Fiery challenges and shadowy twists await trainers in Pokémon Go’s “Dark Flames” event, where timed research tasks ignite new encounters and rare rewards for those willing to face the heat.
In addition to these new features, you’ll get 25% more XP and three additional candy from completing raids.
You can see all the perks, Timed Research, Collection Challenge, and other bonuses below.
‘Dark Flames’ Timed Research and rewards
Dark Flames Timed Research tasks guide players through a sequence of brief objectives tied to the event, culminating in exclusive rewards and a collectible avatar item.
Step 1 of 4
- Explore 2 km (10 Poké Balls)
- Catch 2 fire- or dark-type Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
- Catch 10 different species of Pokémon (10 Ultra Balls)
Rewards: 3 Rare Candy, 5 Razz Berries, 1,000 Stardust
After you complete the first step, the quest will branch into two options: dark or fire. The main rewards for completing the steps are the same, but the individual rewards differ and the steps will rely on focusing more on whatever Pokémon type you chose.
Notably, whichever type you pick will spawn more when using Incense.
Step 2 of 4 (dark)
- Catch 20 dark-type Pokémon (10 Poké Balls)
- Power up 10 dark-type Pokémon (10 Pinap Berries)
- Take 25 snapshots of wild dark-type Pokémon (Carvanha encounter)
Rewards: 2,500 XP, 15 Poké Balls, 1,500 Stardust
Step 2 of 4 (fire)
- Catch 20 fire-type Pokémon (10 Poké Balls)
- Power up 10 fire-type Pokémon (10 Pinap Berries)
- Take 25 snapshots of wild fire-type Pokémon (Slugma encounter)
Rewards: 2,500 XP, 15 Poké Balls, 1,500 Stardust
Step 3 of 4 (dark)
- Purify 1 dark-type shadow Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
- Power up 10 dark-type Pokémon (Sneasel encounter)
- Evolve 3 dark-type Pokémon (Scraggy encounter)
Rewards: 5,000 XP, 1 Premium Battle Pass, 2,000 Stardust
Step 3 of 4 (fire)
- Purify 1 fire-type shadow Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
- Power up 10 fire-type Pokémon (Alolan Marowak encounter)
- Evolve 3 fire-type Pokémon (Darumaka encounter)
Rewards: 5,000 XP, 1 Premium Battle Pass, 2,000 Stardust
Step 4 of 4 (dark)
- Catch 20 dark-type Pokémon (3 Silver Pinap Berries)
- Power up 10 dark-type Pokémon (10 Ultra Balls)
- Battle in 3 raids (Houndoom encounter)
Rewards: 7,500 XP, 50 Litten Candy, 2,500 Stardust
Step 4 of 4 (fire)
- Catch 20 fire-type Pokémon (3 Silver Pinap Berries)
- Power up 10 fire-type Pokémon (10 Ultra Balls)
- Battle in 3 raids (Houndoom encounter)
Rewards: 7,500 XP, 50 Litten Candy, 2,500 Stardust
Pokémon Go ‘Dark Flames’ Collection Challenges
The “Dark Flames” Collection Challenges feature tasks focused on Fire- and Dark-type Pokémon appearing more frequently during the event. Trainers must catch and evolve specific species, such as Houndour, Sneasel, and Litwick, to complete the sets. Finishing these challenges grants rewards like Stardust, experience points, and rare evolution items, encouraging players to explore different habitats and trade with others to complete their collections before the event ends.
Collection Challenge: Dark-type Pokémon
- Catch a Poochyena
- Catch a Carvanha
- Catch a Houndour
- Catch a Stunky
- Catch a Litwick
- Evolve Poochyena into Mightyena
- Evolve Carvanha into Sharpedo
- Evolve Torracat into Incineroar
Rewards: 100 Houndoom Mega Energy, 5,000 XP
Collection Challenge: Fire-type Pokémon
- Catch a Litten
- Catch a Vulpix
- Catch a Houndour
- Catch a Numel
- Catch a Galarian Zigzagoon
- Evolve Vulpix into Ninetales
- Evolve Numel into Camerupt
- Evolve Torracat into Incineroar
Rewards: 100 Houndoom Mega Energy, 5,000 XP
Pokémon Go ‘Dark Flames’ event Field Research and rewards
During the Pokémon Go ‘Dark Flames’ event, Field Research tasks center on Fire- and Dark-type Pokémon encounters. Completing them yields Stardust, Candy, and Rare Candies, with special rewards like Hisuian Growlithe or Deino for top tasks. Event-exclusive stamps track progress, and spinning Photo Discs at PokéStops grants additional tasks. Rotate through tasks daily to maximize shiny chances and boost your collection before the event concludes.
