Every few months, the seasons change into spring, summer, fall, or winter. Inspired by these changes Niantic added Seasons to Pokémon GO back in December 2020. Each Season in the mobile game is three months long and features special events, certain Pokémon appearing more often in the wild (in certain areas and hemispheres), refreshed Egg pool, and more. Instead of being named after the spring, summer, fall, or winter seasons, each Season in Pokémon GO is named after an idea/theme.

For March 2023, a new Season has begun and it’s called Rising Heroes.

 

What is the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

The Season of Rising Heroes is Pokémon GO’s 10th in-game Season and starts on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time. During this Season, Niantic will debut Roaming Form Gimmighoul, Regieleki, Regidrago, and possibly more. The XXS and XXL size mechanic is being advertised, now that all Pokémon found in Pokémon GO can be found in those two new sizes.

There will also be a season-long ticketed Time Research.

 

When is the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

The Season of Rising Heroes takes place over three months – starting on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 10 a.m. and ending on Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time.

 

What is the focus of the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

The focus on the Season of Rising Heroes appears to be taking on tough challenges – collecting 999 Gimmighoul Coins to evolve your Roaming Form Gimmighoul into Gholdengo, participating in Elite Raid battles, and more. Also, Professor Willow is the star of the season’s ticketed Time Research and a datamine has shown that Pokémon GO’s Team Leaders may also receive similar treatment (their outfits being available as a costume for your in-game Avatar).

 

Are there any new features being added during the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

On the official Season of Rising Heroes site, two new features are listed – 1. Gimmighoul and Gholdengo and 2. Pokémon sizes XXS and XXL. Technically, Gimmighoul and Gholdengo debuted at the end of the previous season (Season of Mythical Wishes) due to the announcement and rollout on Pokémon Day. The Pokémon XXS and XXL size options were also added in during the Season of Mythical Wishes, initially available in some Pokémon, before being available to all Pokémon in Pokémon GO in January 2023.

With the start of the season, it was also announced that Hawlucha would be debuting in Pokémon GO as a regional exclusive.

 

Pokémon debut: Gimmighoul and Gholdengo

 

 

Announced on Pokémon Day (Monday, February 27th, 2023), Roaming Form Gimmighoul is now catchable in Pokémon GO! Similar to connecting your Pokémon GO account to a copy of Pokémon Let’s GO, Eevee or Pikachu!, Trainers will have to connect their Pokémon GO accounts to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. To read up on how to use this feature, you can check out the following guides:

 

Later this year, Trainers will be able to send their caught Roaming Form Gimmighoul to Pokémon GO and then to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (as this form is uncatchable in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet).

 

Pokémon Sizes XXS and XXL

The Pokémon size classification was expanded to include XXS and XXL sizing during the Season of Mythical Wishes. As of Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, an official Pokémon GO blog post confirmed that all Pokémon currently available in Pokémon GO are now available in XXS and XXL size classifications.

 

Size comparisons of XXS (left) to average (center) to XXL (right).

 

For more information, you can read the blog post from December 2023. There, it goes into more detail about how these new size classifications will be shown on the catch encounter screen, tracking in the Pokédex, and more.

 

Hawlucha Debuts!

 

 

Surprise! Hawlucha is now able in Pokémon GO. There’s a bit of a catch though – this Pokémon is a regional exclusive to Mexico. That said, its regional spawn area is similar to Heracross, so Trainers can also spot Hawlucha in parts of Texas and Florida.

 

What is the Ticketed Time Research for the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

 

During the Season of Rising Heroes, Trainers can purchase a ticketed Time Research Story called Willow’s Wardrobe. Rewards from this season-long Timed Research include a new costume inspired by Professor Willow’s outfit (his new one after returning from an Ultra Wormhole) and a catch encounter with Melmetal that knows Double Iron Bash (Charged Attack). Niantic Support also clarified the following: “Trainers, we’d like to clarify that Trainers who purchase the Ticketed Timed Research: Willow’s Wardrobe will also be able to obtain a Melmetal with Double Iron Bash by evolving Meltan for the duration of Season 10: Rising Heroes.”

The cost of the ticket for Timed Research is US$4.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency).

