The 'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' event in Pokémon Go is a celebration of the franchise's debut three decades ago.
The headline is a guaranteed free Mewtwo by playing the event, as well as an opportunity to come across just about every other Legendary - if you're "very lucky" - from across every generation once the weekend arrives.
What follows is a full guide to the 'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' event this week - including Field Research, how wild spawns and raids work, as well as other event bonuses you need to know about.
How the 'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' event works
The anniversary event comes in two stages. The first half of the event, starting at Tuesday 3rd March at 10am, is all about the first generation of Pokémon, with Kanto-specific spawns and raids from Tuesday to Friday.
The second half, 'All Out', starting at 10am on Saturday until 8pm on Monday 9th, is set to feature just about every other Pokémon released in Pokémon Go previously.
Also part of the event is a new Go Pass, which features a Mewtwo encounter on the free track. The paid Deluxe track for £8 / $8 also rewards Mewtwo Candy XL, encounters with Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, additional bonuses and more.
Just about every Kanto Pokémon is in the Go Pass, making it a useful way for new or lapsed players to catch up and complete their Gen 1 Pokédex.
'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' event wild spawns
Wild spawns change in two significant ways during the event.
Tuesday to Friday
Any Kanto Pokémon apart from Mewtwo and Mew can appear in the wild "based on their natural habitat", including (rare) Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres spawns. Everything can be shiny.
Saturday to Monday
During 'All Out', wild Kanto spawns are replaced by "most Pokémon that have ever appeared" in Pokémon Go, apart from Mythicals, Ultra Beasts and anything not usually found in the wild (such as feature-specific creatures, those only found in Eggs, etc).
Exceptions beyond Mythicals and Ultra Beasts include (in Pokédex order):
- Mewtwo, Smeargle, Shedinja, Kecleon, Giratina, Zoroark, Larvesta, Volcarona, Scatterbug, Spewpa, Vivillon, Zygarde, Mudbray, Mudsdale, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Morpeko, Eternatus, Kubfu, Urshifu, Maushold, Dudunsparce, Gimmighoul, Gholdengo
Incense will also attract Legendary Pokémon "if you're very lucky", and wild Pokémon will appear more frequently in general
'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' raid changes
There will be three updates to raid Pokémon as part of the event this week. All listed Pokémon can be shiny:
Tuesday
- One-star: Pikachu wearing Red's hat, Leaf's hat
- Three-star: Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise
Wednesday
- Five-star: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres
Saturday
- One-star: Pikachu wearing Red’s hat, Leaf’s hat, Ethan’s hat, Lyra’s hat, Brendan’s hat, May’s bow, Lucas’s hat, Dawn’s hat, Rei’s cap, Akari’s kerchief, Hilbert’s hat, Hilda’s hat, Nate’s visor, Rosa’s visor, Calem’s hat, Serena’s hat
- Five-star: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Deoxys (Normal Forme), Darkrai, Genesect (No Drive), Nihilego, Guzzlord, Necrozma
- Region-specific raids: Buzzwole (Americas only), Pheromosa (Europe, Middle East, Africa only) Xurkitree (Asia-Pacific), Celesteela (Southern Hemisphere), Kartana (Northern Hemisphere), Stakataka (Eastern Hemisphere), Blacephalon (Western Hemisphere)
'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' Field Research
The following event-specific Field Research will be available by spinning PokéStops. As with all Field Research, there's no expiry for when you need to complete these - meaning you can hold onto them until after the event ends:
- Catch 3 Pokémon (reward: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle encounter)
- Catch 5 Pokémon (reward: Pikachu or Eevee encounter)
- Catch 15 Pokémon (reward: 1 Rare Candy)
- Catch 25 Pokémon (reward: 3 Rare Candy)
- Catch a Ditto (reward: 1 Golden Razz Berry)
- Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms (reward: Magikarp encounter)
- Spin 25 PokéStops or Gyms (reward: Silver Pinap Berry encounter)
Thanks redwineandbeer / Leekduck on reddit for confirming the above.
Note: it's possible new and / or replacement Field Research will arrive over the Saturday to Monday 'All Out' period.
Other 'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' event bonuses and changes
The event bonuses are primilarly tied to the Go Pass, which includes:
- Rank 25: 2x Catch Candy (free), 3x Catch Candy (Deluxe)
- Rank 50: 2x Catch XP (free), 2x Catch XP (Deluxe)
There's also:
- New Ditto disguises during event hours, including:
- Kakuna, Spearow, Ekans, Sandshrew, Nidorino, Gloom, Mankey, Growlithe, Poliwag, Geodude, Magnemite, Voltorb, Cubone
- 2km Egg pool changes (during 'All Out', Saturday to Monday):
- All Baby Pokémon minus regional Mime Jr. outside of Europe (all can be shiny)
- Pokémon 30th Anniversary Go Pass progression changes:
- Capped Tuesday to Friday, cap lifted between Saturday and Monday
- Deluxe track adds additional challenges to speed through the ranks
You can read more about how to get a free Mewtwo in Pokémon Go this week, as well as a Volcanion in this season's 'Pressure Rising' quest, with our dedicated guides.
