Ultra Unlock: Steel and Scales is a global event in Pokémon GO, running from July 22 to July 27, 2025, unlocked by Trainers’ efforts during GO Fest 2025. This event introduces Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash to Pokémon GO, the long-awaited Shiny Rookidee debut, and boosted Shiny rates for Bagon and Beldum. On top of that, enjoy powerful bonuses like 4× XP and 4× Stardust!

This guide lists all the wild spawns, raids, bonuses, research and shiny-boosted Pokémon you can encounter during the Steel and Scales event in Pokémon GO.

Event Details

Date & Time 

Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: Steel and Scales event runs from July 22 to July 27, 2025.

Event Bonuses

The following bonuses will be active during the Steel and Scales event:

Pokémon Debuts

Honedge, Doublade and Aegislash debut in Pokémon GO

Honedge

Honedge, the Sword Pokémon, makes their Pokémon GO debut during the Steel and Scales event! Honedge can evolve into Doublade and then into Aegislash. You can use 25 Honedge Candy to evolve Honedge into Doublade and 100 Honedge Candy to evolve Doublade into Aegislash.

How to get Honedge

• During the event, Honedge will appear as a Tier 1 Raid Boss 
• During the event, Honedge will appear in both GO Battle League reward tracks starting at Rank 6. It will appear more frequently in the premium track.
• After the event, Honedge will appear in both GO Battle League reward tracks starting at Rank 16. It will appear more frequently in the premium track.

How to evolve Honedge into Doublade and Aegislash

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Shiny Rookidee debuts in Pokémon GO

Rookidee

For the first time in Pokémon GO, you’ll be able to encounter Shiny Rookidee—if you’re lucky! Here is what the Rookidee family looks like in their shiny versions:

Aegislash Mechanics in Pokémon GO: PvP and PvE Findings

Reddit user krispyboiz recently shared firsthand testing of Aegislash in Pokémon GO, and the results are… unexpected. Here’s a breakdown of how Aegislash currently performs and a video of the battle:

Aegislash is not usable in Raids and Gym Battles

• Aegislash is completely unusable in Raids and Gym Battles. It doesn’t appear in the team selection screen, making it impossible to bring into PvE content at this time.

PvP Form-Switching Mechanics and Energy Issues

• Starts in Shield Form with 0 base power fast moves, meaning they always deal 1 damage regardless of type advantage.
• While using fast moves, the game displays “Charging” above Aegislash’s model. Transforms into Blade Form after using a Charged Move. CP does visibly change.
• Aegislash reverts to Shield Form after using a Protect Shield or when switched out.
• Energy gain is bugged or unintuitive: Both Air Slash and Psycho Cut are expected to generate 9 energy. However, Shadow Ball required 10 fast moves and Flash Cannon needed 12, implying roughly 6 energy gain per fast move in Shield Form.

Thanks to u/krispyboiz on Reddit for these insights. Always remember mechanics may change, especially when new Pokémon are introduced to GO.

Wild Encounters

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild:

Rare Spawns

Some Trainers may even encounter the following:

Raids

One-Star Raids

The following Pokémon will be featured in one-star raids:

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Three-Star Raids

The following Pokémon will be featured in three-star raids:

Related raid guides: Skarmory Raid Guide, Bisharp Raid Guide, Dragalge Raid Guide and Turtonator Raid Guide

Field Research

Collection Challenge

You will find the following Collection Challenges requiring you to get the following Pokémon:

Steel and Scales Collection Challenge: Rookidee

Note that Corvisquire and Corviknight must be evolved to fulfill this challenge.

Rewards:

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Steel and Scales Collection Challenge: Dratini

Note that Dragonair and Dragonite must be evolved to fulfill this challenge.

Rewards:

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Steel and Scales Collection Challenge: Bagon

Note that Shelgon and Salamence must be evolved to fulfill this challenge.

Rewards:

Steel and Scales Collection Challenge: Beldum

Note that Metang and Metagross must be evolved to fulfill this challenge.

Rewards:

Tips for the Steel and Scales Event

• Use a Star Piece + Lucky Egg combo to maximize the 4× XP and Stardust bonuses.
• Don’t ignore Beldum – its final evolution, Metagross, is one of the best Steel-type attackers and gets Meteor Mash on Community Day.
• Stack GBL wins to grab as many Honedge as possible while they’re easy to access.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the dates for the Ultra Unlock: Steel and Scales event in Pokémon GO?

The Steel and Scales event runs from July 22 at 10:00 a.m. local time to July 27 at 8:00 p.m. local time.

Which Pokémon have boosted Shiny rates during the Ultra Unlock: Steel and Scales?

Bagon and Beldum have increased Shiny encounter rates throughout the event in the wild. Unown U has an increased shiny rate when encountered from Raids.

How can I find Honedge in Pokémon GO?

Honedge can be found in Tier 1 raids during the Steel and Scales event, as well as being a GO Battle League reward from Rank 6 upwards. After the end of the event, it will be a GO Battle League reward for Rank 16 upwards. In GO Battle League rewards it will always appear more frequently in the premium track.

What are Ultra Unlock events?

Ultra Unlock events are special bonus events unlocked by Trainers worldwide during Pokémon GO Fest 2025. These limited-time events often feature rare spawns, exclusive debuts, Shiny releases, and powerful gameplay bonuses—like 4× XP and Stardust.

Steel and Scales is the second Ultra Unlock event of July 2025, following the Hisui Celebration earlier in the month.

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