Pokemon GO Mega Squads is giving Trainers several reasons to mark September 8 on their calendars. The upcoming event will introduce Maschiff and Mabosstiff to Pokemon GO, make Shiny Flamigo obtainable for the first time and permanently expand what Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom can do.
Mega Squads begins on Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m. local time and runs until Monday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. local time. Rather than focusing on a single debut, the event combines new Pokemon, Shiny hunting, Mega Raids, Spotlight Hours, Eggs, Field Research and its own GO Pass.
That makes it one of the first major events following GO Fest: Mega Finale and potentially one of September’s most useful weeks for players interested in strengthening their Mega roster.
Maschiff and Mabosstiff finally arrive in Pokemon GO
The biggest new Pokedex additions are Maschiff and Mabosstiff, the Dark-type Pokemon originally introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
According to the official Pokemon GO Mega Squads announcement, Maschiff will be obtainable through Eggs, event-themed Field Research and the Mega Squads GO Pass.
Players need 50 Maschiff Candy to evolve it into Mabosstiff.
There is one important scheduling detail for players hoping to hatch one. Maschiff appears in the event’s 5 km Egg pool from September 11 at 10:00 a.m. until September 14 at 8:00 p.m., alongside Sandile, Pancham and Flamigo.
During the same period, Maschiff will also be one of the possible Field Research encounters.
The arrival is another step toward bringing more of Paldea into Pokemon GO. Elsewhere in the franchise, Battle4Play has been following how Generation 9 content is beginning to change, including Pokemon Scarlet and Violet winding down one of its longest-running Tera Raid cycles.
Shiny Flamigo is another major reason to play
Maschiff is not the only new collectible arriving during Mega Squads.
Shiny Flamigo will make its Pokemon GO debut when the event begins. Trainers can potentially encounter Flamigo in the wild, through Field Research, from the GO Pass or by hatching eligible Eggs.
That gives Shiny hunters considerably more flexibility than a debut restricted to raids or one specific research path.
Two existing Shinies are also receiving temporary boosts. From September 8 at 10:00 a.m. until September 11 at 10:00 a.m., Trainers will have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pidgey.
Afterward, Shiny Carvanha receives the increased chance from September 11 at 10:00 a.m. until the event finishes on September 14 at 8:00 p.m.
Players chasing rare Pokemon around this period should also remember that another valuable opportunity disappears immediately before Mega Squads. Battle4Play previously detailed Pokemon GO’s free perfect-IV Mewtwo reward, whose Timed Research ends on September 6.
Mega Houndoom and Beedrill are getting much stronger
The most important long-term change may actually involve two Pokemon that have been available for years.
Starting with Mega Squads, Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom can reach the new Super Max Mega Level.
Super Max goes beyond the existing third Mega Level and gives eligible Mega Pokemon access to an additional Charged Attack while Mega Evolved.
Mega Beedrill gains Fell Stinger+. It has 40 power in Trainer Battles while increasing Attack by one stage, whereas its Raid Battle version reaches 140 power.
Mega Houndoom receives Dark Pulse+, delivering 60 power in Trainer Battles and 150 power in Raid Battles.
The strength of these attacks can increase alongside Mega Level progression.
However, reaching Super Max requires more than repeatedly Mega Evolving a Pokemon. Trainers must first bring the Pokemon to Max Mega Level and then spend additional Mega Energy to continue powering it up. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Mega Raids and Spotlight Hours make upgrading easier
Pokemon GO is pairing the new progression system with several opportunities to collect the required resources.
Mega Beedrill will appear in Mega Raids from September 8 through September 15, while Mega Houndoom joins Mega Raids from September 11 through September 15. Both can potentially be Shiny.
There are also two unusual Spotlight Hours scheduled during the event:
- September 10, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Weedle, with possible Kakuna and Beedrill encounters.
- September 13, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Houndour, with possible Houndoom encounters.
Reaching the first milestone of the event GO Pass also unlocks a chance to obtain Mega Energy when catching Weedle, Pidgey, Houndour, Carvanha or their Evolutions.
At Rank 15, the event adds double Hatch Stardust. GO Pass Deluxe players at that milestone additionally receive half Egg Hatch Distance for Eggs placed in Incubators during the event.
Mega Squads packs a surprising amount into one week
Mega Squads runs for less than seven full days, but its reward structure covers several different types of Pokemon GO players.
Collectors get Maschiff and Mabosstiff. Shiny hunters receive Flamigo alongside boosted opportunities for Pidgey and Carvanha. Raid players get another reason to build Mega Houndoom and Mega Beedrill, while anyone engaging with the GO Pass can accumulate additional Mega Energy and useful resources.
The free GO Pass: Mega Squads will automatically become available when the event begins. A GO Pass Deluxe upgrade will cost $4.99, while a $6.99 option includes enough additional GO Points to immediately reach Rank 7. Rewards include encounters, Mega Energy, an Incubator, Rare Candy and Ultra Balls, with Deluxe players receiving additional rewards such as a Maschiff Jersey, Super Incubators and Rare Candy XL.
Most importantly, the Super Max upgrades do not appear to be temporary event bonuses. Mega Squads is being used to introduce the higher Mega Level for Beedrill and Houndoom, potentially establishing a path for other existing Mega Evolutions to receive similar treatment later.
That makes September 8 more significant than the arrival of another limited event. Pokemon GO is adding two new Pokedex entries and a new Shiny while simultaneously changing how two older Mega Evolutions can be developed, giving both collectors and longtime players something worth pursuing.
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
