How to get Pikachu PhD in Pokemon GO & can it be Shiny?
Pikachu PhD is a prestigious addition to any Trainer's collection, so find out how to get this brand new costumed cutie in Pokemon GO using PokeStops!
Welcome a brand-new costumed Pikachu to Pokemon GO: Pikachu PhD! This distinguished variant of Pikachu isn't easy to get, so if you want it, you'll have to work for it.
Learn what it takes to spark an encounter with the game's latest costumed Pikachu below.
How to get Pikachu PhD
To catch Pikachu PhD in Pokemon GO, you must get 100 first-place finishes in PokeStop Showcases.
After winning 100 Showcases, you'll unlock the Platinum Showcase Star Medal, which you can redeem for a Pikachu PhD encounter. There's no time limit on this challenge, so think of it as a long-term goal that you can work towards over many months.
Showcases appear at PokeStops during limited-time events, like the Pokemon Horizons: The Series Celebration Event. Each Showcase judges a specific species or type of Pokemon under a particular standard, but it's usually Biggest Size. Entrants earn points based on how well they match the criterion, and there is a leaderboard displaying where each Pokemon ranks among the contestants!
Regardless of where your Pokemon finishes in a Showcase, you'll earn rewards when it's over. However, the top three finishers will receive Item Bundles, and if your entrant comes first, you'll level up the Showcase Star Medal.
You'll earn brand-new avatar items inspired by Pikachu PhD for claiming the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Showcase Star Medals. And after achieving the Platinum Showcase Star Medal, you can finally get an encounter with Pikachu PhD!
Can Pikachu PhD be Shiny?
Unfortunately, you can't get a Shiny Pikachu PhD in Pokemon GO.
While there are Shiny variants of other costumed Pikachu in the mobile game, this sadly doesn't apply to Pikachu PhD, so you'll have to make do with a regular one for now.
Can you evolve Pikachu PhD?
It's not currently possible to evolve Pikachu PhD in Pokemon GO, which means you won't be able to add a Raichu PhD to your collection.
So, enter your eligible Pokemon into PokeStop Showcases whenever possible, and eventually, you'll earn an encounter with Pikachu PhD! You won't win every Showcase, especially ones at popular PokeStops. But if you are persistent and locate some less-touristy PokeStops, you'll someday rack up enough wins for a face-to-face meeting with Pikachu PhD.
Pokemon GO's new season, World of Wonders, is just beginning! You can find all the latest news and guides on our Pokemon GO homepage, including the upcoming Spotlight Hour schedule and the Raid Bosses you can battle this month.
About The Author
Coleman Hamstead
Coleman is a freelance journalist at GGRecon. While gaming has always been his passion, it wasn’t until he worked as a Sports Journalist at the Community College of Baltimore County that he found his enthusiasm for writing. In the time since Coleman has had his work featured in publications such as The Washington Post/Launcher and ESTNN. Coleman is a graduate of Towson University with a degree in Sport Management and Business Administration.
