Exclusive First Look: Pokémon GO’s Halloween Part I “Haunted Tea Party” Unveils Poltchageist, Sinistcha, and Lucrative Candy Bonuses

The spookiest season of the year has arrived, and Pokémon GO is kicking off its annual celebration with Halloween Part I: The Haunted Tea Party event. Running from Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM to Monday, October 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time, this highly-anticipated event introduces new Paldean species, a brand-new Shiny, and some of the most player-friendly economic bonuses seen in a while. Trainers looking to maximize their in-game currency and secure rare ‘mon will find this review to be the ultimate guide for resource allocation and efficient gameplay.

The core of this year’s Part I event revolves around a ghostly tea theme, finally bringing the Matcha Pokémon line from the Paldea region into the mobile ecosystem. This launch is paired with significant in-game bonuses, including enhanced Candy and Candy XL rates—a direct response to player demand for better leveling mechanics. This focus on player economy alongside new releases solidifies Pokémon GO’s commitment to delivering high-value seasonal content.

New Ghostly Debuts: Poltchageist and Sinistcha

The stars of the Haunted Tea Party are undoubtedly the Paldean Ghost- and Grass-type Pokémon: Poltchageist and its evolution, Sinistcha. Fans have eagerly awaited the debut of these charming but spooky additions, and now is the time to add them to your collection.

• Poltchageist and Sinistcha make their official Pokémon GO debuts.
• Trainers can evolve Poltchageist into Sinistcha by using 50 Poltchageist Candy.
• In a massive win for Shiny collectors, Shiny Sinistea is now available for the first time! This coveted blue-hued Pokémon will be a rare encounter in the wild and available in one-star Raids, increasing its accessibility.

Securing Poltchageist and Sinistcha is a top priority for competitive Trainers. While their full meta-relevance in the GO Battle League is still under analysis, their unique typing and potential move pools from the main series games suggest they could be powerful additions to any team. The simultaneous release of a new Shiny Pokémon like Sinistea provides a lucrative incentive to be out catching throughout the week.

Unprecedented Candy and Candy XL Bonuses

Beyond the new Pokémon, the most impactful feature of this event is the tiered bonus system integrated with the GO Pass Halloween. These bonuses are a goldmine for Trainers aiming to power up their strongest Pokémon or hoard resources for future releases.

Halloween Part I Event Bonuses (Active for All Trainers):

• 2× Catch Candy: Double the Candy for every Pokémon successfully captured—essential for fast evolution and powering up.
• 2× Transfer Candy: A long-awaited feature returns! Double the Candy when transferring Pokémon, making it the perfect time to clear out storage and stock up on valuable resources.
• Increased Candy XL Chance: Trainers Level 31 and up have an increased chance of receiving Candy XL for catching Pokémon with Nice, Great, or Excellent Throws.
• Increased Transfer Candy XL Chance: Similarly, Level 31+ Trainers receive an increased chance for Candy XL when transferring Pokémon. This bonus is a key driver for power-leveling.

GO Pass Deluxe Exclusive (Tier 1 & 3 Enhancements):

For those who invest in the GO Pass Deluxe, the rewards are even more substantial, maximizing efficiency for hardcore players:

• 3× Catch Candy: An enormous boost for gathering Candy for new or rare species.
• 3× Transfer Candy: Triple the Candy from storage clean-outs, offering unparalleled resource generation.
• Even Greater Candy XL Chance on Transfer: A super-charged rate for obtaining the crucial Candy XL, significantly accelerating max-level power-ups for your top contenders.

The combination of these bonuses presents a clear high-value proposition for active Trainers. Utilizing Pinap Berries during the event can further compound the Catch Candy bonus, making every capture a significant step towards maxing out a desired Pokémon. Smart resource management during this period is the fastest way to gain a competitive edge in GO Battle League play.

Raid and Wild Encounter Breakdown

The Haunted Tea Party features a spectral cast of Pokémon appearing more frequently in the wild and in raid rotations, offering Trainers multiple avenues to find their favorites and hunt for new Shinies.

Featured Wild Encounters (Increased Spawns):

Keep an eye out for a mix of popular Ghost- and Dark-types, essential for Halloween-themed collection and competitive use:

• Zorua* (Highly sought after for its unique disguise mechanic and Shiny potential)
• Hisuian Zorua
• Greavard

Trainers may also be lucky enough to encounter the newly available Sinistea* in the wild, providing an excellent opportunity for a Shiny check.

Raid Battle Lineup (Must-Haves for Max-Level Trainers):

The raid schedule is packed with high-utility Pokémon, including the Paldean debut and powerful Hisuian forms.

• One-Star Raids:
  • Galarian Yamask*
  • Sinistea* (Excellent chance for the new Shiny!)
  • Poltchageist (The easiest way to guarantee a Poltchageist encounter)
• Three-Star Raids:
  • Alolan Marowak* (A potent Great League option)
  • Hisuian Typhlosion* (Valuable for PVE and Raid damage)
  • Hisuian Samurott*
• One-Star Shadow Raids:
  • Shadow Yamask
  • Shadow Phantump

Field Research and Legacy Content

Event-exclusive Field Research tasks offer guaranteed encounters with fan-favorite Ghost and Dark types, many of which can be Shiny. This is a crucial method for securing rare or typically low-spawn-rate Pokémon.

• Guaranteed Encounters from Field Research include: Sableye*, Yamask*, Zorua*, Hisuian Zorua, Litwick*, Vullaby*, and Phantump*.
• Rare Encounters for determined Trainers include the elusive Spiritomb*.
• Mega Energy Rewards: Specific research tasks will reward Mega Energy for popular Ghost and Dark-type Mega Evolutions, including Mega Gengar, Mega Houndoom, Mega Sableye, Mega Banette, and Mega Absol.

The atmosphere of the event is also enhanced by the return of the iconic Lavender Town Music remix, which will play nightly in-game, creating a truly immersive and spooky experience. PokéStops and Gyms will also feature seasonal decorations, adding to the festive Halloween theme.

The Final Verdict: A Must-Play Event for Resource Generation

Pokémon GO’s Halloween Part I: The Haunted Tea Party is shaping up to be one of the most resource-rich and exciting events of the year. The debut of Poltchageist and Sinistcha, coupled with the long-awaited release of Shiny Sinistea, provides excellent new content. However, the true value lies in the massive ROI from the Candy and Candy XL bonuses. Trainers focused on competitive play or maxing out their collection should dedicate significant time to catching and transferring during this window. The event structure, offering escalating bonuses through the optional GO Pass Deluxe, provides clear value tiers for all player types.

The stage is set. Grab your Pinap Berries and get ready for a hauntingly productive week. The Haunted Tea Party isn’t just a celebration—it’s a critical resource management opportunity for any serious Pokémon GO Trainer.

*(Indicates that a Shiny version is available.)

Source: Official Niantic Announcements and community-verified data from October 2025.