A strange cipher has appeared in Pokémon Go, leading Trainers through eerie research tasks and mysterious Ghost-type encounters. Here’s what each mission means-and the rewards waiting behind the fog.
This page explains all four Spooky Cipher research tasks and their respective encounters.
Spooky Cipher research tasks, reward encounters
Spooky Cipher research tasks challenge players to complete ghostly objectives such as catching Ghost-type Pokémon, using Curveballs, and transferring creatures to progress through limited-time steps. Each stage offers themed rewards like Poké Balls, Stardust, and encounters with Halloween favorites including Gastly, Shuppet, and Drifloon. Completing the full set grants bonus items and spotlight encounters tied to the event’s eerie theme, making it a fun set of challenges for trainers who enjoy mysterious, seasonal content.
There are four Spooky Cipher research tasks to discover. While most letters have been obscured, you can work out the requirement by matching the length and what few letters are visible with the following list:
- Evolve a Nincada – Shedinja encounter
- Make 3 Great Curveball Throws in a row – Sableye encounter
- Transfer 5 Pokémon – Shuppet encounter
- Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon – Duskull encounter
As shown, all four Spooky Cipher research tasks reward you with an Ghost-type Pokémon encounter.
These are the only way to catch these Pokemon during the Go Tour Hoenn event weekend – though since they are not subject to any particular Collection Challenge requirements, consider them an optional extra as you play.
How to solve Spooky Cipher riddles on PokéStops
Spooky Cipher tasks in Pokémon Go aren’t true “riddles” requiring decoding skills or ciphers to solve. They appear as obscured Field Research tasks on PokéStops (with grey blocks hiding letters), but the challenges are always one of four standard objectives from the 2023 Go Tour: Hoenn event.
Identifying the Task
Spin PokéStops during eligible events to receive a Spooky Cipher task, visible in your Research tab (binoculars icon). The hidden text matches exactly one of these-players figured them out by trial, community reports, and pattern matching across tasks:
| Obscured Task Example | Decoded Objective |
|---|---|
| [** ** ** ** h*** c**ch Pokémon] | Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon |
| [Me * Gr* Th**** ** * r*w] | Make 5 Great Throws (or 3 Great Curveballs) in a row |
| [Tr***er * Pokémon] | Transfer 5 Pokémon |
| [Ee * N***] | Evolve a Nincada |
Steps to Complete
Simply complete the matching objective anywhere in the game-no special location or extra steps needed. Claim the stamp for your reward encounter (Duskull, Sableye, Shuppet, or Shedinja, potentially Shiny). Practice curveballs on easy Pokémon like Pidgey if needed. These are legacy tasks with no confirmed 2026 return.
Best tips for making 3 Great Curveball Throws
Making 3 Great Curveball Throws in a row is a common Pokémon Go Field Research task, like in Spooky Cipher challenges. It boosts catch rates and earns XP, but requires practice on easy Pokémon.
Core Technique
Spin the Poké Ball clockwise (for right curves) at the screen’s bottom center, then drag it up the left edge before flicking toward the Pokémon’s center at small circle size. Aim for the circle’s tightest phase after any attack/dodge, using a quick flick for precision-longer swipes arc better for Great throws.
Practice Tips
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Disable AR to fix the Pokémon in place and save battery.
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Target abundant, low-flee Pokémon like Pidgey, Weedle, or Nosepass (weather-boosted for spawns).
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Wait patiently for the circle to shrink fully; time throws during post-attack stillness.
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Lock the circle by tapping when small, then curve into it-visualize quadrants to center your aim.
Common Fixes
Practice 20-50 throws daily on 1-star Pokémon until consistent. If failing, shorten flicks and avoid over-spinning, which can derail the curve. Success rates improve to 80%+ with reps.
