Pokémon Go Team Leaders & More Revealed at SDCC!

The official artwork for Pokémon Go’s team leader’s was revealed during Niantic’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con! Introducing Team Valor’s Candela, Team Mystic’s Blanche, and Team Instinct’s Spark! Previously seen only as silhouettes when prompted to choose a team once you reach level 5, they’ll play a bigger role in the game as time goes on. What I want to know is who decided the names for these guys. :s

Here are some other tidbits from CEO John Hanke at the SDCC panel:

  • Server issues: Hanke told the crowded ballroom that Niantic “wasn’t provisioned for what happened” and that they’re working hard on keeping the servers up and reliable before they add new features. Hanke specifically mentioned they’re working on fixing things like the broken Pokémon radar system.
  • Legendaries are coming to Go: “There are some rare ones that haven’t showed up yet that will be showing up.” Fear not, all original 151 will be available despite only 145 being catchable now.
  • Your team will be more important: Team Instinct, Team Valor, and Team Mystic has one of the three Legendary Birds associated with it, and that might play into which of those same birds players can catch. “They’re kinda aligned with the teams, and we might have something to announce about the teams soon,” says Hanke. “Plus, the leaders of each team will start dispensing advice to players sooner rather than later”
  • Pokémon Centers to come: Hanke hints at being able to turn some Pokéstops into Pokémon Centers, where you can heal your Pokémon, just like in the main games.
  • Users haven’t found everything…yet: Users have independently discovered that nicknaming Eevee “Pyro,” “Rainer,” or “Sparky” will ensure that it evolves into Flareon, Vaporeon, or Jolteon, respectively; Hanke confirms that this was intentional, and there are plenty more easter eggs which players haven’t found.

 

Is your first look at the leaders making you second guess your allegiance? How many Pokémon have you caught, and what level are you in Pokémon Go? Let us know in the comments below or in our forums and our brand new chat!

//ozymandis

 

 

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468 thoughts on “Pokémon Go Team Leaders & More Revealed at SDCC!”

  1. O boy..how exciting…why were they even a secret anyway? They don’t even do anything at all. Spark is also a horrible name. They seriously couldn’t come up with anything else?

    Reply
    • They weren’t a secret….Niantic said they just hadn’t finished them yet before the release of the game lol

      Reply
      • Sounds lazy. They could’ve waited a week or two. And I honestly don’t find their gym system to be good at all. I think it needs a major overhaul

        Reply
  2. No word on updates for Gen 2 Pokemon. Unfortunate.

    Whatever you say about Pokemon Go, you can’t deny its taken the world by storm.
    It’s not perfect by any means, but it is a lot of fun. Here’s hoping they introduced further battling features, trading, and of course the next generations of Pokemon.

    Reply
    • Same, I think the Prof is kinda ugly. I wish they also hadn’t taken the name “Willow.” Not that I think it has any effect on the actual games, but I still bet they’ll avoid that name for a long time.

      Reply
  3. Huh, I really wish Sugimori did the art for this game honestly. :p The art style doesn’t invoke Pokemon at all.
    I wonder what other Easter eggs there could be…

    Reply
    • You always say ‘Mmhm, gud info in (insert amount of days here)’, but when the news happens you get upset, because Fairy types exsist

      Reply
        • Thats due to them showing early game ‘mons. Plus these are almost all prevos. Salandit could become a powerhouse, Komala too. So who knows?

          Reply
  4. PokeQuiz
    Prize: Bragging rights
    1. What is the only Non-Legendary not yet released to go?
    2. To find normally in wild what is the hardest to catch in Gen.3 ?
    3. What is the strongest starter stat wise?
    4. What Pokemon has Ash had shorter than any other?
    Bonus. what was my first screen name?

