Ethan Crossfield 
Niantic is setting up a major August drop for Pokemon GO: the Ultra Unlock: Water Festival introduces three new Galar debuts while also bringing back a costumed fan favorite. Here’s what’s coming, how players can hunt it, and what the event signals for the game’s next wave of releases.
What happened: Ultra Unlock: Water Festival confirmed for August
Pokemon GO has confirmed the in-game debut of Galarian Arrokuda, Barraskewda, and Cramorant as part of the Ultra Unlock: Water Festival. The event runs from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, through Monday, August 24.
The focus is Water-type encounters, with multiple paths to catch Arrokuda. Players can obtain it through Field Research tasks, by using Rainy Lure Modules, or through progression on the GO Pass. Arrokuda evolves into Barraskewda at 50 Arrokuda Candy.
Cramorant’s availability is also spread across several systems: it can be found in Eggs, claimed via the GO Pass, or earned as a reward in the GO Battle League. The source also notes that Cramorant can shift forms in Pokemon GO battles, drawing a parallel to special combat forms seen in the mainline games. However, it won’t be eligible for the Competitors Cup, which may influence how competitive players plan their lineups.
Why it matters: A returning costume and raid variety
Beyond the three Gen 8 additions, Ultra Unlock: Water Festival is set to reintroduce a beloved costumed Pokemon—Psyduck with a swimming ring. The costumed version first appeared during the Pokemon Concierge limited event in September 2025, and it quickly became a fan favorite, according to the source.
During the August event, Psyduck (with a floaty) will appear in 1-Star Raids, with a chance to be Shiny.
The raid lineup is also designed to keep regional players engaged. The event includes Pokemon GO Raids where different Tatsugiri forms can be encountered depending on the player’s region. In addition, 3-Star Raids will feature Lapras wearing a scarf, Hisuian Samurott, and Dondozo—adding variety for trainers who want to farm multiple targets during the same window.
What to watch next: XP boosts, GO Pass goals, and the season timeline
Ultra Unlock: Water Festival adds several progression-focused bonuses. The event increases the odds of Shiny Ducklett and Shiny Dewpider encounters.
There’s also a scheduled XP multiplier: catching Pokemon grants 2x XP on August 18, 3x XP on August 20, and 4x XP on August 22. For players pushing levels quickly, those specific dates matter.
GO Pass progression becomes a key route to rewards as well. The source states that reaching Tier 1—Rank 10 on the event’s GO Pass grants double Candy from catches, while Tier 2—Rank 20 reduces Egg-hatching distance by half.
Looking farther ahead, the Forever Forward season is expected to end on September 8. That timing suggests more releases may follow after this Ultra Unlock period, though the source doesn’t specify what those next Pokemon will be.
In the meantime, Pokemon GO’s ongoing Pikachu celebration remains active, featuring costumed Pikachu from the past ten years. Some will spawn in the wild, while others are tied to GO Pass rewards such as Pop Star and Rock Star Pikachu.
Practical takeaways for players
- Plan your Arrokuda grind around Field Research, Rainy Lure Modules, or GO Pass progress, then evolve using 50 Arrokuda Candy.
- If you want Cramorant, prepare to split your effort between Eggs, GO Pass, and GO Battle League rewards.
- Mark August 18, 20, and 22 on your calendar for the event’s 2x/3x/4x catch XP boost windows.
- Use GO Pass milestones (Rank 10 and Rank 20) to maximize Candy gains and reduce Egg-hatching distance.
- For raids, expect regional variation with Tatsugiri forms and a mixed 3-Star lineup featuring Lapras (scarf), Hisuian Samurott, and Dondozo.
Expert View
This Ultra Unlock looks built to keep both casual and engaged players moving between systems—wild encounters, GO Pass progression, raids, and even GO Battle League—rather than concentrating everything in one lane. The return of costumed Psyduck adds a “quick win” collectible hook, while Cramorant’s battle form shifting (with a Competitors Cup exclusion) hints at Niantic testing new combat flavor without fully committing it to the tournament meta. If Forever Forward’s momentum is any guide, the post-September 8 window could be even busier for collectors and competitive planners alike.
