Primal Groudon and Kyogre revealed for Pokémon GO - Upcomer
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Primal Groudon and Kyogre in Pokémon GO

Primal Groudon and Kyogre revealed for Pokémon GO

What to know about the Primal Reversion mechanic

The Hoenn region has been getting a whole lot of love in Pokémon GO since the start of the new year. Kecleon recently joined the game for the first time, allowing trainers to finally complete their regional Pokédexes for Hoenn. Now, the Gen 3 legendaries Groudon and Kyogre will get to take on their Primal forms in Pokémon GO.

Recommended Videos

Primal Reversion will make its debut in February during the exclusive Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas event in Nevada. However, the mechanic will eventually become available for all players. Here’s what to know about how Primal Groudon and Kyogre work in Pokémon GO.

What is Primal Reversion?

Well before making its way to Pokémon GO, the Primal Reversion mechanic for Groudon and Kyogre debuted in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. In those games, Groudon and Kyogre could hold the Red Orb or Blue Orb, respectively, to change into these alternate forms.

Upon Primal Reverting, these Pokémon would gain a 100 point boost to their base stat totals and gain new Abilities. Primal Groudon’s Desolate Land would set up harsh sunlight and make Water-type attacks unusable. Meanwhile, Primal Kyogre’s Primordial Sea would summon heavy rain and make Fire-type attacks unusable. In addition, these Abilities could only be canceled out by each other or Mega Rayquaza’s Delta Stream.

In Pokémon GO, this mechanic grants Groudon and Kyogre the option to learn new Charged Attacks. Primal Groudon learns the Ground-type Precipice Blades, while Primal Kyogre learns the Water-type Origin Pulse. Both of these moves have 130 power in trainer battles, gym battles and raids.

How to get Primal Groudon and Kyogre in Pokémon GO

Primal Groudon in Pokémon GO
Groudon transforms into Primal Groudon. | Provided by The Pokémon Company

In order to get Primal Groudon and Kyogre in Pokémon GO, players will have to collect a currently-unspecified amount of Primal Energy. Trainers can earn Primal Energy by completing certain research tasks or by defeating a Primal Groudon or Kyogre in a special raid battle.

Initially, Primal Raids will exclusively be available for paid ticket holders during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas. The Legendary duo will become more broadly accessible through the Primal Surge Field Research during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global. However, while there is no geographical restriction for this event, trainers will still have to pay to participate in it.

Any time trainers Primal Revert their Hoenn Legendary, the Pokémon will stay in that form for eight hours. Using this mechanic more frequently will raise the Pokémon’s Primal Level. With a higher Primal Level, it takes less Primal Energy to Primal Revert.

In addition, Primal Reversion supplies extra bonuses, which grow more potent as the Pokémon’s Primal Level increases. Here are the bonuses trainers can receive from using Primal Groudon or Kyogre in Pokémon GO:

  • Primal Groudon in their party – Fire, Grass and Ground-type attacks gain an attack bonus in raids
  • Primal Groudon as their buddy – Fire, Grass and Ground-type Pokémon grant additional XP and Candy when caught
  • Primal Kyogre in their party – Water, Electric and Bug-type attacks gain an attack bonus in raids
  • Primal Kyogre as their buddy – Water, Electric and Bug-type Pokémon grant additional XP and Candy when caught

Related: Read about the best fire type pokemon in Pokemon GO on Dot Esports.

Author
Image of Dylan Tate
Dylan Tate
Dylan Tate is an alumnus of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a gaming journalist with a love for Nintendo esports, particularly Super Smash Bros. and Pokémon.