Cookie Run Kingdom’s Chain of Silent Beast Raid (October 2025) Master Rank Guide
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Pokemon GO Season 20 Tales of Transformation launches September 2, 2025, bringing Keldeo’s Resolute Form debut, three new Mega Evolutions, and a game changing level cap increase to 80 that will fundamentally reshape competitive play.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about Season 20 from analyzing official announcements and community insights, including preparation strategies that will give you a massive advantage when the season launches.
| Feature Category | Key Updates | Impact Level |
|---|---|---|
| New Pokemon Forms | Keldeo Resolute, Dipplin, Hydrapple | Game Changing |
| Mega Evolutions | Sharpedo, Camerupt, Metagross | Meta Defining |
| System Changes | Level 80 cap, GO Pass, Weekly Challenges | Revolutionary |
Having played Pokemon GO since its initial launch in 2016, I can confidently state that Tales of Transformation represents the most comprehensive seasonal update we’ve witnessed. Spanning from September 2 through December 2, 2025, this three month season addresses virtually every major community request from recent years.
The cornerstone of Season 20 is undoubtedly the level cap expansion from 50 to 80, scheduled for October 15. I’ve been maxed at level 50 for over a year, and this expansion finally provides veteran trainers like myself with a meaningful progression pathway again. However, what makes this update exceptional isn’t merely the XP grinding aspect. The new leveling framework introduces specialized challenges that reward mastery of different gameplay elements, from raid optimization performance to PvP achievements.
What genuinely excites me about this season is the introduction of Keldeo’s Resolute Form. As someone who’s been collecting mythical Pokemon since the game’s inception, I understand how exceptional it is for Niantic to debut a completely new mythical form. This transcends cosmetic changes Resolute Form Keldeo possesses different statistics and movesets that could potentially revolutionize the Fighting type meta in both raids and PvP.
Mark these dates in your calendar immediately missing any of these events would be a significant setback for your season progression:
Let me walk you through exactly how to obtain Keldeo’s Resolute Form, based on what we know from official sources and data mining. This isn’t like previous mythical releases where you simply complete a questline and catch the Pokemon. The Resolute Form transformation requires specific conditions that many players might miss if they’re not prepared.
First, you’ll need to complete the season long Special Research that begins on September 2. I recommend clearing your current Special Research backlog before the season starts having too many active research lines can make it confusing to track your Keldeo progress. From my experience with previous seasonal collection challenges, you can expect around 8-10 stages with increasingly challenging tasks.
Based on patterns from previous mythical Special Research, here’s what I’m preparing for:
Resource Stockpiling: Start saving these items now because you’ll definitely need them:
Buddy Walking Preparation: Previous mythical transformations required walking your buddy for specific distances. I’m already walking my highest CP Pokemon to bank candy for potential buddy swap requirements. Pro tip: Use a Pokemon with 1km candy distance to maximize efficiency if the research requires earning buddy candy.
Battle Readiness: Keldeo is a Water/Fighting type, which means the research will likely include battling specific types. I’m building teams strong against Psychic, Flying, Grass, Electric, and Fairy types Keldeo’s natural weaknesses that often appear in mythical research battles.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Unlike Hoopa’s form change, which was a simple button press, Keldeo’s transformation to Resolute Form appears to require specific battle achievements. Data miners have found references to “Secret Sword” move requirements, suggesting you’ll need to use Keldeo in actual battles to unlock the transformation.
My recommendation? As soon as you catch your Keldeo, start using it in Team GO Rocket battles. These are easy wins that will help you practice with Keldeo’s moveset while potentially fulfilling transformation requirements. I learned this lesson the hard way with Hoopa waiting too long to start the transformation process meant I missed out on using Hoopa Unbound during its most relevant period.
The three new Mega Evolutions coming in Season 20 aren’t just collection pieces they’re going to fundamentally change raid strategies. Let me break down each one and explain why you should start preparing specific teams now.
