The adorable electric seabird Wattrel has officially touched down in Pokémon GO during the High Zaptitude event running January 13-18, 2026. This Storm Petrel Pokémon brings its signature Electric/Flying dual-typing to the mobile game, but trainers need to know the right strategy to add it to their Pokédex. Here’s everything you need to catch Wattrel—and the truth about its shiny form.
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How to Catch Wattrel: Pokémon GO Event Requirements
Wattrel isn’t available immediately when the event starts. Players must first complete the Level 2 Global Challenge during High Zaptitude before Wattrel appears in the wild and Field Research encounters. This community-driven challenge requires trainers worldwide to work together by completing in-game activities.
Wattrel Catch Methods:
| Method | Availability | Best Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Encounters | After Level 2 Challenge completion | Rain or Windy |
| Field Research Tasks | After Level 2 Challenge completion | Any |
| Egg Hatching | Not available | N/A |
| Raids | Not available | N/A |
The Storm Petrel Pokémon spawns more frequently during rainy or windy weather, giving you boosted chances to encounter one. Stock up on Pinap Berries to maximize candy collection—you’ll need them for evolution.
Can Wattrel Be Shiny? The Disappointing Answer
At launch during the High Zaptitude event, Wattrel is not available in its shiny form. Both Wattrel and its evolution Kilowattrel debut in standard coloration only. This follows Niantic’s typical pattern of releasing regular forms first, then introducing shinies months or even years later during special events.
While shiny Wattrel sports a striking brownish-red body instead of black feathers in the main series games, trainers will need patience before this variant arrives in Pokémon GO. No official timeline has been announced, so keep checking official Pokémon GO news for updates.
Evolution Guide: Wattrel to Kilowattrel
Evolving Wattrel is straightforward and budget-friendly compared to many Pokémon. You need just 50 Wattrel Candy to evolve it into Kilowattrel, making this one of the easier evolutions to complete during the event.
Candy Farming Tips:
- Use Pinap Berries for double candy per catch (6 instead of 3)
- Walk Wattrel as your buddy (1 candy per 3 km)
- Transfer duplicates for 1 candy each
- Complete Field Research tasks for guaranteed encounters
Kilowattrel maintains the Electric/Flying typing and offers significantly better stats for battles, making the evolution worth pursuing for competitive trainers interested in Pokémon GO PvP strategies.
Event Details & Special Features
The High Zaptitude event showcases electric-type Pokémon with several other spawns including Chinchou, Helioptile, and the rare Shinx—all potentially shiny. The event also features Shiny Tadbulb’s first-time release with increased hatch rates for dedicated collectors.
Paid Timed Research is available for $1.99, offering reduced egg hatch distance, incubators, and extra Tadbulb encounters. Stay updated on the latest Pokémon GO events and mobile gaming news for future shiny releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CP range should I expect when catching Wattrel?
Wild Wattrel appears at 323-354 CP for Field Research, 431-472 CP in raids, and 539-590 CP when weather boosted.
Will Wattrel remain available after the High Zaptitude event ends?
Niantic hasn’t confirmed permanent wild spawns yet, so catch as many as possible during the January 18 event deadline.
