Pokemon GO players will soon have another event to participate in, as the upcoming High Zaptitude Global Challenge event will give fans a chance to find a Shiny Tadbulb for their collections. Additionally, the Pokemon GO challenge event will mark the arrival of Wattrel, a flying-type critter from the Paldea region, along with its evolved form, Kilowattrel.
Known as the Storm Petrel Pokemon, Wattrel first appeared in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Wattrel and its evolved form, Kilowattrel, are Electric and Flying dual-type creatures that are known for their high special attack and speed statistics. Wattrel and Kilowattrel can often be found near the seas and sands of Paldea. Despite having access to moves like Volt Switch, Hurricane, and Air Slash, Wattrel and Kilowattrel are considered glass cannons, making them far from the strongest Electric Pokemon that players can send into battle. While other critters from the Paldea region have already made their way to Pokemon GO, the upcoming event will mark the debut of Wattrel and Kilowattrel in the hit mobile game.
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High Zaptitude Event Introduces Wattrel and Kilowattrel to Pokemon GO This January
Following the conclusion of Pokemon GO's ongoing Pinch Perfect event, trainers will have another challenge to take on as part of the Precious Paths season. The High Zaptitude event will begin on Tuesday, January 13, at 10:00 AM local time and conclude on Sunday, January 18, at 8:00 PM local time. While High Zaptitude is active, Shiny Tadbulb will have an increased chance to hatch from a Pokemon egg, including those that require walking two kilometers to hatch. Additionally, Global Challenges will take place during High Zaptitude, which will give trainers bonus rewards for completing various tasks. At Level 1, trainers will get double experience for catching Pokemon.
The Level 2 rewards will double the amount of Stardust that Pokemon GO trainers can get and allow Wattrel and Kilowattrel to be encountered in the wild and via Field Research. The High Zaptitude event will give trainers the chance to encounter and catch Wattrel for the first time in Pokemon GO. After catching a Wattrel, 50 Wattrel Candies will be necessary to evolve it to Kilowattrel. At Level 3, the amounts of experience points and Stardust from hatching Pokemon Eggs will also be doubled.
Pokemon GO High Zaptitude Global Challenge Rewards (January 13 to 18, 2026)
Level 1
- 2x XP for Catching Pokemon
Level 2
- 2x XP Stardust for Catching Pokemon
- Wattrel and Kilowattrel Field Research and Wild Encounters
Level 3
- 2x XP for Hatching Pokemon
- 2x Stardust for Hatching Pokemon
Along with the increased chances of hatching a Shiny Tadbulb, other Electric Pokemon will have increased odds of appearing in the wild, including Chinchou, Shinx, and Helioptile. Each wild Electric Pokemon has an increased chance of being Shiny. Alongside Tadbulb, hatching a 2 km egg has a chance to give players a Pichu, Elekid, or Toxel, all of which have chances to be Shiny. There will also be Paid Time Research available for $1.99 that will cut the time needed to hatch eggs in an incubator by half. Various Field Research tasks will be available during the High Zaptitude event. The Electric-themed challenges will run parallel to the January 2026 Pokemon GO Pass event, which will allow players a chance to catch a Shiny Dialga and obtain rewards like the Lucky Trinket.
Pokemon with Increased Shiny Odds During High Zaptitude
2 km Eggs
- Tadbulb
- Pichu
- Elekid
- Toxel
Wild Encounters
- Shinx
- Tadbulb
- Chinchou
- Helioptile
The High Zaptitude event should be an excellent way for Pokemon GO trainers to add more Shiny Pokemon to their collections once it arrives on January 13. Although Pokemon GO is running out of new critters to add to the game's Pokedex, the upcoming Pokemon Day festivities may give trainers a look at the franchise's future plans. With Pokemon GO's 10th anniversary also happening throughout 2026 alongside the Pokemon franchise's 30th year of service, it is likely that Pokemon GO will play host to some thematic events to mark both occasions.
Between the game's upcoming anniversary, and the potential for new Pokemon to arrive later in 2026, Pokemon GO trainers remain hopeful that Scopely will add some new features to make the game a better experience for all. Time will tell what The Pokemon Company and Scopely have in mind for Pokemon GO now that 2026 has arrived.
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