevoir, along with identical attack stats.

However, Hatterene does not possess the same level of bulk as Gardevoir, which renders Gardevoir the superior choice overall.

Nonetheless, Hatterene remains a valuable addition to any collection and can be effectively used in battles.

Mega Mawile may not be the most impressive Mega Evolution.

While its Steel and Fairy typing offers some resistance to Dragon-type moves,

this advantage primarily allows it to maintain the Fairy-type damage increase during raids for an extended period.

However, beyond this, its overall utility seems limited.

In the realm of PvP battles, Morpeko has emerged as a formidable contender.

Its unique move, Aura Wheel, allows it to switch between Electric and Dark types seamlessly.

What sets Aura Wheel apart is its power; it delivers 100 damage while consuming only 45 energy,

making it comparable to Wild Charge but without the drawback of reducing its own attack.

This combination raises questions about its balance and effectiveness in competitive play.

How overpowered is Morpeko really? 😯

In 2024, Pokémon fans were treated to the introduction of several powerful Gigantamax forms, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.

Starting with Venusaur, its Gigantamax form showcases impressive defensive capabilities but suffers from a lower base attack stat. This gives rise to comparisons with Rillaboom's Dynamax form, which offers a more balanced offensive presence. Trainers often favor Vine Whip as the primary fast move, allowing for quick energy accumulation to unleash Gmax Vine Lash promptly.

On the other hand, Charizard stands out as the top contender among the Kanto starter Gigantamax Pokémon. With its Gmax Wildfire move, Charizard delivers significant damage, making it a formidable choice for battles. While future releases may pose challenges, Charizard remains a sought-after addition to any team.

Lastly, Blastoise takes the crown for durability within the Kanto trio, demonstrating remarkable tankiness. However, its offensive output is comparatively lower, resulting in Gmax Cannonade being slightly more potent than Inteleon's Max Geyser. The latter's accessibility often makes it a preferred option for trainers looking for simplicity and effectiveness in battle.

Gigantamax Gengar stands out as an incredibly formidable choice in the Gigantamax roster, boasting an impressive Attack stat of 261, making it the second strongest among all Gigantamax Pokémon, just behind Gigantamax Inteleon, which has an Attack of 262.

With access to moves like Shadow Claw, it certainly has a robust offensive capability.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that this Pokémon has its weaknesses; being somewhat fragile means it benefits greatly from support strategies such as Max Guard and Max Spirit.

Overall, investing in this powerful Gigantamax option is a decision you won't regret.

In 2024, we saw the introduction of a fan-favorite Pokémon, Toxel, which became available through 10km eggs.

To evolve Toxel into either its Amped or Low Key form, trainers needed to collect 400 candies.

Interestingly, both forms share identical stats, offering no variation in battle performance.

To enhance the gameplay experience, trainers had the opportunity to encounter Dynamax and Gigantamax Toxtricity during the Max Battles at the Go Wild Area event.

Though Toxtricity may not stand out in the current competitive scene, it’s worth noting that Gigantamax Toxtricity has made a significant impact.

With its powerful G-Max Stun Shock move, it boasts one of the highest damage outputs among Electric-type Gigantamax Pokémon, establishing itself as a formidable contender in battles.

In 2024, the Pokémon universe saw the introduction of some remarkable new creatures, with Galarian Corsola emerging as a standout in the Great League.

This ghost-type Pokémon boasts an impressive bulk, making it a formidable contender in PvP battles.

With a moveset that has been described as ‘astonishing,’ Galarian Corsola can effectively counter numerous top-tier threats, often turning the tide in fierce matches.

However, trainers looking to add this powerful Pokémon to their roster may face a challenge, as it can only be obtained from 7km eggs.

On the flip side, we have Cursola, which possesses a notable attack stat of 253.

Despite this, its moveset leaves much to be desired, rendering it less effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

In fact, it struggles to compete with its pre-evolution, Galarian Corsola, which clearly outshines it in terms of performance.

Sinistea is a fascinating Pokémon that has captured the attention of many trainers, especially those on the hunt for its elusive authentic variant.

This unique form is marked by a special emblem located beneath the Pokémon itself.

The true challenge lies in locating this rare version, as most encounters will yield the common, phony variant.

Fortunately, players can rely on their team leader in Pokémon Go to provide valuable insights.

When you appraise Sinistea, they will clarify whether you’ve found the genuine antique form or the counterfeit version.

So, if you're aiming to evolve Sinistea into Polteageist, keep your eyes peeled for that authentic mark!

Gigantamax Lapras stands out as a formidable defensive powerhouse, boasting impressive defense and substantial HP. It can absorb damage effortlessly, though its attack power leaves something to be desired.

Unique among its peers, Lapras is the sole Ice-type to adopt the Gigantamax form. This attribute will be particularly beneficial in battles against Dragon-type Pokémon, which are notably vulnerable to Ice moves.

As we wrap up our exploration of the new Pokémon introduced in 2024, it’s clear there’s a diverse selection to enjoy. This variety sets a promising tone for what’s to come in 2025.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts! Which Pokémon captured your attention the most, and what are your hopes for next year’s rel