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Progression · 12 min read

How to Unlock Pokémon in PokéBonk: All 79 League Challenges & Capture Guide

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Unlock Pokémon in PokéBonk: All 79 League Challenges
Unlock Pokémon in PokéBonk: All 79 League Challenges
TL;DR · PokéBonk has 79 recruitable League partners (families from the original 151; evolutions don't add members). To get one: 1) complete its League challenge, 2) wait for its unlock encounter in a later run, 3) beat it and capture it. Challenges that say "in a single run" must be done in one run; everything else adds up across runs. Since 0.8.63 the five legendaries (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Mew) join as soon as you weaken them; a Poké Ball only keeps the shiny.

Overview

Version / as-of: client 0.8.77 · checked 2026-10-29. The 79 challenge texts are compiled from competitor wikis (latest full list labelled 0.8.75) and cross-checked against each other. They are not individually verified in the game client; "sources agree" means the sites match, not that we tested it. Rows where sources disagree or a source is missing are marked ⚠️ under the table.

How Pokémon unlocks work

Scroll the table horizontally to see more.

Step / conceptWhat it meansAdds a League member?
1. League challengeOpen the locked partner's League card and do what it says (e.g. Put 1,500 Pokémon to sleep in a single run). Doing it only makes the encounter possible.No
2. Unlock encounterIn a later run, the partner appears as a recruitable encounter. At most one per run; if several challenges are done, one eligible partner is picked at random. It usually shows up ~50–120 s into a zone and flees after about 150 s.No (seeing it isn't enough)
3. CaptureBeat it, walk up and press E (controller: X) to throw a Poké Ball; the first catch window is about 10 s. A failed catch doesn't reset the challenge: it can appear again.Yes
Joining the LeagueThe partner is now playable and counts toward League gates like Have 25 members in your League.—
Special encounter (Mewtwo)Mewtwo is recruited through its own event in zone 2 or 3 of a Classic run, not by farming a Survival boss.When it joins
Support AlphaCaptured with a Friend Ball to fight beside you this run only (needed for Ditto).No
EvolutionYour partner evolves during a run. Counts for Caterpie/Lapras challenges, not League size.No

Encounter timings and the one-per-run rule come from pokebonk.gg's client notes (labelled 0.8.75); not re-measured on 0.8.77.

All 79 PokéBonk League unlock challenges

Challenge text is the in-game English as recorded by the sources. Single run = one run; Cumulative = adds up across runs; gate = a League-size requirement; Win = clear that region. Rows 1–3 are the starters (you already own the one you picked).

Scroll the table horizontally to see more.

