Gotta Catch ‘Em All on Twitch! Your Guide to the New Pokémon Chat Badges
Attention, Trainers! Your favorite Pokémon have officially arrived on Twitch, but not in the way you might expect. In an exciting partnership with The Pokémon Company International, Twitch has launched official Pokémon Chat Badges. These aren’t just icons; they are collectible trophies that allow you to show off your Pokémon passion in every single chat across the platform.
Whether you are a hardcore competitive player or a casual fan of the art and music streams, now is the time to start your collection. Here is everything you need to know to secure these limited-edition rewards.
How to Earn Your First Badge: The Pichu Special
Getting started is easy, and the first badge is available to everyone! To claim your Pichu chat badge, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Visit any channel streaming in a qualifying category (such as Pokémon, Just Chatting, DJs, Sports, Music, or Art).
- Step 2: You will immediately receive your first free Poké Ball.
- Step 3: Watch 20 minutes of qualifying content per day for 3 days to unlock and reveal your Pichu badge.
Expanding Your Collection: The Kanto Starters
Want more than just Pichu? You can expand your roster with the legendary Kanto first partners: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. To get these, you’ll need to engage more deeply with the community:
- Subscribe or Gift: Purchase a new subscription or gift a sub to a channel streaming in a qualifying category during the offer period.
- Unlock the Ball: Each qualifying purchase earns you a Poké Ball.
- The Grind: Just like with Pichu, you must watch 20 minutes of qualifying content per day for 3 days to reveal the Pokémon inside.
Pro Tip: Since each Poké Ball contains one of the three starters, three qualifying subscriptions guarantee you’ll collect the full trio!
The Evolution Mechanic: Don’t Miss Out!
Here is where it gets interesting. Twitch has confirmed that evolutions are coming. In the future, your earned badges for Pichu and the Kanto starters will evolve based on your continued viewing habits. However, there is a catch: you must own the base badge now to evolve it later. If you miss the current window, you won’t be able to claim the evolved versions!
Exclusive Event Badges: PokémonXP & World Championships
For the true completionists, there are two ultra-rare badges available for a very limited time (from August 28 to August 30):
- PokémonXP Costumed Pikachu: Watch 60 minutes of content on /PokémonXP.
- 2026 Pokémon World Championships Costumed Pikachu: Watch 60 minutes of content on official channels like twitch.tv/pokemon, pokemonTCG, pokemonGO, or pokemonUNITE.
Track Your Progress with the New Collections Feature
Not sure which ones you’re missing? Twitch has introduced a brand new Collections feature. This dashboard allows you to see every badge you have successfully earned and identifies which Pokémon are still available for the taking. It’s the perfect way to track your journey toward becoming a Twitch Pokémon Master.
Important Dates and Details
The clock is ticking! The window to earn Pichu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle ends on October 1st. After this date, these badges will “escape,” and you’ll lose your chance to get them and their future evolutions.
Ready to start your journey? Head over to Twitch and start watching your favorite creators today. See you in chat, Trainer! 🎒
