'Pokemon Go' Halloween 2020 Event: Everything To Know

Not even a pandemic is going to stop "Pokemon Go" from keeping its Halloween tradition alive.

Kicking off on Oct. 23 is the annual Halloween celebration that “Pokemon Go” players have come to expect. Pokemon Go Halloween 2020 will run from 9 p.m. (EST) of that day until 9 p.m. (EST) on Nov. 3. Several Halloween-themed events will take place over that period for players of the 4-year-old title.

With Halloween this year probably going to be limited and not allowing many to go out to do trick-or-treating from house to house, the team at Niantic is bringing back “Pokemon Go” Halloween to keep its players engaged even while at home.

Like in the previous years, Ghost-type Pokemon will appear more frequently in the wild, in raids, and from Eggs. In addition, new Pokemon will be making their debut in the form of costumed versions of Gengar and Sableye, as well as Galarian Yamask.

What makes the Galarian Yamask different from the regular Yamask is what it evolves into. Whereas Yamask evolves into Cofagrigus, Galarian Yamask evolves into Runerigus. The Halloween event marks the first chance that players can catch these creatures in “Pokemon Go.”

If certain Field Research tasks are completed on top of completing the Halloween 2020 Special Research story “A Spooky Message Unmasked,” the Ghost-type/Dark-type Spiritomb could be encountered in the game. Completing that same Halloween Special Research story would also help Professor Willow uncover the mysteries surrounding Galarian Yamask.

For Trainers who can complete the Mega Buddy Challenge Timed Research, they will get to take part in an exclusive Timed Research event where they can earn Gengar Mega Energy. Darkrai will also be featured in five-star raids, and there will be other Halloween-themed Field Research tasks as well, per GameSpot.

In the Style Shop, players will be able to find new avatar items to dress themselves in in the form of a Pikachu Mask, Gengar Onesie, Sableye Goggles, Sableye Mask, or Banette Mask. They will also have access to Creepy Crate, Boo Bundle, and Pumpkin Pack boxes in the shop during the Halloween event.

On Oct. 25, Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time, Ghost-type Pokemon will be appearing more frequently in the wild during Catch Mastery: Ghost Day. Players will also be given the chance to complete some event-exclusive Timed Research.

The following Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, is going to be the Alolan Marowak Raid Day. This means the Ghost-type/Fire-type Pokemon that evolves from Cubone will appear more often in raids.

Finally, Poison-, Bug-, Ghost-, Dark-, and Fairy-type Pokémon with 1,500 CP or less will be allowed to participate in the GO Battle League: Halloween Cup that will run from 4 p.m. (EST) on Oct. 26 until 4 p.m. (EST) on Nov. 3.

Meanwhile, Niantic previously announced that before the year ends, Pokemon caught in “Pokemon Go” will be transferable to the Nintendo Switch-exclusive “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield” to allow players to bring their cherished pocket monsters from one platform to another.