Pokémon Go 'Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition' event guide

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Pokémon Go’s first Ultra Unlock event post-Go Fest has started. "Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition" features an adorable Pikachu dressed up like Professor Willow and the event runs from July 21-27.

This event has a lot of active perks and bonuses, so there's pretty good reason to run around catching some strong Pokémon. Starter Pokémon (or "First Partner Pokémon," depending on what verbiage you like) are spawning in high numbers for this event, so this is a good catch-up opportunity if you missed out on any previous Community Days.

Notably, July 21 is Professor Willow's birthday, so there are a few day-long events folded into this one, which we list out below, alongside the other perks.

How to catch Professor Willow's Pikachu in Pokémon Go

If you're fiending for this adorable Pikachu dressed up as Professor Willow, there's a few ways to get it during this event:

As a reward for "Win a raid" Field Research. (It may also appear from "Catch 10 Pokémon" Field Research, but only on July 21.)
As a reward for each of the three steps of the "Willow's Birthday Research" Timed Research.
At rank 9, 13, 19, 22, and 29 of the event Go Pass (with an extra encounter at each level if you buy the deluxe version).
As a target in tier-one raids until July 27 at 8 p.m. in your local time

This all being said, there are lots of opportunities to find this Pikachu just from playing the game. Finding it shiny or with a special background will be another challenge, though.

A Pikachu dressed up as Professor Willow, with its shiny form, in Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go 'Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary' event bonuses and perks

As the event progresses, catching Pokémon will reward more and more XP, with the higher bonuses kicking in at 10 a.m. in your local time:

July 21-23: 6x XP for catching Pokémon
July 23-25: 8x XP for catching Pokémon
July 24-27:10x XP for catching Pokémon

Additionally, starter Pokémon will be able to learn their legacy moves when evolved during this event:

Grass (Frenzy Plant)

Fire (Blast Burn)

Water (Hydro Cannon)

Ivysaur → Venusaur	Charmeleon → Charizard	Wartortle → Blastoise
Bayleef → Meganium	Quilava → Typhlosion	Croconaw → Feraligatr
Grovyle → Sceptile	Combusken → Blaziken	Marshtomp → Swampert
Grotle → Torterra	Monferno → Infernape	Prinplup → Empoleon
Servine → Serperior	Pignite → Emboar	Dewott → Samurott
Quilladin → Chesnaught	Braixen → Delphox	Frogadier → Greninja
Dartrix → Decidueye	Torracat → Incineroar	Brionne → Primarina
Thwackey → Rillaboom	Raboot → Cinderace	Drizzile → Inteleon
Floragato → Meowscarada	Crocalor → Skeledirge	Quaxwell → Quaquaval

These are all pretty strong, so if you're sitting on any stray high-IV starters, you should consider evolving them now.

Pokémon Go 'Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary' event Go Pass

This event features a Go Pass with 30 ranks (plus 30 more bonus ranks). Notably, you can earn things like Lucky Eggs, Golden Lure Modules, and Willow's Pikachu from the pass just by playing the game.

As usual, you can complete the pass by winning raids, catching Pokémon, and hatching eggs. Notably, you can earn 100 extra points per day by completing a "Catch 10 Pokémon" daily task.

Notably, there are a few good milestone bonuses for the pass at these levels:

Rank 10: 2x catch candy
Rank 10 (deluxe): 3x catch candy
Rank 20: Increased chance of getting Candy XL from catching Pokémon

As is the norm with these passes, you can choose to buy the "deluxe" version for $4.99, which includes more rewards and the special rank 10 perk above.

A Pikachu in a tight suit with a labcoat over it in Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go 'Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary' event Timed Research and reward

If you open the game on July 21, you'll unlock this Timed Research for the rest of the event:

'Willow's Birthday Research' step 1 of 3

Catch 10 Pokémon (21 Poké Balls)
Complete 3 Field Research Tasks (3 Fast TMs)
Make 10 nice throws (3 Silver Pinap Berries)

Rewards: 721 XP, Professor Willow's Pikachu, 721 Stardust

'Willow's Birthday Research' step 2 of 3

Catch 10 Pokémon (21 Great Balls)
Complete 3 Field Research Tasks (3 Charged TMs)
Send 3 gifts to friends (21 Ultra Balls)

Rewards: 721 XP, Professor Willow's Pikachu, 721 Stardust

'Willow's Birthday Research' step 3 of 3

Catch 10 Pokémon (1 Lucky Egg)
Complete 3 Field Research Tasks (1 Star Piece)
Spin 10 PokéStops or gyms (1 Lure Module)

Rewards: 721 XP, Professor Willow's Pikachu, 721 Stardust

Pokémon Go 'Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary' event Field Research and rewards

Spinning a PokéStop during the event period may yield one of these tasks:

Catch 5 Pokémon (10 Poké Balls, 5 Great Balls, or 3 Ultra Balls)
Catch 10 Pokémon (Any starter Pokémon encounter)
Win a raid (Professor Willow's Pikachu encounter)

These tasks can be found on July 21 only:

Catch 10 Pokémon (Professor Willow's Pikachu encounter)
Catch 100 Pokémon (10 coins, 1 Lucky Egg, 1 Star Piece, 1 Lure Module, or 1 Incense)
Spin 50 PokéStops or gyms (10 coins, 1 Lucky Egg, 1 Star Piece, 1 Lure Module, or 1 Incense)
Complete 5 Field Research Tasks (10 coins, 1 Lucky Egg, 1 Star Piece, 1 Lure Module, or 1 Incense)