User:TehPerson/Form differences in Pokémon GO

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In Pokémon GO, all forms are determined at the time of capture and cannot be changed, regardless of the mechanics in the core series. Although every species has one Pokédex entry each, alternate forms of the same species are registered as different. This means that even if a player has one form of the species registered in the Pokédex, an alternate form, if not yet obtained, will still appear as a silhouette in the "Nearby" view, and receiving one in a trade requires a Special Trade.

Alternate forms

The following lists the alternate forms that do get registered in the Pokédex.

Regional forms

Regional forms were first introduced to Pokémon GO around the time Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon was officially announced. Some species appear in the wild, while others are exclusive to 7 km Eggs, raids, and later, Field Research (with the exception of limited-time events). Galarian Weezing was introduced on November 16, 2019, in raids to celebrate the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Obtainability Pokémon
Wild encounters     
Non-wild encounters           

Unown

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

Certain forms of Unown have been made available in increased spawns during certain local events. The forms available typically correspond to the characters of a word related to the event.

Event Word Unown forms
Pokémon GO Fest 2017
(July 22, 2017)
CHICAGO      
Pokémon GO Park
(August 9 - 15, 2017)
YOKOHAMA       
Pokémon World Championships
(August 18 - 20, 2017)
WORLDS       
Pokémon GO Safari Zone in Europe
(September 16 - October 14, 2017)
SAFARI      
TwitchCon
(October 20 - 22, 2017)
TWITCH      
Pokémon GO Week in Korea
(November 10 - 12, 2017)
SEOUL      
Pokémon GO Safari in Tottori
(November 24 - 26, 2017)
SAFARI      
RTX Convention, Sydney
(February 3, 2018)
RTX    
Pokémon GO Safari in Chiayi
(November 24 - 26, 2017)
CHIAYI      
SXSW, Austin
(November 24 - 26, 2017)
SXSW    
Game Developer Conference, San Francisco
(March 21 - April 1, 2018)
GDC    
Armageddon Expo, Wellington
(March 30 - April 1, 2018)
ARMAGEDDON     
    
Comic Con, Utrecht
(March 31 - April 2, 2018)
COMIC CON      
PAX East, Boston
(April 6 - 8, 2018)
PAX    
Ultra Bonus Week #1
September 2 - 9, 2019
ULTRA      

Spinda

Unlike in the core series, each of Spinda's patterns is treated as one of nine alternate forms, each registered separately in the Pokédex. Spinda can only be caught as a reward for completing specific Field Research. Only one pattern is available worldwide at any time, and the pattern rotates periodically. Pattern 9 specifically was made available exclusively for the 2019 Valentine's Day Event. Since July 2019, Spinda has a possibility of being Shiny, with the Shiny forms' spot patterns being slightly different from their normal counterparts'.

Form Availability
  
Pattern 1
  • October 2018 — Make 2 Nice Curveball Throws
  
Pattern 2
  • March - April 2019 — Make 5 Great Curveball Throws in a row
  
Pattern 3
  • September 2018 — Make a Great Curveball Throw
  
Pattern 4
  • May - June 2019 — Make 5 Great Curveball Throws in a row
  
Pattern 5
  • January - February 2019 — Make 5 Great Curveball Throws in a row
  
Pattern 6
  • December 2018 — Make a Great Curveball Throw
  
Pattern 7
  • November 2018 — Make 3 Nice Curveball Throws
  
Pattern 8
  • August 2018 — Make 3 Curveball Throws in a row
  • July 2019 — Make 5 Curveball Throws in a row  
  
Pattern 9
  • Valentine's Day: February 13 - 21, 2019 — Make 5 Great Curveball Throws in a row

Castform

Castform's form in the wild depends on the current weather in the game. Unlike in the core series, Castform is locked to one form once caught. Additionally, even a change in weather will not affect already-spawned Castform's form.

Form Fast Attacks Charged Attacks Weather
 
Normal
 

  Tackle
  Hex

  Hurricane
  Energy Ball
  Weather Ball

   
 
Sunny Form
 

  Ember
  Tackle

  Fire Blast
  Solar Beam
  Weather Ball

  
 
Rainy Form
 

  Water Gun
  Tackle

  Hydro Pump
  Thunder
  Weather Ball

 
 
Snowy Form
 

  Powder Snow
  Tackle

  Blizzard
  Ice Beam
  Weather Ball

  

Deoxys

Deoxys was exclusively available in EX Raids from October 2018 to September 2019, with its forms rotating every several months.

