Spotlight Hour: Catch a Perfect Drilbur in Pokémon Go
This week’s Spotlight Hour focuses on the Mole Pokémon, aptly named Drilbur. This event provides an excellent opportunity for players to seek out the ideal Drilbur within Pokémon Go. If you are aiming to enhance your PVP lineup, now is the perfect time to get involved!
For those who may not have a preference for competitive battles or specifically for Drilbur, this week’s event also features a double catch XP bonus. This means that players can accumulate experience points (XP) quickly by executing Excellent Curve Ball throws.
Catching a Perfect Drilbur
During this spotlight event, trainers can take the chance to obtain a Drilbur with perfect IV stats. In Pokémon Go, “perfect” refers to a Pokémon that has a maxed-out 100% IV, specifically the 15/15/15 ratio needed for a 4-star Pokédex entry, raids, and the Master League. It is important to note that while a perfect IV Pokémon can shine in its best capacity in the Master League, CP calculations include three stats, so take that into account when aiming for perfection.
Although it is not possible to view IV stats until after catching a Pokémon, players can prepare by identifying potential perfect Drilbur based solely on CP values. If you are at or above Level 30, be on the lookout for the following CP figures for a perfect 15/15/15 Drilbur:
- Level 30 (wild CP maximum): 1179 CP
- Level 35 (weather-boosted wild CP maximum): 1277 CP
Excadrill’s Performance in PVP
When it comes to PVP, Excadrill, the evolved form of Drilbur, is a solid choice, although it may not be among the top-tier Pokémon. Its various resistances make it a dependable option. However, keep in mind that Shadow Excadrill tends to outperform the standard variant across all leagues. For players who already possess a Shadow Excadrill, this Spotlight Hour presents an excellent opportunity to gather Drilbur Candy.
Excadrill’s best moveset includes Mud Shot (Fast Attack), as well as Drill Run and Rock Slide (Charged Attacks). This combination proves effective in exerting Shield pressure and maintaining versatility.
In the Great League, players can defeat opponents like Bastiodon and Altaria while facing challenges against Shadow Whiscash and Annihilape. In the Ultra League, you can expect victories against Charizard and Pidgeot, but be cautious around Virizion and Cresselia. For the Master League, a perfect 15/15/15 Excadrill can even take down powerhouses like Dialga and Metagross, although losses may occur against Pokémon like Therian Landorus and Mewtwo.
Shiny Drilbur: Availability and Appearance
Yes, shiny Drilbur exists in Pokémon Go, having been released in April 2023 during the Sustainability Week celebrations. It’s worth noting that while the Spotlight Hour does not increase the shiny odds, the higher frequency of spawns provides more chances to encounter one.
Shiny Drilbur features a noticeable change in coloration, swapping its traditional blue stripes for a pink stripe and changing its pink nose to blue. While this alteration might not be the most dramatic, shiny Excadrill features a more striking transformation, donning a deep mauve body accented with vibrant turquoise.
Tips for Maximizing Spotlight Hour
Besides the chance to find a shiny Drilbur, there are several other benefits to participating in this week’s Spotlight Hour:
- The double catch XP event is a major advantage during this hour. Focus on making Excellent Throws to maximize it! It is also beneficial to hold off on catching your first Pokémon of the day until this event starts to further boost your XP.
- Utilize a Lucky Egg, as this will double your XP from all activities within Pokémon Go.
- If you are relatively new to the game, this Spotlight Hour is an opportune moment to gather Drilbur Candy for evolving and adding Raichu to your Pokédex.
- Since Drilbur is a Ground-type Pokémon, catching multiple Drilbur will contribute to your catch bonus medal progress.
Spotlight Hour events last only one hour, occurring from 6 PM to 7 PM local time. Be sure to check back next week for Lileep and its accompanying double catch candy bonus.
Best of luck in your quest to find a perfect Drilbur this week!