Pokemon GO Ditto: how to catch transform type Pokemon and Shiny Ditto during April Fool’s Day event

The Shiny Ditto only make an appearance during special days, like the April Fool’s Day 2-Oh?-22 event
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Today marks 1 April 2022, also known as April Fool’s Day for the pranksters amongst us.

Getting involved in the April Fool’s Day mischief is Pokemon GO, with a Ditto themed day which could see players bagging themselves rare Shiny Ditto throughout the day.

This is everything you need to know.

What’s the April Fool’s Day Ditto event?

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To mark April Fool’s Day, Pokemon GO is being flooded by Ditto Pokemon - for those not in the know, Ditto is a type of Pokemon that can shapeshift.

The April Fools’ 2-Oh?-22 event allows players the opportunity to catch loads of Dittos. If you’re especially lucky, you might also catch yourself a Shiny Ditto as well.

Shiny Dittos are only available during special events, such as this one, so if you’ve been desperate to catch a Shiny Ditto then you don’t want to miss out on this event.

Are you on the hunt for a Shiny Ditto? (Photo: Pokemon GO)Are you on the hunt for a Shiny Ditto? (Photo: Pokemon GO)
Are you on the hunt for a Shiny Ditto? (Photo: Pokemon GO)

The official Pokemon GO website says: “Professor Willow has some new Special Research for Trainers to help out with.

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“At least… We think he does. Is that actually Professor Willow? Are you actually one of his trusted Trainers?

“We can’t tell what is and isn’t Ditto anymore.”

Having begun at midnight on Friday 1 April, Pokemon GO says that “Ditto appears to be changing into different Pokemon in the wild”.

What Pokemon will appear more frequently?

From Friday 1 April at 5pm until 8pm, local time, the following Pokemon will appear more frequently in the wild:

  • Ekans
  • Gastly
  • Matu
  • Surskit
  • Finneon
  • Dwebble 
  • Swirlix

If you’re particularly lucky, you might even encounter a Shiny Pokemon - and that includes a Shiny Ditto as well.

You’ll be seeing more of these Pokemon throughout today (Photo: Pokemon GO)You’ll be seeing more of these Pokemon throughout today (Photo: Pokemon GO)
You’ll be seeing more of these Pokemon throughout today (Photo: Pokemon GO)
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Shiny Pokemon are rare variants of Pokemon and appear in a different colour to that of regular Pokemon. You can tell if you’ve encountered a Shiny Pokemon rather than a regular Pokemon if there’s a sparkle symbol above its CP.

If you do come across a Shiny Pokemon, that Pokemon won’t be a Ditto in disguise.

What are the new Field and Special Research tasks?

For April Fool’s Day, players will be able to complete new Field and Special Research tasks throughout the day.

These are the three steps to completing the special research, as well as the latest tasks and rewards.

Step one:

  • Catch 10 Pokemon: 25 Poke Balls
  • Catch five Normal Type Pokemon: five potions
  • Make five nice throws: five nanab berries
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The total rewards for step one includes 1,000 Stardust, 15 Ditto candy, and five razz berries.

Complete the tasks and claim your rewards (Photo: NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP via Getty Images)Complete the tasks and claim your rewards (Photo: NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP via Getty Images)
Complete the tasks and claim your rewards (Photo: NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP via Getty Images)

Step two:

  • Catch 10 Pokemon: 15 great balls
  • Catch three Transform Pokemon: five super potions
  • Transfer 10 Pokemon: five pinap berries

Step three:

  • Claim your rewards

The rewards for step two includes 10 UltraBalls, five hyper potions, 3,500 XP, 3,000 Stardust, 15 Ditto candy and a Ditto Encounter.

The “catch three Transform Pokemon” simply means that you have to catch three Dittos. If you’re struggling to find Pokemon to complete the tasks, you can try using an incense to make them appear near your location.

What else is happening in April in Pokemon GO?

While more details of upcoming events are yet to be announced, this is the calendar that Pokemon GO has confirmed for April:

  • April Fools’ 2-Oh?-22 event
  • All-Hands Rocket Retreat: sources report the potential for heightened Team GO Rocket activity from Sunday 3 April to Thursday 7 April 2022
  • Spring into Spring: from Tuesday 12 April to Monday 18 April, get ready to jump headfirst into spring with a themed event
  • Sustainability Week: from Wednesday 20 April to Monday 25 April, Trainers will be able to reflect on the importance of sustainability while other Pokemon originally discovered in the Alola region makes its Pokemon debut 
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