How to get Galarian Rapidash in Pokemon GO, and can it be shiny?

Pokemon GO players are eager to add Galarian Rapidash to their collection. To that end, the upcoming September Community Day will be a perfect opportunity to catch Galarian Ponyta and evolve it into Galarian Rapidash. The event will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm local time.

Here's everything you need to know about how to get this Unique Horn Pokemon, and whether it can be shiny.

How to encounter Galarian Rapidash in Pokemon GO?

Galarian Ponyta and Galarian Rapidash (Image via The Pokemon Company)

The only way to obtain Galarian Rapidash in Pokemon GO is by evolving Galarian Ponyta. To do this, you’ll need 50 Galarian Ponyta Candy. Here’s how you can maximize your Candy collection:

Catch as many Galarian Ponyta as you can during the three-hour event window. Use Pinap Berries to double the Candy you receive from each catch.
Trade Galarian Ponyta with friends to get extra Candy, as trades grant bonuses during Community Day.

Additionally, those who enjoy special tasks can access a Community Day-exclusive Special Research for just $1.00 USD (or local equivalent). Completing this research will reward you with even more encounters with Galarian Ponyta.

Also read: 5 things to look forward to in Pokemon GO in September 2024

Pokemon GO Galarian Rapidash Community Day Event bonuses

Ponyta and Galarian Ponyta will be featuring in the upcoming Community Day (Image via The Pokemon Company)

If you miss out on the three-hour Community Day event or want extra Galarian Ponyta spawns, there’s still hope! After the event ends, trainers can participate in four-star Raid Battles featuring Galarian Ponyta.

Defeating one of these raids will trigger additional Galarian Ponyta spawns around the Gym that hosted the raid for the next 30 minutes. Note that you can only participate in these raids using Raid Passes and Premium Battle Passes, Remote Raid Passes cannot be used.

If you evolve Galarian Ponyta into Galarian Rapidash during the event or up to five hours afterward, your critter will learn the Charged Attack Wild Charge. This is a powerful move that can boost Galarian Rapidash’s offensive potential in battle.

Also read: GO Big Field Research tasks and rewards

Can Galarian Rapidash be Shiny in Pokemon GO?

Galarian Rapidash and Shiny Galarian Rapidash (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Fortunately, Galarian Ponyta has a higher chance of appearing in its shiny form during the Community Day event. Both evolutions have color variants that are highly sought-after by shiny collectors, so catch as many as possible to increase your chances of finding a shiny version.

Also read: GO Galar Calling Special Research tasks and rewards

Tips for catching Galarian Ponyta during Community Day

To make the most of your Galarian Ponyta-catching spree, here are a few tips:

Use Pinap Berries to maximize your Candy collection.
Stock up on Poke Balls to catch as many as possible. The more you catch, the more Candy you gain.
Take advantage of Lures and Incense to draw even more Galarian Ponyta to your location.

With these tips and strategies, you'll be well on your way to catching and evolving your Galarian Rapidash.

Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

Ditto disguises
Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
Best Fast Attacks in the game
Sierra counters
Cliff counters
Arlo counters
Giovanni counters