If you missed the last six months or so of Pokemon GO, this quick guide will help you catch up on everything that has changed…

Generation 2

One of the first things many players will notice is that there are a lot of new Pokemon running around. About five months ago, Niantic started slowing adding some new Pokemon to the game. At this point, the Pokedex is much larger than it originally was and there should be a lot of new monsters to catch. This doesn’t really change the gameplay at all, aside from some new Eevee evolutions to master and a few other special Gen 2 evolution techniques.

Gym Updates

Battle Raids

Rare Candy, Golden Razz Berry, New TMs

Rare Candy – This item can be transformed into one Candy for any Pokemon. Golden Razz Berry – This item makes catching wild Pokemon much easier. In addition, if fed to a Pokemon defending a Gym, its motivation level will be completely restored. Fast TM – A Technical Machine that teaches a Pokemon how to perform a fast attack. If that Pokemon already knows a fast attack, this one will replace it. Charge TM – A Technical Machine that teaches a Pokemon a new charge attack. If a charge attack is already known by that Pokemon, this one will replace it.

Pinap and Nanab Berries

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Special Events

Pokemon GO features lots of special events now. During these events, which are usually announced shortly before they kick off, players have an increased chance to catch Pokemon of a certain type, in addition to other bonuses for playing. Events usually last a few days. Check back here to stay informed about upcoming in-game holidays.

Other Pokemon now have new Generation 2 evolve options, but some of those evolves require special items. These special items – Dragon Scales, Sun Stones, Metal Coats, or King’s Stones – can be obtained from Pokestops, but are pretty rare. Players will want to play their evolves carefully based on the rarity of the items.

Niantic has made a few other tweaks to Pokemon evolving. Horsea’s evolution to Seadra and Zubat’s evolution to Golbat now only require 25 candies instead of the previous 50 candies. Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan candies are now combined into Tyrogue candies. And Slowking no longer evolves from Slowbro, but from Slowpoke.

When a Pokémon is assigned to a Gym, a motivation meter will be displayed. Pokémon assigned to defend a Gym lose motivation over time and as they are defeated in battle. As a Pokémon loses motivation, its CP will temporarily decrease, making it easier for opposing teams to defeat. To help keep the Pokémon motivated and in tip-top shape for their next battle, Trainers can treat their team’s Pokémon to some Berries, which restore their motivation. If a Pokémon loses all motivation, it will leave the Gym and return to its Trainer the next time it loses a battle.

Before you can battle the Raid Boss, you’ll need a Raid Pass. You can get one free Raid Pass per day by visiting a Gym, but you can only hold one at a time. You can also get Premium Raid Passes from the in-game shop. Upon using your pass to join the battle, you and up to 20 other Trainers work together to defeat the Raid Boss. If you successfully defeat the Raid Boss within the five-minute time limit, you’ll have the chance to catch an extra powerful Pokémon of your own!

Hopefully this is enough information to make diving back into the game a little less intimidating. Good luck out there, trainers!

Are you planning to get back into Pokemon GO thanks to the Gym updates? Let us know in the comments.

Pokemon GO is available now on Android and iOS devices in select regions.