Here is how to unlock Pokemon in PokeBonk: you finish a League challenge and then catch the Pokemon in a run. Your League starts with Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle; the other 76 each have a challenge, from playing 25 runs to winning a map on Hard. The table below lists every one at version 0.7.7.
Counters add up across runs unless a goal says "in a single run", and knowing how to unlock Pokemon in PokeBonk early saves runs later. Once a challenge is done, read the catching steps below, and check the tier list to choose what to chase.
How to unlock Pokemon in PokeBonk by catching them
When a Pokemon's challenge is complete, it can appear as a Wild Encounter in your next runs, 50 to 120 seconds into a zone. It runs away after 150 seconds (240 for legendaries). Weaken it, then throw a Poke Ball; each failed throw makes the next one easier, and the base chance depends on the Pokemon's catch rate. A Master Ball bag item guarantees your first capture of a run. Your attacks stop hitting a Pokemon that is ready to catch since version 0.7.7.
Mewtwo is the exception: it arrives as a boss in zone 2 or 3 and is caught after the fight (PokeBonk Mewtwo). The legendary birds and Mew also show up at shrines (PokeBonk legendary Pokemon).
Easy Pokemon to unlock first
These challenges fill in just by playing: Weedle (get 5,000 KOs in total), Pidgey (complete 4 runs (win or lose)), Rattata (get 20,000 KOs in total), Growlithe (complete 20 runs (win or lose)), Doduo (complete 15 runs (win or lose)), and Mr. Mime (play with 6 different Pokemon). Weather and status challenges, such as Pikachu's rain kills, go faster with a Pokemon of the right type.
Every PokeBonk League challenge
This is how to unlock Pokemon in PokeBonk one by one. Rarity is the game's League rarity; the tier comes from our Kit Score.
| Pokemon | Rarity | Challenge | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caterpie | Common | Evolve 3 times during your runs | B |
| Weedle | Common | Get 5,000 KOs in total | A |
| Pidgey | Common | Complete 4 runs (win or lose) | A |
| Rattata | Common | Get 20,000 KOs in total | S |
| Spearow | Common | Land 30,000 critical hits | B |
| Ekans | Uncommon | Paralyze 2,500 Pokemon | D |
| Pikachu | Uncommon | Defeat 10,000 Pokemon while it's raining | A |
| Sandshrew | Uncommon | Dodge 120 attacks | B |
| Nidoran Female | Common | Recover 6,000 HP in total | A |
| Nidoran Male | Common | Defeat 6 Alpha Pokemon | B |
| Clefairy | Uncommon | Cast 80 Ultimates | D |
| Vulpix | Common | Burn 6,000 Pokemon | C |
| Jigglypuff | Common | Put 1,500 Pokemon to sleep | B |
| Zubat | Uncommon | Recover 4,000 HP in a single run | C |
| Oddish | Common | Poison 4,000 Pokemon | C |
| Paras | Uncommon | Paralyze 6,000 Pokemon | C |
| Venonat | Uncommon | Confuse 1,500 Pokemon | D |
| Diglett | Common | Smash 15 rocks with Rock Smash | A |
| Meowth | Common | Earn 8,000 ₽ in total | B |
| Psyduck | Common | Soak 3,000 Pokemon | B |
| Mankey | Uncommon | Defeat 10 guardians | S |
| Growlithe | Uncommon | Complete 20 runs (win or lose) | B |
| Poliwag | Uncommon | Put 4,000 Pokemon to sleep | A |
| Abra | Uncommon | Reach level 30 in a run | B |
| Machop | Uncommon | Defeat 20 Alpha Pokemon | S |
| Bellsprout | Common | Reach level 20 in a run | B |
| Tentacool | Uncommon | Poison 2,500 Pokemon in a single run | A |
| Geodude | Uncommon | Smash 50 rocks with Rock Smash | B |
| Ponyta | Uncommon | Survive 15 minutes in a run | A |
| Slowpoke | Uncommon | Put 8,000 Pokemon to sleep | D |
| Magnemite | Uncommon | Paralyze 1,500 Pokemon in a single run | A |
| Farfetch'd | Uncommon | Land 50,000 critical hits in a single run | B |
| Doduo | Uncommon | Complete 15 runs (win or lose) | A |
| Seel | Uncommon | Freeze 4,000 Pokemon | B |
| Grimer | Uncommon | Poison 20,000 Pokemon | D |
| Shellder | Uncommon | Dodge 25 attacks in a single run | S |
| Gastly | Uncommon | Trigger 600 elemental reactions in a single run | A |
| Onix | Uncommon | Win Viridian Forest | S |
| Drowzee | Uncommon | Put 1,500 Pokemon to sleep in a single run | D |
