Pokémon GO's Season of Heritage is now in full swing, and different Pokémon than usual will be spawning in the game's real-life biomes and locations in January 2022, giving players an increased chance to find and catch these Pokémon in the wild. The Season of Heritage is the fifth season in the game so far following the Season of Mischief, and each one spans about three months and brings with it a ton of events, items, and other seasonal bonuses for trainers to enjoy. As the seasons change, so do the Pokémon that can be found at many of Pokémon GO's spawn locations, reflecting real-world shifts in weather and climate for a more immersive gameplay experience.
Seasons were introduced to Pokémon GO in the December 2020 Go Beyond update and not only roughly encompass each real-world season but also center around a certain theme that affects events, raids, and other aspects of gameplay. The themes highlight different events and story elements occurring within Pokémon GO and the rest of the Pokémon franchise, providing players with exciting opportunities to catch special events Pokémon and claim additional rewards. For example, the Season of Heritage's historical theme corresponds with the upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which will take players back to the ancient Hisui region to explore the world of Pokémon before humans and Pokémon became partners. Each season also features new raid battles, egg hatches, community days, and more, giving players plenty to do as they venture out to the game's various spawn locations to search for Pokémon.
Spawn locations in Pokémon GO are areas and biomes that reflect Pokémon's natural habitats, causing different types of Pokémon to spawn more frequently in these locations than they may elsewhere. For instance, Water-type Pokémon can be found in and around large bodies of water like lakes, rivers, and oceans, and Grass-Type Pokémon often make their homes where plant life thrives, like forests or grasslands. Players looking for a specific Pokémon or Type will have more luck by exploring the real-life areas where they'd be more likely to spawn, turning the real world into a massive Pokémon map where players can explore, catch Pokémon, and battle with their team.
During Pokémon GO's Season of Heritage, there will be different Pokémon spawning in cities, forests, mountains, and bodies of water than usual as these Pokémon move around and migrate for the season. Players in the Northern Hemisphere will also encounter different Pokémon than players in the Southern Hemisphere, reflecting the opposing seasons these halves of the world experience in real-time. The Season of Heritage will end near the beginning of Spring on March 1, giving players plenty of time to get out and explore their local spawn locations before the seasons change again and bring a new set of Pokémon to each region.
Pokémon GO January 2022 Spawn Location Guide - Cities
In Pokémon GO, cities are home to a myriad of Pokémon, with Fire and Electric-Types being among the most common. Cities are some of the best locations for Pokémon GO players to catch Pokémon, spin PokéStops, and battle it out in gyms or raids. Players will be able to find even more Pokémon spawning at urban locations like colleges and train stations. Important landmarks are also great spawn locations for Fairy and Dragon-Type Pokémon, so players exploring a city should be sure to visit its local landmarks. During the Season of Heritage, players will be able to find these Pokémon in city spawn locations as well:
- Porygon
- Snubbull
- Glameow
- Bronzor
- Lillipup
- Trubbish
- Solosis
Pokémon GO January 2022 Spawn Location Guide - Forests
Like most mainline games in the Pokémon franchise, forests in Pokémon GO are home to a wide array of Grass and Bug-type Pokémon who flock to the lush, natural terrain. With the variety of Pokémon that can be found in these spawn locations, trainers will encounter plenty of them on hikes and nature walks as they work to fill Pokémon GO's massive Pokédex. These Pokémon will also be available to catch in Forest areas during the Season of Heritage:
- Caterpie
- Taillow
- Croagunk
- Joltik
- Ferroseed
- Karrablast
- Shelet
Pokémon GO January 2022 Spawn Location Guide - Mountains
Mountains in Pokémon GO host many different types of Pokémon, the most notable being the Rock- and Ground-types that would feel most at home in these rocky terrains. Fighting- and Steel-types are also common spawns in these areas, and players will even be able to encounter certain Fire- and Psychic-types by exploring mountain regions as well. The Season of Heritage brings the following Pokémon to mountain areas:
- Clefairy
- Aerodactyl
- Teddiursa
- Meditite
- Numel
- Hippopotas
- Munna
Pokémon GO January 2022 Spawn Location Guide - Water Bodies
Water-type Pokémon spawn almost anywhere water can be found, whether it's a lake, an ocean, or even the fountain of a local park, making them one of the most common and easily-found types of Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Ice-Type Pokémon can also be caught near bodies of water, though they're less common than Water-Types and are much easier to catch if it's snowing in the area. Bodies of water will see an increase in the spawns of the following Pokémon during the Season of Heritage:
- Psyduck
- Lapras
- Wingull
- Barboach
- Finneon
- Feebas
- Bidoof
Pokémon GO January 2022 Spawn Location Guide - Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is in the height of winter in January, and Pokémon GO spawn locations are changing to reflect the season, with new Pokémon appearing throughout this half of the world. In addition to some wintry Pokémon appearing with greater frequency, the Gen IV starters will also be spawning more often for players to catch after Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl's release in November. As a result, trainers will be able to encounter the following Pokémon in the Northern Hemisphere during the Season of Heritage:
- Delibird
- Turtwig
- Chimchar
- Piplup
- Cottonee
- Vanillite
- Winter Form Deerling
Pokémon GO January 2022 Spawn Location Guide - Southern Hemisphere
On the other side of the world, the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing its summer months, which means that Pokémon GO players will be able to encounter new Pokémon that thrive in warm weather. While players in the Northern Hemisphere have an increased chance of encountering the Gen IV starters, Southern Hemisphere players will be able to catch the starter Pokémon from Gen III instead. The Season of Heritage brings these Pokémon to the Southern Hemisphere for the summer:
- Tangela
- Treecko
- Torchic
- Mudkip
- Carvanha
- Combee
- Summer Form Deerling
Pokémon GO is available on Android and iOS.