    Reply
  5. Designs are meh but I’m happy they are updating and working on the app to keep people (including myself) interested…

    Reply
  6. Still haven’t played the game because it’s not out in Brazil and when I finally go back to France I will still not be able to play it because it’s not out there either uhhhh

    Reply
  7. I just watch some Aura guardian videos and a thought passed me what do you think are the best Pokemon designs my personal opinion is Weavile my Favorite Pokemon

    Reply
    • Mine obviously is Rhyperior, the apex of Ground and Rock types
      Big, Heavy, massive stone armor, a friggin drill and my personal favorite the club tail
      Truly a Pokemon worthy of my admiration

      Reply
      • Nice I assumed that for you for me Weavile because it’s fast a trait I admire, it looks like it is a little animal that would seem cute and cuddly till it tries to mug you, and if the new Tcg Steam siege card is right it has been classified as a cat like creature mabey the Nakamata for its two tail like things!

        Reply
    • I just adore Togekiss, the shift from dainty and fairy-like to becoming more aerodynamic and speedy-looking, quite angelic and mysterious was awesome and gave one of my favourite Pokemon, Togepi a real use finally. The pinnacle of serenity and elegance in my eyes, Milotic and Mega Altaria may be lauded as beautiful, but for me Togekiss is far more beautiful.

      Reply
    • Espeon and Gardevoir <3 although there are tons I also think are good too, I jsut don't want my post to become a tl:dr post xD

      Reply
  8. I mean, I didn’t imagine Blanche to look that way, he still rocks my socks 😛
    Although the other two look awesome too. 😀

    Reply
      • Yeah, I see that too, but I dunno, Blanche has more masculine features to me.
        Either way, that design rocks and I don’t regret joining Mystic in any way. Blue + Articuno + Mystic’s name + Mystic’s ideal = me really.

        Reply
      • It’s interesting, they certainly have a feminine name and face but it’s ambiguous enough that we can’t really know for sure until naintic tells us. Blanche is actually rather androgynous.

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        • Exactly, like I see both really. I really don’t care at the end of the day since I happen to really like the design (All three of them really)

          Reply
  9. I haven’t been able to join a team yet, but I had all the intentions of joining Instinct. Now I definitely will because I love Spark. <3

    Reply
  10. Well today was emotionally draining, starting tomorrow at precisely 9:00 AM a soild week until info
    Night jerkwads

    Reply
  11. My hopes for Pokemon game future

    Sun & Moon
    Diamond/Peral remakes
    Conquest 2
    Pokemon Ranger 4
    Mystery Dungeon 5
    Gen.8

    Reply
    • I personally think diamond and pearl remakes should wait until gen 8. No need to rush all the remakes out. Plus it could be on an engine EVEN BETTER than gen 7s.

      Reply
      • True yet I have seen they go in order so many want X/Y or B/W but if GF continues the legacy they are next but I could see them in Gen.8

        Reply
        • Well I figure that they just won’t have a remake this gen, as with gen 5. I didn’t think they would remake anything non sinnoh.

          Reply
    • Sun/Moon
      Third Game of Gen 7 (eclipse or something)
      Mystery Dungeon 5 (I hope they make it like the first two)
      XY2 (if they don’t finish the story in SM, I think gen 7 XY2 could be cool)
      Gen 8
      DP remakes
      VR snap 2
      25th anniversary RB remakes

      Reply
      • With the mystery dungeon thing, I really hope they return to form with the next game. The stories of the 3ds mystery dungeon games have been very dissatisfying, Gates to Infinity in particular.

        Reply
        • The first two PMD games’ stories were the only two games to ever make me cry because of the story. It had twists and betrayals and stuff. The last few games lost the spark that the first two had. Also small nitpick I hope they make the bad guys less obvious. I feel that often the bad guys are dark, poison, or ghost, and it is easy to pinpoint the enemies.

          Reply
          • I didn’t think that one particular guy was pretty obvious. Also the other dark Pokemon wasn’t a factor at all. And finally, some of the villains were Psychic.

