Team GO Rocket is stirring trouble again, and a new “From the Shadows” Special Research quest holds the key to their latest scheme. Trainers must complete each step to uncover secret plans, earn powerful rewards, and face familiar foes lurking in plain sight.
From the Shadows is part of a long line of Giovanni research quests, which started back in 2019 with A Troubling Situation. If From the Shadows is not appearing for you, first clear the most recent Giovanni quest in your quest log – the previous one was February 2023’s Shadowy Skirmishes – to allow this new quest to become available.
The second half of the Let’s Go event sees a Team Go Rocket Takeover, which ushers in changes to Eggs and Shadow Pokémon, which will be active until the event concludes on Wednesday, March 29 at 8 p.m. local time.
From the Shadows tasks and rewards
The From the Shadows Special Research offers tasks focused on battling Team Go Rocket grunts, leaders, and balloon encounters, plus purifying Shadow Pokémon. Completing these steps yields rewards like 20,000 XP, 20 Max Potions, 20 Revives, five Silver Pins, and encounters with rare Pokémon such as Skorupi, Sableye, and Houndour. Players also gain Stardust, Rare Candy, and items to counter Rocket incursions. Finishing the full set grants a shiny-capable encounter with Pawniard and additional XP boosts.
From the Shadows Special Research will be available to unlock until the next Giovanni quest and highlighted Shadow Legendary encounter arrives later in the year. Once unlocked, there is no time limit to complete the quest.
Step 1 of 5
- Defeat 3 Team Go Rocket Grunts (5 Super Potions)
- Catch 2 Shadow Pokémon (20 Poké Balls)
- Purify 1 Shadow Pokémon (3 Revives)
Rewards: 1,000 XP, 500 Stardust, 3 Mysterious Components
Step 2 of 5
- Defeat 6 Team Go Rocket Grunts (1 Mysterious Component)
- Catch 4 Shadow Pokémon (15 Great Balls)
- Purify 2 Shadow Pokémon (1 Mysterious Component)
Rewards: 1,500 XP, 1,000 Stardust, 1 Rocket Radar
Step 3 of 5
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Leader Sierra (1,500 XP)
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff (1,500 XP)
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Leader Arlo (1,500 XP)
Rewards: 2,500 XP, 1,000 Stardust, 1 Super Rocket Radar
Step 4 of 5
- Find the Team Go Rocket Boss (10 Hyper Potions)
- Battle the Team Go Rocket Boss (10 Ultra Balls)
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Boss (6 Max Revives)
Rewards: 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust, 2 Golden Razz Berries
You’ll be able to catch the final Shadow Pokémon in Giovanni’s team once you have used your Super Rocket Radar. This varies depending on when you play the quest; from March 2023 until when the next Giovanni quest debuts, this will be Shadow Regice.
Step 5 of 5
- Claim reward (2,500 XP)
- Claim reward (2,500 XP)
- Claim reward (2,500 XP)
Rewards: 5,000 XP, 2,500 Stardust, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Credit to Amiibofan101 on Reddit for helping fill in the gaps with the above quest steps.
Team Go Rocket Takeover event changes
During the Team Go Rocket Takeover event, players encounter increased Team Go Rocket activity at PokéStops and in the air as more Team Go Rocket Balloons appear. Shadow Pokémon are featured more often, and certain Shadow species may debut or return. Trainers can use Charged TMs to remove Frustration from their Shadow Pokémon for a limited time, which helps improve battle performance. The event usually includes special Field Research tasks, limited-time bonuses, and opportunities to battle the Rocket Leaders and Giovanni for new Shadow Legendary Pokémon.
