Pokémon GO Dark Flames: Start Time, Wild Encounters, Raids & More

The Season of Hidden Gems will be heating up with the next event for Pokémon GO, Dark Flames, arriving this June. This event is premised around Dark and Fire-type Pokémon as Trainers will have to decide which path they'll pursue to earn rewards.

Additionally, we'll see plenty of rewards for Trainers to claim, and two Pokémon make their in-game debut for this event. This guide explains everything about Pokémon GO's Dark Flames, including the event schedule, research tasks, and all wild and Raid encounters.

30th June 2023 Update: This guide reflects the start of the Dark Flames event for Pokémon GO, featuring new Raids, wild encounters and Research tasks available. The original reporting continues below.

Pokémon GO Dark Flames: Event Dates & Times

The upcoming event, Dark Flames, will see a battle between flames and darkness, with plenty of Pokémon emerging in-game. This event will begin on 29th June 2023 at 10 am local time, as it will run for a limited time, ending on 2nd July 2023 at 8 pm local time.

Niantic has revealed the full event details via its dedicated news page and social media, highlighting all the activities to explore. Secondly, there are a few event bonuses that will be active for this event which we've listed below:

• Gain 25% bonus XP when competing in Raids
• Receive three more Candies when competing in Raids
• Double the chance to earn Candy XL from catching Pokémon for Trainers Level 31 and higher
• Team GO Rocket Grunts using Dark and Fire-type Pokémon will often spawn in balloons and at PokéStops
• Incense (except Daily Adventure Incense) is more likely to attract Dark or Fire-type Pokémon based on the chosen path for the Timed Research

Lastly, a Collection Challenge will be available for Trainers for the event's duration, depending on your Timed Research path. As such, you can earn XP and Houndoom Mega Energy for completing its associated tasks.

Pokémon GO Dark Flames: Featured Pokémon

Flanked by flames or engulfed in darkness?

Choose your path during Pokémon GO’s new event: Dark Flames!https://t.co/ZtpoqMG9Whpic.twitter.com/5nKrQ4zO1u

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) June 22, 2023

This event marks the debut of two Pokémon who will appear in various in-game activities for Trainers to participate in. The Fire/Dragon-type Pokémon, Turtonator, will be featured in three-star Raids and as a reward encounter for the Field Research tasks with the likelihood of encountering its Shiny form.

In addition to Turtonator's in-game debut, Mega Sableye will also be debuting for this event, and as the name suggests, it will be featured in Mega Raids. Like with Turtonator, Trainers may have a chance of battling a Shiny Mega Sableye in this hard-fought battle during this event.

Pokémon GO Dark Flames: All Event Raids

The Dark Flames event will have several Raid activities for Trainers to battle-test their Pokémon against Dark and Fire-type Raid Bosses. There's also a chance for you to go face-to-face against Shiny forms (*) of these Raid Bosses, whom we've listed all event-themed Raids below:

• One-star Raids: Darumaka*, Deino*, Scraggy and Sneasel*
• Three-star Raids: Alolan Marowak*, Flareon, Turtonator* and Umbreon
• Five-star Raids: Heatran*
• Mega Raids: Mega Sableye*

Pokémon GO Dark Flames: All Wild Encounters

If you're looking for a more relaxed experience for the Dark Flames event, several Dark and Fire-type Pokémon can be seen more frequently in the wild should you encounter them. Additionally, some of these Pokémon may have their Shiny forms (*) appear frequently in these wild encounters, which you can encounter the following:

• Carvanha*
• Galarian Zigzagoon*
• Houndour*
• Houndoom*
• Litten
• Litwick*
• Numel*
• Poochyena*
• Sableye*
• Stunky
• Vulpix*

Pokémon GO Dark Flames: Field & Timed Research Tasks

This event will include branched Timed and Field Research tasks for Trainers to complete to earn rewards. For the Timed Research, Trainers can decide between Dark or Fire-type Pokémon paths, which determines the Incense event bonus, for which they can be rewarded various items, including XP, Pokémon encounters, and a Premium Battle Pass.

Several event-themed Pokémon, including their Shiny forms (*), will be rewarded to Trainers as reward encounters for completing Field Research tasks. Let's look at all the Field and Special Research tasks and their rewards to earn for the Dark Flames event: