Pokemon GO Final Strike Battle Week Event Guide and Rewards

Get ready to unleash your fighting spirit as Pokémon GO’s Final Strike: GO Battle Week kicks off from May 21 to May 27, 2025! This thrilling event marks the debut of Urshifu, the Wushu Pokémon, and offers double XP for raid wins, increased shiny encounters, exclusive research tasks, and the chance to earn an extra daily Raid Pass. Whether you’re evolving Kubfu into Urshifu’s Single or Rapid Strike Style or battling in special raids, this week promises intense action and rare rewards for Trainers worldwide.

There are also a handful of other perks, including doubled XP from winning raids, and some Pokémon will know their legacy moves when caught or evolved. Evolving Mankey into Primeape will give it Rage Fist, Seel into Dewgong will give it Ice Shard, Sweilous into Hydreigon will give it Brutal Swing, and Frogadier into Greninja will give it Hydro Cannon. Lapras caught via Field Research and raids will also know Ice Beam.

Below we list out the various Pokémon Go “Final Strike: Go Battle Week” event perks, including the boosted spawns, Timed Research, and more.

Pokémon Go ’Final Strike: Go Battle Week’ event Timed Research and reward

The “Final Strike: Go Battle Week” event in Pokémon Go features both free and paid Timed Research quests, each offering a range of rewards for participating trainers. Completing the free Timed Research unlocks an extra free Raid Pass per day for the remainder of the event, alongside rewards such as Rare Candy, Kubfu Candy, and encounters with event-themed Pokémon like Meditite, Mareanie, and Stunky. The paid Timed Research, available for $1.99, grants additional items including two Premium Battle Passes, four Lucky Eggs, a Max Particle Pack, and more encounters with the same event-themed Pokémon. Both Timed Research lines must be completed and rewards claimed before the event concludes on May 27, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. local time.

There are two Timed Research sets for this event, one free and one at $1.99. We detail both of them below.

’Final Strike: Go Battle Week’ free Timed Research

Notably, if you finish this research, you’ll be able to claim an additional free raid pass daily until the event ends on May 27.

Step 1 of 3

• Power up fighting-type Pokémon 10 times (1,000 XP)
• Catch 30 Pokémon (1,000 Stardust)
• Evolve 3 fighting-type Pokémon (2 Rare Candy)

Rewards: Meditite encounter, 1,000 XP, 2 Kubfu Candy

Step 2 of 3

• Power up water-type Pokémon 10 times (1,000 XP)
• Win 3 raids (1,000 Stardust)
• Evolve 3 water-type Pokémon (2 Rare Candy)

Rewards: Mareanie encounter, 1,000 XP, 2 Kubfu Candy

Step 3 of 3

• Power up dark-type Pokémon 10 times (1,000 XP)
• Win 3 Max battles (1,000 Stardust)
• Evolve 3 dark-type Pokémon (2 Rare Candy)

Rewards: Stunky encounter, 1,000 XP, 2 Kubfu Candy

’Final Strike: Go Battle Week’ premium paid Timed Research

Should you buy the “Final Strike: Go Battle Week” premium research? Meh. As usual, this is worth it for the coin value alone, but I personally would not buy this unless you really want to collect more Meditite, Stunky, or Mareanie.

Step 1 of 2

• Explore 2 km (Meditite encounter)
• Power up Pokémon 5 times (Stunky encounter)
• Catch 10 Pokémon (Meditite encounter)
• Evolve a Pokémon (Stunky encounter)
• Earn 5,000 XP (2 Lucky Eggs)

Rewards: 2 Premium Battle Passes, 3,000 XP, 1,500 Stardust

Step 2 of 2

• Explore 2 km (Meditite encounter)
• Power up Pokémon 5 times (Mareanie encounter)
• Catch 10 Pokémon (Meditite encounter)
• Evolve a Pokémon (Mareanie encounter)
• Earn 5,000 XP (2 Lucky Eggs)

Rewards: 1 Max Particle Pack, 3,000 XP, 1,500 Stardust

Pokémon Go ’Final Strike: Go Battle Week’ event Field Research and rewards

During the ’Final Strike: Go Battle Week’ event, players can complete special Field Research tasks by spinning PokéStops, each offering encounters with event-themed Pokémon. The Field Research tasks and their possible rewards include: making 3 Great Throws for a chance to encounter Mankey, Seel, or Carvanha; powering up Pokémon 10 times for Galarian Zigzagoon, Froakie, or Nickit; winning a raid for Stunky or Mareanie; and winning 2 raids for Lapras, Hisuian Samurott, or Bombirdier, with several of these Pokémon available in their shiny forms. In addition to Field Research, completing the free event Timed Research grants rewards like Rare Candy, Kubfu Candy, and encounters with Meditite, Stunky, and Mareanie, plus an extra free Raid Pass per day for the remainder of the event. For those seeking additional rewards, a paid Timed Research option offers Premium Battle Passes, Lucky Eggs, and more event-themed Pokémon encounters.

Spinning a PokéStop during the event period may yield one of these tasks:

• Make 3 great throws (Mankey, Seel, or Carvanha encounter)
• Power up Pokémon 10 times (Galarian Zigzagoon, Froakie, or Nickit encounter)
• Win a raid (Stunky or Mareanie encounter)
• Win 2 raids (Lapras, Hisuian Samurott, or Bombirdier encounter)

Pokémon Go ’Final Strike: Go Battle Week’ event boosted spawns

During the “Final Strike: Go Battle Week” event, several Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild, giving trainers extra opportunities to catch event-themed species. Boosted spawns for this event include Mankey, Seel, Galarian Zigzagoon, Meditite, Froakie, Deino, and Nickit, with Meditite offering an increased chance to encounter its shiny variant. These increased wild encounters are designed to complement the event’s battle theme and help players complete related research tasks and evolutions. Additionally, featured Pokémon like Stunky and Mareanie will have increased shiny rates, making this a prime time for collectors and battlers alike to hunt for rare variants.