- Catch 5 dark-type Pokémon (Alolan Meowth or Alolan Grimer encounter)
- Catch 5 fire-type Pokémon (Magmar or Litwick encounter)
- Win a raid in under 60 seconds (Alolan Marowak or Sneasel encounter)
- Win 3 raids (Turtonator encounter)
Pokémon spawn increases for ‘Dark Flames’
During the Dark Flames event, Pokémon with Fire- and Dark-type traits appear more often in the wild, giving trainers extra chances to catch favorites like Houndour, Sableye, and Litwick. Incense and Lure Modules further boost spawns, especially in urban areas and event hotspots. Players can also encounter a few rare event-themed spawns tied to the Timed Research tasks, encouraging exploration and active play throughout the limited-time celebration.
- Vulpix
- Houndour
- Houndoom
- Poochyena
- Zigzagoon
- Sableye
- Carvanha
- Numel
- Stunky
- Litwick
- Litten
Pokémon raid targets for ‘Dark Flames’
Raid battles spotlight Dark-type Pokémon during the ‘Dark Flames’ event. Trainers face off against Tyranitar as the five-star boss, with Houndoom appearing in Tier 3 raids. Mega Houndoom headlines Mega Raids, while Carbink fills Tier 1 slots. These targets offer chances to catch shiny variants and earn event rewards through Remote Raids.
- Sneasel
- Darumaka
- Scraggy
- Deino
- Marowak
- Flareon
- Umbreon
- Turtonator
- Mega Sableye
- Heatran
Which path gives better rewards for raids and encounters
Both the Dark and Fire paths in the Pokémon Go Dark Flames Timed Research offer identical raid and encounter rewards. Stage 4 completion on either path grants 3 Houndoom raids and a Houndoom encounter as the final reward.
Raid Rewards Comparison
Raids appear only in Stage 4 for both paths, requiring 3 raid completions. Rewards include 3 Silver Pinap Berries, 10 Ultra Balls, and 15,000 XP upon path completion. No differences exist; both emphasize Houndoom, a strong Dark/Fire raid attacker.
Encounter Rewards Breakdown
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Shared: Stage 1 offers no encounters; both paths end with Houndoom.
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Dark Path Exclusive: Stage 2 provides Carvanha (Incense-focused Dark-types).
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Fire Path Exclusive: Stage 2 provides Slugma (Incense-focused Fire-types).
Incense spawns favor the chosen type (Dark or Fire), but encounters remain balanced in quality.
Path Recommendation
Neither path provides superior raid or encounter rewards overall, as they mirror each other structurally. Choose based on preference for Carvanha (Dark) or Slugma (Fire) in Stage 2, or your Collection Challenge goals post-research.
Which path is best for PvE raid rewards this event
Both paths in the Pokémon Go Dark Flames Timed Research provide identical raid rewards, making neither superior for PvE purposes. Stage 4 on either path requires completing 3 raids (featuring Houndoom) and awards the same items: 3 Silver Pinap Berries, 10 Ultra Balls, and 15,000 XP.
Raid Rewards Detail
Houndoom encounters and raids occur as the final Stage 4 reward regardless of path choice. This Mega-capable Dark/Fire attacker excels in PvE raids due to its high damage output with moves like Fire Blast and Foul Play, but the quantity and accessibility remain balanced across paths.
Encounters for PvE
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Dark path offers Carvanha (evolves to Sharpedo, solid but niche PvE attacker).
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Fire path offers Slugma (evolves to Mega Slugma line, weaker PvE options).
Houndoom itself ties both paths for top PvE raid value, with no path edge in raid passes or energy.
Recommendation
Pick based on Incense spawns or Collection Challenge preference rather than PvE raids, as rewards mirror each other. Dark path edges slightly if prioritizing Sharpedo’s Water/Dark coverage.
