Pokémon GO’s constant stream of events continues during the Max Out season with Simply Groundbreaking 2024. The event focuses on Pokémon that can bury their way underground and provides a host of bonuses for those looking to play the event. TheSimply Groundbreaking event starts on 21 August 2025 at 10 am local time, running until 21 June 2025 at 8 pm local time. Following the launch ofPokémon TCG Pocket,many are questioning ifPokémon GOis still worth playing, but developers Niantic continue to push further incentives out for trainers.
The event is primarily focused on the debut ofDynamax Drilbur into Max Raid Battlesbut also features several other Pokémon. As with many of the yearly events inPokémon GO, several Pokémon will spawn more frequently across the three days. Further bonuses give players an extra incentive to play ahead of the upcoming debut of Toxel which takes place next week. Here are all the features of this year’s Simply Groundbreaking event you should take advantage of.
Increased Spawns During Simply Groundbreaking 2024
11 Pokémon With Increased Spawns
One of the biggest reasons for trainers to participate in the Simply Groundbreaking event this year is the increased spawn rates of 11 Pokémon, including some that can rarely be caught in the wild. This includes three Generation One favorites:Jigglypuff, Diglett, and Rhyhorn. Many PvP players will be keen to catch Rhyhorn to earn more candy, as its final evolution, Rhyperior, can prove to be a powerful Pokémon. Alolan Diglett is also available, and while long-time players are likely to have already caught one, it only spawns during events, making it a must-catch for new players.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Is Beating Pokémon GO At Its Own Game. But Can That Success Last?
Pokémon TCG Pocket is out-pacing Pokémon GO’s daily revenue by a significant pace, but can the new mobile game keep up that momentum in the longterm?
In addition, seven more Pokémon were available to catch with increased spawn rates during the event:Phanpy, Whismur, Kricketot, Woobat, Drilbur, Noibat, and Excadrill.Some of these Pokémon are more likely to be found than others, but Excadrill is the rarest spawn, so if one does appear on your map, you should make every attempt to catch it. Other regular Pokémon will still be available to be caught during the event but will not appear as frequently as the above 11 Pokémon.
As a further incentive to try and catch the above boosted Pokémon, all 11 have a chance of appearing as theirshiny versions inPokémon GO. While all of these have previously been available inPokémon GO, they are extremely rare, meaning you should attempt to hunt them down during their increased spawn period.
To increase your chances of catching shiny versions of the Pokémon with increased spawn rates during the event, you can click on each one on the map and, if it isn’t shiny, run away and try the next one nearby.
What Else Is Happening During Event
Max Raid Battles And Research Opportunities
The best feature of the Simply Groundbreaking Event isn’t the increase in spawns but thedebut of Dynamax Drilbur into Max Raid Battles.Ground-type Drilbur has been introduced as a one-star raid battle, making it an easy challenge to overcome, even for individual players. It is weak to Water-, Grass- and Ice-type Pokémon, but any Dynamax Pokémon you already have will be able to defeat it. This is much easier to defeat than theLugia 5-star raid battlesyou can currently take inPokémon GO.
Only previously caught Dynaxam Pokémon can be used to face Drilbur in Max Raid Battles, with the Squirtle or Bulbasaur evolution lines your best current options.
In addition, all players level 31 or higher have a2x chance to receive Candy XLeach time they catch a Pokémon. This can be a vital tool for powering up your highest CP Pokémon for battles and raids to their best possible level. As always, there will be themed field research tasks during events. These can include catching many Pokémon, spinning so many PokeStops, or completing Max Battles during the event.
For each of these that is completed, you will be rewarded withfurther opportunities to catch Drilbur or earn Drilbur candies.Timed research tasks will also be during the event, awarding further chances to find Drilbur. While not one of the biggest events of the year, Simply Groundbreaking offersPokémon GOplayers the chance to find some rare Pokémon and the first chance to catch Dynamax Drilbur through Max Raids.
