Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are holding an Easter themed Max Raid event, allowing players to nab Fire-type starter Cinderace.
The Wild Area regularly updates (after players “Check Wild News Area” from within the game) with Pokemon that are seasonally available, and special events for Max Raid battles. While these usually come with a slim chance of a Shiny Pokemon, there have been times Pokemon exclusive to one version becomes available on both.
Serebii reports [1, 2] the Easter Event is something a little different. Assuming players have unlocked 5 star Max Raid dens (seven or more Gym badges), they can find rabbit-themed Pokemon. Diggersby, Loppuny, Azumarril, and a shiny version of the latter. The stand out however is Cinderace.
Not only is Cinderace the final evolution of Fire-type starter Pokemon Scorbunny (and as such only obtainable if you choose it as your starter or trade), but it also comes with its Hidden Ability. These abilities were usually hard to find outside of typical gameplay, but The Crown Tundra expansion made it so this can be unlocked via an item (and a lot of Dynite Ore from Max Raid battles).
Cinderace’ Hidden Ability is Libero, and changes its type to whatever move it is about to use. Not only does this always grant it the 1.5x Same Type Attack Bonus (A Fire-type Pokemon will deal more damage using a Fire-type move, etc.), but it can allow it to switch to a type that resists what foes are about to deal to it.
This Cinderace is also capable of Gigantimaxing. This means its fire moves are not Max Flare (summoning strong sunlight for five turns), but instead G-Max Fireball. This move will target foes no matter what ability they hold; for example a Pokemon with Flash Fire will take damage from it, instead of powering up.
Should players wish to keep the Dynamax form, they can either feed the beastie some Max Soup (from the Isle of Armor), or breed it for Scorbunny Eggs. How appropriate for the season! For those breeding for IVs (the invisible stats of a Pokemon’s genetics), 5 Star Max Raid Pokemon typically have 4 maxed out IVs.
Whether you are a collector or battler, Cinderace is sure to pique your interest. The Easter event ends April 4th. However, Cinderace does have a 25% chance of appearing in a den, and after the event is over, players can elect to simply not update the Wild Area News to keep the event going longer! Providing the next event is not of interest to them.
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are available on Nintendo Switch. In case you missed it, you can find our review here, our Isle of Armor expansion review here, and The Crown Tundra expansion review here.
In other news, Pokemon Go is also celebrating Easter. From April 4th to April 8th, players can obtain Mega Lopunny for the first time, and catch and hatch Pokemon wearing flower crowns on their heads (Pikachu, Eevee, Happiny, Chansey, and Blissey). Mega Lopunny-inspired avatar items will also be available from the in-game shop.
Along with the egg and rabbit themed Pokemon being more common to catch and hatch, players may also find a shiny Bunnebly, earn twice the usual Candy for hatching Eggs, Lucky Eggs will last for one hour (doubling EXP earned), and Eggs in Incubators will only need half the distance to hatch.
Pokemon Go is available on Android, and iOS.
Image: Previously released press release