      • Diamond and Peral have to come next if they follow their pattern

        MD like the originals I would like

        Sun &I Moon I think would come like Platinum

        25 anniversary is good idea

        Gen.8

        Reply
    • I’m such a huge fan of the Mystery Dungeon series, as I played those before any main series game, but I honestly hope PSMD was the last installment. I think it has strayed too far from what it used to be, and they don’t even feel like the same games to me. I’d much rather have a handheld Pokepark game.

      Reply
      • If they keep going down the same path as GTI and SMD, than end the series. If they plan on going back to the roots and genuinely put their heart into making the story and game, then continue it.

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        • I honestly loved the story in PSMD, tbh. It made me cry a few times, and I liked the twists at the very end that I totally wasn’t expecting.
          I feel they did put their heart into making SMD, but I guess we’ll agree to disagree 🙂

          Reply
      • I disagree, I thought PSMD corrected what GTI did wrong and was returning back to what PMD Red and Blue and PMDTDS did. It felt like PMD game more than GTI did for me.
        But I’ve liked every PMD game and they all have their merits.

        Reply
        • I though this one had some features I did not like how you had to push your friend or no befriending Wild Pokemon!

          Reply
          • Push your friend??
            And yeah, befriending wild Pokemon would have been amazing, but the way they did it in PSMD wasn’t too bad 🙂

          • The way you couldn’t just walk past them without a stupid r button you could only walk and they would not move out of the way

          • I mean, it make sense to me that way, why would you move through them? Sure, it got annoying at times, and I constantly forgot, but I think it made it realistic in a way

          • Yeah but I liked it when I didn’t have to scream at Nuzleaf to get out of the way.

            Damn how am I getting past you Snorelax?!

          • Sometimes I need to push the teammates, though, so they’ll be in a perfect position to attack without having to walk.

            I liked having both options (switching and pushing), but I would’ve preferred switching to be the default, and R+move is pushing.

    • My hopes are:

      Sun and Moon
      Third game to sun and moon OR a game that ties in both Kalos and Alola
      Gen 1 remakes
      Definitely Mystery Dungeon!
      Gen 4 remakes
      Gen 8

      Reply
  12. I think the only reason why I’m not dying because we still have a week until the next Sun and Moon information is the new episodes of Steven Universe along the way :p

    Reply
  13. Day-old article: translated Famitsu interview of director Shigeru Ohmori and producer Junichi Masuda

    http://nintendoeverything.com/pokemon-sunmoon-devs-on-gameplay-changes-improvements-setting-battle-royal-pokemon-go-more/

    “When asked why the new region is based on Hawaii, Masuda said that the Pokemon World Championships have been held several times there, and he thought that it’s a very energetic land. It has seas, volcanoes and waterfalls, and also has a lot of rainfall compared to most of America.”

    Reply
  14. 8 days left,our gaming Heroes continued on their journey to get some more information on Pokemon Sun and Moon,until they got stopped by a herd of fairy-type cows.oh come on,Cows seriously!

    Reply
    • Meanwhile I have never seen a Pikachu in my life in GO. Heh heh. And there are like, no Eevees.

      I have a couple of Scythers and Rhydon though.

      Reply
    • I can’t find Pikachu at all yet I caught Nidorina and Meowth last night yet Pokemon I want but won’t come close to me or I’ve not seen at all

      Psyduck, Porygon, Growlithe, Pikachu, Magnemite, Tauros, Lapras, Poliwag

      Reply
  15. Personally hoping for Pokepark 3 on the Wii U, with all Pokémon Gens 1-7 and Amiibo Support, plus the only reason it wasn’t done last Gen was because there wasn’t enough Pokémon to issue a new one, but with Sun and Moon, releasing arguably over 100 new Pokémon, it’s more than likely we’ll get a new one, would also like to see Diamond/Pearl remakes too.

