Pokemon GO Along the Routes Guide: Potential Date & More

Niantic recently launched its “Along the Routes” event in Pokémon Go, introducing players to Mateo, a new NPC focused on gifting and exploration. The event coincided with special bonuses and the debut of a permanent Special Research line called “A Route to New Friendships.” This article will give you complete details about Pokemon GO Along the Routes guide, including the date of the event and more.

Pokemon GO Along the Routes Guide: Step by Step

The main draw of Pokémon GO Along the Routes event was the debut of “A Route to New Friendships.” This four-step Special Research line becomes permanently available once initiated, allowing players to finish it at their own pace.

Step 1

• Step one requires users to explore with their Buddy Pokémon, spin PokéStops, exchange a gift with Mateo, and catch Lillipup.
• Completing it rewards 1,000 Stardust, 1,000 XP, and 1 Incense.

Step 2

• The second step incorporates catching various creatures, traveling specific distances along Routes, walking certain meters, and visiting additional PokéStops. An encounter with the region-exclusive Wooloo awaits those who finish this part.
• Step two also awards 1,000 Stardust, 5 Great Balls, and 1,500 XP.

Step 3

• To complete step three, players must hatch Eggs, finish Field Research tasks, exchange three gifts with Mateo at Route endpoints, and spin multiple PokéStops. The big reward this time is an encounter with the elusive Feebas, known to be tricky to obtain.
• Step three will grant trainers handy items like 3 Ultra Balls, 2,000 XP, and 1,000 Stardust.

Step 4

• The final set of research tasks remains hidden for now. As participants unlock step four in the coming weeks, more details regarding the specifics will pop up.

Along the Routes Event Bonuses

The event introduced bonuses focused specifically on exploration-based activities in the game. These included:

• 1/2 Egg Hatch Distance
• 3× Catch XP
• 5× New PokéStop XP
• 2× Gift Stardust

Rare spawns also increased in frequency during the designated days. Featured Pokémon included Slugma, Hitmontop, Spoink, Feebas, Lillipup, Woobat, Emolga, Wooloo, and Pawmi. Players could additionally hatch event-themed 7km eggs containing Hisuian Growlithe, Togepi, Sneasel, Hisuian Sneasel, Bonsly, and Espurr.

These bonuses ensured players could maximize rewards for utilizing Routes and the Buddy system. They also made completing the Special Research faster and more efficient.

Who is Mateo in Pokemon GO Along the Routes?

Mateo is a traveling Pokémon Go researcher who enjoys collecting and exchanging gifts and postcards from around the world. He can randomly appear at the endpoints of completed Routes, offering players the chance to receive gifts from him.

His gift exchanges provide exclusive opportunities, including special postcards for players’ collections and different pattern variations of Vivillon. Interacting with Mateo is the only method of finishing “A Route to New Friendships” in its entirety. 

Pokemon GO Along the Routes Potential Date

In celebration of Mateo’s arrival, Pokémon GO hosted the time-limited Along the Routes event. This event is running from December 5th through December 8th, 2023.