Special Bonuses – What to Keep Permanently and What to Retain for Special Times

Hopefully soon we will be past the COVID-19 Situation and will return to whatever the “new normal” is. Many outdoor venues are back to at least somewhat open by me. Slightly larger groups can assemble outdoors. We are going in the right direction with this.

Once we finally get past this, some of the boosts we get should stay around permanently. Others, I can live without but for events. (Note: All of these bonuses are extended to go through June, as per the Official Niantic Support and Official Pokemon Go Twitter Accounts)

ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY: Increased Incense Effectiveness.  Yes, the idea of the game is to go outside and play. I do go out and walk 5 or 6 days a week usually. Once, sometimes twice if the weather does not cooperate, a week I like to take the day off and not go out and walk. I take a day off when I am tired and just not up to walking around. I also use that time to catch up on things at home. Those days I want to be able to play at least some and catch some Pokemon. Before this COVID-19 Situation, I had zero home spawns, even when I did use an incense. I remember being skeptical when the new increased incense was brought out. Now, I see that it works well. Let’s keep it that way, especially for those of us who are in more rural settings. Nights will eventually get longer and with no streetlights/sidewalks, being outside and walking will once again get more dangerous. Let us keep the increased incense so we can play on the longer nights in areas without safer places to walk around.

ALMOST MANDATORY: No walking requirement for the Go Battle League. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I do not understand the walking requirement for the Go Battle League. The link shows my thoughts, no need to rehash!

VERY HELPFUL: Larger radius for the Pokestops/Gyms. Those are quite helpful in the current situation to allow for a larger spread out for raids. Also it helps when getting more various stops where they are a bit more dangerous and in higher traffic zones. Keeping this would be a positive for all players.

WOULD BE NICE: Buddy gets presents from local Pokestops. Most days if I get 10 presents in a day, that’s a lot. I like giving out presents. I am glad I can get a whole bunch out every day. That’s one of the best parts of the game. It helps all players.

WOULD BE NICE: Extra Gifts on both ends. They are quite helpful, to be honest. I know I like being able to get and give more, but if that goes by the wayside, I will understand.

FOR SPECIAL EVENTS: 1/2 walking distance egg hatching. I’ve enjoyed it and have hatched a bunch of eggs, especially the 7KM ones since I have liked the contents… but if they go back to 100% for good, that’s OK. Just let us hatch the last batch we put in at 1/2 distance. That and make it once in a while for special events for fun.

AT SPECIFIC TIMES: Longer Incense. I like being able to have one full hour of incense, especially for Spotlight Hour. Even more if the Pokemon and/or bonus is something I want. Though it can be a pain playing from home playing an hour straight on those home nights. Make the Incense last an hour for Spotlight Hour and for Community Day with a “refund” through the $1.00 Quests.

JURY IS STILL OUT: Remote raiders are less effective. How much less are they? Will we be able to do truly remote raids or just on the screen? Will the remote raids be ongoing in the new normal? Will we be able to convert Too many questions and not enough answers to fully explore this topic.