    Reply
  16. Jackpot I got a Female Magikarp in a lure ball
    Which brings me to my next idea, what if in Alola there’s a collector outside the Slaking Motel or the battle place and he’s collected Pokeballs from all over the region and sells them for BP
    http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/2/23/Poké_Balls_GL.png
    But some will be very expensive or not available like Cherish, Sport, Dream and Park
    And obviously Master isn’t available

    Reply
  17. So, this has happened to me twice. I nicknamed my Eevee ‘Rainer’ and it worked once. The second time I did it, I got a Flareon. Then I got a Jolteon yesterday.

    Reply
  18. Hey guys, this is the last post I’ll make here about shiny Pokemon; after today, I’ll be moving over to the forums. Again, I’m giving away shiny Pokemon, I can’t guarantee legitimacy or competitiveness, and you may pick three (for now). I don’t expect anything in return- they’re completely free! All I need is your FC and your in-game name so I can make sure I trade with the correct person.

    *Note – the list on the right are Pokemon that have already been reserved

    Reply
  19. According to this Panthster’s ability could make his target flammable …once attack him with fire move that target will burn immediately…..nice cheap way that’s how dark type play.

    Reply
  20. Ok, now all I need are darkrai, keldeo, meloetta, and volcanion to complete my dex! This is the first time I’ve ever caught ’em all, so to speak 🙂

    Reply
  21. Hmmmmmm so apparently that there Shiny Nidoking is 6IV’d Timid with Sheer Force
    Ergo utter perfection…..so this is probably a hack
    But you did give me a nifty Cafe Battler to rake in the dough, breeding ain’t cheep

    Reply
    • I figured some of them had to be hacked. That’s partially why I wanted rid of them; no effort was put into getting them.

      Reply
  22. Here’s an interesting question:
    What Pokemon do you guys often forget exist? For me I’d say Aipom, Maractus and tyrogue.

    Reply
  23. Alright, I’ve asked about favorite Pokemon, but this time I’m going to ask: what’s your least favorite Pokemon and why?

    Reply
    • Pikachu because im that type of hypster that hates things that are too popular haha jk i would say muk because it is literally a pile of toxic waste with eyes but it isnt that bad i guess

      Reply
    • Design-wise, I don’t hate a single Pokémon. I guess that’s just the inner artist in me that appreciates the uniqueness of each creature. Battle-wise, I hate literally every dragon type.

      Reply
    • talking about hate I only hate humanz I can’t hate pkms but if we r talking about design I will choose Voltorb line.

      Reply
    • I don’t know…. Design wise stunfisk.. There’s something about stunfisk that makes me feel hate towards it and I don’t even know why…

      Reply
        • I dislike how it was shown in the movie as well. I felt like Hoopa stood out from the art style of the rest of the film, and that made me dislike it more.

          Reply
          • Hoopa’s design is severely displeasing to my eyes. The weird gray skin and rosy cheeks just clash horribly. Not to mention its STUPID voice in the movie made me dislike it more.

    • Garbador because of its ugly design

      Greninja because of its ugly design and specifically it’s extremely angular head and tongue scarf

      Kink kelang because it’s overall design is bad. Its stake. Has no personality and honestly it looks more mechanical than any other Pokemon. Like what is this exactly? It looks like an inanimate contraption. Are we really suppose to believe this to be a creature of nature? Horrible.

      Serperior because snowy had so much potential and they just chose to make it a pretty basic run of the mill grass snake. It doesn’t even have arms or anything even close to interesting going on with it.

      Emboar it’s number 3 in a long list of fire/fighting starter evolutions and it’s just not pleasant to look at and its stats aren’t terrific either. Just a large fat pig that doesn’t even really look natural

      Lastly, samurott because it’s a really gross looking combination of a a seal, a sea lion, an otter, and o don’t even know? A horse? It’s the worst example of a final starter evolution and it just doesn’t make sense at all. Why does it have a helmet out of nowhere? Why does it walk on four legs for some reason? Why couldn’t we have gotten a bad ass samurai outter as originally planned? Nothing about samurott looks like a samurai. Even the tail makes no logical sense on a creature like this. It’s just bad. Definitely the Pokemon I hate most.

