Pokemon Go Announces Halloween 2018 Event - Giratina Raid, Spiritomb Quest

Trainers, #PokemonGOHalloween is just around the corner! ? Enjoy double Catch Candy rewards and encounter Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, like Drifloon or Stunky! https://t.co/vABoBJdDLB pic.twitter.com/HxDbxshPbZ

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) October 23, 2018

Get ready to trick or treat, Trainers! Today, Niantic announced their Halloween plans for Pokemon Go players around the world! Here's the run-down of exactly what players can expect from 4PM EST today, October 23, until November 20!

• Ghost & Dark-type Pokemon will spawn more frequently, including two new Sinnoh (Gen 4) spawns - Stunky and Drifloon. Trainers may also have the opportunity to encounter a shiny Drifloon, which can be evolved into Drifblim.
• There will be a special discovery quest similar to Mew and Celebi featuring the Dark/Ghost-type Pokemon, Spiritomb
• Giratina, the legendary Ghost/Dragon-type mascot of Pokemon Platinum, will be the level 5 raid boss, replacing Mewtwo. 
• The Shop will feature Ghost-themed items
• Catches reward double candy

Obviously, the biggest news here is that Giratina will be replacing Mewtwo as the level 5 raid boss, meaning we'll get a shot at him instead of Dialga and Palka, the Pokemon Diamond & Pearl mascots. Also, we're slowly starting to see more Sinnoh Pokemon, with the inclusion of Stunky, Skuntank, Drifloon, and Drifblim to the game. Unfortunately, the pair doesn't really contribute much as far as the metagame is concerned, but if they're your favorite Pokemon, who are we to judge?

This event has also opened the door for non-Mystical Pokemon to be quest rewards, as Spiritomb will be this season. Could we see a similar venture with It will be a great time to load up on Pinap Berries and catch those Pokemon you need to evolve as well, since you'll receive 4 times the candy you normally would when catching Pokemon during the event. This event is a great opportunity to get candy for Pokemon like Misdreavus, Murkrow, Sneasel, and Duskull, all of which have Generation 4 evolutions. Here's how many candies you'll need for each.

You will also no doubt see Gastly, which evolves into one of the strongest Ghost-type Pokemon, Gengar. You don't miss out on some of these awesome Dark and Ghost-type Pokemon, so save those Pinaps! We'll see you in the wild Trainers, may your Drifblims be shinies and your Giratinas have max IVs!