Pokemon GO Ultra Unlocks - What pokemon can you catch when?

pokemon go ultra unlock 3
(Image credit: Niantic)

Poekmon Go Ultra Unlock 3 will be bringing Sword and Shield Legendaries, Zacian and Zamazenta to the game. You'll be able to catch them in raids, and more Galar region Pokemon will be arriving as well. Ultra Unlocks are a new type of event in Pokemon Go introduced during GO Fest 2021. During the annual event, trainers were tasked with completing special Pokemon Go challenges each hour to unlock events that will start in the weeks after GO Fest concluded. And after a few weeks, we have all the information regarding the Ultra Unlock events. 

There are three separate Ultra Unlock events that were unlocked during Pokemon GO Fest 2021. Trainers completed special challenges to unlock them, and each event has its own special theme. Each Ultra Unlock lasts for about 10 days and gives trainers a chance at rare Pokemon and introduced new Shiny Pokemon to the popular mobile game.

Here’s everything we know about every Ultra Unlock event in Pokemon GO. 

What are Pokemon GO Ultra Unlocks

pokemon go ultra unlocks

(Image credit: Niantic)

Pokemon GO Ultra Unlock is a new reward mechanic that was introduced during Pokemon GO Fest 2021. Trainers who purchased a ticket to the event were granted access to the Global Challenge Arena. In the Global Challenge Arena, trainers joined forces to complete certain challenges each hour during the event.

Completing a challenge earned trainers a bonus for the remainder of the hour during GO Fest 2021. However, completing a certain number of these challenges rewarded trainers with an Ultra Unlock that will take place after Pokemon GO Fest 2021.

There are three Ultra Unlocks in Pokemon GO. Each Ultra Unlock unlocked a special event in Pokemon GO after completing eight different challenges. Completing 24 challenges unlocked all three.

Pokemon GO Ultra Unlock Part 1

Pokemon go Ultra unlock

(Image credit: Niantic)

The first part of the Ultra Unlock was unlocked after trainers completed eight global challenges during GO Fest 2021. Ultra Unlock Part 1 will begin Friday, July 23 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, August 3 at 8 p.m. local time.

According to the official Pokemon GO blog, Ultra Unlock Part 1 will have a Time theme where “the flow of time will be disrupted.” The blog states that Pokemon from various eras will appear more often. The Pokemon GO team would elaborate further and reveal that fossil and manmade Pokemon, like Porygon, will be the focus of this event.

Voltorb, Porygon, Omanyte, Kabuto, Baltoy, Cranidos, Shieldon and more Pokemon will be appearing in the wild more frequently during Ultra Unlock Part 1. The official blog confirms that Cranidos and Shieldon’s Shiny forms will make their Pokemon GO debuts during this event. Omanyte, Kabuto, Aerodactyl, Lileep, Anorith, Cranidos and Shieldon will be hatching from 7km Eggs more frequently during this event to give trainers more chances to find Shinies. 

As for raids, Magneton, Aerodactyl, Porygon2 and Golurk will appear in three-star raids while Unown U, Cranidos, Shieldon, Bronzor and Klink will appear in one-star raids. Unown U will have a greater chance of being shiny during this event, so be sure to take on as many as you can if you’re hunting it. 

The big get for Ultra Unlock Part 1, however, is Dialga. The Legendary  Pokemon that embodies time will be appearing in five-star raids. Also, its Shiny form will be available for the first time in Pokemon GO during this event. 

And finally, a special Timed Research will be available when the event begins. Not much is known about the tasks but the rewards will fit with the event’s time theme. There will also be themed Field Research for trainers to earn at PokeStops throughout the event. 

Pokemon GO Ultra Unlock Part 2

Completing 16 global challenges during Pokemon GO Fest 2021 unlocked Ultra Unlock Part 2. From Friday, August 6 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, August 17 at 8 p.m. local time, trainers will be able to enjoy the second part of the Ultra Unlock, which will have a Space theme.

Many Pokemon that are region exclusive or fit the Space theme will be appearing more frequently in the wild including Clefairy, Munna, Red and Blue-Striped Basculin, Elgyem, Heatmor, Durant and more. Regional-exclusive Pokemon like West and East Sea Shellos, Red and Blue-Striped Basculin, Heatmor and Durant will be hatching from 7km Eggs obtained during the event. 

Alakazam, Kangaskhan and Heracross will be appearing in three-star raids, with Heracross’ Shiny form making its Pokemon GO debut. Unown U, West and East Sea Shellos, Elgyem, and Espurr will be appearing in one-star raids. Like the Time event, Palkia, the Legendary Pokemon that embodies Space will be appearing in five-star raids. Lucky trainers can also find a Shiny Palkia for the first time during this event.

Like Ultra Unlock Part 1, there will be Timed Research with the rewards granting Pokemon that fit with the Space theme of the event. New Field Research will also be available by spinning PokeStops during the event. 

In case you forgot, many of the Pokemon appearing in Ultra Unlock Part 2 are unobtainable in many parts of the world. Kangaskhan is only found in Oceania while Heracross is only found in Central and South America as well as Southern Florida. West Sea Shells is only found in the Western Hemisphere while East Sea Shellos can only be found in the Easter Hemisphere.  Shellos, Durant and Blue-Striped Basculin are only found in the Western Hemisphere while East Sea Shellos, Heatmor and Red-Striped Basculin appear in the Eastern Hemisphere. Players missing any of these Pokemon should try and catch them during this event. 

Pokemon GO Ultra Unlock Part 3

After the Time and Space Ultra Unlock events, part three will begin. Ultra Unlock Part 3 will take place from Friday, August 20 at 10 a.m. to Tuesday, August 31 at 8 p.m. local time after 24 global challenges were completed during GO Fest 2021.

In a surprise twist, Ultra Unlock Part 3 will bring the Galar region to Pokemon GO and have the Sword and Shield theme. 

Galar region Pokemon like Galarian Slowpoke and Zigzagoon are already in Pokemon GO, but this event will introduce seven new Pokemon to the mobile game. Skwovet, Greedent, Wooloo, Dubwool and Falinks will be catchable in Pokemon GO for the first time. The Sword and Shield Legendaries, Zacian and Zamazenta will also debut in Five-Star Raids during this event as well.

Shiny hunters will have a handful of new Shiny Pokemon to catch as well. Shiny Galarian Meowth, Galarian Farfetch’d, Weezing and Stunfisk will be available to encounter during Ultra Unlock Part 3. 

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Phillip Martinez

I'm currently a GamesRadar guide contributor with a specialty in everything Pokemon GO. If you've wanted to know the best way to take down a Rayquaza, there's a good chance you read one of my guides. I previously have written for IBT Media, Newsweek and Screen Rant. I'm a huge fighting game fan and everything Pokemon, but I've grown to love RPGs.