Pokémon Go ‘Beloved Buddies’ event guide

Pokémon Go’s “Beloved Buddies” event celebrates bonded Pokémon and runs from Feb. 11-15. The event introduces Dhelmise to the game, where it can be caught for the first time.

In addition to Dhelmise’s debut, there are a few bonuses that will be live for the duration of the event, including doubled XP for catching Pokémon, Lure Modules lasting for one hour (instead of 30 minutes), and bonus Stardust for catching Diglett, Slowpoke, Shellder, Dunsparce, Cutiefly, and Formantis.

Notably, any newer players will want to use this event as an opportunity to catch Volbeat or Illumise (depending on their region). These are regional Pokémon, meaning they’re only usually available in specific areas. Usually you can only find one or the other near you, with the other only being available other regions, so take advantage of this opportunity while you can.

We list out the other perks of the Pokémon Go “Beloved Buddies” event, including the Collection Challenge, spawns, boosted shinies, and more.

Pokémon Go ‘Beloved Buddies’ event Timed Research and reward

As with some of the other events we’ve gotten during the “Dual Destiny” season, this Timed Research features a branched choice to pick between: Candela or Arlo? Your choice will largely depend on what Pokémon you may already have collected, as well as if you like Team Go Rocket encounters. This time around, the rewards actually vary outside of the encounters, though only very slightly.

Check out our comprehensive explainer on which to pick between Candela or Arlo in our “Beloved Buddies” Timed Research guide.

Pokémon Go ‘Beloved Buddies’ event Collection Challenges

The following Collection Challenges will be live throughout the duration of the event:

Beloved Buddies Collection Challenge 1

• Catch a Cutiefly
• Catch a Fomantis

Reward: 15 Great Balls, 3,000 Stardust

Beloved Buddies Collection Challenge 2

• Catch a Shellder
• Catch a Slowpoke

Reward: 15 Great Balls, 3,000 Stardust

Beloved Buddies Collection Challenge 3

• Catch a Diglett
• Catch a Dunsparce

Reward: 15 Great Balls, 3,000 Stardust

Pokémon Go ‘Beloved Buddies’ event Field Research and rewards

Spinning a PokéStop during the event period may yield one of these tasks:

• Catch 2 Pokémon (200 Stardust)
• Trade a Pokémon (Tandemaus encounter)
• Win a raid (1,500 Stardust)

Pokémon Go ‘Beloved Buddies’ event boosted spawns

These Pokémon will spawn more frequently during the event period:

• Nidoran-F
• Nidoran-M
• Diglett*
• Slowpoke
• Shellder
• Dunsparce*
• Remoraid
• Mantine
• Plusle
• Minun
• Volbeat
• Illumise
• Cutiefly
• Fomantis

*There is an “increased chance” of finding this shiny in the wild as part of the event.

Pokémon Go ‘Beloved Buddies’ event raid targets

The following changes to the raid schedule will take place as part of the event:

*These Pokémon have an “increased chance” of being shiny when raided.