Dark shadows stir in Pokémon Go as the ‘A Shadowy Disturbance’ Special Research unleashes Team Go Rocket’s latest threat-complete quest steps and rewards inside.
“A Shadowy Disturbance” 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 March 2023’s “From the Shadows” – to allow this new quest to become available.
The second half of the “Solstice Horizons” 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 June 25 at 8 p.m. local time.
‘A Shadowy Disturbance’ tasks and rewards
The “A Shadowy Disturbance” Special Research focuses on battling Team GO Rocket and purifying Shadow Pokémon through several stages of tasks. Trainers complete objectives such as defeating Grunts, rescuing Shadow Pokémon, and facing Team GO Rocket Leaders to progress. Rewards include encounters with key Shadow Pokémon, valuable items like TMs and Revives, and rare resources such as Super Rocket Radars used to find Giovanni.
“A Shadowy Disturbance” 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
- Catch 15 Pokémon (5 Pinap Berries)
- Spin 5 Poké Stops or gyms (10 Poké Balls)
- Defeat 3 Team Go Rocket grunts (1 Mysterious Component)
Rewards: 1,000 XP, 1,000 Stardust, Aron encounter
Step 2 of 5
- Catch 15 Pokémon (5 Pinap Berries)
- Transfer 10 Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
- Defeat 6 Team Go Rocket Grunts (3 Mysterious Components)
Rewards: 1,500 XP, 1,500 Stardust, Graveler encounter
Step 3 of 5
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Leader Arlo (2,500 XP)
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff (2,500 XP)
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Leader Sierra (2,500 XP)
Rewards: 2,500 XP, 300 Stardust, 1 Super Rocket Radar
Step 4 of 5
- Find the Team Go Rocket Boss (10 Max Potions)
- Battle the Team Go Rocket Boss (10 Ultra Balls)
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Boss (6 Max Revives)
Rewards: 3,000 XP, 3,000 Stardust, Sableye encounter
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 June 2023 until when the next Giovanni quest debuts, this will be Shadow Regirock.
Step 5 of 5
- Claim reward (2,500 XP)
- Claim reward (2,500 XP)
- Claim reward (2,500 XP)
Rewards: 5,000 XP, 4,500 Stardust, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Team Go Rocket Takeover event changes
Team Go Rocket Takeover event alters the ‘A Shadowy Disturbance’ Special Research with new encounters against Rocket Grunts at specific stops. Players now face updated lineups including Poison types like Croagunk and Toxicroak, plus Shadow Pokémon catches during takeover phases. These shifts replace older battles, adding Frillish and Wailmer variants to the roster. Rewards stay consistent, but the event boosts chances for rare Shadow captures until it concludes on January 28. Check in-game notices for exact timings at your local stops.
As well as the above quest, the second half of the “Solstice Horizons” event is also host to a Team Go Rocket Takeover until June 25 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
- Shadow raids appear more often
- Rocket Grunts change their Shadow Pokémon line-ups
- Leaders Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo change their team line-ups
- Giovanni changes team line-up
12km Egg changes
- Larvitar
- Absol
- Skorupi
- Sandile
- Scraggy
- Pawniard
- Vullaby
- Deino
- Pancham
- Inkay
- Skrelp
- Salandit
How do I find Team GO Rocket leaders in my area
To find Team GO Rocket Leaders (Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra) in Pokémon GO, first defeat Grunts at invaded PokéStops to collect six Mysterious Components, then assemble a Rocket Radar from your item bag. Equip the radar and check the map view for blacked-out PokéStops (hideouts) that reveal Leaders when nearby; they appear from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
Using Rocket Radar
Rocket Radars highlight Leader hideouts on the map or via the radar button below the compass-tap invaded stops to battle. Balloons can also deliver Leaders if a radar is equipped, making them a passive option while exploring. Each radar is single-use per Leader battle but reusable until then; craft more as needed (or buy with PokéCoins after the first).
Tips for Your Area
Drive, walk, or check busy areas with many PokéStops/Gyms, as hideouts rotate daily but stay fixed once found (others can join your battle). If none appear, travel elsewhere or wait-the radar prompts if Leaders are too far. This ties into quests like A Shadowy Disturbance, needing three Leader defeats for Step 3. [conversation_history]
How to craft a Rocket Radar step by step
To craft a Rocket Radar in Pokémon GO, collect Mysterious Components from Team GO Rocket Grunts and assemble them in your item bag. This equips you to locate Leaders like Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra. [conversation_history]
Step-by-Step Guide
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Defeat Grunts: Battle and catch Pokémon from six Team GO Rocket Grunts at invaded PokéStops. Each drops one Mysterious Component (six total needed).
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Open Item Bag: Go to your Items tab and scroll to the “Other Items” section to find the six components.
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Assemble Radar: Tap the first component; a prompt appears to craft the Rocket Radar using all six. Confirm to create it.
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Equip and Use: Activate from your bag to reveal Leader hideouts on the map (active from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time). Use once per Leader battle, then craft more. [conversation_history]
Note: Super Rocket Radars for Giovanni come only from Special Research, not crafting. [conversation_history]
