Pokémon GO: Dark Skies

Pokémon GO Dark Skies is a special worldwide event that runs from August 18, 2025 10:00 a.m. local time to August 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local time. During this time, Trainers level 13 and above can brave a weeklong gauntlet of raids, Max Battles, and more for the chance to battle and catch every Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon that has appeared in Pokémon GO so far.

Pokémon GO Fest 2025 Max Finale happens after the Dark Skies event, and introduces the newly arrived Legendary Pokémon Eternatus. You can start progressing your GO Pass: Max Finale to encounter Eternatus from Monday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Event Bonuses

Trainers will receive the following bonuses between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m local time on event days!

Infographics

Wild Encounters

Dynamic Dynamax days

The following Pokémon will appear in Max Battles for one day each on the following schedule.

Dynamax Battles: Monday, August 18

*If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one! There will be no Max Monday on this date.

Dynamax Battles: Tuesday, August 19, and Wednesday, August 20

*If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Related Max Battle Guides: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Toxtricity.

Dynamax Battles: Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22

*If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Related Max Battle Guides: How to Beat Dynamax Entei, How to Beat Dynamax Suicune,  and How to Beat Dynamax Raikou 

Raids

The following Pokémon will appear in raids.

5-Star Raids

August 18 – August 20

Related raid guides: Zacian and Zamazenta.

August 21

Zacian Raid Guide

August 22

Zamazenta Raid Guide

3-Star Raids

Related Raid Guides: Galarian Farfetch’d and Galarian Weezing.

1-Star Raids

Special Raid Hours

Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta will return in five-star raids for special Raid Hours on the following schedule. Crowned Sword Energy and Crowned Shield Energy will also be available during these Raid Hours.

Thursday, August 21, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. local time

Crowned Sword Zacian Raid Guide.

Friday, August 22, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. local time

Crowned Shield Zamazenta Raid Guide.

GO Pass: Max Finale

Trainers will automatically receive GO Pass: Max Finale on Monday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m. local time. Here are all the rewards you can get by completing the normal and deluxe reward tracks:

