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Pokémon Go BD & SP event collection challenge and research tasks

Everything you need to know about the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event.

The BD & SP event arrives this week in Pokémon Go to celebrate the release of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

This introduces a number of hat-wearing Costumed Pokémon starters from Gen 4, which are required to complete a Collection Challenge.

While searching for these, you can complete a selection of event exclusive field research tasks to earn some useful Pokémon encounters.

On this page:

Watch us battle Guzzlord - one of the Ultra Beasts in Pokémon GoWatch on YouTube

Pokémon Go BD & SP Collection Challenge list and reward

As part of the event, you have to find six Costumed Pokémon starters from Gen 4. Finding them all before the event ends will add to your ongoing Collection Challenge medal progress.

The BD & SP Collection Challenge has you catch:

  • Turtwig wearing Lucas's hat - Wild encounter (Part 1) or Field Research (Part 2)
  • Chimchar wearing Luca's hat - Wild encounter (Part 1) or Field Research (Part 2)
  • Piplup wearing Luca's hat - Wild encounter (Part 1) or Field Research (Part 2)
  • Turtwig wearing Dawn's hat - Wild encounter (Part 2) or Field Research (Part 1)
  • Chimchar wearing Dawn's hat - Wild encounter (Part 2) or Field Research (Part 1)
  • Piplup wearing Dawn's hat - Wild encounter (Part 2) or Field Research (Part 1)

Once you have collected the above, not only is your Collection Challenge medal total increased by one, but you will be rewarded 1000 XP, 3000 Stardust, and a Frosslass encounter.

In summary - both sets of hat Pokémon are available at all times, but have different methods in each part of the event. So if you want to collect them all in Part 1, you can find Lucas hat in the wild and Dawn hat in field research, and vice versa in Part 2.

This means you can complete the Collection Challenge right away by finding field research - or if you prefer to only find them in the wild, then it means waiting until Part 2's change in spawns to kick in.

Finally - if you are looking for an additional challenge, all of the above costumed Pokémon can be shiny if luck is on your side!

BD & SP field research tasks in Pokémon Go

In help you complete the Collection Challenge faster, the other Part's hat Pokémon will appear in event-specific field research rewards.

As with previous events, these research tasks will only appear during the event period - but can be completed after the event ends if you hang onto them.

Here are the BD & SP field research tasks:

  • Catch 2 Chimchar reward - Dawn's hat Chimchar (during Part 1), Lucas's hat Chimchar (during Part 2)
  • Catch 2 Piplup reward - Dawn's hat Piplup (during Part 1), Lucas's hat Piplup (during Part 2)
  • Catch 2 Turtwig reward - Dawn's hat Turtwig (during Part 1), Lucas's hat Turtwig (during Part 2)
  • Trade a Pokémon reward - Burmy
  • Win a raid reward - Bagon
  • Win a Level 3 or higher raid reward - Shieldon

Thank you to SilphScience from reddit for the help with this information!


The Dual Destiny Season is here! It brings the Holiday Part 1 event with it. You can now catch Dynamax Pokémon through Max Battles. First, however, you need to visit Power Spots to collect Max Particles and complete the To the Max! quest. Don't forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.


BD & SP Part 1 and Part 2 times, dates and Pokémon spawns explained

The BD & SP event - also known as the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event - arrives to celebrate the titular games on Nintendo Switch launching on Friday, November 19th.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl - Announcement Trailer (Nintendo Switch)Watch on YouTube

The event is split into two, focusing on a different game and changing the spawns and raid encounters in Pokémon Go accordingly.

The Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl event Part 1 and Part 2 times and dates are as follows:

  • Part 1 (Brilliant Diamond themed) - Tuesday November 16th at 10am to Thursday, November 18th at 10am local time
  • Part 2 (Shining Pearl themed) - Thursday, November 18th at 10am to Sunday, November 21st 8pm local time

In terms of encounters, here's what changes across the event at a glance:

Part 1 (Brilliant Diamond themed)

Part 1 wild encountersOne star raidsThree star raidsFive star / Mega raid7km eggs
AronBronzorDrapionCresseliaBonsly
BidoofCranidosGalladeMega LopunnyBudew
BunearyDrifloonLopunnyHappiny
Burmy (Plant Cloak)GibleToxicroakMime Jr.
Chimchar wearing Lucas's hatTyranitarRiolu
Kricketot
Larvitar
Murkrow
Piplup wearing Lucas's hat
Poochyena
Scyther
Seel
Stunky
Turtwig wearing Lucas's hat
Buizel

Part 2 (Shining Pearl themed)

Part 2 wild encountersOne star raidsThree star raidsFive star / Mega raid7km eggs
BagonBronzorDrapionCresseliaBudew
BidoofDrifloonGalladeMega LopunnyBonsly
BuizelShieldonLopunnyHappiny
BunearySalamenceMime Jr.
Burmy (Sandy Cloak)ToxicroakRiolu
Chimchar wearing Dawn's hat
Glameow
Houndour
Kricketot
Misdreavus
Pinsir
Piplup wearing Dawn's hat
Slowpoke
Spheal
Turtwig wearing Dawn's hat

As well as this, there will be new shop bundles, sticks and costumes to purchase - including these rather fetching Gen 4 starter onesies:

Hope you enjoy the BD & SP event!

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