Steeled Resolve Kicks Off the Season with Steel-Type Highlights
Pokémon Go events in late April and early May set the tone for a very raid-heavy month, starting with Steeled Resolve. Running from April 28 at 10 a.m. local time to May 4 at 8 p.m. local time, this recurring Steel-type celebration returns with some major upgrades. The headline additions are the Paldean Pokémon Orthworm and a renewed chance at Shiny Meltan, giving collectors and battlers alike strong reasons to log in regularly. Steeled Resolve also overlaps with a companion event, Steeled Resolve: Taken Over, as well as a broader May schedule filled with Max Battles, Shadow Raids, and weekend spotlights. With Steel-types featured more frequently in the wild and through Field Research, the event doubles as a convenient way to stock up on meta-relevant Pokémon while preparing for the Ultra Beasts and Tapu raids that dominate the rest of the month.
Orthworm’s Debut and Key Raid Tactics
Orthworm, the Earthworm Pokémon from Paldea, makes its Pokémon Go debut during Steeled Resolve, and it is available as a shiny from day one. Unlike many new entries, Orthworm will not spawn in the wild; instead, it appears exclusively in 3-Star Raids. To add it to your Pokédex, you’ll need to defeat it as a raid boss and then catch it during the post-battle encounter. As a pure Steel-type, Orthworm is vulnerable to Fire, Fighting, and Ground moves, so focus on strong counters of those types to shorten battles and conserve resources. While some high-level players can potentially solo a 3-Star Raid, teaming up with one or two other trainers is recommended for consistency, especially if you are chaining multiple Orthworm raids in search of its shiny form and optimal IV spreads for future use.
Chasing Shiny Meltan and Other Rare Encounters
Among current Pokémon Go events, Shiny Meltan is one of the rarest prizes on offer. Meltan does not appear in the wild and normally requires players to obtain a Mystery Box by linking Pokémon Go to Pokémon HOME or transferring a Pokémon to Let’s Go Pikachu! or Let’s Go Eevee. Once you have the Mystery Box, activating it from the Trainer Boosts section causes Meltan to spawn around you for a limited time, giving you multiple catch attempts per use. During Steeled Resolve, the cooldown between Mystery Box uses is reduced, directly boosting shiny Pokémon availability for Meltan hunters. Meltan is also featured in the event GO Pass, offering extra encounters even if you lack the Mystery Box. Combined with increased Steel-type spawns and Research rewards, this window is ideal for targeting hard-to-find shinies before they disappear again.
May 2026 Raid Calendar: Ultra Beasts, Tapus, and Shadow Cresselia
Beyond Steeled Resolve, the May 2026 raid schedule delivers a dense lineup of legendary and Shadow encounters. Tapu Lele features in five-star raids from April 29 to May 5, followed by Nihilego from May 6 to 12, all with shiny versions available. From May 13 to 19, three Ultra Beasts rotate regionally in five-star raids: Buzzwole in the Americas and Greenland, Pheromosa in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India, and Xurkitree in the Asia-Pacific region. Tapu Bulu then appears from May 20 to 26, with Tapu Fini closing the month from May 27 to June 2, both with shiny potential. On weekends throughout May, Shadow Cresselia headlines 5-star Shadow Raids and can also be shiny, encouraging careful planning around Saturday–Sunday windows. Meanwhile, weekly Max Battles offer shiny-capable picks like Shuckle, Growlithe, and Registeel.
Community Days, Player Strategies, and Maximizing Event Rewards
Community engagement peaks in May with several focused Pokémon Go events layered over the raid schedule. Lechonk Community Day on May 9 and Deino Community Day Classic on May 16 give players excellent chances to grind XP, hunt shinies, and stockpile Candy. Spring Marathon, running May 12 to 18, introduces Flittle and Espathra, adding fresh Pokédex entries mid-month. May 23’s Falinks Super Mega Raid Day brings another group-focused challenge. To make the most of these overlapping Pokémon Go events, players should prioritize their goals: collectors may target Orthworm, Meltan, and region-locked Ultra Beasts through Remote Raid Passes, while battlers focus on staples like Registeel in Max Battles and Shadow Cresselia. Coordinating with local communities or online raid groups, managing raid passes, and planning around time-limited windows will be key to capitalizing on shiny Pokémon availability and rare debuts throughout the month.