#PokémonChallengeTypePrereq.How to do it
1BulbasaurComplete 2 runs (win or lose).CumulativeOnly if not your starterFinish any two runs; you don't need to win.
2CharmanderComplete 2 runs (win or lose).CumulativeOnly if not your starterFinish two runs, then watch for the encounter.
3SquirtleComplete 2 runs (win or lose).CumulativeOnly if not your starterFinish two runs with any partner and check its League card.
4CaterpieEvolve 3 times during your runs.Cumulative—Play partners that evolve early; three in-run evolutions total.
5WeedleGet 5,000 KOs in total.Cumulative—Normal play; stacks with every other KO challenge.
6PidgeyComplete 4 runs (win or lose).Cumulative—Four finished runs; losses count.
7RattataGet 20,000 KOs in total.Cumulative—Use an area-damage build to farm KOs.
8SpearowLand 30,000 critical hits.Cumulative—Fast multi-hit moves plus crit chance.
9EkansParalyze 2,500 Pokémon.Cumulative—Take any move or item that keeps applying Paralysis.
10PikachuDefeat 10,000 Pokémon while it's raining.CumulativeRain must be activeFarm KOs only while it is actually raining (see below).
11SandshrewDodge 120 attacks.Cumulative—Stack dodge and play around crowds.
12Nidoran♀Recover 6,000 HP in total.Cumulative—Healing build; only HP actually restored counts.
13Nidoran♂Defeat 6 Alpha Pokémon.Cumulative—Hunt Alphas; defeating is not the same as capturing.
14ClefairyCast 80 Ultimates.Cumulative—Keep auto Ultimate on (Y) or cast it on cooldown.
15VulpixBurn 6,000 Pokémon.Cumulative—Flame Orb or a move that clearly applies Burn (Fire damage alone isn't Burn).
16JigglypuffPut 1,500 Pokémon to sleep.Cumulative—Bulbasaur with Sleep Powder, hitting fresh enemies.
17ZubatRecover 4,000 HP in a single run.Single run—Healing Bulbasaur; stay alive long enough to heal real damage.
18OddishPoison 4,000 Pokémon.Cumulative—Any wide, steady poison build.
19ParasParalyze 6,000 Pokémon.Cumulative—Maximise paralysis coverage across runs.
20VenonatConfuse 1,500 Pokémon.Cumulative—Pick moves whose text says they Confuse.
21DiglettSmash 15 rocks with Rock Smash.CumulativeHave Rock SmashBreak map rocks with Rock Smash.
22MeowthEarn 8,000 ₽ in total.Cumulative—Normal pickups; see economy.
23PsyduckSoak 3,000 Pokémon.Cumulative—Water moves that apply Wet/Soak.
24MankeyDefeat 10 guardians.Cumulative—Repeat guardian fights on a map you know.
25GrowlitheComplete 20 runs (win or lose).Cumulative—Comes naturally while you chase other unlocks.
26PoliwagPut 4,000 Pokémon to sleep.Cumulative—Sleep Powder / Awakening across runs.
27AbraReach level 30 in a run.Single run—Prioritise EXP and survival; one run to level 30.
28MachopDefeat 20 Alpha Pokémon.Cumulative—Keep hunting Alphas.
29BellsproutReach level 20 in a run.Single run—Level to 20 in one run.
30TentacoolPoison 2,500 Pokémon in a single run.Single run—Wide poison and a long, safe run.
31GeodudeSmash 50 rocks with Rock Smash.CumulativeHave Rock SmashRepeat a rock-heavy route.
32PonytaSurvive 15 minutes in a run.Single run—Defensive + healing build for 15 straight minutes.
33SlowpokePut 8,000 Pokémon to sleep.Cumulative—Long-term Sleep Powder use.
34MagnemiteParalyze 1,500 Pokémon in a single run.Single run—Wide, frequent paralysis in one run.
35Farfetch’dLand 50,000 critical hits in a single run.Single run—High crit, high attack rate, long survival.
36DoduoComplete 15 runs (win or lose).Cumulative—Comes naturally.
37SeelFreeze 4,000 Pokémon.Cumulative—Ice attacks on Wet targets.
38GrimerPoison 20,000 Pokémon.Cumulative—Wide poison over many runs.
39ShellderDodge 25 attacks in a single run.Single run—Raise dodge; 25 dodges in one run.
40GastlyTrigger 600 elemental reactions in a single run.Single run—Bulbasaur + Flame Orb (Burn → Grass). Steps
41OnixWin Viridian Forest.WinViridian ForestClear the region including its shrine.
42DrowzeePut 1,500 Pokémon to sleep in a single run.Single run—Bulbasaur + Sleep Powder on fresh enemies. Steps
43KrabbyGet 15,000 KOs in a single run.Single run—Strong area-clear build, one run.
44VoltorbOpen 120 item Poké Balls.Cumulative—Open every item ball you pass.
45ExeggcuteEat 250 berries or healing items.Cumulative—Pick up and eat healing items.
46CuboneDefeat 4 guardians of the Rocky Desert.CumulativeRocky Desert unlockedRepeat Rocky Desert guardians.
47HitmonleeHave 20 members in your League. Defeat 30 Alpha Pokémon.Cumulative + gate20 LeagueReach 20 partners, keep killing Alphas.
