How To Change Keldo’s Form in Pokemon GO

If you play Pokémon GO, you may have heard about Keldeo — a Mythical Water/Fighting-type Pokémon. Until recently, Keldeo was only available in its “Ordinary” form. But now, thanks to the 2025 season update, you can change Keldeo into its “Resolute” form inside the game. This guide explains how to do that, what you need, and what changes after the transformation.

Keldeo has two forms: Ordinary and Resolute. The difference is mostly cosmetic and in the moveset. In its Resolute form, Keldeo learns a powerful Charged Attack — Secret Sword — replacing its older move. While form change doesn’t boost its core stats or typing, having Secret Sword makes Keldeo far more useful in battles, raids, and gym fights.

How to Get Keldeo in Pokémon GO
To change Keldeo’s form, you first need to have Keldeo in your collection. As of late 2025, the only guaranteed way to get Keldeo is by completing a seasonal Special Research called Tales of Transformation. If you complete the first part of this research before the deadline, you receive a Keldeo encounter. If you already own Keldeo, the game instead rewards you with extra “Keldeo Candy,” which you’ll need later for the form change.

Requirements to Change Form
Before you can change Keldeo to its Resolute form, you must:

• Complete the “Tales of Transformation” Special Research up to the final page (page 8).
• Have at least 50 Keldeo Candy and 10,000 Stardust in your resources.
• Make sure Keldeo is not set as your Buddy Pokémon — some players report that having it as Buddy prevents the form-change option from appearing.
• After meeting the above, it may help to restart the game so that the “Change Form” button appears.

Step-by-step: How to Change Keldeo’s Form

1. Open Pokémon GO and progress through the “Tales of Transformation” Special Research until you reach page 8.
2. Ensure Keldeo is not selected as your Buddy Pokémon. If it is, swap it out in the Buddy menu.
3. Close Pokémon GO completely (force stop), then reopen it — this helps the game update and show new options.
4. Open your Pokémon storage and tap on Keldeo’s profile.
5. If eligible, a “Change Form” button should now appear. Tap it.
6. Confirm the change by spending 50 Keldeo Candy (and the required Stardust).
7. Keldeo will now be in Resolute form and will have Secret Sword as its Charged move.

What Changes After Forming Resolute Keldeo

• Appearance: Keldeo’s look changes — its stance and some visual details reflect the Resolute form.
• Moveset update: Its Charged Attack becomes Secret Sword, a powerful Fighting-type move that significantly increases its combat potential.
• Functionality: In raids, trainer battles, and gyms, Resolute Keldeo performs much better — its optimized moveset makes it more viable.
• Form change is reversible: If you choose, you can revert to Ordinary form later (which removes Secret Sword and gives back a standard Charged Attack), usually by re-spending Candy.

Common Issues & How to Fix Them

• Change button not visible: If you’ve done page 8 and met all requirements but don’t see the button, double check that Keldeo isn’t your Buddy. Then restart the app — often this fixes the issue.
• Candy shortage: If you used most of your Keldeo Candy powering up or transferring, you might not have enough for the transformation. You can get more via walking as Buddy (slow but steady), using Rare Candy, or doing other Candy-rewarding tasks during events.
• Missed the seasonal window: The Special Research to unlock the form-change option is time-limited (the 2025 “Tales of Transformation” season). If you miss the window, you might have to wait for a future rerun or special research.

Should You Change to Resolute Form Immediately?
In most cases — yes. Since Resolute form does not lower stats, and you get better moves, the transformation offers a clear upgrade. However, consider these before using your candy:

• If you want a perfect or shiny Keldeo later, you might prefer to wait until you acquire that version, so you don’t waste candy on a non-shiny Ordinary one.
• If you plan to use Keldeo sparingly, you might just keep the Ordinary form for now and invest candy elsewhere.