'Pokemon GO' Gen 2 Update Imminent As Latest Patch Code Reveals 38 New Moves Pokemon Evolution

Niantic has released the latest Pokémon GO patch notes that were more than a little depressing, with the only item of significance being a nerf to egg hatching and buddy walking as the game looks to correct free distance given by natural GPS drift in the game.

With each new Pokémon GO patch comes a fresh set of data and the  Silph Road has once again discovered some jewels in this new patch that seem to suggest Niantic is gearing up for a big Gen 2 release, which might be very soon indeed.

The game developer Niantic Lab has launched the latest update to the game on Wednesday. It was also noted that Pokemon GO users will perhaps have a lot to look forward to this year. The application code indicated that Niantic Lab has arranged the foundation for major upgrades.

With the said new patch, the Pokemon GO added numerous progressive evolutions into the game's code. Precise items are the Sun Stone, King's Rock, Metal Coat, Dragon Scale and Up-Grade.

In the game, certain Pokemon will also utilize these items to evolve into more advanced forms. References for the Pokemon Unown and its numerous forms can also be seen in the update code. You should note that Unown is a later-generation Pokemon who takes on various forms comparable to the Latin alphabet.

The patch data has revealed 38 new moves, which have been added behind the scenes to the game. This includes a large number that are specifically learned by Gen 2 Pokémon. There are also some new quick moves like Iron Tail, Hex, and Slash and new charge-up moves like Crunch, Zap Cannon and Mirror Coat.

The suggestion is that these are being put into the game ahead of release of the actual Pokémon themselves, yet another piece of the Gen 2 is in puzzle that is coming together rather quickly, reports Forbes.

Past these moves, there are also some Gen 2-specific items that have been added to the backend, each of these corresponds to Gen 2 evolutions. Via reddit:

.ITEM_SUN_STONE - Gloom -> Bellossom | Sunkern -> Sunflora

.ITEM_DRAGON_SCALE - Seadra -> Kingdra

.ITEM_METAL_COAT - Onix -> Steelix | Scyther -> Scizor

.ITEM_KINGS_ROCK - Poliwhirl -> Politoed | Slowpoke -> Slowking

.ITEM_UP_GRADE - Porygon -> Porygon2

However, it's unknown how these items will be found and whether only they will be required for these Gen 2 evolutions, or if players will yet need a whole bunch of candy as well. 

What remains still unclear is when exactly all this comes together. Pokémon GO has jam-packed in so much data about Gen 2 Pokémon behind the scenes that release seems forthcoming.