May Community Day – Here comes Swablu!

Greetings, Trainers! Another month, another Community Day – this time we’re swooping in and swiping up Swablu!

And yes, I’m aware that this is a controversial Community Day option. I get it. Shiny Swablu has been out for a while. But, with the Mega Evolved version in the way, it’s not a terrible way to snag enough Candy and Candy XL to evolve a few and maybe max them out. (They require 400 Candies to evolve, after all.)

…and to be fair, next month we’re getting the one we’ve wanted all along.

Finally. FINALLY. Thank Arceus, our prayers have been answered.

Anyway! Swablu! The date? The time? The bonuses?

Saturday the 15th of May, 11:00am till 5:00pm.

1⁄4 hatch distance for Eggs placed in incubators during event hours.

Photobombs! I’m guessing 5.

Incense launched during event hours will last for three hours.

For 1280 Pokecoins you can buy the special Community Day Box containing 5 Super Incubators, 5 Incense, 50 Ultra Balls and an Elite Fast TM.

For $1 or your local currency equivalent, you can engage in a brand new Special Research quest with Prof. Willow! Cotton Winged Bird.

Mega Altaria will be available in Mega Raids after the Community Day hours are over.

Swarms of Swablu will swaddle the landscape and you may be able to snag a Shiny or two.

Evolve your Swablu into Altaria to gain the Community Day exclusive move, Moonblast!

So, now we know what we’re dealing with, let’s get the specifics on this species.

Spotlight on Swablu

Swablu is a cute little bird that reminds me of the blue Parrotlet. I’m serious, google that bird and you’ll see what I mean! With that blue and white coloration, it’s reminiscent of a blue sky dotted with fluffy, white clouds. The pokedex tells us that this Pokemon loves to sit on people’s heads. Very fashion conscious! This idea is also evident in how often this Pokemon can be seen cleaning itself; it has a deep desire to keep those wings as free of dust and dirt as possible.

When it evolves into Altaria it sheds the Normal Typing and trades it in for Dragon. This allows for a range of Attacks in the main series games. It’s voice is known for making you feel like you’re in a dream. This feeling is only intensified if the Altaria singing to you likes you as it will wrap you in its fuzzy wings. It soars through the sky among the clouds, as peaceful as a spring breeze… unless you provoke it, in which case it will attack without mercy. How do you provoke it, you may ask? Try reminding it of that time it got wet in the anime…

So, how does this downy dragon do in Pokemon GO?

With a Max CP of 2266, Attack of 141, Defense of 201 and Stamina of 181, it’s a little underwhelming in PvE settings… though, it can be a monster in PvP Great League matches. Being Dragon/Flying it resists Grass and Ground Type moves especially well, along with regular resistances to Bug, Fighting, Fire and Water. It’s weak to Ice in a major way, with regular weaknesses to Rock, Dragon and Fairy Type Attacks.

Your move pool is limited. Peck and Dragon Breath for Fast Attacks with both being STAB. For Charged Attacks you’ve got access to Dazzling Gleam, Sky Attack and Dragon Pulse, the latter two of which are STAB for regular Altaria. Moonblast is the Community Day move and will gain STAB when you Mega Evolve. (As will Dazzling Gleam.)

Of course, Mega Altaria will be available after Community Day ends. It’s Max CP will be 3576 at level 50 which isn’t terrible. It changes Type to Dragon/Fairy! That Type combo will make it useful in PvE situations with Dragon Type Raid Bosses – being a STAB Dragon Type that takes neutral damage from Dragon Type moves? Not bad!

Counters for battling this floofmonster include Ice, Fairy, Steel and Poison. Stack your team with Metagross, Mega Abomasnow or Mega Gengar with Poison Type moves, Heatran, Gardevoir and Melmetal, to name a few fun options.

And that’s what I got for you, Trainers! As always, I wish you the absolute best luck out there.