Everything You Need to Know About This Week’s Pokémon Go Spotlight Hour
This week’s Spotlight Hour in Pokémon Go is dedicated to two legendary Fighting-type Pokémon: Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan. It’s an excellent opportunity for players to enhance their collections with these iconic characters inspired by martial arts legends Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
While these Pokémon have a notable history, their effectiveness in the Go Battle League leaves much to be desired. Unfortunately, they don’t stand out in competitive play as one might hope.
For those who are not actively seeking more Fighting-type Pokémon, the highlight of this Spotlight Hour will be the double transfer candy bonus, which will be available throughout the event.
Uncovering Perfect IV Stat Opportunities
This week offers a prime chance to capture Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan with perfect Individual Values (IVs).
Perfect IVs in Pokémon Go refer to a maximum potential rating of 15/15/15. By capturing a Pokémon with these stats, players can fill out their Pokédex and strengthen their team for raids and the Master League. Understanding how Combat Power (CP) is calculated can help trainers identify ideal candidates without needing to assess their IVs immediately:
For a Hitmonlee with 15/15/15:
- Level 30: Max CP of 2208
- Level 35 (weather-boosted): Max CP of 2392
- For a Hitmonchan with 15/15/15:
- Level 30: Max CP of 1999
- Level 35 (weather-boosted): Max CP of 2165
It’s worth noting that CP aligns with Trainer Level until reaching Level 30, so these values can differ for lower-level players.
Evaluating PVP Performance: Hitmonlee vs. Hitmonchan
In terms of PVP viability, Hitmonchan generally holds an advantage over Hitmonlee due to its diverse move set. Equipped with Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, and the Quick move Counter, Hitmonchan can adapt to various situations. Hitmonlee, while capable with moves like Double Kick, Close Combat, and Blaze Kick, doesn’t offer the same versatility.
In the Great League, players can expect Hitmonchan to win against popular choices like Registeel and Talonflame, while it will struggle against Annihilape and Azumarill. Moving to the Ultra League, Hitmonchan retains its strengths against opponents like Steelix and Cobalion but will find difficulty against Cresselia.
However, it’s essential to avoid using Hitmonchan in the Master League due to its limited effectiveness against higher-tier Pokémon.
Shiny Forms of Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan
Excitingly, both Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan can appear as shiny variants! Released during the Go Tour Kanto event in 2021, these shiny forms share the typical vibrant green hue associated with many Kanto Pokémon.
Spotlight Hours do not feature increased shiny rates, so players aiming for a shiny Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan must maximize their time during this specific hour.
Tips for Optimizing This Spotlight Hour
In addition to hunting for the perfect shiny Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, there are several strategies to enhance your experience:
Double Transfer Candy: This crucial bonus applies to all Pokémon, not only those in the spotlight. Consider tagging Pokémon for transfer during this event, allowing you to bulk transfer, which can yield substantial candy rewards.
Potential for Candy XL: Capturing and transferring Fighting-type Pokémon during this hour provides an increased chance to earn Candy XL, essential for powering up Pokémon.
- Medal Progression: As both Pokémon are Fighting-types, capturing them will also advance your catch bonus medal.
Remember, the Spotlight Hour runs for just one hour, from 6 PM to 7 PM local time. Keep an eye out for future announcements regarding upcoming Spotlight Hours.
Best of luck on your journey to snagging that elusive perfect shiny Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan!