It's that time again! Niantic has given us a window into February's content for Pokemon Go, including our monthly Research Breakthrough and the five-star raid bosses for the month. We've got a lot to cover, so let's get to it!
February 2021 Research Breakthrough
| Research Start | Research End |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. PST | March 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. PST |
Snorlax is coming back as our research breakthrough for the month, giving us guaranteed encounters with this slothful Pokemon. Anyone interested in raising one for PvP (what's gym defense?) will want to hit up this encounter, as we'll have up to 4 encounters throughout February.
Note that Snorlax cannot currently be shiny, but maybe the release of shiny Snorlax during the Kanto Celebration will unlock it for research....?
Five Star and Mega Raid Bosses
Five-Star Raids
Raids Start: January 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: February 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids Start: February 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: February 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Mega Raids
Raids Start:January 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: February 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids Start: February 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: February 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
This will also feature a not-yet announced Mega Evolution
Raids Start: February 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Raids End: March 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Hands-down, the most interesting Pokemon in this rotation is the return of Mewtwo, which we know will have Psystrike for the Kanto Celebration, alongside the Legendary Birds and their Elite Moves. Moltres with Sky Attack is always a good Pokemon to try for, and Zapdos with Thunder Shock is solid as well.
Spotlight Hours
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Evolution XP |
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Catch Stardust |
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Catch XP |
| Spotlight Period | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time | 2x Catch Candy |
February Events
Team Rocket Event
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time | February 7, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time |
Another shake-up of the Shadow pool, including the introduction of several brand new Shadow Pokemon. Expect a new news post to follow this one outlining this event in more detail!
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| February 7, 2021, 11:00 a.m local time | February 7, 2021, 5:00 p.m local time |
The previously announced Community Day for February.
No new information here: evolve Roselia to get a Roserade with Razor leaf and Weather Ball Fire.
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| February 9, 2021 | February 14, 2021 |
Information is sparse here, but we're apparently getting a new event and a new Mega Evolution in honor of the Year of the Ox. A Mega Evolution that matches the year of the Ox. While we have no official confirmation of any form as to what it could be, one has to wonder which Mega Evolution is the most ox-like...? It can be Aggravating just to think about.
| Event Start | Event End |
|---|---|
| February 14, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. local time | February 18, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time |
One of the older recurring events for pokemon Go, Valentines is returning. This time we have new avatar items and the release of new Pokemon species to look forward to!
| Event Date |
|---|
| February 20, 2021 |
Go Tour is being touted by Niantic as the biggest event since Go Fest, and it's not far away. you can read more about it in our official news release:
Weekly 1 Pokecoin Bundles
Every Friday in February, we'll be given a new 1 Pokecoin box in the shop. With items ranging from Remote Raid Passes to Rocket Radars to Incense, they're definitely worth remembering to pick up.
Quality of Life Updates
We also have some quality of marketing life updates to look forward to:
- Pokestops and gyms will have user-generated image galleries attached to them. This will begin dropping in mid-February for high leveled players in New Zealand, and will show up globally in March.
- We'll soon be able to mass-transfer Legendary and Mythical Pokemon when we activate the ability to do so in the game's Settings.
- You'll be able to directly share your level-up achievements on social media without needing to take a screenshot.
Closing
And that's it! While we'll probably have other, unannounced events and changes sneak into the game between now and March of 2021, this is our road-map for the month.
Arguably, the most exciting bits in this announcement are the Rocket shakeup, the release of a new mega Evolution, the release of new Pokemon, and the fairly nice one Pokecoin bundles. But let us know what you're looking forward to most in the comments!
Full Announcement
Click to View
Trainers,
We hope you’re prepared for a month of exciting Pokémon encounters and bonuses this February!
February Research Breakthrough encounter
From Monday, February 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, March 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8), you’ll encounter Snorlax in Research Breakthroughs. Featured Pokémon in five-star raids and Mega Raids The following Legendary Pokémon will be appearing in five-star raids throughout February.
Entei will be appearing in five-star raids from Tuesday, January 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Raikou will be appearing in five-star raids from Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Thursday, February 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Suicune will be appearing in five-star raids from Thursday, February 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Latias and Latios will be appearing in five-star raids from Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. local time.
Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Mewtwo will be appearing in five-star raids from Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. to Monday, March 1, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. local time. In addition, the following Mega-Evolved Pokémon will be appearing in Mega Raids.
