Pokémon GO’s Season of Adventures Abound’s Detective Pikachu Returns event guide

The long-awaited sequel to Detective Pikachu is nearly here! So, Pokémon GO is celebrating the release of Detective Pikachu Returns during the title’s launch weekend. The Detective Pikachu Returns event will feature Pokémon that play a predominant role in the sleuthing adventure, which means we’ll see the return of the Costumed Pikachu sporting Detective Pikachu’s deerstalker-esque hat (which was available in 2019). That’s not the only costumed Pokémon to appear in this event, as we’ll see the debut of Slowpoke wearing a hat (that’s fairly close to a cowboy hat).

While this event is short, it’s also where the first part of the paid Ticket of Treats Timed Research will be released. This Timed Research consists of four parts, with each part releasing at the start of a major event in October.

Now, check out what’s happening during the Detective Pikachu Returns event with our guide below:

 

Pokémon GO’s Season of Adventures Abound – Detective Pikachu Returns

Begins: Thursday, October 5th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.

Ends: Monday, October 9th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time.

 

Pokémon returns and debuts – Detective Pikachu, Detective Raichu, and Slowpoke with a hat

 

 

For the Detective Pikachu Returns event, we’ll see two Costumed Pokémon returning and a brand new one:

• Detective Pikachu: Previously featured in events in 2019, the Detective Pikachu (Costumed Pikachu) returns. You can find this Pikachu via wild encounters, daily photobomb encounters, a Timed Reasrch catch reward encounter, and possibly as a Collection Challenge reward catch encounter. A shiny version is also available.
  • Detective Raichu: Also returning is Detective Raichu. This Pokémon can only be acquired by evolving a Detective Pikachu (with 50 Pikachu Candies).
• Slowpoke with a hat: Yee… haw… Another cowboy hat-esque design is available in Pokémon GO. This time it’s based on a particular Slowpoke in Detective Pikachu Returns. (Sorry Cowboy Hat Caterpie, fans.) You can find this Slowpoke in the wild. A shiny version is also available.

Going forward, these Pokémon will be referred to as “Costumed” rather than the exact outfit they are wearing.

 

Event Bonuses

• 2× XP for spinning PokéStops during the event.
• Trainers can enjoy surprise encounters with Pikachu wearing a detective hat once per day by taking snapshots (Costumed Pikachu photobomb).

 

Event Boxes

If any special event boxes or bundles are released during the event, they’ll be listed here once the event is live.

 

Wild Encounters

• The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild: Costumed Pikachu*, Growlithe*, Costumed Slowpoke*, Alolan Exeggutor*, Magikarp*, Xatu, Bellossom, Lotad*, Chimecho*, Bronzor*, Ducklett, Cutiefly, and Falinks.

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”

 

Raids

There won’t be any special Raid lineups themed for the event. Despite that, we’ve included what Standard and Shadow Raids will be active during the event.

 

Standard Raids

The following Pokémon will be appearing in Raids:

• One-Star Raids: 
  • Until Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Doduo*, Girafarig*, Gulpin*, Espurr*, and Yungoos*.
  • Starting on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Galarian Zigzagoon*, Roggenrola*, Rockruff*, and Bounsweet*.
• Three-Star Raids: 
  • Until Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Golem, Cloyster, Lanturn, and Hisuian Braviary*.
  • Starting on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Alolan Raticate, Clefable, Lapras*, and Druddigon*.
• Five-Star Raids:
  • Until Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Raikou*, Entei*, and Suicune*.
  • Starting on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Guzzlord* (See Additional Notes).
• Mega Raids:
  • Until Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Mega Gardevoir*.
  • Starting on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time: Mega Gengar* (See Additional Notes).

 

Shadow Raids

The following Pokémon will be appearing in Raids:

• One-Star Shadow Raids: Shadow Meowth*, Shadow Machop*, Shadow Wooper, and Shadow Pineco*.
• Three-Star Shadow Raids: Shadow Magmar, Shadow Electabuzz, and Shadow Gligar*.
• Five-Star Shadow Raids: Shadow Moltres* (See Additional Notes).