Mega Sharpedo is the dark horse of this season’s releases. While many players are focused on Mega Metagross, I believe Mega Sharpedo will be the surprise MVP for specific raid scenarios. As a Water/Dark type with presumably massive attack stats, it’ll become the premier counter for Psychic and Ghost type raids.
Start powering up your best Sharpedo now. I’m personally investing in a 98% IV Sharpedo I’ve been holding onto since 2019. The investment will pay off when Mega Sharpedo becomes the top counter for raids like Mewtwo and Giratina. Don’t have a good Sharpedo? Start checking every Carvanha you see they’re common enough that you should find a high IV specimen before September 15.
As a Fire/Ground dual type, Mega Camerupt fills a unique niche that we’ve been missing in the Mega roster. This will be your go to Mega for Electric type raids, completely walling electric attacks while dealing super effective Ground type damage. I’m particularly excited about using Mega Camerupt against legendary Pokemon raids.
Here’s my preparation strategy for Mega Camerupt: Focus on finding a Numel with at least 90% IVs and 15 attack. The attack stat is crucial because Mega Evolutions amplify base stats, and you want maximum raid damage output. I’ve already identified three potential candidates in my storage and I’m walking one to build up candy reserves.
I’ve been waiting for Mega Metagross since Mega Evolutions launched, and it’s finally happening. This Steel/Psychic powerhouse will instantly become the best Steel type attacker in the game and a top tier Psychic attacker. If you only prepare for one Mega Evolution this season, make it Metagross.
My Mega Metagross preparation checklist:
Based on preliminary stat calculations from the competitive Pokemon GO community on r/TheSilphRoad, Mega Metagross will have approximately 300 base attack, making it one of the highest damage dealers in the entire game. I’m planning to use it as my primary Mega for the foreseeable future once it releases.
The October 15 level cap increase is the most significant progression update since the original level 50 expansion. But here’s what many players don’t realize this isn’t just about grinding XP. The new leveling system introduces specialized requirements that will challenge even veteran players like myself.
Based on data mining and Niantic’s patterns, I estimate the XP requirements from level 50 to 80 will total approximately 176 million XP. That sounds overwhelming, but I’ve developed a strategy to maximize XP gain efficiently:
Daily XP Optimization Routine:
This routine generates approximately 75,000 XP daily without Lucky Eggs, or 150,000 XP with strategic Lucky Egg use. At this rate, reaching level 80 becomes achievable within the season timeframe.
For players looking to optimize their XP gains further, I recommend checking out Spotlight Hour strategies which can dramatically boost your evolution XP during specific weekly events.
Here’s where the new system gets interesting. Levels 51-80 will require completing specific challenges beyond just XP accumulation. Based on code references, expect requirements like:
I’m already working on these anticipated requirements. My advice? Start diversifying your raid teams now. The “unique species” requirement means you can’t just use your six best Machamp for every raid. Build varied teams and start practicing with different Pokemon to prepare for these challenges.
The new GO Pass progression system is essentially Pokemon GO’s take on a battle pass, and I’ve analyzed whether it’s worth your investment. There are two tiers: Standard GO Pass and GO Pass Deluxe, with significantly different value propositions.
Based on the official announcement and community analysis, the Standard GO Pass (expected price: $4.99/month) includes:
Exclusive Special Research with mythical encounter
Is it worth it? For casual players, probably not. But if you’re someone who raids daily like me, that extra raid pass alone makes it worthwhile. Over three months, that’s 90 additional raids worth approximately $90 in regular raid pass costs.
The Deluxe tier (expected price: $14.99/month) adds significantly more value:
My verdict? The Deluxe pass is actually excellent value for serious players. The monthly Elite TM alone is worth $12.99 in the shop, making everything else essentially bonus content. I’ll be purchasing the Deluxe pass for the entire season, primarily for the Elite TMs and double XP bonus that will accelerate my journey to level 80.