	GO Pass: Max Finale	GO Pass Deluxe: Max Finale
Rank 1	Wooloo Dynamax	5× Wooloo Candy
Rank 2	5× Wooloo Candy	10× Wooloo Candy
Rank 3	100× Max Particle	2× Lucky Egg
Rank 4	1× Max Mushroom	2× Max Mushroom
Rank 5	100× Max Particle	2× Star Piece
Rank 6	100× Max Particle	2× Premium Battle Pass
Rank 7	Skwovet Dynamax	10× Skwovet Candy
Rank 8	5× Skwovet Candy	10× Skwovet Candy XL
Rank 9	100× Max Particle	2× Lucky Egg
Rank 10	100× Max Particle	2× Max Mushroom
Rank 11	100× Max Particle	2× Star Piece
Rank 12	100× Max Particle	2× Premium Battle Pass
Rank 13	Grookey Dynamax	Random Dynamax Pokémon
Rank 14	10× Grookey Candy	10× Grookey Candy XL
Rank 15	Scorbunny Dynamax	Random Dynamax Pokémon
Rank 16	10× Scorbunny Candy	10× Scorbunny Candy XL
Rank 17	Sobble Dynamax	Random Dynamax Pokémon
Rank 18	10× Sobble Candy	10× Sobble Candy XL
Rank 19	Random Dynamax Pokémon	Random Dynamax Pokémon
Rank 20	Increased power for Behemoth Blade and Behemoth Bash Additional Max Particles from Power Spots
Rank 21	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 22	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 24	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 25	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 26	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 27	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 28	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 29	100× Max Particle	2× Premium Battle Pass
Rank 30	8900× XP	Rookidee
Rank 31	1× Max Mushroom	2× Premium Battle Pass
Rank 32	2× Zacian Candy	2× Lucky Egg
Rank 33	2× Zamazenta Candy	10× Zacian Candy
Rank 34	2× Zacian Candy	10× Zamazenta Candy
Rank 35	2× Zamazenta Candy	10× Zacian Candy
Rank 36	2× Zacian Candy	10× Zamazenta Candy
Rank 37	2× Zamazenta Candy	2× Star Piece
Rank 38	Random Dynamax Pokémon	2× Max Mushroom
Rank 39	Random Dynamax Pokémon	Chansey Dynamax
Rank 40	Even more power for Behemoth Blade and Behemoth Bash Increased chance for wild encounters near Power Spots
Rank 41	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 42	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 43	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 44	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 45	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 46	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 47	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 48	100× Max Particle	400× Max Particle
Rank 49	8900× XP	Random Dynamax Pokémon
Rank 50	8900× XP	Shuckle
Rank 51	2× Zacian Candy	10× Zacian Candy
Rank 52	2× Zamazenta Candy	10× Zamazenta Candy
Rank 53	2× Zacian Candy	10× Zacian Candy
Rank 54	2× Zamazenta Candy	10× Zamazenta Candy
Rank 55	2× Zacian Candy	10× Zacian Candy
Rank 56	2× Zamazenta Candy	10× Zamazenta Candy
Rank 57	2× Zacian Candy	10× Zacian Candy
Rank 58	2× Zamazenta Candy	10× Zamazenta Candy
Rank 59	8900× XP	Drilbur Dynamax
Rank 60	Eternatus Dynamax	Eternatus Helmet *
Rank 61	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 62	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 63	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 64	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 65	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 66	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 67	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 68	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 69	25× Eternatus Candy	Low Key Toxtricity Dynamax
Rank 70	Eternatus Sticker * 20	Eternatus Sticker * 80
Rank 71	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 72	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 73	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 74	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 75	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 76	25× Eternatus Candy	445× Eternatus Candy
Rank 77	25× Eternatus Candy	Amped Toxtricity Dynamax
Rank 78	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 79	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 80	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 81	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 82	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 83	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 84	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 85	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 86	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 87	50× Eternatus Candy	89× Eternatus Candy XL
Rank 88	Random Dynamax Pokémon	Beldum
Rank 89	Maximum increased power for Behemoth Blade and Behemoth Bash Additional rewards from Max Pokémon placed at Power Spots
Rank 90	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 91	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 92	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 93	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 94	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 95	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 96	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 97	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 98	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 99	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy
Rank 100	500× XP	1× Eternatus Candy

Timed Research

Timed Research focused on winning Max Battles will be available throughout the event! Complete the research tasks to earn Zacian Candy, Zamazenta Candy, and encounters with the following event-themed Pokémon.

• Grookey
• Scorbunny
• Sobble

Timed Research code: GOFESTMAX

In celebration of Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale, Trainers can use the code GOFESTMAX on the Pokémon GO Web Store to redeem branching Timed Research focused on Max Battles and Buddy Pokémon. The code will expire on August 3, 2025, at 00:00 UTC.

Complete the research tasks to earn rewards and encounter a Gigantamax Pokémon of your choice—either Rillaboom, Cinderace, or Inteleon—with a Seasonal Special Background!

Related Gigantamax Battle Guides: Gigantamax Rillaboom, Gigantamax Cinderace and Gigantamax Inteleon.

Please note that Timed Research expires. The tasks associated with this Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the dates for the Dark Skies event in Pokémon GO?

The event runs from August 18 at 10:00 a.m. local time to August 23 at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Which Pokémon are the best to defeat in Max Battles?

Gigantamax Rillaboom, Gigantamax Cinderace and Gigantamax Inteleon are all brilliant Gigantamax options for Max battles that we would highly recommend adding to your team if you haven’t been able to so far.

Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta are also must haves.

Dynamax Excadrill, Dynamax Metagross, and Dynamax Gengar are all great attackers.

Dynamax Blissey is your absolute top healer, followed by Dynamax Wailord.

For defenders, Dynamax Metagross, Dynamax Blissey and Dynamax Corviknight are must haves.