The Best Pokemon to Catch During Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 aren’t just the ones that look festive, they’re the ones that will actually move your account forward. With boosted spawns, increased Lucky trade odds, and potential Stardust bonuses active throughout the event, choosing what to prioritise can make a real difference. Whether you’re grinding candy, hunting shinies, farming XL, or preparing for future PvP cups, the Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 event is packed with smart catch opportunities if you focus on the right targets.
If you’re wondering which encounters matter most, here are the best Pokemon to catch during Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 and why they’re worth prioritising.
Wild Encounters During Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026
The Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 wild encounters are focused on event-themed Pokémon, with several Fire-type and red-coloured favourites appearing more frequently throughout the event.
During the event window, Trainers may encounter:
• Ponyta*
• Galarian Ponyta*
• Fuecoco*
• Blitzle*
• Darumaka*
The asterisk indicates that these Pokémon can be shiny, making this event particularly appealing for collectors.
Ponyta and Galarian Ponyta both fit perfectly into the Lunar theme, with their vibrant colouring and strong shiny variants drawing plenty of attention. Blitzle adds an Electric-type option into the mix, while Darumaka remains one of the more desirable Fire-type catches thanks to its evolution into Darmanitan.
Fuecoco is also a notable inclusion, especially for players still building candy for evolutions or hunting strong IVs for future PvP formats.
If you are focusing on the Best Pokemon to Catch During Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026, Darumaka and the Ponyta variants should be high priority, especially if you’re shiny checking consistently.
Because spawn density is increased during the Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 event, volume matters. The more encounters you trigger, the better your chances at landing a shiny or strong IV catch before the event ends.
READ MORE: Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026: Full Event Guide, Bonuses, Raids, Shiny Pokemon and Trading Tips
Stardust Strategy
Use Star Pieces during heavy spawn clusters. Combined with Lunar bonuses, Stardust farming can spike significantly during this event.
The best Pokemon during Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 are those that either:
• Require high evolution candy
• Have shiny potential
• Offer strong PvP or raid value
The Best Pokemon to Catch During Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 are only part of the story, so don’t miss our full event breakdown covering raids, Field Research, Stardust boosts, and Lucky Pokemon strategy.
Overall, the Best Pokemon to Catch During Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 come down to long-term value. Prioritise high-candy evolutions, shiny-eligible spawns, and anything that benefits from the event’s Stardust and Lucky trade bonuses. Even if some featured Pokemon aren’t currently meta-defining, events like Pokemon Go Lunar New Year 2026 are where smart players quietly build resources that pay off months later. Catch consistently, trade strategically, and make this event count before it ends.
