Bisharp Pokémon GO needs just one Dark- or Steel-type raid boss victory while set as your Buddy to evolve into Kingambit during Pawniard Community Day on 21 November 2026, from 2 to 9 p.m. local time. Normally, the challenge takes 15 qualifying raid wins. The evolution still costs 100 Pawniard Candy.
There’s another reason to evolve that evening: Kingambit will learn Kowtow Cleave if the evolution is completed by 9 p.m. The Buddy rule was corrected after the first event announcement, so it’s worth checking the steps before you use your Candy.
Bisharp Pokémon GO evolution into Kingambit
Bisharp evolves from Pawniard for 50 Pawniard Candy. To evolve Bisharp into Kingambit under the usual rules, you need another 100 Pawniard Candy and must defeat 15 Dark- or Steel-type raid bosses while Bisharp is your Buddy. It doesn’t have to fight on your raid team.
For Bisharp Pokémon GO, the raid wins count towards the evolution challenge on the Pokémon you’ve chosen as your Buddy. Select that Bisharp before your raid, then check the progress on its details screen.
Community Day shortcut: one raid boss with Bisharp as Buddy
On Saturday, 21 November, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time, the raid requirement drops to one Dark- or Steel-type boss. You still need Bisharp as your Buddy at the time of the raid victory. Pokémon GO corrected its event announcement on October 28 to make that condition clear.
- Select the Bisharp you want to evolve and set it as your Buddy.
- Defeat one Dark- or Steel-type raid boss within the 2 to 9 p.m. window.
- Open Bisharp’s Pokémon details and check that its reduced raid requirement is complete.
- If you have 100 Pawniard Candy, evolve to Kingambit before 9 p.m. for Kowtow Cleave.
An earlier announcement said the reduced requirement worked without Bisharp as your Buddy. Pokémon GO removed that line on 28 October. If a win hasn’t counted for Bisharp Pokémon GO, check which Pokémon you had set as your Buddy during the raid.
How to get Kowtow Cleave on Kingambit
Evolving Bisharp from 2 to 9 p.m. on November 21 gives Kingambit the Dark-type Charged Attack Kowtow Cleave. Its published power is 75 in Trainer Battles and 85 in Gyms and raids. The special move deadline lasts four hours beyond Pawniard’s normal 5 p.m. Community Day finish.
Both the shortcut and the move deadline expire at 9 p.m. If your goal is Kowtow Cleave, finish the evolution before then. Our Pawniard Community Day guide covers wild spawns, bonuses and research rewards.
Can Bisharp be Shiny?
Yes. Shiny Bisharp exists in Pokémon GO and can be obtained by evolving a Shiny Pawniard with the required Candy. Pawniard has boosted Shiny encounter chances during the November 21 Community Day, which is a useful opportunity for collectors.
A Special Background and Shiny colouring are different features. If you find a Shiny Pawniard you like, evolving that Pokémon is how you get its Shiny Bisharp and Kingambit forms.
Bisharp Pokémon GO weaknesses and resistances
Bisharp Pokémon GO is a Dark- and Steel-type Pokémon. It takes especially heavy damage from Fighting moves, with Fire and Ground also super-effective. These are the three types to watch for if you’re taking Bisharp into battle.
Its typing gives it useful resistances against Psychic, Ghost, Dark, Dragon, Flying, Grass, Ice, Normal, Poison, Rock and Steel. It can take hits from several common types, but Fighting attacks are an especially bad matchup.
Bisharp fast and Charged moves
Bisharp’s recorded Pokémon GO fast moves include Snarl and Metal Claw. Its Charged move options include Dark Pulse, Iron Head, X-Scissor and Focus Blast. The best combination depends on whether you’re using it in Trainer Battles, Gyms or raids.
The November featured move, Kowtow Cleave, belongs to Kingambit after evolution, not Bisharp. Keep that in mind before spending Stardust or a Charged TM on Bisharp.
Is Bisharp worth evolving?
If you want Kingambit for your collection or plan to use Kowtow Cleave, November 21 is the easiest announced evolution window. You’ll still need Candy, but the double catch Candy bonus gives you a way to stock up on Pawniard catches.
For Bisharp Pokémon GO, the key is to choose your Buddy before the raid and evolve your preferred Bisharp by 9 p.m. on November 21 if you want the exclusive attack. The Kingambit guide explains the evolved Pokémon’s move choices and battle typing.
Related Guides
Official source: Pokémon GO: November 2026 Pawniard Community Day, corrected October 28.
