Image via Niantic

New Team Go Rocket Celebration launching in Pokémon Go on Feb. 2

Why are the bad guys looking to party?

Niantic is going all out with Pokémon Go content in February after announcing a new Team Go Rocket Celebration along with general details for what’s coming to the game over the next month. 

Recommended Videos

Team Go Rocket is celebrating something from Feb. 2 to 7, according to Niantic’s newest blog post, and it’s up to the players to discover just what’s going on in Pokémon Go

New Shadow Pokémon are being added during this event, including Swinub, Nosepass, Aron, Spheal, Lileep, Anorith, and others that will be revealed later. Go Rocket Grunts will also have new teams both during and after the event, so you shouldn’t expect the same strategies you’ve been using to work moving forward. 

If you manage to defeat Go Rocket Leaders during the event, you have a chance to receive exclusive Leader Gift stickers. 

As for the usual event content, Pokémon like Golbat, Koffing, Ariados, Qwilfish, Sneasel, Houndour, Nuzleaf, Stunky, Skorupi, and Venipede will be appearing more often in the wild. Meanwhile, Qwilfish, Larvitar, Corphish, Absol, Skorupi, Sandile, Scraggy, Pawniard, and Deino will be hatching from Strange Eggs during and after the event.

Raids are also going to change for a bit.

  • One-star raids: Alolan Meowth, Alolan Grimer, Gligar, Sneasel, Shinx, and Klink.
  • Three-star raids: Nidoqueen, Ariados, Umbreon, Tyranitar, and Absol.
  • Five-star raids: Raikou and Suicune
  • Mega Raids: Mega Venusaur, Mega Ampharos, and Mega Houndoom

There will be event-exclusive Field and Timed Research, while Team Go Rocket-themed research that’s available during the Johto Celebration event will continue on, meaning you can still encounter a Ho-Oh that knows the exclusive attack Earthquake for a bit longer. 

The final bonuses are increased Rocket Grunts at PokéStops and spawning in the overworld in their balloons, while half egg distance for eggs inside of Incubators will be active throughout the event. 


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Scarlet and Violet players demand changes to ‘misleading’ Shiny Pokémon stat that keeps confusing everyone
Hisuian Arcanine and Shiny Arcanine standing in grass together in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Read Article How to fix the Rediscover Yourself avatar bug in Pokémon GO
Mega Heracross Raid Day in Pokémon Go
Read Article How to change your gender in Pokémon Go
Pokemon Go Avatar showing off an outfit.
Related Content
Read Article Scarlet and Violet players demand changes to ‘misleading’ Shiny Pokémon stat that keeps confusing everyone
Hisuian Arcanine and Shiny Arcanine standing in grass together in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Read Article How to fix the Rediscover Yourself avatar bug in Pokémon GO
Mega Heracross Raid Day in Pokémon Go
Read Article How to change your gender in Pokémon Go
Pokemon Go Avatar showing off an outfit.
Author
Cale Michael
Lead Staff Writer for Dota 2, the FGC, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more who has been writing for Dot Esports since 2018. Graduated with a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and also previously covered the NBA. You can usually find him writing, reading, or watching an FGC tournament.