Form Stats Moves Availability
HP Atk Def Fast Attacks Charged Attacks
 
Normal Forme
137 345 115

  Zen Headbutt
  Charge Beam

  Psycho Boost
  Zap Cannon
  Hyper Beam

  • Oct 1 - Dec 28, 2018
 
Attack Forme
137 414 46

  Zen Headbutt
  Charge Beam

  Psycho Boost
  Zap Cannon
  Dark Pulse

  • Dec 28, 2018 - Mar 25, 2019
 
Defense Forme
137 144 330

  Zen Headbutt
  Counter

  Psycho Boost
  Thunderbolt
  Rock Slide

  • Mar 25 - Jun 24, 2019
 
Speed Forme
137 230 218

  Zen Headbutt
  Charge Beam

  Psycho Boost
  Thunderbolt
  Swift

  • July 1 - Sep 28, 2019

Cherrim

Cherrim's form in the wild depends on the current weather in the game, using the same mechanic that determine's Castform's form. It will appear in its Sunshine Form in sunny/clear weather and Overcast Form otherwise. If evolved from Cherubi, Cherrim's form is determined purely at random, without regard to the current weather.

Form Fast Attacks Charged Attacks Weather
 
Sunshine Form
  Razor Leaf
  Bullet Seed
  Dazzling Gleam
  Hyper Beam
  Solar Beam
  Weather Ball
  
 
Overcast Form
  Razor Leaf
  Bullet Seed
  Dazzling Gleam
  Hyper Beam
  Solar Beam
All other weather

Giratina

Giratina was exclusively available in level 5 Raid Battles. Its forms were available at different times.

Form Stats Moves Availability
HP Atk Def Fast Attacks Charged Attacks
 
Altered Forme
284 187 225

  Dragon Breath
  Shadow Claw

  Dragon Claw
  Ancient Power
  Shadow Sneak

  • October 23 - November 20, 2018
  • March 28 - April 2, 2019
 
Origin Forme
284 225 187

  Dragon Tail
  Shadow Claw

  Dragon Pulse
  Ominous Wind
  Shadow Ball

  • April 2 - April 29, 2019

Event Pokémon

Event Pokémon, also known as Costume Pokémon, are special forms that have appeared during various events for a limited time. These forms feature an otherwise-normal Pokémon with an event-relevant costume. Some Event Pokémon can potentially be Shiny as well or know event-exclusive moves. Some event forms can evolve, and if they do, retain the costume after doing so. Event forms do not appear in the Pokédex of Pokémon GO, but are still treated differently in terms of Pokédex registration. Since event Pokémon are unique to Pokémon GO, they cannot be transferred to Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

Bulbasaur family

Form Availability
 
Shedinja costume
  • Halloween 2019: Oct 17 - Nov 1, 2019  
 
Party Hat
 
Clone

Charmander family

Form Availability
 

Cubone costume

  • Halloween 2019: October 17 - November 1, 2019  
 
Party Hat
 
Clone

Squirtle family

Squirtle wearing sunglasses was made available during the Squirtle Community Day as a reward for completing event-exclusive Field Research tasks.

Form Availability
   
Squirtle Squad sunglasses
 
Yamask costume
  • Halloween 2019: October 17 - November 1, 2019  
 
Party Hat
 
Clone

Raticate

Form Availability
 

Party hat

  • Adventure Sync Hatchathon: January 2 - 16, 2020  
  • Minccino Limited Research Day: February 2, 2020  

Pikachu family

For certain global events, Pikachu wearing corresponding costumes became available in the wild at increased spawn rates, and Pichu wearing the same costumes could be hatched from Eggs received during the same period.

