Pokémon GO: Pay-to-Play Galarian Birds & Serene Retreat Event Details

Pokémon GO fans, get ready for some exciting updates! Two major events are on the horizon: a controversial paid opportunity to guarantee encounters with the elusive Galarian birds and the relaxing Serene Retreat event.

First up, let's dive into the buzz (and perhaps some frustration) surrounding the Fleeting Legends Ticket. For $8 (around £6), players will have the chance to secure an encounter with one of the coveted Galarian birds: Articuno, Zapdos, or Moltres. Normally, these Pokémon are incredibly rare spawns tied to the Daily Adventure Incense, making them notoriously difficult to find. Since their debut in July 2022, many trainers are still missing these legendary birds from their collections.

The guaranteed encounter comes with a catch: you'll need to have Poké Balls ready to use. The rarity of these birds and their tendency to flee have made them prime candidates for Master Balls. However, this paid ticket offers a way to bypass that scarcity. For dedicated collectors, even those who already have the standard versions, the even rarer Shiny variants of these birds are now in the mix, estimated to have a 1/20 chance of appearing (on top of the already difficult odds of encountering them).

The Fleeting Legends Ticket will be available from June 23rd to 29th, coinciding with the Ancients Discovered event. Speaking of the Ancients Discovered event, the Regi Legendary family is returning to raids, including Special Backgrounds for the first time! Also, there's a temporary boost and subsequent removal of Remote Raid Cap. The limit will increase to 30 from June 23rd to 26th, and then will be removed entirely through the weekend of June 27th to 29th.

While the paid encounter system might be controversial, another event offers more universally appealing gameplay. The Serene Retreat event, running from May 30th to June 3rd, 2025, promises increased chances to encounter Shiny Munna and Shiny Morelull. This global, free-to-play event coincides with Pokémon GO Fest: Osaka, Japan.

Serene Retreat Bonuses:

• Max Particle collection limit increased to 1,600
• 8x Max Particles from Power Spots
• Increased chance to hatch and encounter Shiny Munna and Morelull

Trainers with a Serene Retreat ticket will receive additional bonuses for the duration of the event.

Gigantamax Rillaboom is making its Pokémon GO debut and you can look forward to defeating Gigantamax Rillaboom in combat!

Additionally, certain Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild, and event-themed Collection Challenges and Field Research tasks will offer opportunities for reward encounters.

A paid Timed Research option, available for US$1.99, focuses on exploration and catching Pokémon, rewarding trainers with encounters with Munna and Morelull, along with two Super Incubators. Remember, these tasks must be completed and rewards claimed before June 3rd at 8:00 p.m. local time.

So, are you ready to spend some money for a guaranteed legendary encounter, or will you focus on the free-to-play Serene Retreat? What are your thoughts on the increasing trend of paid features in Pokémon GO? Let us know in the comments below!

• Galarian Birds
• Niantic
• Pokémon GO