In celebration of the year of the Ox, Pokemon Go is having a Chinese New Years’ event. The Pokemon Go Lunar New Year event celebrates the Chinese New Year of course, which begins on February 12. From February 9, 10 AM until February 14, 1 PM, Chinese zodiac style Pokemon will appear. Most of the Pokemon during the event will be colored some shade of red or evolve into a Pokemon that is also red. During the event, trainers will have the opportunity to catch shiny variations of a majority of the Pokemon spawning in the wild.
During the Pokemon Go 2021 Lunar New Year Event, trainers will receive more Pokeballs from gifts, receive more Lucky Pokemon, and become Lucky friends easier. Throughout the event, the trade distance is increased to 40 KM. Mega Gyarados is also available in raids, if you so desire.
Spawn Changes
The Pokemon Lunar New Year Event has changed the spawns in Pokemon Go. The following Pokemon will spawn more frequently in the wild:
- Krabby, Goldeen, Magmar, Magikarp, Gyarados, Miltank, Meditite, Chimchar, Tepig, Darumaka, and Fennekin.
All but the last three, Tepig, Darumaka, and Fennekin, can be shiny. The 5 KM eggs have also been updated with Chinese zodiac-themed Pokmon. The following Pokemon can hatch from 5 KM eggs:
- Rattata, Ekans, Mankey, Ponyta, Mareep, Houndour, Miltank, Torchic, Bagon, Buneary, Tepig, and Litleo.
The first ten Pokemon can hatch into their shiny alternatives. Niantic has yet to release the last two Pokemon‘s shiny versions in the game.
Event Timed Research
During the Pokemon Go Lunar New Year Event, a special event timed research task will be available. Now let’s go over the different tasks each stage has and each one’s rewards.
Stage 1
Transfer 12 Pokemon – 10 Pokeballs
Catch 7 Fire-type Pokemon – Charmander
Send 1 Gift to a friend – Goldeen
Completing Stage 1 grants a Miltank, 1000 XP, and 20 Mega Gyarados Energy
Stage 2
Power Up Pokemon 12 times – 5 Razz Berries
Evolve 3 Fire-type Pokemon – Torchic
Send 3 Gifts to friends – Magikarp
Completing Stage 2 grants a Tauros, 1000 XP, and 30 Mega Gyarados Energy
Stage 3
Use 12 Berries to help catch Pokemon – 10 Pokeballs
Catch 15 Fire-type Pokemon – Tepig
Send 5 Gifts to friends – Seaking
Completing Stage 3 grants a Miltank, 1500 XP, and 50 Mega Gyarados Energy
Stage 4
Make 12 Great Curveball Throws – 3 Pinap Berries
Catch 20 Fire-type Pokemon – Darumaka
Send 7 Gifts to friends – Meditite
Completing Stage 4 grants a Tauros, 1500 XP, and 100 Mega Gyarados Energy
Raid Update
Tier 1 Raids will offer either Meditite, Cravanha, Duskull, Skorupi, and Darumaka.
Tier 3 Raids will now hold Octillery, Miltank, Blazakin, Camerupt, and Absol.
Mega Raids have been changed to contain Mega Pidgeot, Mega Gyarados, and Mega Ampharos.
Tier 5 Raids will allow trainers to battle Latias and Latios. If you need help taking down the Eon pair, you can check out our guides provided at the bottom of the page.
Additional Raid Guides
- How to Defeat Latios Raid
- How to Defeat Latias Raid
- Takedown Mega Ampharos Raid
- Overcome the Mega Gyarados Raid
Hopefully this guide helps you on your adventures through the Pokemon Go Lunar New Year event. If it did, be sure to tell us in the comments below. As well, share it around so it can help others!