October is turning out to be another busy month for Pokemon Go. The mobile game is continuing its Season of Light with a variety of events over the next few weeks, including new Mega raids and the annual Halloween celebration. On top of that, a handful of spooky Pokemon will be appearing every Tuesday evening during the game's weekly Spotlight Hour event.
Here's everything you have to look forward to in Pokemon Go in October.
October Research Breakthrough reward
Along with a fresh batch of Field Research tasks, Pokemon Go is offering a new Research Breakthrough reward in October. Each time you achieve a Research Breakthrough this month, you'll earn an incense along with a chance to catch Shedinja. On top of that, there's a chance Shedinja could be shiny.
Research Breakthroughs are tied to the stamps you collect when you complete Field Research. You'll receive one stamp for the first Field Research task you complete each day, and once you've amassed seven stamps, you'll achieve a Research Breakthrough.
October raid schedule
A handful of legendary and Mega Pokemon are returning to raids in October.
Following Yveltal's departure on Oct. 8, the Pokemon X mascot Xerneas will return until Oct. 20, while Mega Manectric will make an encore appearance in Mega raids. After that, Mega Banette will make its Pokemon Go debut, while both forms of Giratina will return to five-star raids.
You can see October's full raid schedule below:
Sept. 27 - Oct. 8
- Five-star raids: Yveltal
- Mega raids: Mega Lopunny
Oct. 8-20
- Five-star raids: Xerneas
- Mega raids: Mega Manectric
Oct. 20-27
- Five-star raids: Giratina (Altered Forme)
- Mega raids: Mega Banette
Oct. 27 - Nov. 8
- Five-star raids: Giratina (Origin Forme)
- Mega raids: Mega Banette
October Spotlight Hours
Pokemon Go's weekly Spotlight Hour event continues throughout October. Every Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. local time, you'll have more chances to catch a specific Pokemon and earn a particular in-game bonus.
Here's the full Spotlight Hour schedule for this month:
Date | Spotlight Pokemon | Spotlight bonus |
|---|---|---|
October 4 | Purrloin | 2x evolution XP |
October 11 | Haunter | 2x catch Stardust |
October 18 | Misdreavus | 2x catch XP |
October 25 | Shuppet | 2x evolution XP |
Evolving Stars event
Pokemon Go is kicking off October with a special Evolving Stars event from Oct. 5-11. As part of the event, Cosmog's evolved form, Cosmoem, will be available for the first time in the game. You can obtain one by feeding Cosmog 25 candies. Game developer Niantic teases you'll be able to get more Cosmog in the future, so don't fret about evolving yours.
On top of that, the next leg of this season's Special Research story will be available, and there will be a host of other in-game bonuses and features, including special Pokemon spawns and new Field Research tasks and Collection Challenges to complete.
Mega Gyarados Raid Day
Mega Gyarados is returning for a special Raid Day event on Oct. 8. The fearsome Pokemon will be appearing in Mega raid battles from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time, giving you more chances to earn Gyarados Mega Energy. Additionally, you'll have an increased chance of encountering a shiny Gyarados, and you'll be able to earn up to five free raid passes by spinning the photo disc at gyms.
Festival of Lights
Pokemon Go's Festival of Lights celebration returns from Oct. 14 to Oct. 17. During this year's event, players will have their first chance to get the grass/fairy Pokemon Morelull and its evolved form, Shiinotic. Bright Pokemon like Pikachu, Helioptile and Litwick will also be appearing in the wild more frequently, and there will be an increased chance of encountering a shiny Chinchou.
A few other in-game bonuses will be available during the event as well. You'll earn twice the usual amount of candy and XP when you catch Pokemon, and any incense you use will last for two hours rather than the usual duration.
October Community Day
October's Community Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 15. The fire/ghost Pokemon Litwick is the star this month, and it'll be appearing in the wild much more frequently than usual from 2 to 5 p.m. local time. A few in-game bonuses will be active during the event as well, and any Litwick you evolve into its final form, Chandelure, before 10 p.m. local time will learn the special Charged Attack Poltergeist.
Halloween event
Pokemon Go's annual Halloween celebration returns starting Oct. 20. Like last year, the event will be divided into two parts. The first runs until Oct. 27 and introduces Mega Banette, along with shiny versions of Noibat and Galarian Yamask. Part 2 begins immediately afterward and adds new, costumed versions of Vulpix, Ninetales, Gengar and more Pokemon.
Other events
Pokemon Go has a few other activities lined up for October, including a Safari Zone: Taipei event (Oct. 21-23). Additional details will be announced later.
More on Pokemon Go
- Pokemon Go Beginner's Guide
- Pokemon Go Mega Banette Raid Guide: Best Counters, Weaknesses and Moveset
- Pokemon Go's November Community Day Will Add Ursaluna
- Pokemon Home: How to Transfer Your Pokemon Between Games