Mega Venusaur, Mega Ampharos, and Mega Houndoom will be appearing in Mega Raids from Tuesday, January 19, 2021, through Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Mega Pidgeot, Mega Ampharos, and a surprise Mega-Evolved Pokémon will be appearing in Mega Raids from Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. through Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. local time.
Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Blastoise will be appearing in Mega Raids from Saturday, February 20, 2021, through Monday, March 1, 2021. Each week in February will also include a Raid Hour event on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. local time featuring the Pokémon currently active in five-star raids.
Pokémon Spotlight Hours
In the month of February, Pokémon Spotlight Hour will take place every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. local time, and each hour will spotlight a different Pokémon and special bonus!
- Tuesday, February 2, 2021: Ekans will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the XP for evolving Pokémon.
- Tuesday, February 9, 2021: Miltank will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Stardust for catching Pokémon.
- Tuesday, February 16, 2021: Luvdisc will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the XP for catching Pokémon.
- Tuesday, February 23, 2021: Pikachu will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Candy for catching Pokémon.
Team GO Rocket is back—and celebrating?
Time to find out why, Trainers! From Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, February 7, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time, Team GO Rocket Grunts will be appearing with previously unseen Shadow Pokémon on their teams. If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny Shadow Pokémon by defeating a Team GO Rocket Leader! For more information, be sure to check out the blog here.
February Community Day Featuring Roselia
Join us on Sunday, February 7, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time for a floral Community Day with Roselia. Evolve Roselia during the event or up to two hours afterward to get a Roserade that knows both the Charged Attack Weather Ball (Fire-type) and the Fast Attack Bullet Seed. For more information, be sure to check out the blog here.
Ring in the Year of the Ox with our Lunar New Year–themed event
Our Lunar New Year event is back! From Tuesday, February 9, 2021, to Sunday, February 14, 2021, encounter red Pokémon and celebrate the Year of the Ox! A special Mega-Evolved Pokémon will also be appearing in Mega Raids for the first time at the start of this event! Stay tuned for more details.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day
From Monday, February 8, 2021, to Monday, February 15, 2021, compete in the Valentine’s Day–themed Love Cup in the GO Battle League! Form a team using Pokémon that are red or pink and with a max CP of 1,500 to enter. No Legendary or Mythical Pokémon may be included on your team.
From Sunday, February 14, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time, join us for our annual Valentine’s Day event! You can look forward to some Pokémon making their Pokémon GO debut as well as exclusive avatar items. Stay tuned for more details.
It’s not too late to join Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto
Can’t-o wait to celebrate the Kanto region? Don’t forget to purchase your ticket for the Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto event on February 20, 2021! For more details on this event, please check out the blog here.
There will be a special Kanto-themed celebration event and Raid Day at the end of February to close out the Season of Celebration.
Weekly 1 PokéCoin bundles
Each week in February, a different 1 PokéCoin bundle will be featured in the shop.
- From February 1, 2021, a 1 PokéCoin bundle featuring the following items will be available: 20 Poké Balls, a Remote Raid Pass, and a Rocket Radar.
- From February 8, 2021, a 1 PokéCoin bundle featuring the following items will be available: eight Incense, 16 Razz Berries, and 10 Pinap Berries.
- From February 15, 2021, a 1 PokéCoin bundle featuring the following items will be available: a Remote Raid Pass, 20 Poké Balls, 10 Great Balls, and five Ultra Balls.
- From February 22, 2021, a 1 PokéCoin bundle featuring the following items will be available: 20 Poké Balls, a Remote Raid Pass, five Incense.
Quality-of-life updates
We have some exciting quality-of-life updates coming in February, too!
You can look forward to an image gallery showing off the PokéStop and Gym images that you and other Trainers have submitted. This feature will roll out in different regions over time—starting with level 40+ Trainers in New Zealand on Tuesday, February 9, 2021—and will become available worldwide to Trainers level 38 and above toward the end of March 2021.
Ever wanted to capture the moment you level up in Pokémon GO to share with friends? Soon, you’ll be able to do just that—without screenshotting! The level-up social share feature will be coming in February to Trainers worldwide.
And last but not least, you’ll soon be able to transfer Legendary and Mythical Pokémon when selecting multiple Pokémon by enabling the functionality in the game settings. We hope this will make managing Pokémon storage a bit easier for those of you who have amassed especially large collections!
Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated. For the latest on in-game events and feature updates, be sure to check this help center article.
—The Pokémon GO team
