The Forever Forward season has already delivered Mega Skarmory and a historic GO Fest weekend with Mega Mewtwo X and Y. Niantic is not slowing down. Pokemon GO just confirmed the Ultra Unlock: Water Festival, a six-day August event that brings three Generation 8 Galar debuts to the game alongside a returning costumed fan-favorite that players have been asking about since its first appearance.
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Three Galar Pokemon hitting the game on August 18
Arrokuda, Barraskewda, and Cramorant all make their Pokemon GO debuts when the Ultra Unlock: Water Festival kicks off on August 18 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The event runs through August 24 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Here's the thing: these are not just simple wild spawns. Each Pokemon has its own distinct acquisition path, which matters for players planning their time.
- Arrokuda appears through Field Research tasks, Rainy Lure Modules, and GO Pass progression. It evolves into Barraskewda for 50 Arrokuda Candy.
- Cramorant is available through Eggs, the GO Pass, and as a GO Battle League reward.
Cramorant brings something genuinely interesting to the table. The Flying and Water-type can change forms mid-battle in Pokemon GO, mirroring its mechanic from the mainline Galar games. That form-changing ability opens up some real team-building flexibility, though you'll want to note that Cramorant is not eligible for the Competitors Cup.
Psyduck with a floaty is back, and it can be shiny
The costumed Psyduck wearing a swimming ring first showed up during the Pokemon Concierge limited event back in September 2025 and became an instant hit. Players who missed it the first time get another shot.
During the Ultra Unlock: Water Festival, this Psyduck appears in 1-Star Raids with a chance to be Shiny. That combination of accessibility and shiny odds makes it one of the more approachable event targets for collectors.
What else the Water Festival is packing in
The raid lineup extends well beyond Psyduck. 3-Star Raids will feature Lapras wearing a scarf, Hisuian Samurott, and Dondozo. Regional Tatsugiri forms will also appear in raids depending on your location.
On the XP side, the event runs a staggered multiplier across three specific days:
That August 22 window at 4x XP is the one to circle. Players grinding toward the level cap will want to save their Lucky Eggs and mass-evolve stacks for that day specifically.
The GO Pass adds layered rewards on top of the base event. Reaching Tier 1 (Rank 10) unlocks double Candy from catches, and Tier 2 (Rank 20) cuts Egg-hatching distance in half. Shiny hunters get boosted encounter rates for Ducklett and Dewpider throughout the event.
How this fits into the bigger season picture
The Forever Forward season wraps on September 8, which leaves roughly three weeks after the Water Festival ends. Given the pace of releases this season, there are likely more debuts before the season closes out.
For players who enjoy the monster-catching formula in mobile games, it is worth knowing that blockchain Monster Hunt takes a similar concept in a different direction. If you want a deeper look at how that game holds up, the in-depth review on our site breaks it down thoroughly. Players looking to get more out of any monster-catching experience can also find useful resources on our gaming guides hub.
The Ultra Unlock: Water Festival starts August 18. Mark the calendar, stock up on raid passes, and do not sleep on that August 22 XP window.
