Niantic confirm huge Pokémon GO PvE changes are intended

Niantic have officially confirmed that the sweeping Pokémon GO PvE changes introduced at the start of Max Out are intentional, and here to stay. This news came several days after the changes went live, and has not been taken well by the community.

The changes have shaken up which Pokémon are best to use in Raids this season. While which Pokémon are strong in PvP changes every season, the Raid meta has not shifted for a really long time. The only changes have been when a new Pokémon arrives into the game, or gets a new move. Historically, if a Pokémon was good for Raids it has never been 'nerfed'.

However, now these changes mean some Trainers have invested resources into a Pokémon that is now eclipsed by several other options.

So, what exactly have Niantic done with these Pokémon GO PvE changes? Interestingly, the changes are very simple. They haven't adjusted the damage values or energy values of moves. Instead, they have adjusted move durations and introduced a half-second cycle to raids. Damage is now dealt at a 0.5 second interval. Moves generate and consume energy as soon as they are activated, rather than having a start and end window.

In addition, move durations have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 0.5 seconds. That means some moves have been made faster, while others have been made slower. This feels like an arbitrary change, with seemingly no consideration on how each move will be impacted.

Some moves have been improved considerably by these PvE changes. Moves like Leafage, Spark, Metal Claw and Shadow Claw are now 40% (yes!) better than they were last season. This means that suddenly Meowscarada and Decidueye are some of the best Grass-type Pokémon in the game. Better than Kartana! Luxray is now better than Mega Ampharos, and Excadrill is better than Metagross.

This is primarily a reason why Trainers are pretty upset about the changes. If you had just invested significant Stardust and Candy into Kartana, knowing it is one of the very best Grass-types you did that on the assumption that it would not be getting changed. Now, common Pokémon (ones that don't require Raids to get candy for) are better. That means you have essentially wasted resources (money) you could have used elsewhere.

Criticism is also very much centred around the lack of communication on this issue. These changes were not announced in advance of the new season. The reason behind the changes was not explained clearly either. Only this statement, posted on September 5, acknowledges the changes.

Now, Pokémon GO players are pretty used to complaining en-mass about a change to the game. Sometimes, this can feel a bit over the top. However, on this occasion, even leading Pokémon GO Fan websites are joining the chorus of criticism. Pokémon GO Hub describes the criticism as "completely warranted" adding that "The lack of any official blog post on this is ghastly at best."

PvPoke, a fan site that calculates the best Pokémon to use for PvP also added their scathing criticism. They are one of many to feel that damage numbers should have been adjusted.

Doing so would have allowed Niantic to keep legendary and Ultra Beast Pokémon as leaders in their categories. Kartana in particular has received a lot of attention. For two Pokémon that evolve from starters to surpass a Ultra Beast does seem to be unusual balancing. Why bother ever raiding for Karnata again, when you can just catch Sprigatito?

Feeling that time, work and money have been wasted was a common theme amongst reactions to the new Pokémon GO PvE changes. In their statement Niantic do say that they are monitoring changes and feedback with a view to adjust these over time. Will Pokémon like Kartana get restored to the top of their typings? Only time will tell.

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