Interest

Pokémon Go Gives Thanks With In-Game Event, Ditto Launch

Pokémon Go trainers have many reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving. Niantic and the development team announced on Monday a special in-game event to thank fans for their support. The worldwide event launched on Wednesday at 12:00 a.m. UTC (7:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday), and it will run until November 30.

During the event, players receive double XP and Stardust when they complete in-game actions. Savvy trainers can use Lucky Eggs to double their XP again, earning four times the normal amount. Many players are likely to level up their character and create powerful monsters with the event's bonuses. Thanks, Niantic!

However, the sly developers had another surprise in store for fans. After the event launched, players began reporting that they had seen or captured Ditto. Since the game launched in parts of the world in July, Ditto was one of a few monsters not available to any players. Niantic CEO John Hanke teased earlier this month that the smartphone app had undiscovered secrets, leading some fans to speculate Ditto was already hidden in the game. However, Niantic confirmed that Professor Willow just discovered Ditto, and the amorphous monster debuted with the Thanksgiving event.

Scores of trainers have already captured Ditto, but the creature may not be easy to find. With its trademark move, Ditto transforms itself into other, reportedly weak Pokémon. Trainers can't tell they caught the elusive monster until after the capture is successful and "Oh?" appears above the shapeshifter. Then, the Pokémon will reveal its true form. Players have reported catching Ditto disguised as Pidgey, Rattata, Weedle, and other low-level monsters.

Since Ditto launched, a lot of excited trainers already put the Pokémon in gyms to show off their catch. During battle, Ditto copies the appearance, types, and moves of the first Pokémon it encounters. Ditto then holds the form of that Pokémon for the remainder of the battle.

Thanks to a double dose of gratitude from Niantic, both meals and smartphone apps can sate Pokémon trainers this holiday. After catching Ditto, and maybe even Lapras, fans can also watch Pikachu's return to this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.