      There are many other not so great ones but I can usually deal with that. For every 10 Charizards, there’s gotta be one exeggcutor

      Reply
      • Whattttt. Serperior’s design is great and elegant. I think they knocked it out of the park. I agree about the others.

        Reply
      • I like Samurott it’s one of my favorite final evos. if that Popplio doesn’t evolve into the Mermaid it will be in my favs.

        Reply
    • Golbat they are too common, too fast, and too many moves that are annoying to fight and they aren’t even a very good in battling partner!

      Reply
    • Dunsparce. I don’t really know why. I just despise the thing. I guess the name is stupid, it’s weak, not really appealing in any way and for whatever reason is super hard to find in gen 2

      Reply
      • I can’t blame ya hard Pokemon normally are hated but another is Gen.4 Chansey it hatches bad has no good stats and learns no good moves!

        Reply
    • Bidoof and Biberel, ick. Something about them makes me gag. I like to pretend they don’t exist. Garbodor too, though I actually liked Trubbish.

      Reply
    • I’m not one to hate on any Pokémon, I love most if not all of them (as well as the new ones), but I can’t lie to myself, I completely hate Delphox; I don’t know if my opinion is unpopular or not, the concept behind this Poké is awesome, as well as it’s pre-evos, but Delphox just looks horrible with that tiny head of hers. (And Mega Sharpedo, that one could be a little better).

      Reply
  24. Man I cannot wait for Hyper Training. All my shiny babies will become more relevant than ever!!! It’s gonna be so gorgeous battling here in S&M (if people do battle unlike oras). My teams will consist 30+ of my pretty shiny babies. #ProudMMFather

    Reply
  25. Pokevision has honestly become such a handy site considering that the ingame tracking has the 3 footprint bug
    Love how the app gets me out of the house on the regular

    Reply
  26. I hope Candela, Blanche, and Spark (especially Spark) have cameos in Sun/Moon. I don’t think it would serve much purpose, but it would be a neat way to tie in Go.

    Reply
      • They could have a trio of NPCs that reference what the 3 teams stand for without outright saying they’re Candela, Blanche, and Spark. But I see why they wouldn’t be included as well.

        Reply
        • I would like that more. Like a subtle reference somewhere in the game. I just don’t want GO to be considered Canon with the main games, what little of it there is.

          Reply
  27. Earthen ibored…..I was rewatching the E3 thing analyzing the actual gameplay, the weird noodleily animations, I hope they at least let you run in tall grass

    Reply
    • Online servers are down for a few hours. I’m not going to up long enough to be able to trade today, but I’ll most likely be on again tomorrow, or you can message me on the forums and we’ll work out a time to trade.

      Reply
  28. So the August Coro Coro introduced Megas during the x and y releases, does anyone think the August 1st info could be Megas considering the next Coro Coro promises southern island info instead? Also, what mega would you want? (I’m holding out for weavile and froslass)

    Reply
  29. I have an interesting Question what Pokemon from previous games that has not been shown yet mine is Weavile!

    Reply
  30. …..a moment of silence if you’d all please
    I just lost a very dear friend…..
    My lucky chest hair is officially gone….. Plucked in its prime….
    I had it for three years….over 3 inches in length….
    It will be deeply deeply missed

    Reply
  31. Wes, if you’re here I’m ready to trade. Green: 3239-3723-6799.
    I would like Gigalith and Eelektross. If Eelektross is unavailable, Lilligant.

    Reply
  32. I know this is a random and really not that important question but is yungoos the only pokemon that isnt native to the region of the gen it was introduced in?

    Reply
  33. Can someone help me evolve my poliwhirl into a politoad by trading with me and then sending it back please. My code is 1891-1280-0860.

    Reply

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