If you've ever opened up Pokémon GO on a Tuesday evening and been confused at the seemingly random spawns appearing all around you: you've encountered a Pokémon GO Spotlight Hour.
Spotlight Hours occur every Tuesday, from 18:00 to 19:00, and feature a different Pokémon every week. To further sweeten the deal each week also offers a bonus, from doubling the amount of candy you get for catching a Pokémon, to sprinkling twice as much Stardust over your catches as usual.
The number of constantly changing Pokémon GO Spotlight Hours, and the fact they change every single week, means that it can be a lot to keep track of. That's where we come in - we'll keep you in the loop with all the upcoming spawns and rewards, so you know whether this week's event is worth your time. Of course, you'll also need to keep an eye on what Pokémon GO Field Research tasks and rewards are in rotation to load up on catch-based tasks and maximise your rewards.
Without any further ado, here are the Pokémon GO Spotlight Hours for August 2021:
Pokémon GO Spotlight Hour: August 2021
Here's what Pokémon are in the Spotlight this month:
| Date | Pokémon | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, August 3 | Magnemite | Double stardust |
| Tuesday, August 10 | Shellos (East Sea) | Double catch XP |
| Tuesday, August 17 | Shellos (West Sea) | Double catch candy |
| Tuesday, August 24 | TBA | Double transfer candy |
| Tuesday, August 31 | TBA | Double evolution XP |
As the Ultra Unlock events progress, space and time are being warped and Shellos from different regions are appearing all over the world. A double 'dust day is more than welcome at the start of the month, and the August 17 is the perfect time to crack open a Mystery Box and horde some Meltan candy.
Stock up on items for these days, as the rewards are more coveted than the Pokémon involved. Unless you get a shiny, that is...
click to enlargePokémon GO Spotlight Hour: Shiny forms in July 2021
One of the most exciting parts of a spotlight hour is the chance to get a shiny Pokémon due to the high volume of spawns. However, not every Pokémon in Pokémon GO has a shiny form yet. The opportunity to catch one will vary from week to week.
July 2021 Spotlight Hour shiny forms
- Magnemite - Shiny form? Yes.
- Shellos (West Sea) - Shiny form? No.
- Shellos (East Sea) - Shiny Form? No.
Shiny forms of Pokémon are not guaranteed during a Spotlight Hour in the game, but there is always a far higher chance if players prepare themselves beforehand.
How to prepare for Pokémon GO Spotlight Hour
Preparations for Pokémon GO Spotlight Hours depend on the bonus, more than anything else. Grab a Lucky Egg if there is an XP bonus, or a Star Piece is extra Stardust is on the cards.
You can also save up rare Pokémon like legendaries if there's a Double Transfer Candy bonus coming up - so long as you've got the space.
If there's a Pokémon spawning in the Spotlight Hour that you particularly want candy for, don't forget to Mega Evolve a Pokémon and set it as your buddy. So long as the Mega Pokémon shares a typing with the Pokémon in the Spotlight Hour, you'll get one bonus candy for every catch you make. Set up an Incense and possibly some Lures, and you're in for a bona fide catch-fest.
That's all you need to know about Pokémon GO Spotlight Hours, so be sure to check back next month to see what's in store.