“Pokemon Go” has two major events each year. The first is Pokemon Go Fest, which is the showcase event, and the other is Pokemon Go Tour, which allows players to catch all the Pokemon of a region with many of them having shiny variants availble in the mobile game for the first time.
In 2024, Niantic introduced a third event called Pokemon Go Wild Area. It doesn’t quite measure up to the other two, but it does have a role in the game. Wild Area acts almost like a catch-up event for newer players. It features a few new Pokemon and shinies, but the focus of the celebration are mighty Pokemon, which appear in the wild.
These are perfect or nearly perfect pocket monsters that have reached their last stage of evolution and are fitted out with an optimal move set, most often it’s a Community Day move or a special one tied to an event. It’s a way for newcomers to catch some strong Pokemon so that they can contribute in raids or battles.
This year, Pokemon Go Wild Area: Global returns for 2025. It runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 15 and 16, and it’s introducing Grimmsnarl, the bulk up Pokemon, and its family. The event will feature pocket monsters that match Grimmsnarl’s typing — fairy and dark. It’s set up to be a decent event that could net participants some rare creatures. Here is some advice based on last year’s experience:
1. Save your Safari balls: These event-exclusive items fill up throughout the day, and players can use them on any Pokemon they find, but the best use for them is for catching mighty Pokemon. Trying to catch these sought-after creatures with regular Poke Balls is nearly impossible. Players should use Safari balls sparingly for catching the mighty Pokemon or the Lake Trio, Azelf, Uxie and Mesprit, which will be another rare spawn.
2. Search for these shiny, costumed and shadow Pokemon: Wild Area: Global 2025 features the debut of shiny Unown W and the evoluntionary lines of Hatenna and Impidimp. The centerpiece pocket monster is Grimmsnarl, which can also be shiny in Gigantimax raids.
When it comes to customed Pokemon, players can raid for a Bewear that is wearing a wilderness cape. This is a creature for completionists as costumed Pokemon are rarely re-released. Players also have an opportunity to capture a shiny version of the Strong Arm Pokemon in the three-star raids. The other notable raid is Shadow Darkrai, which is making its debut Sunday and will be a powerful addition to a trainers’ roster. It can also be shiny.
Lastly, the event will feature a mix of Pokemon that are uncommon outside of events. In the 5km eggs, the biggest prize is Mime Jr., a regional that has a chance to be shiny. The other Pokemon contained in the category are also desirable. They include Sandile, Pawniard, Carbink and the new Impidimp, which all can be shiny. Tinkatank is other hatchable 5km egg Pokemon, but it’s shiny version isn’t available though it was in the Nagasaki-based Wild Area.
Wild Area: Global will have two rotating batches of Pokemon through each day. One is themed around Dark Pokemon and the other is heavy on Fairy types. Here are the worthwhile catches for each habitat:
- Lurking Dark — Scraggy, Zorua, Phantump and Impidimp
- Fanciful Fairy – Cottonee, Espurr, Dedenne, Cutiefly, Hatenna, Impidimp
3. Consider the Deluxe Pass: The event is technically free, but if players want a better chance at encountering shiny Pokemon and more benefits, they should buy a Deluxe Pass for $14.99. It includes a Silver Bottle Cap, a new item that lets players max out one stat on a Pokemon. As long as they finish the questline over the weekend, they can acquire it and turn a flawed Legendary or Mythical Pokemon into a perfect hundo.
4. Save your resources before the event: Although it’s tempting to go after the event legendaries through the week, it’s best to stock pile Premium and Remote passes for the weekend. It’s also more important to save Max Particles so players can have more chances at snagging a shiny Gigantimax Grimmsnarl during Gigantimax battles.
To maximize your opportunities, avoid turning in Go Pass: November and Go Pass Deluxe: Into the Wild rewards before the event. Just ignore the Events side of the app until the weekend and conserve those Max Particles in there.