Pokémon GO Fall Marathon Buddy Trek Guide — Bramblin Debut, Bonuses and Rewards

Pokémon GO Fall Marathon Buddy Trek Guide covers the October 13 to October 19, 2026 event that introduces Bramblin, expands Super Max Mega Evolution to Mega Manectric and adds Discharge+ as Mega Manectric’s additional Charged Attack. The week also includes rotating Incense encounters, boosted Shiny opportunities, free Timed Research and a dedicated Fall Marathon GO Pass.

Bramblin is the main new catch, and Mega Manectric has plenty to offer players working on its new Super Max level. There are also research tasks that reward Marathon Visor Pikachu, Buddy walking challenges and enough GO Pass rewards to make a little planning worthwhile.

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Pokémon GO Fall Marathon Buddy Trek Guide dates and times

Pokémon GO Fall Marathon Buddy Trek Guide Image Pokémon GO.

The Fall Marathon Buddy Trek event begins Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. and ends Monday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m. local time. The GO Pass uses the same progression window, while unlocked GO Pass rewards remain claimable until October 21 at 8:00 p.m. local time.

Bramblin debuts during Fall Marathon Buddy Trek

Bramblin is the new Pokémon making its debut during Fall Marathon Buddy Trek. Catching it comes first, then you can begin working on Brambleghast. It is not listed as a normal wild spawn. Instead, Trainers can encounter Bramblin by using regular Incense, completing event Field Research or earning encounters through GO Pass tasks.

Bramblin is available from Incense during both halves of the event. From October 13 to October 16 it appears alongside Galarian Ponyta, Hoppip, Electrike and Dwebble. From October 16 to October 19 it remains in the pool alongside Hisuian Growlithe, Nincada, Electrike and Helioptile. Daily Adventure Incense is specifically excluded from the event’s Incense pool.

Our How to Get Bramblin in Pokémon GO guide breaks down every confirmed acquisition route. Current Pokémon GO data also lists Brambleghast as Bramblin’s evolution, and our Bramblin evolution guide covers the current requirement.

Mega Manectric reaches Super Max Level

The other big addition during Fall Marathon Buddy Trek is Mega Manectric becoming eligible for Super Max. A Manectric must first reach the third Mega Level, Max, before Super Max can be unlocked. Repeated Mega Evolution can build earlier Mega Levels, but reaching Super Max requires spending Manectric Mega Energy to power up the eligible Pokémon.

The event is designed to help with that energy cost. At GO Pass Rank 20, Trainers unlock a bonus that awards 5× Mega Energy while exploring with Electrike or Manectric as a Buddy, provided Manectric has already been Mega Evolved at least once. Event Field Research can also award Manectric Mega Energy, and the Deluxe GO Pass includes additional Manectric Mega Energy rewards.

See our Mega Manectric Super Max guide for the exact progression rules and our Mega Energy guide for the wider resource system.

Discharge+ comes to Mega Manectric

Mega Manectric also gains Discharge+ during the event. This move works separately from Super Max because the extra attack appears as soon as eligible Manectric is Mega Evolved. The additional Charged Attack has 50 power in Trainer Battles and 150 power in Raid Battles at its announced base values, with its power increasing as Manectric’s Mega Level rises. It is available while Manectric is Mega Evolved and does not replace one of its normal Charged Attacks.

You do not need to spend a Charged TM or Elite Charged TM to obtain the move, and Super Max is not required just to access it. Eligible Mega-Evolved Pokémon receive their additional Charged Attack regardless of their current Mega Level. Our Discharge+ Mega Manectric guide explains the mechanic in full.

Wild encounters, Incense and Shiny bonuses

Normal wild encounters during Fall Marathon Buddy Trek include Ponyta, Doduo, Electrike and Blitzle, with Skarmory listed as a less common encounter. This gives you a few wild Shiny targets even though Bramblin itself is obtained elsewhere. Electrike receives an increased Shiny chance throughout the event.

The Incense pool changes on October 16. During the second half, Hisuian Growlithe receives an increased Shiny chance from Incense. Bramblin itself is not marked as Shiny-eligible in the official announcement, so the debut should not be treated as a Shiny hunt unless Pokémon GO later changes that status.

Fall Marathon Buddy Trek free Timed Research: all tasks and rewards

The Fall Marathon Buddy Trek free Timed Research has one page with four walking milestones. Each task rewards 4,200 XP, and completing the page gives you an encounter with Pikachu wearing a marathon visor. You earn 16,800 XP across the four tasks, so the 42 km walk is worth doing if you want the costume Pikachu.

The tasks are cumulative distance milestones on the same research page, rather than four separate walks adding up to 78 km. You have until Monday, October 19 at 8 p.m. local time to finish and claim everything. Timed Research disappears after its deadline, so make sure you claim the Pikachu encounter as well as the XP.

Fall Marathon Buddy Trek Field Research: every task and reward

Field Research is a good way to get extra Bramblin encounters and Manectric Mega Energy while exploring. These are the four Fall Marathon Buddy Trek task types reported from the live event. Each task gives one of the listed possible rewards, not every reward in the row.

For a shot at Bramblin, look for Earn a Candy exploring with your Buddy. You need to earn a Buddy Candy to complete that task, not simply walk 1 km. If you’re building Manectric Mega Energy for Super Max, the 3 km and new-PokéStop tasks are the ones to prioritise. Pokémon GO Hub and Leek Duck have published matching Field Research lists.

Fall Marathon GO Pass: free and Deluxe rewards

The Fall Marathon Buddy Trek GO Pass has 30 main ranks and another 30 bonus ranks, for 60 in total. The free track includes themed Pokémon encounters, Rare Candy, Incense and Ultra Balls. GO Pass Deluxe adds extra encounters, Rare Candy XL and Manectric Mega Energy, including 500 Energy each at Ranks 15 and 24.

GO Pass Deluxe costs US$4.99, or the local equivalent, while Deluxe + 6 Ranks costs US$6.99 and starts you at Rank 7. You can upgrade later and collect unlocked Deluxe rewards for ranks you’ve already reached. Each rank needs 100 GO Points, and you must earn your points by October 19 at 8 p.m. local time; unlocked rewards can be claimed until October 21 at 8 p.m.

The most useful free milestones are Rank 10, which unlocks two-hour regular Incense, and Rank 20, which unlocks 5× Manectric Mega Energy from Buddy exploring after you’ve Mega Evolved Manectric at least once. Both reward tracks give Bramblin encounters at Ranks 30 and 60. Daily GO Pass tasks include using an Incense and exploring 1 km, each worth 50 GO Points.

The GO Pass continues through Rank 60, with Bramblin available on both tracks at Ranks 30 and 60. Deluxe is worth comparing for its two 500 Manectric Mega Energy rewards, but the free track already includes the new Pokémon.

Pokémon GO’s official Fall Marathon: Buddy Trek announcement has the full event rules. Save Incense for Bramblin encounters, check your research before the October 19 deadline, and use the Mega Energy tasks if you’re working on Manectric.