 

Additional Notes:

• Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”
• Standard Raids:
  • One-Star and Three-Star Raid lineups will change, as new Raid rotations are scheduled for Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time. The lineups that start on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time will be active after the event ends.
  • Five-Star Raids:
    • Raikou*, Entei*, and Suicune* will be available (in Five-Star Raids), until Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
    • Guzzlord* will be available after the event (in Five-Star Raids), until Friday, October 20th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
  • Mega Raids:
    • Mega Gardevoir* will be available (in Mega Raids), until Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
    • Mega Gengar* will be available after the event (in Mega Raids), until Friday, October 20th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.
• Shadow Raids:
  • One- and Three-Star Shadow Raids will be available daily.
  • Five-Star Shadow Raids will be available on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), unless otherwise stated by Niantic.

 

Timed Research – Detective Pikachu Returns Event: Timed Research

A  Timed Research quest will be active during the event. Rewards include a Costumed Pikachu encounter.

A complete list of tasks for all routes and the rewards will be shared here once the event is live. If the correct Pokémon is selected during the Choose Your Path part, an additional Costumed Pikachu* encounter will be earned instead of the 25 XP payout for Spin a PokéStop or Gym task.

 

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”

 

Field Research Tasks

There will be event-exclusive Field Research Tasks available and the rewards include the following Pokémon encounters: Sudowoodo*, Snivy*, and Rowlet. These Field Research Tasks can be found when spinning PokéStops (and acquired if you have an open slot in your Field Research menu) when the event is active.

A complete list of tasks and rewards will be shared here once the event is live.

 

• Task: Catch a Flying-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Snivy* Encounter
• Task:  Catch a Grass-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Sudowoodo* Encounter
• Task: Catch a Psychic-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Rowlet Encounter
• Task: Catch a Water-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Rowlet Encounter
• Task: Catch a Pokémon with Weather Boost
  • Reward: Sudowoodo* Encounter
• Task: Take a snapshot of a wild Water-type Pokémon
  • Reward: Snivy* Encounter

 

Note: Pokémon marked with an * means that “If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!”

 

PokéStop Showcase

During the event, PokéStop Showcases will be active. The theme of these contests is to submit the biggest Pikachu (the Costumed Pikachu sporting the Detective Pikachu look can be submitted too).

 

Collection Challenge – Detective Pikachu Returns Collection Challenge

A special, event-exclusive Collection Challenge will be available. According to Niantic, this Collection Challenge will reward Trainers with an addition to the Elite Collector medal and 1,000 Stardust. A complete list of what Pokémon must be caught/traded/evolved (or what Field Research tasks to complete) and the associated rewards will be added here once the event is live.

 

• Catch: Snivy, Rowlet, and Sudowoodo
  • Reward: 1,000 Stardust

 

Stickers

An assortment of event-themed stickers featuring Detective Pikachu, Growlithe, and Slowpoke wearing a cowboy hat were made available. (These stickers weren’t announced by Niantic.) You can get them by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, and/or purchasing them from Pokémon GO’s in-game shop (with PokéCoins) during the event.

 

 

Avatar Pose

A new avatar pose will be released during this event. It will be available for purchase (with PokéCoins) via the in-game shop. This avatar pose will still be available to purchase after the conclusion of this event.

The new avatar items are the following: Detective Pikachu Avatar Pose (500 PokéCoins)

 

 

 

Paid Timed Research – Ticket of Treats Parts 1

For October 2023, Trainers can purchase a ticket to access a (sort of) month-long Timed Research. For US$4.99 OR US$5.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll get the Ticket of Treats Timed Research. This Timed Research will be released in four parts throughout October 2023.

Sales for this Timed Research will end on Sunday, October 29th, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. your local time. According to Niantic, “[t]ickets are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service).” Tickets can also be gifted to Trainers you’re friends with provided that you have a Friendship level of Great Friends or higher with them. This can be done via the in-game shop and by selecting the “Gift” button instead of the “Buy” button. Tickets purchased for friends are nonrefundable as well.

Please keep in mind that Timed Research quests have deadlines. Trainers must complete and collect rewards from each part of the Ticket of Treats Timed Research by Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. your local time.

For the Detective Pikachu Returns event, Ticket of Treats Part 1 will be released. All tasks and rewards for this Timed Research will be shared below after it’s live, as well as available on the dedicated paid Timed Research Ticket of Treats guide.

 

 

More Pokémon GO guides

 

Looking for more help with Pokémon GO? Check out our other guides!

 

 

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