Form Availability
   
Festive hat
  • Holiday: December 12, 2016 - January 3, 2017
  • Holiday: December 21, 2017 - January 4, 2018
  • Holiday: December 18, 2018 - January 2, 2019  
  • Pokémon GO Fest 2019 - Yokohama: August 6, 2019  
   
Party hat
  • Pokémon Day: February 26 - March 6, 2017
  • Pokémon Day: February 26 - February 28, 2018
  • Pokémon GO Fest 2019 - Yokohama: August 7, 2019  
  • Adventure Sync Hatchathon: January 2 - 16, 2020  
   
Ash hat
  • 1st Anniversary: July 6 - July 27, 2017
  • April Fool's Day: April 1 - 2, 2019 — 5 per day via GO Snapshot  
  • Pokémon GO Fest 2019 - Yokohama: August 8, 2019  
   
Witch hat
  • Halloween: October 20 - November 2, 2017
  • Halloween: October 23 - November 1, 2018  
  • Pokémon GO Fest 2019 - Yokohama: August 9, 2019  
   
Summer-style
  • 2nd Anniversary: July 5 - July 31, 2018
  • Pokémon GO Fest 2019 - Yokohama: August 10, 2019  
  
H.F. Custom Cap
  • October 6 - 7, 2018  
   
Flower crown
  • Pokémon Day: February 26 - 28, 2019  
  • Pokémon GO Fest 2019 - Yokohama: August 11, 2019  
  
Detective Pikachu
  • Detective Pikachu: May 7 - 17, 2019 — 1 per day via GO Snapshot
    • Male only; Shiny not possible*
  • Pokémon GO Fest 2019 - Yokohama: August 12, 2019
    • Male only
 
Straw hat
  • Kumamoto Revival Project: July 22 - July 29, 2019  
 
Mimikyu costume
  • Halloween 2019: October 17 - November 1, 2019  
    • Male only
File:GO172W.png  
Beanie hat
  • Holiday 2019: December 24, 2019 - January 1, 2020  
 
Party Hat
 
Clone
 
Safari hat
 
Flower hat
 
Charizard hat
  • Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto  
 
Umbreon hat
  • Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto  
 
Rayquaza hat
  • Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn  
 
Lucario hat
  • Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh  

Nidorino

Form Availability
 
Party hat

Gengar

Form Availability
 
Party hat

Eevee family

Form Availability
    

    
Flower crown

 
Party Hat

Mewtwo

Armored Mewtwo was released in celebration of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. It is currently the only Event Pokémon with base stats and a move pool separate from its base form's.

Form Stats Moves Availability
HP Atk Def Fast Attacks Charged Attacks
  214 300 182

  Psycho Cut
  Confusion

  Psychic
  Focus Blast
  Flamethrower
  Ice Beam
  Thunderbolt
  Shadow Ball (Legacy)
  Hyper Beam (Legacy)
  Psystrike (Legacy)

  • Aug 14, 2017 - Sep 20, 2018 (EX Raids)
  • Sep 20 - Oct 23, 2018
 
Armored Mewtwo
214 182 278

  Confusion
  Iron Tail

  Rock Slide
  Dynamic Punch
  Earthquake
  Future Sight
  Psystrike (Legacy)

  • Jul 10 - Jul 31, 2019
  • Feb 25 - Mar 2, 2020

Togepi

Form Availability
 
Flower crown

Wobbuffet

Form Availability
 

Party hat

  • Adventure Sync Hatchathon: January 2 - 16, 2020  

Stantler

Form Availability
 

Bells

  • Holiday 2019: December 24, 2019 - January 1, 2020  

Wurmple

Form Availability
 

Party hat

  • Adventure Sync Hatchathon: January 2 - 16, 2020  

Buneary

Form Availability
 
Flower crown

Shadow and Purified Pokémon

Main article: Shadow Pokémon (GO)

Shadow Pokémon are Pokémon that have been artificially altered by Team GO Rocket to be used in battle. Shadow Pokémon have angry, red eyes and a flaming, black aura. Upon being defeated, Team GO Rocket members will abandon one of the Shadow Pokémon used in battle, which the player can then capture. A player can use Candy and Stardust to purify a Shadow Pokémon, returning it to its natural states but with a white aura.

Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded, while Purified Pokémon always count towards a Special Trade, even if the receiving player has already obtained the purified form. These Pokémon also cannot be transferred to Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.