Pokemon Go: Shiny Lotad And Castform Now Available In New Limited Research Event

Update: Pokemon Go's latest Limited Research event is now live in some places. The one-day event takes place today, March 30, from 11 AM to 8 PM local time. During those hours, Poke Stops will distribute special Limited Research tasks that lead to encounters with Lotad. You'll also have your first chance to capture Shiny Lotad and Shiny Castform. The original story follows.

Pokemon Go's March Community Day may be over, but Niantic still has a few more events in store for the popular mobile game before the month comes to a close. First, the developer is bringing back the Gen 4 Legendary Giratina to Raid Battles starting March 28, and not long after that it will hold a new Limited Research event, which will give players their first opportunity to catch two new Shiny Pokemon.

The event takes place on Saturday, March 30, and runs from 11 AM to 8 PM local time. During those hours, Pokemon that are affected by weather conditions, such as Castform, will appear more frequently in the wild. You'll also receive special Field Research tasks from Poke Stops, which will culminate in encounters with Lotad.

On top of that, the Shiny forms of Lotad and Castform will appear during the event, marking the first time either has been available in Pokemon Go. Niantic is also adding the move Weather Ball for Castform permanently to the game. You can read more details about the new Limited Research event on the official Pokemon Go website.

Before the Limited Research event arrives, the Legendary Pokemon Giratina will make an encore appearance in Raid Battles. You'll be able to catch it again in its Altered Forme from March 28 to April 2, after which point it'll assume its Origin Forme--the appearance it takes in Pokemon Platinum--for the first time in Pokemon Go until April 29.

Pokemon Go's most recent in-game event was the annual spring equinox celebration. Throughout that week, Grass Pokemon appeared more frequently in the wild than normal, and players had their first chance to catch Shiny Lunatone and Solrock. While those may no longer be available, Shiny Diglett could appear in the game soon if enough players participate in Niantic's Earth Day event.