Pokémon GO Halloween Event Adds Costumed Pokemon, Shiny Spinarak, and More

Pokémon GO’s 2021 Halloween Event has been announced and will take place from October 15th 2021 until October 31st 2021. The event will be split into two parts this year, with both parts offering different Pokémon, as well as the debut of Pokémon species and forms never seen before in Pokémon GO.

The first part of the event, titled ‘Creepy Companions’ will take place from October 15th, 2021 at 10:00 am to October 22nd, 2021, at 10:00 am, local time. Part 2, ‘Ghoulish Pals’, will replace part 1 as soon as it ends and will conclude on October 31st, 2021 at 8:00 pm local time. Creepy Companions will focus on Psychic- and Poison-type Pokémon, whilst Ghoulish Pals focuses on the introduction of new Pokémon in Pokémon GO: Phantump Trevenant, Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist.

As mentioned in Niantic‘s recent blog post, Galarian Slowking will make its debut in Pokémon GO as an evolution of Galarian Slowpoke. Galarian Slowking will be a permanent addition to the game and requires the player to catch 30 Psychic-type Pokémon with a Galarian Slowbro as their buddy, as well as 50 Slowpoke candy. The bonuses throughout both parts of the event are 2x Transfer Candy, 2x Catch Candy, 2x Hatch Candy and guaranteed XL candy walking with your buddy. A Special Research Story, ‘What Lies beneath the Mask’ will be available to complete, along with Timed Research focusing on the upcoming Halloween Cup.

Three new costumed Pokémon, Halloween Mischief Pikachu, Halloween Mischief Piplup and Halloween Mischief Drfiblim, will be introduced in part 1 and be available throughout the event. Piplup and Pikachu can be caught in the wild, while Drifblim will only be available from Research Tasks and 3-star Raids. Shiny Spinarak will be available to encounter for the first time and can be found in the wild or obtained via Research Tasks.

Altered Forme Giratina is sticking around as the Pokemon replacing Genesect as the only Pokémon available in 5-star raids at the beginning of the event, but will only be available during part 1. Other Pokémon appearing in raids during part 1 include Galarian Slowbro, Murkrow, Scraggy, Yamask and Espurr in 1-star raids; Alolan Raichu, Sableye Banette and Halloween Mischief Drifblim in 3-star raids and Mega Gengar in Mega Raids. Finally, a new part of the ‘Season of Mischief Special Research’ will be unlocked.

Part 2 of the Halloween Event will debut the Generation 6 Pokémon Phantump and Pumpkaboo, which can both evolve once into Trevanent and Gourgeist, respectively. Pumpkaboo, and by extension, Gourgeist, will be a part of a brand-new size mechanic, with four different sizes available. Unlike other species of Pokémon, Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist will actually reflect their in-game size with their models. Small and Average Size will be the most common, with Large Size and Super Size being rarer encounters.

Darkrai will replace Giratina in 5-star raids and Mega Absol will replace Mega Gengar in Mega Raids. Other Pokémon appearing in raids during part 2 include Murkrow, Yamask, Galarian Yamask, Phantump and Average Size Pumpkaboo in 1-star raids and Alolan Marowak, Banette, Halloween Mischief Drifblim and Lampent in 3-star raids.

A special raid weekend will take place on October 30th, from 10:00 am to October 31st, at 8:00 pm local time and will focus on Darkrai and Mega Absol. A limited-time Collection Challenge will also be available, along with the unlocking of another part of the ‘Season of Mischief’ Research Story.

Just before the Pokémon GO Halloween event begins, on October 14, 2021, at 1:00 pm local time, 5 new clothing items will be available to purchase in the in-game shop; Pikachu Pumpkin Head, Pumpkaboo Top, Pumpkaboo Pants, Hoopa Headband and Halloween Face Sticker. Brand-new Halloween tickets will also be available from spinning Pokéstops and opening gifts. Finally, three new box bundles will be available to purchase throughout the event. Creepy Crate (480 Pokécoins) offers 50 Pokéballs, 1 Remote Raid Pass, 2 Super Incubators and 4 Incense. Boo Bundle (1, 480 coins) contains 16 Premium Raid Passes, 8 Super Incubators, 4 Incense and 4 Star Pieces. Lastly, Pumpkin Pack (1,480 PokéCoins) holds 18 Super Incubators, two Incubators, 4 Incense and 4 Star Pieces.

Yamask is a Pokémon that’s heavily featured in this event; check out our guide on the best moveset for Yamask and its evolution Cofagrigus, as well as its shiny eligibility and the best way to use it.

Pokémon GO is available for free on mobile devices running Android and iOS.