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Player One
Entertainment
Jason Nieva

Get Ready to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Pokémon GO

Happy Lunar New Year! (Credit: Niantic)

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner and that means once again a celebration is in order in Pokémon GO. The Lunar New Year: Dragons Unleashed event starts February 5 and runs until February 11. As part of the festivities, trainers can look forward to the official debut of Drampa to the game. In particular, the Placid Pokémon is appearing in Three-Star Raids and as an encounter after finishing Field Research tasks.

For event bonuses, trainers get to enjoy these:

  • Increased chance for Lucky Pokémon in trades.
  • Increased chance to become Lucky Friends.
  • Additional Candy for successfully catching Pokémon with Nice Throws, Great Throws, and Excellent Throws.
  • Increased chance for Trainers level 31 and up to receive Candy XL for successfully catching Pokémon with Nice Throws, Great Throws, and Excellent Throws.

Here's what players can look forward to during the event:

  • These Pokémon appear more frequently in the wild:
    • Magikarp
    • Dratini
    • Shuckle
    • Fennekin
    • Skrelp
    • Noibat
  • Trainers lucky enough might encounter Jangmo-o.
  • These Pokémon appear in raids:
    • One-Star Raids
      • Dratini
      • Deino
      • Goomy
    • Three-Star Raids
      • Druddigon
      • Turtonator
      • Drampa
  • These are be available to encounter after completing Field Research tasks:
    • Dratini
    • Trapinch
    • Swablu
    • Gible
    • Darumaka
    • Druddigon
    • Deino
    • Skrelp
    • Tyrunt
    • Goomy
    • Turtonator
    • Dramp

Paid Timed Research

There's also going to be an event-exclusive Timed Research but to access it trainers need to buy a ticket that's worth $2. Those who do get a ticket for this paid Timed Research has a chance to earn these rewards:

  • Stardust, XP, and two Lucky Eggs
  • Encounters with event-themed Pokémon

Global Challenge

There's no question that the different activities during the event are already exciting. However, there's also a Global Challenge taking place during the event. Trainers around the world need to reach the goal of 1 billion Nice Throws. When that goal is reached, bonuses are going to be unlocked and can then be enjoyed by all. As part of the Global Challenge rewards, festive fireworks will also light up the skies.

Other Events

While waiting for the celebration, there are a lot of events to enjoy. Live right now is the Taken Treasures Event where Team GO Rocket is again doing some mischief. This event ends February 1. It won't take long when another one starts which is the Community Day for February. Prepare to encounter Chansey, who's appearing more frequently in the wild.

Pokémon GO is available to download on mobile platforms via App Store and Google Play.

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