Step 1

  • Task: Catch 10 Pokémon
    • Reward: Willow’s Goggles
  • Task: Catch 20 Pokémon
    • Reward: Willow’s Gloves
  • Task: Catch 30 Pokémon
    • Reward: Willow’s Pants
  • Task: Catch 40 Pokémon
    • Reward: Willow’s Jacket
  • Task: Catch 50 Pokémon
    • Reward: Willow’s Boots
  • Task: Transfer 30 Pokémon
    • Reward: 25 Meltan Candies
  • Completion Reward: 1 Melmetal encounter, 809 XP, and 809 Stardust.

 

Notes:

  • The Timed Research: Willow’s Wardrobe must be completed by June 1st, 2023 to collect all rewards.
  • Trainers will be able to teach any Melmetal with Double Iron Bash (Charged Attack) by using an Elite Charged TM “in the future”.

 

What is the Special Research Story for the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

Prior to the start of the Let’s GO! and Team GO Rocket takeover event, it was announced that on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time, a seasonal Special Research Story (called An Everyday Hero) would be released to any Trainer that logs into Pokémon GO until Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time. This Special Research will be free and is billed a Trainers will get to “[s]pend some time helping out Professor Willow and see what surprises you discover!”

However, when launched, the Special Research was referred to in-game as Let’s GO! and appears to be tied directly to the Let’s GO! and Team GO Rocket takeover event. Only the first three steps of the Special Research have been released. The remaining steps weren’t released during the Team GO Rocket takeover portion of the event.

 

Let's GO Special Research
Step 1/6Reward
Catch 10 Pokémon5 Poké Balls
Make 10 Curveball Throws5 Razz Berries
Power up Pokémon 5 times1,000 Stardust
Completion Rewards1,500 XP and Mankey Encounter
Step 2/6Reward
Catch 15 Pokémon10 Poké Balls
Make 10 Great Throws5 Pinap Berries
Transfer 20 Pokémon5 Great Balls
Completion Rewards2,000 XP and Meditite Encounter
Step 3/6Reward
Power up Pokémon 10 times10 Great Balls
Make 7 Great Throws1 Lure Module
Defeat a Team GO Rocket member (Grunts only)3 Revives
Completion Rewards2,500 XP and Machoke Encounter
Step 4/6Reward
Professor Willow is currently500 XP
performing an investigation
regarding this research. Check back
for more details soon!
Completion Rewards1,000 XP and 1,000 Stardust

 

What are the bonuses for the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

The following bonuses will be active during the entire Season of Rising Heroes:

  • Increased damage dealt by Pokémon participating in raids remotely
  • Team GO Rocket will appear more frequently at PokéStops
  • Extra Stardust from Team GO Rocket encounters

 

What Seasonal Pokémon will be appearing in the wild and where?

 

During the Season of Rising Heroes, the following Pokémon will be appearing more often in the wild in the following areas:

  • Cities: Voltorb*, Porygon*, Togetic*, Gardevoir*, Purrloin*, Trubbish*, Elgyem*, and more!
  • Forests: Mankey*, Exeggutor, Shuckle*, Zorua, Stunfisk, Formantis, Morelull, and more!
  • Mountains: Aerodactyl*, Snorlax*, Whismur*, Mawile*, Aron*, Medicham*, Woobat*, and more!
  • Beaches & Water: Psyduck*, Slowpoke*, Hisuian Qwilfish, Mantine*, Lumineon, Frillish*, Goomy, and more!
  • Northern Hemisphere: Skarmory*, Swablu*, Snivy*, Tepig*, Oshawott*, Deino*, Helioptile*, and more!
  • Southern Hemisphere: Chikorita*, Cyndaquil*, Totodile*, Larvitar*, Scraggy, Alomomola*, Stufful*, and more!

 

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

 

What Pokémon will be hatching from Eggs this Season?

