The world of Pokemon GO is set for a thrilling expansion as the highly anticipated Journey to Paldea event arrives. Scheduled to run from December 2 to December 9, 2025, this eight-day celebration brings the vibrant ecosystem of the Paldea region directly to Trainers' smartphones. This event is designed to offer a rich, dynamic experience for both casual players and dedicated collectors, packed with new creature debuts, valuable bonuses, and strategic gameplay opportunities.
Core Features and Unmissable Bonuses
At the heart of the Paldea adventure are several powerful bonuses that make this event a prime time for progression. Trainers will earn double XP for completing raid battles and evolving Pokemon. This creates a perfect scenario to use saved-up evolution fodder and participate actively in raids. When combined with a Lucky Egg, these actions can result in massive experience gains, significantly aiding players striving for higher Trainer levels.
Another key strategic element is Mega Evolution. By Mega Evolving a Rock-type Pokemon, players will receive enhanced candy rewards for catching Nacli. This is a crucial advantage as the new Rock Salt Pokemon line—Nacli, Naclstack, and Garganacl—requires a substantial candy investment to fully evolve. The event also boosts shiny odds for two classic favorites, offering increased chances to encounter shiny Larvitar and shiny Bagon in the wild.
Dynamic Spawns and Key Pokemon Encounters
Wild encounters will follow a rotating schedule, keeping the gameplay fresh and allowing Trainers to target specific species. On December 2, 4, 6, and 8, the wild spawns will be dominated by Larvitar, Drifloon, and Skrelp. On the alternating days—December 3, 5, 7, and 9—the pool switches to feature Misdreavus, Bagon, and Clauncher.
The star of the show, Nacli, will appear occasionally in the wild but is more reliably found through event research tasks and evolutions. Other Paldean species like Nymble, Pawmi, and Smoliv will be common spawns throughout all event days. A major highlight is the debut of the three regional forms of Paldean Tauros (Combat, Blaze, and Aqua) in raids, providing a rare chance to obtain these typically location-locked variants.
Exclusive Raids, Research, and Shiny Hunting
Raids are a cornerstone of the event. Three-star raids will feature the coveted regional Paldean Tauros forms. Additionally, Bombirdier and Dondozo will appear as raid bosses, both with their shiny forms available for the first time during this event, offering strong incentives for daily raid participation.
Research comes in two forms. Free Field Research tasks will provide steady rewards like XP, Stardust, and Pokemon encounters. A premium Timed Research is available for $1.99, unlocking premium rewards including guaranteed Nacli encounters, large Stardust payouts, and Premium Battle Passes, effectively increasing your chances at event-exclusive Pokemon.
For shiny hunters, this event is a standout opportunity. The boosted rates for Larvitar and Bagon, combined with the shiny-eligible raid bosses, create multiple avenues for adding rare shines to your collection. The rotating spawns ensure you can focus your efforts on specific targets depending on the day.
Pro Tips to Dominate the Paldea Event
To maximize your gains during the eight-day festival, follow these strategic tips:
- Activate Lucky Eggs before mass evolution sessions or raid marathons to double your already boosted XP gains.
- Consistently Mega Evolve a Rock-type Pokemon to earn extra candy for catching Nacli, accelerating your progress toward evolving Garganacl.
- Plan your playtime around the rotating wild spawns to target the Pokemon you need most for your Pokedex or shiny collection.
- Consider the paid Timed Research for high-value rewards and extra Nacli encounters if you're serious about completing the new line.
- Team up with other Trainers to take on raids for Paldean Tauros forms and shiny-hunt Bombirdier and Dondozo.
- Ensure you have ample Pokemon Storage space to accommodate the influx of catches from the rotating spawn pools.
The Pokemon GO Journey to Paldea event is a comprehensive package that successfully blends new content with rewarding mechanics. Whether your goal is to complete your Pokedex, hunt for shiny Pokemon, power-level your Trainer rank, or simply enjoy new creatures, this event provides a structured and exciting path forward. Prepare your items, coordinate with friends, and dive into the Paldean adventure from December 2.