48HitmonchanHave 20 members in your League. Defeat 25 guardians.Cumulative + gate20 LeagueFarm guardians on your most reliable map.
49Lickitung ⚠️1Have 15 members in your League. Recover 7,000 HP in a single run.Single run + gate15 LeagueHealing Bulbasaur; 7,000 real HP in one run. Steps
50KoffingTrigger 5,000 elemental reactions.Cumulative—Status + follow-up element build (same as Gastly).
51RhyhornHave 20 members in your League. Smash 100 rocks with Rock Smash.Cumulative + gate20 League; Rock SmashKeep smashing rocks.
52ChanseyHave 25 members in your League. Recover 60,000 HP in total.Cumulative + gate25 LeagueLong healing runs.
53TangelaHave 20 members in your League. Reach level 35 in a run.Single run + gate20 LeagueEXP-focused run to level 35.
54KangaskhanHave 25 members in your League. Complete 35 runs (win or lose).Cumulative + gate25 LeagueComes naturally.
55HorseaSoak 12,000 Pokémon.Cumulative—Wide Wet-applying Water moves.
56GoldeenDodge 350 attacks.Cumulative—Dodge build over many runs.
57StaryuCast 150 Ultimates.Cumulative—Auto Ultimate / fast charge.
58Mr. MimePlay with 6 different Pokémon.CumulativeOwn 6 partnersFinish a run with six different partners.
59ScytherGet 150,000 KOs in total.Cumulative—Stacks with other KO goals.
60JynxHave 25 members in your League. Freeze 1,500 Pokémon in a single run.Single run + gate25 LeagueWet + Ice on fresh enemies in one run.
61ElectabuzzHave 25 members in your League. Paralyze 3,000 Pokémon in a single run.Single run + gate25 LeagueBuild around a wide paralysis source.
62MagmarHave 25 members in your League. Burn 6,000 Pokémon in a single run.Single run + gate25 LeagueFlame Orb + area Burn moves. Steps
63PinsirHave 20 members in your League. Defeat 4 Alpha Pokémon in a single run.Single run + gate20 LeagueFind and kill four Alphas in one run.
64TaurosHave 20 members in your League. Get 300,000 KOs in total.Cumulative + gate20 LeagueLong-term area farming.
65MagikarpComplete 25 runs (win or lose).Cumulative—Comes naturally.
66LaprasHave 30 members in your League. Evolve 20 times during your runs.Cumulative + gate30 LeaguePick partners with multi-stage evolutions.
67DittoHave 25 members in your League. Capture 25 Support Alphas.Cumulative + gate25 LeagueCapture (Friend Ball), don't just defeat, 25 Support Alphas.
68EeveeHave 15 members in your League. Play with 10 different Pokémon.Cumulative + gate15 LeagueTen different families, one run each. Steps
69PorygonHave 30 members in your League. Trigger 1,200 elemental reactions in a single run.Single run + gate30 LeagueGastly's reaction build, but longer and safer.
70OmanyteHave 25 members in your League. Get 50,000 KOs in the Rocky Desert.Cumulative + gate25 League; Rocky DesertFarm KOs in Rocky Desert.
71KabutoHave 25 members in your League. Defeat 8 guardians of the Rocky Desert.Cumulative + gate25 League; Rocky DesertRepeat Rocky Desert guardians.
72AerodactylHave 35 members in your League. Win the Rocky Desert.Win + gate35 League; Rocky DesertHit 35, then clear Rocky Desert.
73SnorlaxHave 30 members in your League. Eat 500 berries or healing items.Cumulative + gate30 LeaguePick up and eat healing items.
74Articuno ⚠️2Have 45 members in your League. Win Viridian Forest on Hard. Freeze 2,500 Pokémon in a single run.Single run + win + gate45 League; Viridian Forest HardDo the Hard win and the 2,500-freeze run separately. Steps
75Zapdos ⚠️3Have 50 members in your League. Win the Rocky Desert. Defeat 3,000 Pokémon in the rain in a single run.Single run + win + gate50 League; Rocky DesertClear Rocky Desert, then a separate rain-KO run. Steps
76Moltres ⚠️4Have 55 members in your League. Defeat Moltres in the Rocky Desert on Hard. Burn 8,000 Pokémon in a single run.Single run + boss + gate55 League; Rocky Desert HardBeat Moltres on Hard, then a separate 8,000-burn run. Steps
77DratiniHave 40 members in your League. Defeat 3 legendary Pokémon.Cumulative + gate40 LeagueDefeat any three legendaries (defeating ≠ recruiting).
78Mewtwo ⚠️5Have 60 members in your League. Capture Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. Win the Rocky Desert on Hard.Win + recruit + gate60 League; all three birds; Rocky Desert HardThen look for its special encounter in zone 2/3 of a later Classic run. Steps
79Mew ⚠️6Capture the other 78 League members.Collection gateAll other 78 partners recruitedDo it last; audit your League for the missing family. Steps