These Pokémon will spawn more frequently during the event period:

• Mankey
• Seel
• Galarian Zigzagoon
• Meditite*
• Froakie
• Deino
• Nickit

*There is an “increased chance” of finding this shiny in the wild as part of the event.

Pokémon Go ’Final Strike: Go Battle Week’ event raid targets

During the “Final Strike: Go Battle Week” event, a diverse lineup of raid bosses is available for trainers to challenge. The headline addition is Urshifu, debuting in both its Single Strike and Rapid Strike Styles, which can be obtained by evolving Kubfu after completing specific raid or battle tasks. In Tier 5 raids, regional Legendary Pokémon Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf are featured, offering trainers a rare chance to catch these elusive Pokémon. Mega Gyarados headlines the Tier 4 raids, while Tier 3 raids include Lapras (with the exclusive Charged Attack Ice Beam), Hisuian Samurott, and Bombirdier-all with boosted shiny odds. For Tier 1 raids, Carvanha, Stunky, and Mareanie are available, each with the potential to be shiny. This event provides a valuable opportunity to target both new and returning raid bosses, complete raid-related research, and hunt for shinies across multiple tiers.

The following changes to the raid schedule will take place as part of the event:

’Final Strike: Go Battle League’ raid line-up

For the ’Final Strike: Go Battle League’ raid line-up, trainers can expect a diverse set of raid bosses tailored for the event’s competitive, battle-focused theme. During the event, the following Pokémon will headline raids: one-star raids feature Carvanha and Stunky (with Stunky having an increased shiny chance), while three-star raids include Lapras, Hisuian Samurott, and Mareanie (all with boosted shiny odds as well). In higher tiers, regional Legendary Pokémon Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf rotate in five-star raids depending on your location, and Mega Gyarados anchors the mega raid tier. This line-up provides opportunities to catch rare and shiny Pokémon, as well as to challenge powerful raid bosses that complement the competitive spirit of Go Battle Week.

How can I maximize my chances to catch shiny Pokémon during Final Strike Week

Maximizing Shiny Pokémon Encounters During Final Strike Week

Focus on Boosted Shiny Pokémon

• During Final Strike Week, shiny rates are specifically boosted for Meditite (wild), and for Stunky and Mareanie (raids). Prioritize encountering these Pokémon to maximize your shiny odds.

Raid Strategically

• Participate in as many Stunky and Mareanie raids as possible since their shiny rates are increased during this event. Use your daily free raid pass and any extra passes earned through event research.

Hunt in the Wild

• Meditite has an increased shiny chance in the wild. Walk in areas with high spawn rates, use Incense to draw more Pokémon to you, and activate Lure Modules at PokéStops to further boost wild encounters.

Play During Overlapping Events

• Machop Community Day Classic (May 24, 2-5 p.m. local time) features a boosted shiny rate (1 in 25) for Machop, making it an ideal window to hunt for shinies. Take advantage of this time for both Machop and increased Stardust.

Maximize Encounters

• The more Pokémon you encounter, the higher your shiny odds. Use tools like Pokémon GO Plus or Gotcha devices to catch more Pokémon efficiently as every encounter is a new chance at a shiny.

Utilize Weather Boosts

• Certain Pokémon, like Seel, may have higher spawn rates in specific weather conditions (e.g., rainy weather for Water-types). Seek out areas with favorable weather to increase your encounter rate.

Summary Table: Shiny Hunting Tips

Key Takeaway:
Prioritize boosted Pokémon, maximize your encounters through raids and wild spawns, and play during special event hours to give yourself the best chance at catching shinies during Final Strike Week.

What are the best Pokémon to focus on for shiny hunting during Final Strike Week

Best Pokémon to Focus on for Shiny Hunting During Final Strike Week

Top Shiny Targets:

• Galarian Zigzagoon: Its shiny form is one of the most striking in the game, and evolving it to Shiny Obstagoon gives you a flashy, fan-favorite collectible.

• Mankey: Shiny Mankey evolves into Primeape and then Annihilape, both with unique shiny colorations. Evolving it during the event gives access to the exclusive move Rage Fist for Annihilape.

• Froakie: Shiny Froakie is rare, and evolving it during the event guarantees a Hydro Cannon Greninja, which is highly valued in both raids and PvP.

• Deino: Shiny Deino evolves into Hydreigon, a powerful pseudo-legendary. Evolving it during the event lets Hydreigon learn Brutal Swing, boosting its raid viability.

• Hisuian Samurott: Available in three-star raids, its shiny form is rare and visually distinct, making it a prized collector’s item.

Additional High-Value Shinies:

• Meditite (wild): Boosted shiny odds during the event, making it a strong target for shiny hunters.

• Stunky and Mareanie (raids): Both have increased shiny rates in raids, so prioritize raiding these Pokémon for a better chance at their shiny forms.

Summary Table

Tip: Focus your efforts on boosted Pokémon in the wild and raids, and evolve your catches during the event to unlock exclusive moves and maximize the value of your shiny finds.