 

Eggs obtained from PokéStops or through Adventure Sync Rewards (weekly walking milestones that reset each Monday) during the Season of Rising Heroes will contain the following Egg pools:

  • 2 km Eggs:
    • 1-Egg Rarity: Bellsprout*, Magikarp*, Pichu*, Igglybuff*, Trapinch*, Pikipek, Yungoos*, Fomantis, and Wimpod.
    • 2-Egg Rarity: Cottonee*.
  • 5 km Eggs:
    • 1-Egg Rarity: Machop*, Tyrogue*, Chingling*, and Mareanie.
    • 2-Egg Rarity: Gligar*, Bonsly*, Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio.
  • 7 km Eggs: 
    • 1-Egg Rarity: Galarian Meowth*, Galarian Stunfisk*, and Hisuian Voltorb.
    • 2-Egg Rarity: Alolan Meowth*, Alolan Farfetch’d*, Galarian Ponyta*, and Hisuian Qwilfish.
    • 3-Egg Rarity: Alolan Vulpix*, Galarian Slowpoke, and Hisuian Sneasel.
    • 4-Egg Rarity: Galarian Zigzagoon* and Hisuian Growlithe.
    • 5-Egg Rarity: Galarian Darumaka*.
  • 10 km Eggs:
    • 1-Egg Rarity: Tirtouga*, Archen*, Rockfuff*, and Togedemaru.
    • 2-Egg Rarity: Axew*, Tyrunt, and Amaura.
    • 3-Egg Rarity: Riolu*, Goomy, and Jangmo-o.
  • 5 km Eggs from Adventure Sync Rewards: Shinx*, Cranidos*, Shieldon*, Happiny*, Frillish (male shown)*, and more!
  • 10 km Eggs from Adventure Sync Rewards: Dratini*, Beldum*, Gible*, Goomy, Rockruff*, and more!

 

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

 

What Pokémon will be appearing in Raids this Season?

 

Currently, we know that the following Pokémon will be appearing in Raids during the Season of Rising Heroes:

 

March 2023

  • 1-Star Raids:
    • Swinub*, Sudowoodo*, Cranidos*, Dwebble*, and Nosepass* (Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 to Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Espurr*, Rockruff*, Mareanie*, and Bruxish (Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time)
    • Charmander*, Growlithe*, Ponyta*, Torchic*, and Numel* (Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at 8 p.m. to Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Mareep*, Vanillite, Emolga, Cubchoo*, and Dedenne* (Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Slowpoke*, Gastly*, Sneasel*, Woobat*, and Litwick* (Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time to ???)
  • 3-Star Raids:
    • Alolan Graveler, Golbat, Jolteon, and Staraptor (Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 to ??? at ? a.m. your local time)
    • Exeggutor, Alolan Exeggutor*, Cryogonal, and Druddigon* (Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time)
    • Alolan Graveler*, Alolan Marowak*, Rhydon, and Omastar (Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at 8 p.m. to Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Raichu, Dewgong, Piloswine, and Eelektrik (Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Kadabra, Gardevoir*, Grumpig, and Braviary (Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time to ???)
  • 5-Star Raids:
    • Tornadus (Incarnate Forme)* (Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Ho-Oh* (Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Thundurus (Incarnate Forme)* (Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Lugia* (Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Monday, April 10th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
  • Mega Raids:
    • Mega Charizard Y* (Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Mega Medicham* (Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Mega Venusaur* (Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Mega Alakazam* (Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Monday, April 10th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
  • Elite Raids:
    • Regidrago (Saturday, March 11th, 2023 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. your local time)
    • Regidrago (Sunday, March 12th, 2023 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. for GMT +13 timezone only)

 

April 2023

  • 1-Star Raids:
  • 3-Star Raids:
  • 5-Star Raids:
    • Lugia* (Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 to Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Landorus (Incarnate Forme)* (Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Tapu Bulu* (Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
  • Mega Raids:
    • Mega Alakazam* (Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 to Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Mega Lopunny* (Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Mega Blastoise* (Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
    • Mega Slowbrow* (Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 at 10 a.m. your local time)
  • Elite Raids:
    • Regieleki (Sunday, April 9th, 2023 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. your local time)

Note: Dates listed in bold are new, updated start or end times. The official Pokémon GO social media accounts announced different dates in the March Content Update infographic and changed them in the April Content Update infographic.

 

May 2023

  • 1-Star Raids:
  • 3-Star Raids:
  • 5-Star Raids:
  • Mega Raids:

 

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

 

What events are happening in March 2023?

 

All events for March 2023 have been announced, but details aren’t available for all. Here’s what’ll be happening in March 2023:

 

 

What events are happening in April 2023?

