Wait, you're still playing Scarlet and Violet? Honestly, same. Even with all the noise about what’s coming next, the Paldea region is surprisingly busy right now. We’ve hit January 2026, and if you thought Game Freak was just going to let these games gather dust while they prep for the big 3-0 anniversary, you’d be dead wrong.
Basically, the "Pokemon Scarlet and Violet news" cycle has shifted from "here is a new expansion" to "how can we keep you from deleting this 7GB file from your Switch?" It’s a weird time. We're in that transition zone where the 30th Anniversary looms over everything like a Tera-Type Snorlax, yet we still have weekly reasons to boot up the old Poké Portal.
The Unrivaled Return: January 2026 Tera Raids
If you missed the boat on the original "Unrivaled" events back in 2024, you're in luck. The big headline for January is the return of the Mightiest Mark starters. It’s a bit of a nostalgia trip, but with a 2026 twist.
Right now, the black crystal raids are featuring Ground–Tera Type Venusaur. It started back on January 8 and is sticking around until January 15, 2026. This is the first time we've seen this specific beast since the 2024 Pokemon Day celebrations. If you’ve already caught one, the game won’t let you snag a second, but you should still farm it. Seriously. The drop rates for Herba Mystica and Ability Patches are decent, and you’re going to need those for the upcoming Grand Challenge.
Quick Event Calendar
- Venusaur the Unrivaled: January 8 – January 15.
- Grand Challenge IV: January 9 – January 11 (Sign-ups already closed, but the meta is wild).
- Ranked Battles Season 38: January 5 – January 31.
Ranked play is currently under Regulation Set I. You've got the Paldea, Kitakami, and Blueberry Pokédexes all open for business. The big kicker? You can use two "Restricted" Pokémon. That means Calyrex-Shadow and Terapagos are everywhere. It’s a fast, punishing meta. If you aren't prepared for a Choice Spec'd Astral Barrage on turn one, you're going to have a bad time.
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Why 2026 Feels Different for Paldea
Look, we have to address the Donphan in the room. This is the 30th Anniversary year. The original Red and Green dropped in Japan on February 27, 1996. Because of that, everyone is looking at February 2026 as the "End of the Scarlet and Violet Era."
But is it?
Actually, the recent leaks suggest we might be tethered to Paldea a little longer than we thought. While everyone is screaming about "Gen 10" or "Switch 2" titles, the current reality is a lot of cleanup. We still have active Mystery Gift codes that expire this month. If you haven't grabbed the Neo-Kitakami Rotom Phone Case (Code: NEOROTOMCOVER) or the Lucha-themed Tracksuits, you're running out of time. Most of these expire on January 19, 2026.
The Mystery Gift Situation
Most people forget to check these until they're expired and they see someone on Reddit flexing a rare ribbon. Don't be that person.
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- S-Tracksuit / V-Tracksuit: Version-exclusive gear.
- Mythical Pecha Berry: This is still the trigger for the Mochi Mayhem epilogue. If you haven't done it, you're missing the actual finale of the Scarlet/Violet story.
- LA1C26TA1LW1ND: This code was for Federico Camporesi's Whimsicott. If you didn't grab it by late November, it's gone—but watch for the next International stream. They usually drop a new one every few months.
The "Pokemon Pokopia" Distraction
There is a lot of chatter about a game called Pokopia launching in March 2026. It's reportedly a sandbox, Minecraft-style title. While it’s technically "new," it isn't the mainline RPG people are hungry for. This actually gives Scarlet and Violet more longevity. Until a true Gen 10 is in our hands, the VGC (Video Game Championships) will likely stay on the Switch.
This is a controversial take, but Paldea's performance issues—which, let's be real, never fully went away—have made the community desperate for the next thing. Yet, the competitive scene is the healthiest it’s been in years. The diversity in Regulation I is actually kind of fun, despite the power creep.
Don't Fall for the Fake Leaks
You've probably seen the "Wind and Waves" titles or the "Legends Galar" rumors floating around TikTok. Most of that is fan-fiction. What we do know is that LEGO is getting in on the 30th Anniversary action. A $650 "Pokemon Starters" set leaked recently, set for a February 27 release. This confirms that The Pokemon Company is leaning hard into the "Kanto Nostalgia" to carry the 30th Anniversary, while the current games provide the actual gameplay loop.
The 2026 Grand Challenge IV results will be the next major indicator of where the meta is going. If you're still grinding for that Master Ball Tier, pay attention to the Japanese usage stats. They're currently favoring specialized counters for Zacian-Crowned, which has made a massive comeback in Season 38.
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What You Should Actually Do Now
Stop waiting for a "Big Update" that likely isn't coming. Game Freak has moved their primary dev team to the next project. Instead, treat Scarlet and Violet as your competitive hub.
- Farm the Venusaur Raid: Even if you don't need the Pokémon, the rewards are essential for the 30th-anniversary prep.
- Clear your Mystery Gifts: Check the Poké Portal before January 19. If you miss the "SBook" or "VBook" covers, they might never come back.
- Update your VGC Team: Regulation I is the standard for the next few months. If you aren't running at least one Paradox Pokémon and a Restricted Legendary, you're playing at a disadvantage.
- Watch the January 15 Reset: As soon as Venusaur leaves, a new 7-star raid will take its place. Rumor has it we're finally getting the Johto starters back in rotation.
The Paldea journey isn't over, it's just entered its "victory lap" phase. Enjoy the chaos of the dual-restricted meta while it lasts, because once the February Pokemon Day announcement hits, the world is going to move on very, very fast.
Next Steps for Trainers
Check your Mystery Gift menu immediately to see if you've redeemed the Mythical Pecha Berry via the "Get via Internet" option. This is the only way to access the final story content in Area Zero. Once that's done, head to the black Tera Raid crystals to gather Ground Tera Shards before the Venusaur event concludes on January 15.