Summary
Pokemon GO’s April 2025 Community Day will star Vanillite, Niantic has announced. This happens to be one of the most hated pocket monsters both within and beyond thePokemon GOcommunity.
Vanilite was originally added to Niantic’s hit mobile game on Jul 26, 2025, around the time thatPokemon GOplayers were dealing with an invasion of Team Rocket grunts. The shiny variant of the ice cream pocket monster arrived three years later, initially debuting on Christmas 2023.
Vanilite is now set to have its first-everPokemon GOCommunity Day, which Niantic just announced. The event will take place on April 27, between 2pm and 5pm local time. As per usual, the upcoming Community Day will serve as a chance for players to stock up on its featured Pokemon by making Vanillite appear in the wild much more frequently. The chances of encountering a shiny variant of the pocket monster will also be significantly increased, with Niantic’s track record suggesting that roughly 1 in 20 Vanillites that spawn during the three-hour window will be of the shiny variety.
Why Do So Many Pokemon Fans Dislike Vanillite?
Social media reactions to the new Community Day announcement have been mixed, mostly because Vanillite is generally disliked among the fandom. While there are multiple factors contributing to its unenviable reputation, the biggest one is related to its very concept, as Vanillite is widely considered to be among theworst-designed Pokemon ever made. Food-themed pocket monsters are overall not too popular, and Vanillite is often cited as an example of a particularly uninspired design, having been envisioned as a flying ice cream cone.
The same criticism applies to its evolutions, Vanillish and Vanilluxe. What’s more, the final form of Vanillite is generally viewed as tactically limited due to its modest moveset, not to mention its matchups. Offensively,Ice-type Pokemonare strong against four types: Grass, Ground, Flying, and Dragon. While that’s a decent number of good matchups, the problem with Vanilluxe and other such creatures is that Ice has four weaknesses—Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel—while resisting only one type, itself. As such, Ice is tied with Normal as the defensively worst type in the entire series.
These matchup issues also translate toPokemon GO, so the upcoming Community Day is unlikely to help anyone make a more competitive team for the GO Battle League. Any Vanillite caught during the April 2025 Community Day will come with an event-exclusive move in the form of Avalanche.
Pokemon GO April 2025 Community Day Overview
Featured CD Pokemon
Vanillite will appear more frequently in the wild. If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one!
Featured CD Pokemon Attack
Evolve Vanillish (Vanillite’s Evolution) from the beginning of the event until June 09, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time to get a Vanilluxe that knows the Charged Attack Avalanche.
Avalanche
Community Day Special Research
For US$2.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access the Vanillite Community Day–exclusive Special Research. Complete this research for even more rewards including the following.
And even more goodies!
Tickets are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Please note that this Special Research will not include an in-game medal and will not feature a story. Certain restrictions apply. Gifting cannot be completed if the recipient has purchased a Special Research ticket or has been gifted one already.
Community Day Special Background Timed Research
Keep Community Day going with a Timed Research opportunity that will last for a week following the event!
Trainers that log in during April Community Day will receive Timed Research awarding an encounter with a Vanillite that has a Might and Mastery-themed Special Background. You’ll still have an increased chance to encounter Shiny Vanillite when you complete these research tasks!
Don’t forget, you can evolve Vanillish (Vanillite’s Evolution) during the week following the event to get a Vanilluxe that knows the Charged Attack Avalanche!
Please note that Timed Research expires. The tasks associated with this Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Saturday, July 14, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time.
Community Day Event Bonuses
*While most bonuses are only active during the three-hour event period, these will be active from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time.
Field Research
April Community Day–themed Field Research will be available! Catch Vanillite to earn rewards such as Stardust, Great Balls, additional encounters with Vanillite, and more!
If you GO out and explore with your community, you may even find Field Research that leads to encounters with Vanillite that have a Might and Mastery–themed Special Background—if you’re lucky!
PokéStop Showcases
Be on the lookout for Showcases at different PokéStops during Vanillite Community Day!
Pokémon GO Web Store – Ultra Community Day Box
An Ultra Community Day Box featuring 2 Rare Candies and one Special Research ticket will be available on thePokémon GO Web Storeduring the event for US$1.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency).