As well as the above quest, the second half of the Let’s Go event also hosts a Team Go Rocket Takeover until Wednesday, March 29 at 8 p.m. local time, with the following changes:
- Boosted Team Go Rocket balloon spawns and PokéStop encounters
- Shadow Pokémon can forget Charged Attack Frustration with a Charged TM
- Rocket Grunts changing their Shadow Pokémon line-ups, which include Alolan Grimer, Phanpy, Treecko, Torchic, Driftloon, and more
- Leaders Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo changing their team line-ups
- Giovanni changing team line-up
12km Egg changes
- Absol
- Deino
- Larvitar
- Pancham
- Pawniard
- Salandit
- Sandile
- Scraggy
- Skorupi
- Skrelp
- Vullaby
How to beat Giovanni in From the Shadows quest
To beat Giovanni in the Pokémon Go “From the Shadows” Special Research quest, first complete prior steps to earn the Super Rocket Radar, then equip it at PokéStops to locate his hideout (disguised as a regular stop).
Giovanni’s team always starts with Shadow Persian (Phase 1), followed by a random Phase 2 Pokémon (recently options like Shadow Rhyperior, Nidoking, or Kingdra), and ends with a Shadow Legendary like Palkia or Regice.
Best Counters
Use these top Pokémon with optimal movesets; prioritize high-level, Shadow, or Mega forms for maximum damage. Giovanni has two Protect Shields, so lead with fast-charging moves to burn them early.
| Phase | Pokémon | Top Counters (Fast/Charged Moves) |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Shadow Persian (Normal) | Weak to Fighting | Mega Lucario (Force Palm/Aura Sphere), Terrakion (Double Kick/Sacred Sword), Conkeldurr (Counter/Dynamic Punch) |
| 2: Shadow Rhyperior (Ground/Rock) | Weak to Water/Grass/Fighting | Primal Kyogre (Waterfall/Origin Pulse), Mega Swampert (Mud Shot/Hydro Cannon), Kartana (Razor Leaf/Sacred Sword) |
| 2: Shadow Nidoking (Poison/Ground) | Weak to Water/Ground/Psychic/Ice | Primal Kyogre (Waterfall/Origin Pulse), Primal Groudon (Mud Shot/Precipice Blades), Mewtwo (Psycho Cut/Psystrike) |
| 2: Shadow Kingdra (Water/Dragon) | Weak to Dragon/Fairy | Salamence (Dragon Tail/Draco Meteor), Dragonite (Dragon Tail/Dragon Claw), Togekiss (Charm/Dazzling Gleam) |
| 3: Shadow Palkia (Water/Dragon) or Shadow Regice (Ice) | Varies; Dragon/Ice weaknesses | Mega Swampert or Groudon for Palkia; Fighting like Mega Lucario for Regice |
Strategy Tips
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Team Setup: Mega Lucario (handles Persian + some Phase 2), Salamence (dragon coverage), Mega Swampert (ground/water for flexibility).
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Switch to your lead after placing it second for a free 2-second damage window on Persian.
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Save shields for your strongest Pokémon; dodge charged attacks and bait Giovanni’s shields with low-energy moves.
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Rewards include 5,000 Stardust, items like Max Potions/Revives, and a catch chance for his Shadow Legendary (e.g., Regice).
What are the exact movesets for Shadow Palkia and Persian
Shadow Persian in Pokémon Go Giovanni battles typically uses Scratch (Normal, fast move) or Feint Attack (Dark, fast move), with charged moves Dark Pulse (Dark), Play Rough (Fairy), or Foul Play (Dark).
Shadow Palkia, as Giovanni’s potential Phase 3 Pokémon, has Dragon Breath (Dragon, fast) or Dragon Tail (Dragon, fast), paired with charged moves like Aqua Tail (Water), Draco Meteor (Dragon), Hydro Pump (Water), or Fire Blast (Fire).
Key Matchup Notes
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Persian’s moves hit hard against non-Fighting types; expect Dark or Fairy coverage that punishes Ghosts/Psychics.
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Palkia’s Dragon Breath is faster for quicker charges, while Draco Meteor delivers massive STAB damage but lowers its attack.
These movesets can vary slightly per encounter, but counters like Mega Lucario remain effective regardless.