Source for every row: competitor-compiled lists G · C · W · H (see Sources). Rows without ⚠️: sources agree (not client-verified). We did not replay or re-read each challenge in the 0.8.77 client.

  1. Lickitung (#49): Conflict: H still lists 8,000 HP; G/C/W list 7,000. Official 0.8.56 notes cut it to 7,000 (we use 7,000).
  2. Articuno (#74): Mechanic caveat: challenge text agrees, but the Celestial Glacier shrine Articuno (Season 2) is a separate map boss; how it relates to League recruiting is not confirmed.
  3. Zapdos (#75): Mechanic caveat: text agrees; the Storm Coast shrine Zapdos (Season 2) is a separate map boss; link to League progress not confirmed.
  4. Moltres (#76): Mechanic caveat: some older guides shorten this to "win Rocky Desert on Hard"; we keep the fuller "Defeat Moltres…" text.
  5. Mewtwo (#78): Mechanic caveat: text agrees; join rule changed in 0.8.63 (joins once weakened). Client 0.8.77 confirms a dedicated Classic zone 2/3 Mewtwo event; the prerequisites themselves are competitor-sourced. See bosses.
  6. Mew (#79): Missing: H confirms only the 78-member gate, not the full text; wording from G/C/W.

Best order to unlock Pokémon

  1. Early (free while playing): starters, Pidgey, Weedle, Rattata, Caterpie, Meowth, Bellsprout, Abra, Onix (win Viridian Forest), Voltorb, Exeggcute.
  2. Status builds (one build, many unlocks): a Sleep build covers Jigglypuff → Poliwag → Slowpoke → Drowzee; a Burn/Poison build covers Vulpix, Oddish, Tentacool, Grimer; a reaction build covers Gastly → Koffing → Porygon.
  3. Region gates: Cubone, Omanyte, Kabuto, Aerodactyl need Rocky Desert (maps).
  4. 15–35 League gates: Lickitung, Eevee (15) → Hitmon pair, Rhyhorn, Tangela, Pinsir, Tauros (20) → Chansey, Kangaskhan, Jynx, Electabuzz, Magmar, Ditto (25) → Lapras, Porygon, Snorlax (30) → Aerodactyl (35).
  5. Endgame: Dratini (40) → Articuno (45) → Zapdos (50) → Moltres (55) → Mewtwo (60) → Mew (78).

How to unlock Gastly: 600 elemental reactions in one run

Answer: all 600 reactions must happen in the same run. A reaction needs a status on the target first, then a hit of a different element; applying the status alone doesn't count.

Scroll the table horizontally to see more.

BuildStatus sourceTrigger hitNotes
Bulbasaur + Flame Orb (easiest)Flame Orb → BurnGrass moves (e.g. Vine Whip)Recommended starter route
Charmander + Toxic OrbPoisonFire movesAlternative
Squirtle + Flame OrbBurnWater moves (Steam)Alternative
  1. Pick Bulbasaur and take every Grass move and area upgrade early.
  2. Get Flame Orb from item Poké Balls (items).
  3. Hit already-burning targets with Grass; prefer many medium hits over one huge hit.
  4. Stack survival (healing, defense) so the run lasts; long zones mean more reactions.
  5. Don't over-scale damage: enemies that die before the second hit give no reaction.

