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Pokémon Go Tour Johto - Gold or Silver version differences explained

Do you prefer Gold or Silver?

Pokémon Go Tour: Johto, like Go Tour: Kanto, offers you the choice between two versions of the event - Gold and Silver.

The version you pick decides which Pokémon will have a higher shiny rate and which creatures are exclusively attracted to incense during the event.

If you want to complete all of the Go Tour: Johto Collection Challenges, you need to meet a player playing the opposite version to you, so you can trade exclusive Pokémon.

Below you'll find an outline of all the differences between the Gold and Silver versions of the Pokémon Go Tour: Johto event.

On this page:

Cover image for YouTube videoPokémon Go Tour: Johto opening cutscene + Collection Challenge in-game preview
Pokémon Go Tour: Johto opening cutscene + Collection Challenge preview

Gold and Silver version differences for Pokémon Go Tour: Johto explained

Inspired by Pokémon Gold and Silver for the Game Boy Colour, there are two different versions of Pokémon Go Tour: Johto - Gold and Silver.

Gold and Silver differences

There are three main differences between the Gold and Silver versions of Go Tour: Johto:

  • Four Pokémon exclusively attracted to incense
  • Higher shiny rates for 12 Pokémon
  • Avatar items earned from the special research quest

The avatar items are earned at different stages of the new special research quest and, if you've picked the Gold version, you'll receive the Ho-Oh Wings and Ho-Oh T-Shirt. Meanwhile, by choosing Silver, you'll unlock the Lugia Mask and Lugia T-Shirt.

Remember - you can't change your version once you've selected it, so make your choice wisely.

What's the same in both versions?

Regardless of which version you pick, a number of features will stay the same, including the following Pokémon having higher shiny rates:

  • Chikorita
  • Cyndaquil
  • Totodile
  • Hoppip
The Gen 2 starters will have a higher shiny rate no matter which version you pick.

Buying a Go Tour: Johto ticket will also grant you access to a new special research quest, Masterworks quest and the opportunity to catch both Apex Shadow Lugia and Apex Shadow Ho-Oh, among other bonuses.

It is, however, a good idea to coordinate your version selection with any friends who also play Pokémon Go, because this will help you complete the Trade Collection Challenge. You can also complete six Special Trades during Go Tour: Johto!

You can only select between Gold and Silver if you've purchased a ticket for the Pokémon Go Tour: Johto event and, if you'd prefer to free-play, you'll simply experience a smaller version of the event.

Go Tour: Johto was inspired by Pokémon Gold and Silver for Game Boy Colour.

Gold version exclusives for Pokémon Go Tour: Johto explained

The Gold version of Pokémon Go Tour: Johto has a list of exclusive Pokémon which either have increased shiny rates or are attracted to incense and differ from the event's Silver version.

Make sure you carefully read both lists before selecting which version you wish to play and, if any of your friends play Pokémon Go, we recommend coordinating your choices, so you can complete all of the Collection Challenges.

Here are the Pokémon attracted to incense exclusively in the Gold version of Pokémon Go Tour: Johto:

  • Spinarak
  • Gligar
  • Teddiursa
  • Mantine
These Pokémon have higher shiny rates if you pick the Gold version.

Below lies the Pokémon which have a higher shiny rate in the Gold version of the event:

  • Spinarak
  • Igglybuff
  • Natu
  • Sunkern
  • Misdreavus
  • Wobbuffet
  • Gligar
  • Shuckle
  • Teddiursa
  • Swinub
  • Mantine
  • Ho-Oh

Remember - you can't change the version of Pokémon Go Tour: Johto once you've made your choice and only players who've purchased a ticket for the event can select a version.

Silver version exclusives for Pokémon Go Tour: Johto explained

The Silver version of Pokémon Go Tour: Johto, like the Gold version, has a number of Pokémon exclusively attracted to incense or with higher shiny rates.

Due to this difference, it's a good idea to coordinate your choice with any friends who play Pokémon Go and plan on purchasing a ticket for the event so you can complete all of the Collection Challenges.

Below are the Pokémon exclusively attracted to incense in the Silver version of Pokémon Go Tour: Johto:

  • Ledyba
  • Delibird
  • Skarmory
  • Phanpy
These Pokémon have higher shiny rates if you pick the Silver version.

Here are the Pokémon with higher shiny rates in the Gold version of Pokémon Go Tour: Kanto:

  • Ledyba
  • Cleffa
  • Sudowoodo
  • Yanma
  • Pineco
  • Delibird
  • Skarmory
  • Houndour
  • Phanpy
  • Miltank
  • Larvitar
  • Lugia

It's important to remember that you can't change your version once you've chosen it and, if you're not purchasing a ticket for the event, you'll only have access to a smaller version of this event, which doesn't include the Gold or Silver choice.


The World of Wonders season has come to Pokémon Go, giving you the chance to catch Poipole. The World of Wonders: Taken Over event is currently running, bringing the It's a Rocket World special research quest with it. Don't forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.


How to choose your version of Pokémon Go Tour: Johto

You can now pick which version - Gold or Silver - of the Pokémon Go Tour: Johto event you wish to play. This is a very important decision, because, once you've made your choice, it's unchangeable.

The differences between the two versions are the avatar items you'll receive from the special research, the Pokémon exclusively attracted to incense and the ones with higher shiny rates, so we recommend reading the sections above before making your choice. You don't want to miss out on finding a particular shiny after all!

Remember - no matter which version you play, you'll be able to obtain both Apex Shadow Lugia and Apex Shadow Ho-Oh.

After you've purchased a Go Tour: Johto ticket and are ready to select a version, open your Item Bag from the Pokémon Go main menu.

From there, scroll down until you find the Pokémon Go Tour: Johto ticket and select it.

You now have to pick between 'Choose Gold' or 'Choose Silver.' Once you've picked a version, select 'Yes' to confirm your choice.

Select your Go Tour: Johto ticket to choose which version you want to play.

With that done, you're ready to enjoy Pokémon Go Tour: Johto! To learn more about the event, visit our Pokémon Go Tour: Johto event times page.