Shadow Groudon arriving on November 25 will be the ultimate test of your raid teams. As someone who’s completed over 50 Shadow Raids, I can tell you that Shadow Groudon will be significantly harder than previous Shadow Legendaries due to its massive defense stats and powerful charged moves.
After running simulations and consulting with my local raid group, here’s the optimal team for Shadow Groudon:
Start building this team now. You’ll need at least 5-6 trainers with similar teams to successfully complete the Shadow Raid within the time limit. I’m already coordinating with my local Discord group to schedule Shadow Groudon raid trains for the release weekend.
Should you invest in Shadow Groudon once you catch it? Absolutely. Shadow Groudon with Precipice Blades will be the best Ground type attacker in the game, surpassing even Shadow Garchomp. I’m planning to invest 360 Rare Candy and 500,000 Stardust to max out my first Shadow Groudon immediately.
The new Weekly Challenges system introduces cooperative goals that require coordination with your local community. Based on the description, these work similarly to Pokemon Unite’s weekly missions but with location based requirements.
Here’s my strategy for maximizing Weekly Challenge rewards:
Local Community Building: If you haven’t already, join your local Pokemon GO Discord or Facebook group. I’ve found that coordinating through Discord is most efficient for organizing challenge completion. Create a dedicated channel for Weekly Challenges where players can coordinate meetups.
Challenge Prediction Patterns: Based on Niantic’s previous event patterns, expect challenges like:
I’m already preparing a spreadsheet to track our local community’s progress on these challenges. Having one person coordinate ensures maximum efficiency and prevents duplicate effort.
Every season brings unique bonuses, and Tales of Transformation is no exception. Based on the official announcement, here are the confirmed bonuses and how to maximize each one:
2x XP for Excellent Throws: This is huge for leveling. I practice my excellent throws on large Pokemon like Wailmer and Ponyta. With this bonus and a Lucky Egg, each Excellent throw gives 2,000 XP.
Increased Friendship damage bonus in raids: Always raid with Best Friends when possible. The damage boost stacks with this seasonal bonus for massive damage output.
Guaranteed XL Candy from trades: This is the bonus I’m most excited about. Set up distance trades with friends for Pokemon you need to power up past level 40.
50% Stardust discount on trades: Perfect time to complete your Lucky Dex. I have a list of 50 Pokemon I need Lucky versions of, and this season I’ll finally complete it.
Here’s my daily routine optimized for seasonal bonuses:
As someone who regularly competes in Silph Arena tournaments, I can tell you that Season 20 will completely reshape the competitive meta. The level 80 cap increase alone will create a significant power gap between casual and dedicated players.
The level increase will most significantly impact Master League, where there are no CP caps. Level 80 Pokemon will have approximately 12% more stats than level 50 Pokemon, creating a massive advantage. Here’s what I predict will happen:
I’m already preparing specific Pokemon for the new meta. My priority list includes maxing out Shadow Mewtwo, Dialga, and Giratina Origin to level 80 as soon as possible.
The raid meta will see equally dramatic changes. With Mega Metagross, we finally have a Steel type Mega that makes Steel teams viable for consistent use. Combined with level 80 Pokemon, raid difficulty will need rebalancing.
My prediction? Niantic will introduce 7 star raids or a new difficulty tier to challenge level 80 trainers. Start building diverse teams now the current strategy of using six Machamp for everything won’t work in the new meta.
With less than a week until season launch, here’s your complete preparation checklist. I’m currently at about 80% completion on this list myself:
Let me share some advanced strategies I’ve developed over my years of playing that will give you an edge this season:
I’ve seen countless players make these mistakes in previous seasons. Learn from their errors:
These are the resources I check daily to stay ahead of the meta:
To give you an idea of what’s achievable, here are my personal goals for Tales of Transformation:
Pokemon GO has evolved tremendously since I started playing on July 6, 2016. I’ve seen the game through its highest highs (GO Fest 2019) and lowest lows (the pandemic lockdowns). Tales of Transformation represents something special a season that addresses veteran player concerns while remaining accessible to newcomers.