Why it doesn't count: status without a follow-up element; enemies die too fast; progress split across runs; per C's static analysis (0.8.62) each reaction type shares a ~0.25 s limit, so very fast multi-hits don't each count. Reaction chart: mechanics · build ideas: best builds. The same build later handles Koffing (5,000 total) and Porygon (1,200 in one run, 30 League). These builds follow documented mechanics; no fastest-600 run has been recorded.

How to unlock Drowzee (and other Sleep unlocks)

Answer: Drowzee needs 1,500 different Pokémon put to sleep in a single run. Re-sleeping the same enemy doesn't count again in that run, so keep hitting new enemies. Jigglypuff (1,500), Poliwag (4,000) and Slowpoke (8,000) are the cumulative versions.

  1. Pick Bulbasaur; Sleep Powder can appear from player level 4 (not guaranteed every run).
  2. Add Awakening if offered: about 2.5% sleep chance on attacks per stack, up to 3 stacks.
  3. Raise area, attack rate and survival; move through the zone to keep reaching fresh packs.
  4. Play a long Classic run and don't rush the guardian.

Why it doesn't count: counting across runs for Drowzee; sleeping the same enemies; no real Sleep source (damage alone doesn't sleep). Players report this one directly on Reddit.

How to unlock Mewtwo

Answer: have 60 League members, recruit Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, and win Rocky Desert on Hard. Then start a later Classic run and look for Mewtwo's special encounter in zone 2 or 3. Weaken it and it joins (0.8.63 rule).

  1. Count your League: 60 means 60 recruited families, not Pokédex forms.
  2. Confirm all three birds are in your League (defeating them isn't enough).
  3. Win Rocky Desert on Hard (difficulty).
  4. Start a new Classic run; wait in zone 2/3 for the event.
  5. Defeat Mewtwo; bring a Poké Ball only if you want to keep a shiny.

Why it doesn't count: missing a bird; waiting in the wrong zone or mode; treating a Survival boss fight as the recruit path. Client check (0.8.77, build mvtagocc): the game has a dedicated Mewtwo event that can start only in Classic (not Survival) in zone 2 or 3, once per run, when Mewtwo's League challenge is complete (or it's in your League with a shiny still pending); a psychic barrier blocks the portal and guardian altar until it ends. We did not confirm whether Mewtwo also appears as a region shrine boss; the challenge prerequisites above are from competitor guides.

How to unlock Pikachu: 10,000 KOs in the rain

Answer: only KOs while it is raining count, but they add up across runs.

  1. Watch for the rain weather state in a run.
  2. When it rains, stop exploring and farm the densest packs.
  3. Use a wide area build; Water/Electric pressure suits rain (best builds).
  4. Check the League card after each run to confirm the count moves.

Zapdos later asks for 3,000 rain KOs in a single run: same plan, one run. The best map for rain is not verified.

Healing unlocks: Zubat, Lickitung, Nidoran♀, Chansey

Answer: only HP you actually recover counts; healing at full HP, shields and max-HP gains don't. Zubat needs 4,000 in one run, Lickitung 7,000 in one run (was 8,000 before 0.8.56) and 15 League members.

  1. Pick a healing Bulbasaur build.
  2. Take damage on purpose (fight crowds) so heals aren't wasted.
  3. Eat berries and healing items when hurt, not at full HP.
  4. Check the end-of-run stats.

How to unlock Eevee

Answer: have 15 League members, then finish runs with 10 different partners. Evolved forms of one family count as one.

  1. Reach 15 members first.
  2. List your partners and play each of 10 different families for one run.
  3. Check the card; then wait for the encounter.

Mr. Mime is the easier version (6 different, no gate).

Burn unlocks: Vulpix, Magmar, Moltres

Answer: Fire damage isn't Burn. You need a move or item that applies the Burn status (Flame Orb is the easy one). Vulpix: 6,000 cumulative; Magmar: 6,000 in one run (25 League); Moltres: 8,000 in one run (55 League).