 

All events for April 2023 have yet to be announced. Based on currently available information, here’s what’ll be happening in April 2023:

 

  • Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 1 p.m. PT | 4 p.m. ET (GMT −8) until Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 1 p.m. PT | 4 p.m. ET (GMT −7) – April 2023 Research Breakthrough: Parasect, Pinsir, Snorlax, Gible, Furfrou, and Goomy
  • Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at ??? – Unannounced April Fools’ Day event: Thanks to a datamine, it looks like a Pidgey-focused April Fools’ Day event will ba happening in Pokémon GO. Stay tuned for more details!
  • Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Monday, April 10th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time – Spring into Spring: The yearly spring and Easter-inspired event returns. Get ready for the spotlight to be shown on Bunny-themed Pokémon and some spring-themed Costumed Pokémon.
  • Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: Exeggcute
  • Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: Lugia
  • Sunday, April 9th, 2023 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. your local time – Elite Raid Day (featuring Regieleki): Gather your friends to take on Elite Raids! Regieleki will star in this one.
  • Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time – A Mystic Hero: Stay tuned for more details about this event!
  • Saturday, April 15th, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time – April 2023 Community Day featuring Togetic: It’s true – Togetic will be the star of April 2023’s Community Day event. Free Timed Research will be available so Trainers can have enough Sinnoh Stones to evolve Togetic into Togekiss!
  • Saturday, April 15th, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. your local time – Bonus Raid Battles after Community Day: Togetic will appear in special Four-Star Raids after Community Day’s 3-hour block. Defeating Togetic will cause more Togetic to spawn nearby for 30 minutes afterward!
  • Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: Shellder
  • Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: Landorus (Incarnate Forme)
  • Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: Trapinch
  • Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: Tapu Bulu
  • Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at 10 a.m. to Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 at 8 p.m. your local time – Sustainability Week: Celebrating Earth Day, the Sustainability event returns! Please stay tuned for more details about this event.
  • Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time – Limited Research: A Limited Research Day has been scheduled, but the Pokémon featured has yet to be announced! Please stay tuned for more details about this event.
  • Saturday, April 29th, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. your local time – April 2023 Community Day Classic featuring ??? (rumored to be Swinub): Community Day Classic returns! Please stay tuned for more details about this event.
  • Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: Tangela
  • Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: Tapu Bulu

 

What events are happening in May 2023?

 

All events for May 2023 have yet to be announced. Based on currently available information, here’s what’ll be happening in May 2023:

 

  • Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at 1 p.m. PT | 4 p.m. ET (GMT −8) until Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 1 p.m. PT | 4 p.m. ET (GMT −7) – May 2023 Research Breakthrough: Parasect, Pinsir, Snorlax, Gible, Furfrou, and Goomy
  • Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: ???
  • Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: ???
  • Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: ???
  • Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: ???
  • Sunday, May 14th, 2023 from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. your local time – GO Battle Day: Stardust: Another GO Battle Day, this time focusing on Stardust rewards. A paid Timed Research ticket will be made available.
  • Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: ???
  • Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: ???
  • Sunday, May 21st, 2023 from ? p.m. to ? p.m. your local time – May 2023 Community Day featuring ??? (rumored to be Fennekin): Please stay tuned for more details about this event.
  • Sunday, May 21st, 2023 from ? p.m. to ? p.m. your local time – Bonus Raid Battles after Community Day (unconfirmed): If confirmed, ??? will appear in special Four-Star Raids after Community Day’s 3-hour block. Defeating ??? in these Raids will cause ??? to spawn nearby in the wild for 30 minutes afterward!
  • Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: ???
  • Saturday, May 27th, 2023 and Sunday, May 28th, 2023 – ???: Ahead of the Season of Rising Heroes, Niantic announced that an event would start on this date. Please stay tuned for more details about this event.
  • Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: ???
  • Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Spotlight Hour: ???
  • Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. your local time – Raid Hour: ???

 

Are there any special Stickers for the Season of Rising Heroes?

 

Themed Stickers that feature Cherrim (Sunshine Form), Lilligant, Pikachu, Bellossom, Lurantis, Spring Deerling, Spring Swasbuck, and Combee will be released during the Season of Rising Heroes. You can get them from spinning PokéStops and/or Gyms, opening Gifts (from Friends and/or your Buddy Pokémon), and purchasing them for PokéCoins via the in-game shop.

 

 

 

More Pokémon GO guides

 

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

 

 

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Written by Jennifer Burch

Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)