Pokémon GO has revealed that Klawf will be coming to the game as part of the Pinch Perfect event in January. This will be one of the first Pokémon GO event in 2026 and will also introduce shiny Dhelmise for players to try to catch if they are lucky.
2025 has been a busy year for the augmented reality mobile game. One of the biggest changes in the last 12 months was the increase in the trainer level cap in October, which moved the maximum level in Pokémon GO from 50 to 80. Additionally, many events have been held that introduced more creatures to collect and featured bonuses for players to gain more XP. Although 2025 isn't over yet, Scopely has already teased fans about what to expect in early 2026.
Pokemon GO's January 2026 Community Day Classic features a fan-favorite starter
Pokemon GO's first Community Day Classic event in 2026 will give fans the chance to pick up one of the franchise's most popular starter Pokemon.
Pinch Perfect Event adds Klawf and Shiny Dhelmise to Pokemon GO
To kick off the new year, Pokémon GO will host Pinch Perfect. This new event runs from Tuesday, January 6th at 10:00 AM to Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 8:00 PM local time and will add Klawf to the roster. Known as the Ambush Pokémon, it will be the latest pocket monster from Scarlet and Violets Paldea region to get to Pokémon GO. That's not the only new debut in Pinch Perfect though, as players will get the chance to meet shiny Dhelmise in the mobile game for the first time. It's worth pointing out that wild encounters with other event-themed Pokémon will be possible, including Corphish, Dwebble, Clauncher, Tirtouga, and Archen. Some of these may even be shiny.
Pokémon GO has also revealed the Pokemon that will appear in Raids during Pinch Perfect. Specifically, One-Star Raids will feature Corphish, Dwebble, and Clauncher. Meanwhile, Three-Star Raids will play Dhelmise and Dondozo. All of these Pokemon have a chance to shine in Raids. In addition to this, players can take advantage of event bonuses throughout Pinch Perfect. During the event, 2x XP will be awarded for catching Pokemon, helping players level up in the game. Additionally, shiny Corphish, shiny Dwebble, and shiny Clauncher will be more likely to be encountered, giving shiny hunters potentially more reason to log in.
Pokemon appear in raids
One star raids
corpfish*
Dwebble*
Clauncher*
Three star raids
dhelmise*
Dondozo*
*shiny chance
For players who want to collect Klawf, Pokémon GO will include field research tasks and timed research that will offer the chance to potentially meet the Gen 9 beast. As for Time Research, there will be three of them at different times during the Pinch Perfect event. In each case, players have the chance to have an encounter with Klawf. Additionally, there is paid Timed Research available for $1.99 which includes encounters with Corphish, Dwebble, Clauncher, Dhelmise and Klawf, along with two premium battle passes and more.
Timed research schedule
Tuesday, January 6 at 10 a.m. to Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10.00 local time
Complete the research tasks to receive encounters with the following event-themed Pokémon.
Thursday, January 8 at 10 a.m. to Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10.00 local time
Complete the research tasks to receive encounters with the following event-themed Pokémon.
Saturday, January 10 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 20.00 local time
Complete the research tasks to receive encounters with the following event-themed Pokémon.
*shiny chance
While it's nice to see the developer continuing to add new creatures to the mobile game, it highlights a potential problem that's becoming more apparent. As 2025 draws to a close, Pokémon GO running out of Pokemon to add. While the reserve is not critically low, the number of unreleased Pokémon in the main game series has dropped below 100. However, Gen 10 is expected later in 2026, so the pool of available Pokémon will increase with the release of these future games.
Fortunately, the Pinch Perfect event suggests that Scopely intends to keep releasing new Pokemon in the Pokémon GO on a somewhat regular basis. The game has also debuted several new Pokemon in the last few months of 2025. Time will tell what future events will look like and what kind of bonuses players can look forward to.
- Released
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July 6, 2016
- Engine
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Unit
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
