Like any other month, the rotation of unique Pokémon will completely change. Trainers will be able to acquire some of the most coveted beasts in the game, some of which will come with incredible cosmetics. Given that the game is now 9 years old, the developers have decided to include some of the rarest Pokémon into the mix.
Completing the full Pokedex is one of the most prestigious achievements in the world of gaming, as it grants players, and especially content creators, full bragging rights. Unfortunately, the vast majority of gamers will likely never reach this milestone; however, this is where we come in!
As fellow Pokémon enthusiasts, we know how frustrating it might feel never to catch certain characters. This is why we’ve decided to release a complete guide for August 2025, which will hopefully help you acquire the entries you’re missing.
A Nearly Complete Pokédex
As of August 2025, the Pokémon GO Pokédex features an overwhelming 904 distinct Pokémon species. The National Pokédex is sitting at 1,025, meaning the world’s best trainers are closing in on a near-complete collection.
While some might argue that completing the Pokedex is pointless, the chase after elusive species provides a fun pastime. Each of them has a unique story and method of catching, which makes the chase that much more interesting.
Given the effort required, gamers who have a large collection of Mythical and Legendary Pokémon have every right to be proud of their achievement.
This Season’s Must-Have Pokémon
Every season introduces a new set of iconic Pokémon. These entries define the meta and are highly sought after by both newbies and pros. With the recent entries, such as Galar and Paldea, avid collectors have something to look forward to.
Following the GO Fest 2025, the Mythical Steam Pokémon, Volcanion, has become everyone’s priority target. Unlocked through the “Full Steam Ahead” Special Research, this Fire/Water-type is characterized by beautiful design.
Joining the elite ranks are Gen 8 powerhouses that have finally made their mark. The loyal canine Yamper and its epic evolution, Boltund, bring a spark to any team.
Meanwhile, Urshifu and the blade-wielding Kingambit have arrived through event-specific storylines, offering a taste of the Galar region’s competitive spirit.
Your August 2025 Field Guide
There is never a slow month in Pokémon GO, and August gives you a lot of opportunities to acquire special Pokémon by participating in various events or by completing the daily grind. This is the schedule for the month:
Event Name | Date(s) | Main Attractions |
Fossil Research Day | August 2 | Appeal to dino fans—Tyrunt & Amaura featured from Field Research with increased shiny rates. Other fossil Pokémon appear. |
Gigantamax Butterfree Max Battle Day | August 3 | Debut of Gigantamax Butterfree—themed raids at Power Spots, with Shiny Butterfree possible. |
Sweet Swarm | August 3–6 | Shiny Combee and Shiny Swirlix get boosted spawn rates. One-hour Lure Modules bring even more event Pokémon. |
Cozy Companions | August 6–12 | Snom debut and themed wild spawns—look for cozy, cute Pokémon and evolve for new entries. |
Hatch Day | August 9 | Eggs hatch faster and contain rare Pokémon. Great for hatching high-IV and elusive species. |
Ultra Unlock: Origin Raid Day | August 10 | Origin Form Palkia and Dialga featured during a special Raid Day, both available as shinies. |
Delightful Days: Taken Over | August 11–27 | The “Delightful Days” finale—event spawns, research, and raid rotations themed around end-of-season Pokémon. |
Pokémon World Championships GO Battle Weekend | August 15–17 | Varsity Jacket Pikachu debut, costume rewards, increased PvP encounters, and boosted special trades. |
Shadow Raid Weekend | August 16–17 | Face down Shadow Regirock and Shadow Kyogre in Shadow Raids for ultra-rare chance to catch them. |
Dark Skies | August 18–23 | Dynamax & Gigantamax raid gauntlet—every released Dyna/G-Max Pokémon available in raids for one week only. |
GO Fest 2025: Max Finale | August 23–24 | Eternatmax Eternatus headlines, with Gigantamax Pokémon rotating through Power Spots. Epic end-of-summer event. |
Sunkissed Shores | August 25–31 | Summer-themed Pokémon highlight the beaches—look out for rare Water-types and costumed summer Pokémon. |
Rookidee Community Day | August 30 | Increased spawns and Shiny Rookidee, exclusive move “Air Cutter” for Corviknight evolutions. |
Mega Raid Day | August 31 | Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Ampharos, Mega Slowbro, Mega Salamence, and Mega Pidgeot featured in Mega Raids. |
This schedule gives you a significant head start in the following weeks. Each event gives you a chance to acquire new Pokémon and other resources, so you must wisely allocate your time to make the most out of it.
Raids, Spotlights, and Legendary Pokémon
The five-star raid gives you a chance to make a name for yourself within the community. This August, Legendary raid rotations feature Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Necrozma, cycling through five-star raids.
Catching the Sun and Moon Pokémon is a unique feat that a handful of trainers have achieved. For those interested in something a bit different, Shadow Regirock and Shadow Kyogre headline Shadow Raid weekends, providing a challenging but rewarding encounter.
You should also consider participating in weekly Spotlight Hours.
Every Tuesday, 6–7 PM local time:
August 5: Swirlix (2× Stardust)
August 19: Ralts (2× Candy)
August 26: Lechonk (2× Transfer Candy)
While often featuring common Pokémon, the event gives you a chance to grind candy, XP farming, and, if you’re lucky, complete a new entry.
The biggest highlight for August is GO Fest 2025: Max Finale (Aug 23–24), featuring Eternatmax Eternatus in raids for the first time alongside cycles of Gigantamax Pokémon. Accessible through specific event research, these forms are the new pinnacle of Legendary Pokémon. Besides altered stats, they also give trainers who catch them bragging rights.
Regionals, Shinies, and The Ones That Got Away
To complete the Pokédex, you’ll have to beat a lot of tough opponents. The worst thing yet is that some of them are location-based, so you’ll need to have friends abroad with whom you can trade. Interestingly enough, these Pokémon make life much more interesting for players who love to travel.
Hisui Celebration finally unlocked the shimmering silver coat of Hisuian Zorua, instantly making it one of the most sought-after shinies in the game. The first time a new shiny appears in the wild is what creates legends within the community.
Your Path to Pokédex Perfection
Feeling behind? Don’t. Every trainer’s journey is different. Whether you’re chasing that final regional Pokémon or building an army for the GO Battle League, having a powerful account is your greatest asset. If you’re curious about the value of your hard-earned collection, the igitems Pokémon GO Account Value Calculator is an excellent tool to see how far you’ve come.
And, for those looking to bypass the grind and dive straight into the endgame, ordering a top-tier Pokémon GO account is the fastest way to join the elite. Just imagine starting day one with a full roster of Legendaries, a deep inventory of rare shinies, and the resources to conquer any raid.
What’s Next for the Pokédex?
With 904 Pokémon logged, the finish line feels closer than ever. Yet, with 121 Pokémon still waiting in the wings, mostly from the later generations of Galar and the new region of Paldea, the adventure is far from over. We are still awaiting the debut of many fan-favorites, intriguing Ultra Beasts, and powerful Legendaries.
The introduction of mechanics like Gigantamax raids hints at a future where Pokémon GO continues to align more closely with the mainline series, offering more profound and more dynamic battle experiences.
The hunt will go on, the community will thrive, and the Pokédex will continue to be the ultimate record of a trainer’s journey.
So, what’s your next target? Are you preparing for Rookidee Community Day on August 30? Or are you saving your raid passes for a shot at a perfect Corviknight? Share your August goals, and let’s conquer the Pokédex together!