| Krabby | Uncommon | Get 15,000 KOs in a single run | S |
| Voltorb | Uncommon | Open 120 item Poke Balls | S |
| Exeggcute | Uncommon | Eat 250 berries or healing items | C |
| Cubone | Uncommon | Defeat 4 guardians of the Rocky Desert | B |
| Hitmonlee | Rare | Have 20 members in your League; Defeat 30 Alpha Pokemon | C |
| Hitmonchan | Rare | Have 20 members in your League; Defeat 25 guardians | B |
| Lickitung | Rare | Have 15 members in your League; Recover 8,000 HP in a single run | C |
| Koffing | Uncommon | Trigger 5,000 elemental reactions | D |
| Rhyhorn | Rare | Have 20 members in your League; Smash 100 rocks with Rock Smash | A |
| Chansey | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Recover 60,000 HP in total | B |
| Tangela | Rare | Have 20 members in your League; Reach level 35 in a run | B |
| Kangaskhan | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Complete 35 runs (win or lose) | C |
| Horsea | Uncommon | Soak 12,000 Pokemon | B |
| Goldeen | Uncommon | Dodge 350 attacks | D |
| Staryu | Uncommon | Cast 150 Ultimates | B |
| Mr. Mime | Uncommon | Play with 6 different Pokemon | D |
| Scyther | Uncommon | Get 150,000 KOs in total | A |
| Jynx | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Freeze 1,500 Pokemon in a single run | C |
| Electabuzz | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Paralyze 3,000 Pokemon in a single run | C |
| Magmar | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Burn 6,000 Pokemon in a single run | C |
| Pinsir | Rare | Have 20 members in your League; Defeat 4 Alpha Pokemon in a single run | C |
| Tauros | Rare | Have 20 members in your League; Get 300,000 KOs in total | B |
| Magikarp | Uncommon | Complete 25 runs (win or lose) | C |
| Lapras | Rare | Have 30 members in your League; Evolve 20 times during your runs | D |
| Ditto | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Capture 25 Support Alphas | B |
| Eevee | Rare | Have 15 members in your League; Play with 10 different Pokemon | C |
| Porygon | Rare | Have 30 members in your League; Trigger 1,200 elemental reactions in a single run | A |
| Omanyte | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Get 50,000 KOs in the Rocky Desert | B |
| Kabuto | Rare | Have 25 members in your League; Defeat 8 guardians of the Rocky Desert | C |
| Aerodactyl | Rare | Have 35 members in your League; Win the Rocky Desert | B |
| Snorlax | Rare | Have 30 members in your League; Eat 500 berries or healing items | D |
| Articuno | Legendary | Have 45 members in your League; Win Viridian Forest on Hard; Freeze 2,500 Pokemon in a single run | C |
| Zapdos | Legendary | Have 50 members in your League; Win the Rocky Desert; Defeat 3,000 Pokemon in the rain in a single run | S |
| Moltres | Legendary | Have 55 members in your League; Defeat Moltres in the Rocky Desert on Hard; Burn 8,000 Pokemon in a single run | C |
| Dratini | Rare | Have 40 members in your League; Defeat 3 legendary Pokemon | C |
| Mewtwo | Legendary | Have 60 members in your League; Capture Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres; Win the Rocky Desert on Hard | B |
| Mew | Legendary | Capture the other 78 League members | C |
Alphas and the Friend Ball
Alphas are not League unlocks. A defeated Alpha can be caught with a Friend Ball (press E) and fights beside you for that run only, giving a bonus for its type. Some challenges count Support Alphas, so catch them whenever you can. PokeBonk Alpha Pokemon lists the bonuses.
How to unlock Pokemon in PokeBonk FAQ
How do you unlock Pokemon in PokeBonk?
Complete the Pokemon's League challenge, then catch it with a Poke Ball when it appears as a Wild Encounter in a later run.
I finished the challenge but the Pokemon is still locked. Why?
The challenge only makes it appear. You still have to find it in a run, weaken it and catch it before it runs away after 150 seconds.
How do you unlock Mew in PokeBonk?
Catch the other 78 League Pokemon. Then Mew can be caught at the Viridian Forest shrine.
How many Pokemon can you unlock in PokeBonk?
79 League Pokemon, including the three starters.