Pokemon Go January 2022 events: Raids, Research Breakthrough and more
Here's a look at what's happening in Pokemon Go this month.
2022 is here, and Pokemon Go is ringing in the new year with a variety of events and activities. Over the next few weeks, the Pokemon mobile game will be holding new legendary Pokemon raids, January's Community Day and a few other in-game events, as well as new Spotlight Hours every week. Here's everything that's happening in Pokemon Go in January 2022.
January Research Breakthrough: Onix
New Field Research tasks and rewards will be available in Pokemon Go beginning Jan. 1, as will a new Research Break encounter. Each time you achieve a Research Breakthrough in January, you'll earn a chance to catch the rock Pokemon Onix. On top of that, you'll be able to earn Steelix Mega Energy by completing Timed Research tasks.
Research Breakthroughs are tied to the stamps you receive from Field Research tasks. You'll earn one stamp for the first task you complete each day, and you must collect seven stamps in total to achieve a Research Breakthrough. Any stamps you've earned last month will carry over until you achieve a Research Breakthrough.
January Spotlight Hours
Pokemon Go's weekly Spotlight Hour event will continue in January. Every Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. local time, the game will feature a different Pokemon and bonus, such as increased XP or candy. You can see January's full Spotlight Hour schedule below:
Jan. 4
- Spotlight Pokemon: Solosis
- Spotlight bonus: 2x transfer candy
Jan. 11
- Spotlight Pokemon: Diglett
- Spotlight bonus: 2x catch Stardust
Jan. 18
- Spotlight Pokemon: Plusle
- Spotlight bonus: 2x catch candy
Jan. 25
- Spotlight Pokemon: Minun
- Spotlight bonus: 2x transfer candy
January raids
A handful of legendary Pokemon are appearing in five-star raids throughout January. Heatran will return to the raid rotation on Jan. 7 following Kyurem's departure, while Shock Drive Genesect and Regice will appear later in the month. On top of that, Mega Aerodactyl will make its debut in Mega raids starting Jan. 7. You can see January's raid schedule below:
Legendary raids
Jan. 7 to Jan. 15
- Heatran
Jan. 15 to Jan. 24
- Shock Drive Genesect
Jan. 24 to Feb. 1
- Regice
Mega raids
Jan. 7 to Feb. 1
- Mega Aerodactyl
Mountains of Power event
Pokemon Go is holding a new event called Mountains of Power from Jan. 7 to Jan. 13. Throughout the event, rock, steel and other Pokemon that live on mountains will appear in the wild much more frequently than usual, while Mega Aerodactyl will makes its debut in Mega raids. On top of that, The amount of distance you need to walk to earn hearts with your buddy Pokemon will be reduced by half for the duration of the event.
January Community Day
The ice type Spheal is January's featured Pokemon.
Pokemon Go's January Community Day takes place this Sunday, Jan. 16. This month's featured monster is the ice Pokemon Spheal, which will appear in the wild much more frequently than usual throughout the event. On top of that, you'll earn triple XP for catching Pokemon, and any Sealeo you evolve into Walrein will learn the Fast Attack Powder Snow and the Charged Attack Icicle Spear.
Community Day Classic
Pokemon Go is holding not one, but two Community Day events in January. After this month's regular Community Day, the game will host its first Community Day Classic on Jan. 22, giving players another chance to get a previously featured Pokemon and event move. The first Community Day Classic runs from 2 to 5 p.m. local time and features the original starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur.