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Pokemon Go: Content Update for January, 2022

Here we go! 2021 is basically over, and 2022 is looming large on the nearby horizon, and Niantic has given us our basic road-map for the month. New events and raid bosses await, so let's get into it!

January 2022 Research Breakthrough

Research Start Research End
January 1, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. PST February 1, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. PST

Steelix has some utility in PvP, but this isn't a super exciting pickup for the month. The more important part of this breakthrough is the fact that it also gives Mega Steelix Energy. And while Mega Steelix is definitely notthe best Mega Evolution, it does tend to last for a very long time.

Five Star and Mega Raid Bosses

Raids Start:  Current

Raids End: Friday, January 7, 2022


Shiny Kyurem is currently available

Raids Start: January 7, 2022

Raids End: January 15, 2022

Raids Start: January 15, 2022

Raids End: January 24, 2022


This will be the debut of Genesect - Shock Drive.

Raids Start:  January 24, 2022

Raids End: February 1, 2022

Mega Raids

Raids Start: Current

Raids End: January 7, 2022

Raids Start: January 7, 2022

Raids End: February 1, 2022


This will mark the introduction of Mega Aerodactyl

Spotlight Hours

Spotlight Period Bonus
Tuesday, Jnauary 4, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time 2x Transfer Candy
Spotlight Period Bonus
Tuesday, January 11, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time 2x Catch Stardust
Spotlight Period Bonus
Tuesday, January 18, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time 2x Catch Candy
Spotlight Period Bonus
Tuesday, January 25, 2021, 6:00-7:00 p.m. local time 2x Transfer Candy

January Events

While it's likely that this is not a complete list, Niantic has given us information on at least a few upcoming events:

New Year’s Event
Event Start Event End
December 31, 2021 January 4, 2022
Mountains of Power
Event Start Event End
January 7, 2022 January 13, 2022
Electric- and Steel-themed event inspired by the Kanto Power Plant
Event Start Event End
January 19, 2022 February 1, 2022

Full Announcement

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Full Text

January Research Breakthrough rewards

Saturday, January 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. to Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8).

Image of Onix - Shiny Icon On

Onix

Steelix Mega Energy

If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!

Image of a Remote Raid Pass IconWeekly 1 PokéCoin bundles

Every Monday in January, a one-time-purchase bundle containing a Remote Raid Pass and other items will be available in the shop for 1 PokéCoin.

Image of a Raid Icon - TealFeatured Pokémon in raids

The following Pokémon will be appearing in raids throughout January.

Image of a Five-Star EggFive-Star Raids

Regice and Heatran will be returning to five-star raids this January! Also, for the first time in Pokémon GO, Genesect with a Shock Drive will be appearing in five-star raids!

Please note: Raid rotations start and end at 10:00 a.m. local time on the dates listed.

Until Friday, January 7, 2022

Image of Kyurem - Shiny Icon On

Kyurem

Friday, January 7, 2022, to Saturday, January 15, 2022

Image of Heatran - Shiny Icon On

Heatran

Saturday, January 15, 2022 to Monday, January 24, 2022

Image of Genesect (Shock Drive) - Shiny Icon Off

Genesect (Shock Drive)*

Monday, January 24, 2022, to Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Image of Regice - Shiny Icon On

Regice

If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!

* Genesect (Shock Drive) caught during this period will know the attack Techno Blast

Image of a Mega Raid EggMega Raids

For the first time in Pokémon GO, Mega Aerodactyl will be appearing in Mega Raids!

Please note: Raid rotations all start and end at 10:00 a.m. local time on the dates listed.

Until Friday, January 7, 2022

Image of Mega Abomasnow - Shiny Icon On

Mega Abomasnow

Friday, January 7, 2022, to Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Image of Mega Aerodactyl - Shiny Icon On

Mega Aerodactyl

If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!

Raid Hours

Every Wednesday in January, a Raid Hour event will occur from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. The following Pokémon will be featured.

Image of Kyurem - Shiny Icon On

January 5: Kyurem

Image of Heatran - Shiny Icon On

January 12: Heatran

Image of Genesect (Shock Drive) - Shiny Icon Off

January 19: Genesect (Shock Drive)

Image of Regice - Shiny Icon On

January 26: Regice

If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!

Pokémon Spotlight Hours

In the month of January, Pokémon Spotlight Hour will take place every Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, and each will spotlight a different Pokémon and a special bonus!

Image of Solosis - Shiny Icon Off

January 4: Solosis | 2× Transfer Candy

Image of Diglett - Shiny Icon On

January 11: Diglett | 2× Catch Stardust

Image of Plusle - Shiny Icon On

January 18: Plusle | 2× Catch Candy

Image of Minun - Shiny Icon On

January 25: Minun | 2× Transfer Candy

If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!

January Community Day

Join us on Sunday, January 16, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time for a Community Day event featuring Spheal, the Clap Pokémon!

Spheal will be appearing more frequently in the wild. Evolve Sealeo (Spheal’s Evolution) during the event or up to two hours afterward to get a Walrein that knows the Charged Attack Icicle Spear and Fast Attack Powder Snow.

For more details, check out the January Community Day blog.

Upcoming events

Stay tuned for details about these upcoming events.

  • New Year’s Event: From Friday, December 31, 2021, at 10:00 p.m. to Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. local time, ring in the new year with Pokémon in new costumes and snazzy new avatar items!
  • Mountains of Power: From Friday, January 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. to Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. local time, work with Spark to activate the second part of the mysterious door by journeying through terrain reminiscent of the mountains found in regions like Johto and Sinnoh.
  • Electric- and Steel-themed event inspired by the Kanto Power Plant: From Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. local time to Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. local time, continue working with Spark to gather up some electrifying Pokémon to activate the final part of the mysterious door. It seems that some nefarious forces have also caught wind of the door and the power it may contain...

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

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About the Author(s)

Gamepress Pokemon Go site lead with a focus on theorycrafting and gameplay optimization and a background in business management and freelance writing.  A bit of a hermit, but also an outdoors enthusiast who loves cycling and hiking. Long-time Gamepress fan who is very proud to be a part of the team.

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