Pokémon GO Confirms Arrokuda, Barraskewda, and Cramorant for August
Niantic’s Pokémon GO has confirmed three more Galar arrivals for its next major seasonal push: Arrokuda, Barraskewda, and Cramorant. The update lands as part of Ultra Unlock: Water Festival in August, alongside the return of a beloved costumed Psyduck and a set of limited-time event perks.
It’s been a busy stretch for Pokémon GO. The ongoing Forever Forward season has leaned into anniversary celebrations while introducing highly requested picks such as Mega-Skarmory and Squawkabilly. It’s also wrapped up after GO Fest 2026: Global, which gave players a single weekend to hunt some of the game’s rarest Pokémon, including Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y.
With the yearly event now finished, the game is still signaling that more releases are on the way in the months ahead—suggesting the next wave of changes could be more substantial than just routine additions.
Pokemon GO Ultra Unlock: Water Festival Is Adding Three New Galar Pokemon
Pokémon GO will introduce the Galar-region trio Arrokuda, Barraskewda, and Cramorant on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as part of Ultra Unlock: Water Festival. The event runs through Monday, August 24, and focuses on Water-type encounters throughout.
Players will be able to find Arrokuda and add it to their Pokédex via multiple routes: Field Research tasks, Rainy Lure Modules, or by progressing through the GO Pass. Arrokuda evolves into Barraskewda by collecting 50 Arrokuda Candy.
Cramorant is also being given several acquisition paths. You can obtain it through Eggs, as a GO Pass reward, or as a prize from the GO Battle League. The event also brings a mechanic players may recognize from the mainline series: Cramorant’s Flying-and-Water form can shift during battles. That said, Cramorant won’t be allowed in the game’s Competitors Cup.
Quick facts: Water Festival lineup
- Ultra Unlock: Water Festival adds Arrokuda, Barraskewda, and Cramorant to Pokémon GO.
- Event dates: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 through Monday, August 24, 2026.
- Arrokuda: found via Field Research, Rainy Lure Modules, and the GO Pass; evolves with 50 Arrokuda Candy.
- Cramorant: obtainable from Eggs, the GO Pass, and GO Battle League rewards; can change forms in battles.
- Cramorant is not eligible for the Competitors Cup.
Beyond the three new Gen 8 additions, Ultra Unlock: Water Festival also brings back Psyduck wearing a swimming ring. The costumed Duck was originally introduced during the Pokémon Concierge limited-time event in September 2025, and it has remained a fan favorite since.
During the event, Psyduck with a floaty will show up in 1-Star Raids and will have a chance to be Shiny. There’s also a regional twist for raid content: players can challenge different Tatsugiri appearances depending on where they are.
In addition, 3-Star Raids will feature Lapras with a scarf, Hisuian Samurott, and Dondozo, rounding out the Water-focused lineup with a spread of Pokémon suited for different raid strategies.
Other Ultra Unlock: Water Festival bonuses include higher odds for Shiny Ducklett and Shiny Dewpider to appear. On August 18, 20, and 22, players who catch Pokémon will earn boosted experience—double, triple, and four times the normal XP amount respectively.
That XP ramp is particularly helpful for trainers trying to level up quickly. The GO Pass track also includes catch and hatch benefits: reaching Tier 1 (up to Rank 10) grants double Candy from catches, while Tier 2 (up to Rank 20) reduces Egg-hatching distance by half.
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
The Forever Forward season is set to conclude on September 8, which means Pokémon GO could add even more Pokémon in the lead-up to that date. In the meantime, players can jump into the ongoing Pikachu celebration, featuring costumed Pikachu spanning the last ten years.
Some of these Pikachu will appear in the wild, while others will be obtained as GO Pass rewards, including Pop Star and Rock Star Pikachu.
