Pokémon GO is celebrating friendship and companionship with the Precious Pals Buddy Event, running from Tuesday, January 20 at 10:00 AM through Sunday, January 25 at 8:00 PM local time. The event introduces Shiny Fidough for the first time in the game, with Shiny Daschbun becoming available through evolution.
This limited-time event focuses heavily on Buddy interactions, shiny hunting, and easier evolution requirements for several popular Pokémon.
Shiny Fidough Makes Its Pokémon GO Debut
Fidough, the Fairy-type Puppy Pokémon, originally appeared in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and made its Pokémon GO debut earlier this year during the Fidough Fetch event. Now, trainers finally get the chance to hunt its shiny form.
In the main series, Fidough evolves into Daschbun at level 26. In Pokémon GO, that evolution requires 50 Fidough Candy, and the result is a powerful Fairy-type option that can learn moves like Fire Fang and Play Rough.
For shiny collectors, this event marks the first opportunity to add both Shiny Fidough and Shiny Daschbun to their collections.
Event Bonuses and Active Perks
Throughout the Precious Pals event, trainers can take advantage of several Buddy-focused bonuses:
Buddy Bonuses
- Additional Candy XL when walking with your Buddy
- Extra Buddy Hearts earned each day
Shiny Boosts
- Increased chance to encounter and hatch Shiny Goldeen
- Increased chance to hatch Shiny Fidough
Paid Timed Research
- Available through the Precious Pals Ultra Ticket Box for $4.99
- Includes premium rewards and extra encounters
GO Pass Overlap
- The event runs alongside the January 2026 GO Pass, which features encounters with Dialga
- Event-themed Field Research and Collection Challenges are also active during this period
Temporary Evolution Shortcuts
One of the most valuable aspects of this event is the set of temporary evolution requirement reductions, active until January 25 at 8:00 PM local time.
Limited-Time Evolution Requirements
Eevee → Sylveon
- Requirement reduced to 20 Buddy Hearts
- Normally requires 70 hearts before using Eevee Candy
Pancham → Pangoro
- Catch 10 Dark-type Pokémon
- Down from the usual 32
Pawmo → Pawmot
- Explore 5 km with Pawmo as your Buddy
- Reduced from 25 km
These changes make the event one of the easiest windows yet to complete several notoriously time-consuming evolutions.
Shiny Availability by Encounter Type
During the Precious Pals event, shiny-eligible Pokémon are spread across multiple sources.
2 km Eggs
- Goldeen
- Togepi
- Happiny
- Riolu
- Fidough
Wild Encounters
- Goldeen
- Zorua
- Wimpod
- Fidough
- Espurr
This setup gives players flexibility to hunt shinies whether they prefer walking, hatching, or catching in the wild.
Why This Event Matters for Trainers
Between the debut of Shiny Fidough, the boosted shiny odds, and the reduced evolution requirements, the Precious Pals event is one of the most efficient Buddy-focused events Pokémon GO has offered in a long time.
It is especially valuable for players who still need:
- Sylveon for collections or PvP
- Pangoro for Dark-type teams
- Pawmot without weeks of walking
- Or a chance at the brand-new Shiny Daschbun
For collectors and grinders alike, this event combines quality-of-life improvements with meaningful new content — making it well worth the effort to stay active with your Buddy throughout the week.
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