Players have reported Burn progress staying at 0 on a Looks (skin) challenge; Looks progress is separate from League progress. Check the League card, not the skin card.

Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres

Scroll the table horizontally to see more.

LegendaryGateRequirements
Articuno45 LeagueWin Viridian Forest on Hard + freeze 2,500 in one run
Zapdos50 LeagueWin Rocky Desert + 3,000 rain KOs in one run
Moltres55 LeagueDefeat Moltres in Rocky Desert on Hard + burn 8,000 in one run

Do each part in separate runs if needed, then weaken the bird in an eligible encounter; it joins on defeat. ⚠️ The Season 2 shrine bosses (Zapdos on Storm Coast, Articuno on Celestial Glacier) are map bosses; we haven't confirmed whether beating them counts toward League recruiting.

How to unlock Mew

Answer: recruit all other 78 League partners. Evolutions don't fill the gap; find the one family you're missing on your League screen. ⚠️ Only the 78-member gate is confirmed by every source.

Why is my Pokémon still locked?

Scroll the table horizontally to see more.

SymptomLikely causeFix
Challenge done, partner not in LeagueFinishing the challenge only enables the encounterPlay more runs; capture it when it appears
Encounter never showsOne per run, random among eligible partnersKeep playing; finish fewer at once if you want a specific one
It ran away~150 s flee timer or missed catch windowIt can appear again; challenge isn't reset
Counter doesn't moveSingle-run challenge spread across runs, or the wrong effect (damage vs status)Re-read in a single run; check the status icon
Gate not metCounting Pokédex formsOnly recruited families count

Sources and verification

Scroll the table horizontally to see more.

CodeSourceData versionUsed for
Gpokebonk.gg/unlock-pokemonlabelled 0.8.75Main 79-row text, encounter rules
Cpokebonk.co/guides/unlock-pokemonmostly 0.8.18; Lickitung 0.8.59Challenges, gates, builds, Mewtwo route
Wpokebonk-wiki.wiki/unlock-pokemonlabelled 0.7.7Cross-check
Hpokebonk.homes/pokedexpartner data mostly 0.7.7Cross-check
Opokebonk.org/updatesto 0.8.760.8.63 legendary rule
Fpokebonk.cc/guides/unlocking-partners0.8.76Old vs new legendary capture
Rr/PokeBonkOct 2026Player questions (Sleep, Mewtwo, Burn)
  • Our own data: Lickitung 7,000 HP and the 0.8.63 legendary rule match the official patch notes on patch notes.
  • Verified 2026-10-29 against client 0.8.77 context; challenge texts not individually re-read in 0.8.77. These sites copy each other in places, so four matching rows aren't four independent tests.
  • Client-checked (0.8.77): the Mewtwo special event exists and only starts in Classic zone 2 or 3. Not verified: Mewtwo's prerequisites (60 League, three birds, Rocky Desert Hard) and whether it also guards a region shrine; exact encounter timers on 0.8.77; fastest Gastly/Drowzee builds; best rain map.

Frequently asked questions

How many Pokémon can you unlock in PokéBonk?

79 League partners, including the 3 starters and 5 legendaries. The Pokédex has 151 forms because evolutions are listed separately.

Do evolutions count toward League size?

No. A family like Bulbasaur → Venusaur is one member.

Does a challenge need to be done in one run?

Only if it says in a single run (or in a run). Everything else is cumulative.

I finished the challenge. Why isn't it unlocked?

The challenge only enables an encounter. Capture the partner when it shows up in a later run (one encounter per run at most).

How do I unlock Gastly fast?

Bulbasaur + Flame Orb and Grass hits on burning enemies, all in one run, until 600 reactions. See Gastly.

Do I still need a Poké Ball for legendaries?

Since 0.8.63, no: they join once weakened. The ball only keeps a shiny.

Where do I find Mewtwo?

After 60 League, the three birds and a Rocky Desert Hard win, in zone 2 or 3 of a later Classic run. See Mewtwo.

Related guides

Spotted something outdated? Tell us. Sources: developer patch notes and in-game observation; see About.