Introducing Morpeko in Pokémon GO
The launch of a new Pokémon in Pokémon GO always stirs up excitement, giving players fresh challenges as they work to expand their Pokédex. This time, Morpeko’s debut is particularly thrilling due to its mid-battle form changes. Players can switch between Full Belly Mode and Hangry Mode, with the type of Charged Attack it has shifting based on its current form.
This charming Electric/Dark-type Pokémon made its first appearance in Pokémon Sword & Shield within the Galar region. With the upcoming Halloween 2024 festivities, Trainers will now have the chance to add Morpeko to their Pokémon GO roster. However, catching this Pokémon won’t be straightforward—it’s not available to find in the wild.
How to Catch Morpeko in Pokémon GO
It’s Time to Hone Your GO Battle League Skills
Morpeko will not spawn in the wild in Pokémon GO, but luckily, there are several opportunities to encounter this Pokémon during the Halloween 2024: Part 1 event. Morpeko can be obtained as a reward for completing event-specific Field Research tasks, fulfilled through Timed Research tasks, or earned through participation in the GO Battle League.
The Halloween 2024: Part 1 event is scheduled from October 22 to October 28, 2024. It would be wise to catch as many Morpeko as you can during this time, as acquiring one will become increasingly challenging after the event concludes.
For a surefire way to catch Morpeko, complete the free event-exclusive Timed Research by October 28, 2024. This will give you encounters with Halloween-themed Pokémon, including Morpeko. Additionally, a paid Timed Research ($5) also offers Morpeko encounters as a reward, along with a cute Morpeko Onesie for your Avatar.
Another option is to participate in event-exclusive Field Research tasks obtained by spinning PokéStops or Gym Discs during the event. Not every task will lead to a Morpeko encounter, but keep track of those that do, and feel free to discard any unnecessary tasks to free up space.
You’ll also be able to receive Morpeko as a reward in the GO Battle League during the Halloween 2024: Part 1 event, where it will be more prevalent in the premium track. After the event, you can still encounter Morpeko as a reward starting from Rank 16, but with a higher likelihood of finding it in the premium track.
Understanding Morpeko’s Form Changes
Be Cautious of Hangry Morpeko
Morpeko doesn’t evolve, but it does feature two unique forms that change mid-battle. In Full Belly Mode, it displays a brown, cream, and black color scheme. In this format, Morpeko can use the Electric-type Charged Attack Aura Wheel, which has 100 Power and boosts the user’s Attack by one stage.
After executing a Charged Attack, Morpeko will transition to Hangry Mode, sporting a purple and black color scheme. In this form, it can use the Dark-type version of Aura Wheel, maintaining the same power and Attack-boosting features, but the attack’s typing changes.
| Morpeko Form | Featured Charged Attack | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Full Belly Mode | Aura Wheel (Electric) |  |
| Hangry Mode | Aura Wheel (Dark) |  |
This form-switching could lead to dynamic gameplay in the GO Battle League, making it challenging for opponents to strategize. However, it could also become a disadvantage if one form’s attack is super-effective while the other is not.
Currently, Morpeko can only switch forms when battling in the GO Battle League or against Team GO Rocket members. Form changes will not occur during Raid Battles—where typically, players opt for specific Pokémon types to exploit particular weaknesses.
Interestingly, the official Pokémon GO blog indicates that Morpeko’s form changes are limited to the GO Battle League and battles with Team GO Rocket for now, implying potential for future modifications.
Can Morpeko Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Bad News for Shiny Hunters
At this time, Shiny Morpeko is not available in Pokémon GO. It’s quite rare for a newly introduced Pokémon to debut alongside a Shiny variant, as these are typically reserved for later events. It’s likely that Shiny Morpeko will become available during a future Halloween event or another Galar-themed event.
Shiny versions of Pokémon can sometimes take years to be released in Pokémon GO, so you’ll need to settle for regular Morpeko for now. However, you can catch a glimpse of what Morpeko’s Shiny forms will look like in the image above, showcasing both Full Belly Mode and Hangry Mode.
In Full Belly Mode, the Shiny variant features a noticeable transformation with a pure white body replacing the cream color. In contrast, the Shiny variant of Hangry Mode adopts a more subtle change, with a lighter lavender shade replacing the deep purple.
As reiterated, you’ll have an easier time capturing Morpeko during the Halloween 2024: Part 1 event, but if you miss out, there’s still a chance to find it through the GO Battle League. It will be fascinating to see how Morpeko’s form changes fit into the Great League meta or beyond in Pokémon GO.