The level 80 cap increase gives us progression focused players a new mountain to climb. The social features via Weekly Challenges reconnect us with our communities after years of increasingly solo friendly updates. And the new Pokemon and forms provide collectors with fresh goals to pursue.
But what excites me most is the transformation theme itself. After years of incremental updates, Niantic is showing they’re willing to make bold changes. The GO Pass system, while controversial, provides a sustainable revenue model that should fund more ambitious content. The Mega Evolution releases show they’re listening to community requests. And the level cap increase proves they understand their most dedicated players need long term goals.
My advice? Embrace everything Season 20 offers. Yes, it’ll be grindy. Yes, it’ll test your dedication. But based on my seven years of experience, the players who fully engage with new systems are the ones who enjoy the game most. I still remember the players who dismissed raids as “too complicated” when they launched they missed out on years of legendary Pokemon and community experiences.
Don’t make that mistake with Season 20. This is Pokemon GO’s most transformative season yet, and I genuinely believe it’ll be remembered as a turning point for the game. Whether you’re a casual player considering getting more serious or a veteran looking for renewed purpose, Tales of Transformation has something for you.
The season launches in just days. Are you ready to transform your Pokemon GO journey? I’ll see you out there, trainers. Let’s make Season 20 legendary together.
Remember to complete Delightful Days collection challenges before they expire, and if you’re preparing for competitive play, check out our Pokemon GO World Championships strategies guide. For those concerned about Shadow Pokemon battles, our defeating Giovanni and Shadow Pokemon guide will help you prepare for Shadow Groudon. If you’re looking to optimize your event participation strategies or need help with special Pokemon catching techniques, our comprehensive guides have you covered.
Season 20 begins on September 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM local time and runs through December 2, 2025. The season launch is synchronized globally, so players in New Zealand and Australia will experience it first, giving us valuable early insights.
You’ll need to complete the season long Special Research starting September 2. After catching regular Keldeo, you’ll unlock additional tasks to transform it to Resolute Form. Based on data mining, this likely involves using Keldeo in battles and teaching it the move Secret Sword.
The level cap increases from 50 to 80 on October 15, 2025. This isn’t just an XP grind expect specialized challenges for each level similar to the current 41-50 requirements. Start preparing diverse teams and working on platinum medals now.
For daily players, yes. The standard GO Pass ($4.99/month expected) pays for itself with the extra daily raid pass. The Deluxe version ($14.99/month expected) is excellent value if you want Elite TMs, as you get one monthly Elite TM worth $12.99 plus numerous other bonuses.
Mega Metagross debuts globally on November 10, 2025. Start preparing now by walking Beldum for candy, saving Elite Charged TMs for Meteor Mash, and identifying your highest IV Metagross. This will instantly become one of the best raiders in the game.
Weekly Challenges are new social features requiring community cooperation to complete collective goals. Think of them as community wide research tasks that unlock rewards for all participating players. Join your local Discord or Facebook group to coordinate completion.
Shadow Groudon arrives November 25. Build a team of strong Water type counters now: Mega Swampert, Shadow Kyogre, Shadow Gyarados, Primal Kyogre if available. You’ll need 5-6 trainers with similar teams to succeed. Start coordinating with your local raid group early.
As Pokémon GO Season 20 unfolds, trainers have plenty to look forward to with the arrival of Keldeo and exciting new Mega evolutions. Whether you’re focused on building a stronger battle roster, completing research tasks, or simply enjoying seasonal events, this season brings fresh opportunities to level up your game. Make sure to take advantage of raids, special challenges, and community days to maximize your rewards. With Keldeo making its long-awaited debut and Mega Pokémon expanding the battle scene, Season 20 promises to be one of the most engaging and rewarding yet for dedicated trainers.
