As I fired up Pokemon Go this January morning, I couldn’t help but feel that familiar rush of excitement – there’s nothing quite like a new Pokemon debut to get the community buzzing! The Pinch Perfect event has brought us our first new Pokemon of 2026, and trust me, you’re going to want to add both Klawf and Shiny Dhelmise to your collection before this event wraps up.
Having spent countless hours hunting rare spawns and mastering event mechanics over the years, I’ve learned that timing and strategy are everything when it comes to limited-time Pokemon. Let me walk you through everything I’ve discovered about maximizing your chances during this claw-some celebration!
The Pinch Perfect event runs from January 6 at 10:00 a.m. to January 11, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time, and it’s all about celebrating our favorite clawed Pokemon. This event marks the debut of Klawf, the Ambush Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, alongside the first-ever appearance of Shiny Dhelmise in Pokemon Go.
What makes this event particularly special is the double XP bonus for catching Pokemon – perfect timing if you’re looking to level up while hunting these new additions. The event also features boosted shiny rates for Corphish, Dwebble, and Clauncher, making it an excellent opportunity for shiny hunters.
I’ll be honest – when I first heard about Klawf’s debut, I was immediately intrigued. As someone who played through Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, I have a soft spot for this giant rock crab. While it might not be the most meta-breaking Pokemon (we’ll get to that later), there’s something special about adding a new generation to our mobile collections.
What really gets me pumped is how Niantic is handling this debut. Instead of just dropping Klawf into the wild, they’ve created an engaging event structure that encourages players to participate in different aspects of the game. From my experience, these event-exclusive encounters often become more valuable over time, especially for dedicated collectors.
After diving deep into the event mechanics and spending hours testing different approaches, I’ve identified the most effective methods for securing your Klawf encounter:
The easiest way to guarantee a Klawf encounter is through the event’s Timed Research quests. Here’s the schedule I’ve been following:
Pro tip: I recommend setting reminders for each phase transition. These quests are time-limited, and you don’t want to miss out on guaranteed encounters!
While spinning PokeStops during the event, keep an eye out for the “Win a Raid” task. This has been my most consistent source of Klawf encounters outside of Timed Research. Just be aware that the reward pool includes both Klawf and Dhelmise, so you might need to complete a few of these tasks.
If you’re serious about collecting, the $1.99 Premium Timed Research offers additional Klawf encounters along with two Premium Battle Passes. From my experience, this is worth it if you’re planning to raid heavily during the event anyway.
Shiny Dhelmise has been the real star of this event for me! Here’s how I’ve been maximizing my shiny hunting efforts:
Three-star Dhelmise raids have been my most productive method. I’ve been using this team composition for efficient clears:
Remember to use Golden Raspberries for better catch rates, and don’t forget that curveballs with excellent throws significantly boost your shiny odds!
The same “Win a Raid” task that rewards Klawf encounters can also give you Dhelmise. I’ve been completing 2-3 raids daily to maximize my chances across both Pokemon.
Let me be straight with you – Klawf is not going to rock the meta. With max stats of ATK 184, DEF 185, and HP 172, it’s outclassed by established Rock attackers like Rampardos and Rhyperior.
However, here’s why I still think it’s worth catching:
For PvP enthusiasts, I’ve tested Klawf in Great League with a 1/15/15 IV spread at Level 23.5, and while it can handle some specific matchups, it’s not something I’d recommend investing XL candy into.
While there aren’t any special codes for the Pinch Perfect event specifically, here are some active codes you should redeem:
Remember to check the in-game shop frequently during events – Niantic often releases special boxes that offer great value for event-specific hunting.
The Pinch Perfect event has brought several quality-of-life improvements that I’ve been enjoying:
What I particularly love is how Niantic has structured the Timed Research to give players multiple opportunities across different days, making it more accessible for those with busy schedules.
After dozens of hours playing this event, here are some strategies that have really paid off:
A: Unfortunately, no – Klawf is currently shiny locked. Based on Niantic’s patterns, we’ll likely see shiny Klawf debut during a future event, possibly later this year.
A: While Niantic hasn’t confirmed post-event availability, I expect Klawf to become a rare spawn or appear in future events. My advice: don’t wait if you want one!
A: Standard shiny odds apply (approximately 1 in 512), but raid encounters typically offer better rates than wild spawns.
A: It depends on your goals. If you’re a completionist or plan to raid heavily anyway, the $1.99 price is reasonable for the guaranteed encounters and Premium Battle Passes.
A: For collectors, any Klawf works since it’s not competitive. If you want to PvP anyway, aim for 1/15/15 in Great League or 0/13/15 for Ultra League.
As the Pinch Perfect event winds down, I can’t help but feel satisfied with my haul. I’ve managed to add both Klawf and a beautiful Shiny Dhelmise to my collection, along with plenty of other shiny clawed Pokemon thanks to the boosted rates.
What I love most about events like this is how they bring the community together. I’ve had some fantastic raid battles and made new friends while hunting these Pokemon. Whether you’re a hardcore collector or just someone who enjoys catching new creatures, this event offers something for everyone.
My advice: Don’t sleep on this opportunity! While Klawf might return eventually, there’s something special about being there for a debut. And Shiny Dhelmise? That red seaweed variant is absolutely stunning in person – you won’t regret putting in the effort to hunt one down.
Have you had any luck with Klawf or Shiny Dhelmise? Drop a comment below with your catches and strategies – I’d love to hear about your adventures during this event!
