A new event is coming to Pokémon GO, and it brings back a Raid Boss that caused a stir last year. This time, players will have a better chance to catch it.
What Is This Pokémon?
The Legendary Pokémon Cupidus is part of the “Forces of Nature” group, alongside Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus. Originally introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, this “Pokémon of Love” made its Pokémon GO debut last year.
However, its first appearance wasn’t without controversy. Cupidus was available exclusively on Valentine’s Day, February 14, and only during Top Raids. These raids posed several challenges:
- High difficulty: They required multiple Trainers to complete.
- Limited accessibility: Participation was only possible in person, as remote raids were not allowed.
- Restricted time frame: Raids were limited to specific windows—12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In total, Cupidus was available for just four hours.
While the theme fit the Valentine’s Day celebration, the timing proved inconvenient for many players, leading to widespread criticism.
What’s Happening Now?
Nearly a year later, Cupidus is set to return as part of the newly announced event, Tiny but Mighty. This marks a significant change in how players can encounter the Pokémon.
When Will Cupidus Appear?
Cupidus will appear in Raids starting February 6 at 10:00 AM, the second day of the Tiny but Mighty event. It will remain available as a Tier 5 Raid Boss until February 17, providing a much longer window for Trainers to catch it.
Unlike last year, Cupidus will be featured in standard Tier 5 Raids, which are generally more accessible and less challenging. This gives players who missed it previously a chance to finally add it to their collections.
Highlights of the Tiny but Mighty Event
The Tiny but Mighty event will run from February 5 at 10:00 AM to February 8 at 8:00 PM. While Cupidus will stay in Raids until February 17, other event bonuses and features will only be active during the event window.
Event Bonuses:
- Double XP for catching Pokémon.
- Increased chances of encountering XXL and XXS Pokémon.
New Shiny Debut:
For the first time, players can officially catch a Shiny Cutiefly in Pokémon GO. Although Shiny Cutiefly accidentally appeared in the game before, it was quickly removed. This event marks its proper debut.
Wild Pokémon Encounters:
During the event, players can find the following Pokémon in the wild, with potential Shinies marked with an asterisk (*):
- Paras*
- Natu*
- Burmy (Plant Cloak)*
- Burmy (Sandy Cloak)*
- Burmy (Trash Cloak)*
- Joltik*
- Tynamo*
- Flabébé (Red Flower)* – Found in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
- Flabébé (Blue Flower)* – Found in the Asia-Pacific region
- Flabébé (Yellow Flower)* – Found in the Americas
- Flabébé (White Flower)*
- Flabébé (Orange Flower)*
- Cutiefly*
The Tiny but Mighty event offers something for everyone, from new Shinies to valuable bonuses. With Cupidus’s extended availability in easier Raids, Trainers can look forward to a less stressful and more enjoyable experience this year.