March 14, 2023

Professor Willow needs everybody’s help in a new event; Team GO Rocket activity also detected

Professor Willow needs everybody’s help in a new event; Team GO Rocket activity also detected

Trainers,

It’s time to GO! It’s all hands on deck during the Let’s GO event—Professor Willow’s research is running wild, literally! Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour are appearing in the wild all over the world, and lucky Trainers using the Mystery Box might encounter Shiny Meltan! And some Trainers have noticed a shift in the wild Pokémon that Ditto is transforming into—better keep an eye out!

We’ve also received reports that Team GO Rocket might be planning to revamp their efforts and change more species of Pokémon into Shadow Pokémon in their schemes. Stay alert, Trainers!

Let’s GO

Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time

Meltan

The key to catching Meltan is the Mystery Box, which can be obtained by sending a Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME or the Nintendo Switch titles Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!

When you use the Mystery Box during this event, you might encounter Shiny Meltan—if you’re lucky! Trainers will also have an increased chance of finding XXS or XXL Meltan during the event.

In addition, you’ll be able to open the Mystery Box more frequently during the event.

Meltan
Meltan
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour appearing globally!

Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour will appear in Field Research and in the wild around the world during the event!

Pansage
Pansage
Pansear*
Pansear
Panpour
Panpour
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

A Ditto changeup

Ditto appears to be transforming into different Pokémon in the wild

Ditto
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Ditto transformations

Ditto appears to be transforming into different Pokémon in the wild!

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild! Which ones are actually Ditto?

Diglett
Diglett
Grimer
Grimer
Snubbull
Snubbull
Corphish
Corphish
Starly
Starly
Roggenrola
Roggenrola
Tympole
Tympole
Litleo
Litleo
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one or a Shiny Ditto!

Event Bonuses

Reduced waiting time for opening the Mystery Box.
2× Candy for transferring Pokémon.
Increased chance of finding XXS and XXL Meltan.
Increased chance of finding Ditto disguised as other Pokémon.

Wild encounters

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.

Diglett
Diglett
Grimer
Grimer
Snubbull
Snubbull
Corphish
Corphish
Starly
Starly
Pansage
Pansage
Pansear
Pansear
Panpour
Panpour
Roggenrola
Roggenrola
Tympole
Tympole
Litleo
Litleo
Some Trainers might even encounter the following!
Trubbish
Trubbish
Galarian Stunfisk*
Galarian Stunfisk
Goomy
Goomy
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Raids

The following Pokémon will be appearing in raids.

Five-star raids
Lugia^^
Lugia^^
Incarnate Forme Thundurus^
Incarnate Forme Thundurus^
^Incarnate Forme Thundurus will appear in raids from Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
^^Lugia will appear in raids from Tuesday, March 28, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, April 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Mega Raids
Mega Venusaur^
Mega Venusaur^
Mega Alakazam*&
Mega Alakazam^^
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
^Mega Venusaur will appear in raids from Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
^^Mega Alakazam will appear in raids from Tuesday, March 28, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, April 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Field Research task encounters

The following Pokémon will be available to encounter when you complete Field Research tasks.

Pansage
Pansage
Pansear
Pansear
PanpourPlusle
Panpour
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Collection Challenge

An event-themed Collection Challenge is coming!

Complete the Collection Challenge to receive an encounter with Meltan and 5,000 XP.

Seasonal Special Research: An Everyday Hero

Throughout Season 10: Rising Heroes, free Special Research will be available for Trainers! Spend some time helping out Professor Willow and see what surprises you discover!

The Special Research will be available to claim until the end of Season 10: Rising Heroes on June 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Season 10 Ticketed Timed Research: Willow’s Wardrobe

Throughout Season 10, Ticketed Timed Research will be available for Trainers to purchase! This Season-long research will allow Trainers to unlock a new costume inspired by Professor Willow. It will also lead to an encounter with a Melmetal that knows the Charged Attack Double Iron Bash!*

Evolve Meltan during the Timed Research to get a Melmetal that knows the Charged Attack Double Iron Bash!

Double Iron Bash

  • Trainer Battles: 70 power
  • Gyms and raids: 50 power

Timed Research must be completed by June 1, 2023, to access all rewards

Team GO Rocket takeover

From Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Wednesday, March 29, at 8:00 p.m. local time.

Save Shadow Regice!

Giovanni’s icy demeanor is as chilling as ever, and this time his plot includes using Shadow Regice! A new Special Research story will be available at the beginning of this event. Progress through it to receive a Super Rocket Radar and chase down Giovanni!

You can claim this Special Research up to the end of Season 10: Rising Heroes on June 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Shadow Regice
Shadow Regice

Event Bonuses

Team GO Rocket will appear more frequently at PokéStops and in balloons.
You can use a Charged TM to help a Shadow Pokémon forget the Charged Attack Frustration.

Shadow Pokémon

Team GO Rocket Grunts—as well as their leaders Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo—are using different Shadow Pokémon. Help Spark, Blanche, and Candela overcome their adversaries and rescue the Shadow Pokémon!

In addition, Team GO Rocket has also turned the following Pokémon into Shadow Pokémon. Defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts to save them!

Also, Pokémon that Trainers rescue from Team GO Rocket Grunts may be Shiny Pokémon—if you’re lucky.

Shadow Alolan Grimer
Shadow Alolan Grimer
Shadow Phanpy
Shadow Phanpy
Shadow Treecko
Shadow Treecko
Shadow Torchic
Shadow Torchic
Shadow Drifloon
Shadow Drifloon

Eggs

The following Pokémon will hatch from 12 km Eggs.

The following Pokémon can currently only be found by hatching 12 km Eggs: Sandile, Pawniard, Vullaby, Pancham, and Salandit. Trainers can earn 12 km Eggs by defeating Team GO Rocket leaders.

Larvitar
Larvitar
Absol
Absol
Skorupi
Skorupi
Sandile
Sandile
Scraggy
Scraggy
Pawniard
Pawniard
Vullaby
Vullaby
Deino
Deino
Pancham
Pancham
Skrelp
Skrelp
Salandit
Salandit
If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Field Research

A Field Research task awarding a Mysterious Component will be available.

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated.

—The Pokémon GO team