Pokémon GO is preparing another autumn event, with Niantic revealing the Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek event and the long-awaited debut of Bramblin.
October has traditionally been a busy month for Pokémon GO. Ghost-type Pokémon regularly receive additional attention around Halloween, while new species, raids, bonuses and themed events tend to fill the calendar.
This year appears to be no different. However, the announcement arrives at a time when parts of the Pokémon GO community are increasingly questioning how events are structured, particularly when desirable rewards, encounters or advantages are tied to paid tickets.
Because apparently going for a walk with your Pokémon wasn’t monetizable enough yet.
Bramblin Is Coming to Pokémon GO
The biggest addition during Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek will be Bramblin, the Ghost and Grass-type Pokémon introduced during Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Bramblin resembles a tumbleweed and evolves into Brambleghast. Its Ghost typing also makes October an obvious window for its Pokémon GO debut.
The addition continues Pokémon GO’s gradual introduction of newer-generation Pokémon rather than releasing an entire generation at once.
For collectors, Bramblin will naturally be one of the biggest reasons to participate in the event.
Another Busy October for Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO has regularly used October to highlight Ghost-type Pokémon since the game’s launch in 2016.
Older Ghost Pokémon generally become easier to encounter, while Halloween-themed bonuses, raids and research have become an annual tradition.
Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek will form part of the ongoing Twilight Trails season, which began in September and continues until December 1.
That season is already expected to introduce another major Ghost-type Pokémon through Mega Chandelure.
Mega Chandelure Is Still Coming
Mega Chandelure was previously confirmed as one of the new additions planned during Twilight Trails.
An exact release date has not yet been confirmed, but October would certainly be an appropriate time to introduce it.
A dedicated Raid Day would also fit Pokémon GO’s usual approach to major Mega Evolution debuts.
Until an official announcement is made, however, players should treat any specific Mega Chandelure event dates as speculation.
Pokémon GO Events Continue to Face Criticism
While another Pokémon debut would normally be an easy win, Pokémon GO events have become increasingly controversial among sections of the community.
One recurring complaint involves paid event tickets and premium bonuses. Players have questioned whether some events provide significantly better opportunities to those willing to spend money, particularly when paid research offers extra encounters, resources or improved progression.
The result is an uncomfortable discussion around whether Pokémon GO is drifting further toward a pay-to-win or pay-for-advantage structure.
Of course, technically you can still play for free.
You just occasionally get the privilege of watching everyone who bought the ticket enjoy the better version of the event.
Claims of “Rigged” Events Remain Controversial
Another criticism frequently seen within the Pokémon GO community concerns randomness.
Pokémon GO relies heavily on RNG for Pokémon encounters, IVs, Shiny Pokémon, raids and other rewards. This has resulted in some players describing certain events as feeling “rigged,” particularly when advertised rare Pokémon remain extremely difficult to obtain despite significant participation.
There is an important distinction here.
There is no confirmed evidence that Pokémon GO deliberately rigs individual players’ results. Bad luck, low encounter rates and RNG can easily create extremely frustrating experiences without the game secretly deciding that a particular player deserves another 47 useless Pokémon.
However, perception matters.
When players spend money on tickets, Raid Passes or other premium items and still walk away empty-handed, frustration naturally increases.
Paying Does Not Remove RNG
That combination of monetization and randomness remains one of Pokémon GO’s biggest problems.
A player can spend money to participate more heavily in an event without being guaranteed the Pokémon or reward they actually want.
In other words, sometimes you’re not buying the reward.
You’re buying more opportunities to potentially receive the reward.
Welcome to modern mobile gaming, where even disappointment can apparently have a premium tier.
Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek Could Still Be Worth Watching
Despite the controversy surrounding Pokémon GO’s monetization, Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek should still attract plenty of attention.
Bramblin is a completely new Pokédex addition, Ghost-type Pokémon remain popular, and October traditionally delivers some of Pokémon GO’s more interesting seasonal events.
Mega Chandelure could make the month even more significant if its debut also happens during October.
For free-to-play players, however, the important question will once again be how much of the event can realistically be enjoyed without opening the wallet.
Pokémon GO started as a game about walking outside and catching Pokémon.
Hopefully Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek remembers the walking and catching Pokémon part.
Not just the part where someone discovered the “Buy Ticket” button.
