Exciting news for Pokemon GO enthusiasts as Niantic unveils the arrival of Blacephalon and Stakataka in the game, but with a unique twist – they will be region-locked. The Pokedex in Pokemon GO is expanding once more, this time with the introduction of the Ultra Beasts. This addition will allow trainers to diversify their collections by including these extraordinary Pokemon from Generation 6.

Ultra Beasts, known for their otherworldly designs, have been a highlight in Pokemon GO events. Notably, during the Ultra Beast Arrival event, seven out of the 11 Ultra Beasts were rewards for players who successfully completed one to seven Raids. Following the recent inclusion of Poipole and Naganadel through new Special Research in Pokemon GO, the community eagerly awaited the addition of the final two Ultra Beasts, Blacephalon and Stakataka. Fortunately, Pokemon GO players received good news when Niantic announced the impending debut of this elusive duo.

Pokemon GO confirmed that Blacephalon and Stakataka will soon make their entrance into the game, but here's the catch: these Pokemon will be region-locked. The official Pokemon GO Twitter account released the May event calendar, revealing that the two Ultra Beasts will be available from May 23 to June 1 in 5-star Raids. However, Blacephalon will be exclusive to trainers in the Western Hemisphere, while Stakataka, a formidable Rock/Steel-type, will be accessible to Eastern Hemisphere players.

The Debate Surrounding Region Exclusivity in Pokemon GO

Although a wide variety of Pokemon can be found in the wild in Pokemon GO, some species are restricted to specific regions. Examples include different variants of Flabebe in blue, red, and yellow, as well as Basculin with red and blue stripes. Even among the Ultra Beasts, Kartana and Celesteela made a return to Pokemon GO recently, with Kartana exclusive to the Northern Hemisphere and Celesteela limited to battles in the Southern Hemisphere.

The concept of region exclusivity has sparked controversy in the Pokemon GO community, with some trainers criticizing Niantic for using this strategy to encourage in-person Raids following changes to remote Raids. Despite player concerns, Niantic shows no intention of abandoning this mechanic. For those unhappy with region-locked Pokemon in Pokemon GO, participating in events and engaging in remote Raids remain viable options to enhance their Pokemon collections in the augmented reality game.