Latest Pokemon GO tease might hint at Eternatus debut

Pokemon GO's latest hint at a major battle gimmick at the 2024 Pokemon World Champions' conclusion may inherently hint at the arrival of a Generation VIII legendary Pokemon as well. At the end of Worlds 2024, a trailer debuted heavily implying that Gigantamax Pokemon would appear in Niantic's mobile title soon, and this phenomenon may suggest the arrival of Eternatus too.

Although this isn't to say that Eternatus will debut in Pokemon GO alongside Gigantamax/Dynamax Pokemon, the arrival of the latter almost certainly invites the powerful Poison/Dragon-type legendary given its lore-based connection to the Gigantamax/Dynamax power and its arrival in the Galar region.

Note: This article is based on speculation. Readers are advised to take the information herein with a grain of salt.

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Why the arrival of Gigantamax/Dynamax in Pokemon GO may hint at Eternatus' arrival

Eternatus has a deep connection to Gigantamax/Dynamax power in the core Pokemon series (Image via The Pokemon Company)

While it's anybody's guess as to when Pokemon GO will fully introduce Eternatus, the seemingly imminent arrival of Gigantamax/Dynamax Pokemon seems to have officially opened the door for this particular legendary Pokemon. This is due in large part to Eternatus' connection to the Gigantamax phenomenon in the story and lore of the core Pokemon series games and other works.

Twenty-thousand years before the events of Pokemon Sword and Shield, a meteorite containing Eternatus landed in the Galar region, according to the Pokemon Shield Pokedex entry for the creature. After awakening, Eternatus began draining the energy of the Galar region during a moment known as the Darkest Day, where it was stopped by Galar's heroic Pokemon Zacian and Zamazenta.

This caused the accumulated energy from Eternatus to leak out back into Galar in the form of Galar Particles, the very source of power from which Dynamax and Gigantamax transformations draw. Given this creature's story background, it isn't unreasonable to think that the arrival of Dynamax/Gigantamax Pokemon in Pokemon GO could herald Eternatus' arrival down the line.

Obviously, given Niantic's proclivities regarding releasing powerful legendary Pokemon, Eternatus isn't likely to appear at the same time as Gigantamax/Dynamax transformations. Still, once Niantic has implemented this battle gimmick mechanic and has refined it to an acceptable degree, it would be confusing if the developer didn't introduce Eternatus in some form or fashion.

This is particularly true since many of the Galar region's species have yet to be introduced in Pokemon GO, including even its starter Pokemon. If Niantic does indeed add more Galarian Pokemon, then Eternatus (at least in its base form) would be a natural fit in a wave of new Generation VIII creatures. Plus, its Eternamax form would make it heavily desirable among trainers.