Complete Guide to Pokémon Go's Lechonk Community Day
Event Overview and Schedule
Mark your calendars, Trainers! Pokémon Go is hosting a special Community Day dedicated to the adorable pig Pokémon from the Paldea region, Lechonk. The event runs on Saturday, May 9, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in your local time zone. During these three hours, Lechonk will appear more frequently in the wild, giving you the perfect opportunity to catch a shiny version and collect enough Candy to evolve it.
Featured Pokémon and Shiny Availability
Lechonk is a pure Normal-type Pokémon that made its debut in Generation IX. On Community Day, its spawn rate will be significantly boosted, making it one of the most common encounters you'll see. As with most Community Days, there is a high chance of encountering its shiny variant. If you're lucky, you might spot a shiny Lechonk with a different color palette, so be sure to check every spawn.
Evolution and Exclusive Move
Lechonk evolves into Oinkologne (with two gender-specific forms: male and female) using 50 Lechonk Candy. If you evolve a Lechonk during the event hours (or up to two hours after), your Oinkologne will learn an exclusive charged move. Historically, Niantic has reserved this bonus for Community Day events; while the specific move is yet to be confirmed, it's expected to be something that enhances Oinkologne's battle performance. Make sure to evolve your best Lechonk before the deadline to secure this move.
Bonuses and Special Research
During the three-hour window, several bonuses will be active to help maximize your catches:
- 3× Catch XP – Earn triple the experience points for every Lechonk you catch.
- Increased Incense effectiveness – Incense lures will last longer, attracting even more Lechonk.
- Lure Modules activated at PokéStops will last three hours.
Additionally, a Special Research story titled "Lechonk's Oink-tastic Adventure" will be available for purchase in the in-game shop for US$1.00 (or equivalent). The research tasks will reward you with extra Lechonk encounters, Stardust, and other useful items.
Field Research Tasks and Timed Research
Alongside the boosted spawns, you'll find exclusive Field Research tasks from spinning PokéStops. These tasks might ask you to catch a certain number of Lechonk or make Nice/Great throws, rewarding you with additional Lechonk encounters, Berries, or Great Balls. Some stops may even offer a Premium Battle Pass.
There will also be a free Timed Research line that rewards you with Lechonk encounters, XP, and Stardust. Complete all steps before the event ends to claim the bonus.
Tips for Maximizing Your Community Day
To get the most out of the event, consider the following strategies:
- Stock up on Poké Balls and Berries – Visit PokéStops in advance or open gifts from friends to ensure you don't run out.
- Use Pinap Berries – Double the Candy per catch to speed up evolution.
- Activate a Star Piece and Lucky Egg – Combine these with the 3× Catch XP bonus to earn massive experience and Stardust.
- Play with a friend – Trading Lechonk after the event can increase your chance of getting a lucky or high-IV Pokémon.
- Check your storage – Clear out space before the event to avoid missing any shinies.
Evolving for the Exclusive Move
Remember, the exclusive move is only available if you evolve Lechonk during the event window or within two hours after it ends (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time). To be safe, evolve your best Lechonk immediately after catching it. The move will be unique to Oinkologne and may give it an edge in the Great League or Ultra League. Check out our PVP Analysis section below for more details.
PVP Analysis
Oinkologne is a Normal-type Pokémon with decent bulk but a limited movepool. In PvP, it can serve as a safe swap or closer, especially if it gets a coverage move like Thunderbolt or Play Rough. The exclusive move could be a Dark-type or Fighting-type attack to counter Ghost and Steel types. Early meta analysts suggest that Oinkologne might rank in the lower tiers of Great League, but with the right moveset, it could surprise opponents. For raids, its low Attack stat makes it less viable, so focus on PvP potential.
If you're aiming for a competitive Oinkologne, look for ones with high HP and Defense IVs (0/15/14 or similar spread) for Great League. Check the appraisal system to identify your best candidates.
Final Thoughts
Lechonk Community Day is a fun opportunity to add a cute Paldea Pokémon to your collection and possibly its shiny form. Whether you're a collector or a battler, the event offers something for everyone. Be sure to play during the three-hour window, evolve for the exclusive move, and enjoy the boosted bonuses. See you in the wild!