Community Day in December is always a highlight of the year in Pokémon GO and the 2022 edition of the event is finally upon us. Things are a bit quiet during the week as we build up to a worthy finale. Find out what’s coming up in Pokémon GO in the week from Dec. 12 to 18, 2022, in our weekly preview.
Spotlight Hour: Spheal
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, from 6 to 7 p.m. local time
Spheal is actually not a bad catch in the run-up to Community Day, because as part of the event, all specimens of this species are able learn a very powerful attack when evolving into Walrein: Icicle Spear is the exclusive Community Day attack of this Pokémon family and still makes Walrein a PvP threat even after being nerfed a few months ago.
If you want to focus on catching other Pokémon during Community Day, this Spotlight Hour is the perfect chance to make preparations ahead of time and grab a strong Spheal to evolve into Walrein.
During the one-hour time slot, you will receive double experience points (XP) for catching Pokémon.
Raid Hour: Terrakion
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, from 6 to 7 p.m. local time
Terrakion has taken the scepter in the 5-Star Raids and is therefore available as a boss during Raid Hour. If you catch a specimen of the Legendary during its current stint, it will know its signature move, Sacred Sword, by default; on top of that, Terrakion can currently appear as a Shiny.
During the event, the boss will appear at all available gyms for one hour.
Winter Holiday: Part 1
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, starting at 10 a.m. local time
At the time of writing, Niantic has not yet announced what Part 1 of the Winter Holiday event contains, but going by past editions we can expect increased spawn rates for a few Ice-type Pokémon, some Pokémon wearing special costumes, and a few present-related bonuses.
GO Battle League: Ultra League and Ultra Premier Classic
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, starting at 1 p.m. PDT
Week 3 of the current GO Battle League season dawns, changing out all available disciplines: Great League and Fighting Cup give way to Ultra League and Ultra Premier Classic.
The Ultra League is an open format with a cap of 2,500 competition points (CP) for participating Pokémon. The Ultra-Premier Classic retains this CP limit, but further curtails the format by locking out Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, as well as Ultra Beasts. In addition, creatures that have been upgraded with XL Candies may not be used.
Community Day in December 2022
Saturday, Dec.17, 2022, and Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time
Why is Community Day in December so important for Pokémon GO’s players? Traditionally, all Pokémon that were available in the current year’s, as well as the previous year’s Community Days, will return for this event. So their spawn rate is increased, they have an increased Shiny probability and they can learn their exclusive moves through evolution. In addition, there are a lot of great bonuses accompanying the event:
- Double catch XP
- Double catch Stardust
- Double catch Candies
- Double chance of Candy XL
- Incense duration increased to three hours
- Lure duration increased to three hours
- Additional special trade and halved Stardust costs for trading
The following Pokémon will appear on the first day of the event:
- Sandshrew
- Alolan Sandshrew
- Alolan Geodude
- Hoppip
- Spheal
- Stufful
- Bulbasaur
- Dratini
- Mudkip
The following Pokémon will appear on the second day of the event:
- Teddiursa
- Galarian Zigzagoon
- Starly
- Roggenrola
- Litwick
- Deino
- Bulbasaur
- Dratini
- Mudkip
The following level 1 raids are available on both days:
- Machop
- Eevee
- Roselia
- Swablu
- Duskull
- Shinx
- Gible
- Snivy
- Tepig
- Oshawott
- Fletchling
The following Pokémon hatch from 2-km eggs on both days:
- Machop
- Eevee
- Budew
- Swablu
- Duskull
- Shinx
- Gible
- Snivy
- Tepig
- Oshawott
- Fletchling
The following exclusive attacks are available via progression during the event:
- Venusaur – Frenzy Plant
- Sandslash – Night Slash
- Alolan Sandslash – Shadow Claw
- Alolan Golem – Rollout
- Dragonite – Draco Meteor
- Jumpluff – Acrobatics
- Swampert – Hydro Cannon
- Walrein – Powder Snow and Icicle Spear
- Staraptor – Gust
- Gigalith – Meteor Beam
- Chandelure – Poltergeist
- Hydreigon – Brutal Swing
- Bewear – Drain Punch
- Obstagoon – Obstruct
- Ursaluna – High Horsepower
A Limited Research is available for free for all players, while a Special Research is available in the shop for $1 or your local equivalent.
Written by Marco Wutz on behalf of GLHF.
