How to Catch Chimchar in Pokemon GO

Here's how to catch Chimchar, the Chimp Pokemon
Here's how to catch Chimchar, the Chimp Pokemon / Photo courtesy of Niantic Labs

Many trainers are wondering how to catch Chimchar in Pokemon GO to complete the Pokemon GO Fifth-Anniversary Collection Challenge.

To celebrate its fifth birthday, Pokemon GO is challenging all trainers to capture every starter Pokemon that’s been added to the game, from Bulbasaur to Froakie. Starter Pokemon are spawning in the wild, around lure modules, and as rewards for completing Field Research missions. Chimchar and its Sinnoh region siblings, Turtwig and Piplup, are part of the collection challenge.

Here's how to add Chimchar to your collection.

How to Catch Chimchar in Pokemon GO

Trainers will not be able to encounter Chimchar in the wild. Instead, the only ways to find Chimchar are to attract it with a lure module, or encounter it as a Field Research mission reward. Because the ways to find Chimchar are limited, it's one of the harder Pokemon to catch during the collection challenge.

All 18 starter Pokemon in Pokemon GO have boosted spawn rates near lure modules, and Niantic has increased lure module duration to one hour for the duration of the event. Place down a lure, be patient, and you might just find a Chimchar near you.

Another way to obtain Chimchar is by completing Field Research missions. During this event, Chimchar, Turtwig, and Piplup are included as rewards for the mission "Make 5 great throws."

Chimchar's Pokedex number is 390. As the Chimp Pokemon, Chimchar has a flame on its rear end burning with the gas in its belly. The flame will burn more weakly when it feels sick. Trainers can evolve Chimchar into Monferno with 25 candy, and then into Infernape with another 100 candy.

By catching Chimchar, trainers can progress toward the Fifth-Anniversary Collection Challenge reward, which includes a flying Pikachu encounter, 80 Poke Balls, and 3 Rare Candy.

If you need more starter Pokemon for your collection, check out our guides on how to catch Charmander and how to catch Snivy!