If you’re playing Pokémon GO and want to add the elusive Cosmog to your collection, you’re in for a special process. This isn’t a Pokémon you can simply encounter in the wild like most others. Instead, you’ll need to follow specific research steps and meet certain time-based conditions. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to get Cosmog, how to evolve it, and what to plan for—so you don’t miss your chance.
Cosmog is a Legendary Psychic-type Pokémon introduced in Pokémon GO as part of special research stories. It evolves into Cosmoem, and then further into either Solgaleo or Lunala, depending on the time of day when you evolve it. Because of this unique evolution path and limited availability, Cosmog is one of the more sought-after Pokémon in the game. It’s not something you can just catch anytime—getting it requires a bit of effort and timing.
How to Obtain Cosmog
You cannot catch Cosmog in the wild or through raids. Instead, you’ll get it through Special Research Stories, which are time-limited events released by Niantic. Here’s how to get it:
- Cosmog has been made available through Special Research lines such as A Cosmic Companion and Starry Skies Special Research.
- Completing these research steps will reward you with a Cosmog encounter, allowing you to catch it once the tasks are complete.
- If you missed the original event, you’ll need to wait for Niantic to re-release the research or include Cosmog in future events.
- Niantic occasionally brings back older research tasks, so it’s worth keeping an eye on announcements during global events or special festivals.
In short: complete the correct Special Research when it becomes available, and you’ll get Cosmog as part of your rewards.
Evolving Cosmog: The Path and Conditions
Once you have Cosmog, the next step is evolving it. The process involves two stages:
- Cosmog → Cosmoem
- Requires 25 Cosmog Candy.
- This is the first evolution and is straightforward once you’ve collected enough Candy.
- Cosmoem → Solgaleo or Lunala
- Requires 100 Cosmog Candy.
- The evolution result depends on the time of day in your game:
- Evolve during daytime to get Solgaleo (Psychic/Steel-type).
- Evolve during nighttime to get Lunala (Psychic/Ghost-type).
You can tell the time in your game by checking the background of the in-game map—bright for day, dark for night. Make sure you evolve during the time period that corresponds to the Pokémon you want.
Tips and Best Practices
Getting Cosmog and evolving it correctly takes a bit of planning. Here are some helpful tips:
- Walk with Cosmog as your Buddy to earn more Candy over time.
- Use Pinap Berries during encounters or transfer duplicate Pokémon to get extra Candy for the evolution.
- Always check the Special Research tab in your game. Sometimes, players overlook new research lines that contain rare Pokémon encounters.
- Stay updated with Pokémon GO events—Niantic may bring back past research tasks or add new ones featuring Cosmog.
- If you missed the event, don’t delete your Special Research. Once it’s unlocked, you can usually finish it at your own pace.
- Be careful with your evolution timing. If you evolve during the wrong part of the day, you’ll end up with the opposite form.
Why You Might Not Have Cosmog Yet
If you’ve been playing Pokémon GO for a while but still don’t have Cosmog, here are some possible reasons:
- You didn’t participate in or finish the required Special Research during its availability.
- The research was event-locked, meaning you could only access it during a limited-time global event or GO Fest.
- You might have the research but haven’t yet completed all the tasks to reach the Cosmog encounter.
- You evolved your Cosmoem at the wrong time of day, resulting in an unexpected evolution instead of your desired one.
Future Availability
Niantic often reintroduces older Legendary Pokémon through events, so even if you missed Cosmog the first time, there’s a good chance it will come back. Keep an eye on:
- Seasonal events (especially those with “cosmic” or “space” themes).
- Global celebrations such as GO Fest or Anniversary events.
- Special Research reruns, where older lines become available again for players who missed them.
Patience is key—Niantic tends to rotate Legendary Pokémon regularly, and Cosmog is a fan favorite that’s likely to reappear.
