Pokémon Go Precious Pals Taken Over Event Guide

Guides
Reading 4 min Views 2 Published by Modified by

Team GO Rocket has taken control of the Precious Pals event, twisting its cheerful theme into chaos. Trainers must face a new wave of shadow Pokémon, uncover secret research tasks, and challenge powerful leaders before the takeover spreads further.

Pokémon Go ‘Precious Pals: Taken Over’Special Research

The Pokémon Go ‘Precious Pals: Taken Over’ Special Research tasks players with confronting Team Go Rocket during this event. Complete sets of objectives to earn encounters with Shadow Pokémon like Teddiursa and Ursaring, plus rewards such as Stardust, XP, and Rare Candies. Niantic ties these missions to Rocket battles, where Purified Pokémon gain bonuses against Invaders. Progress through stages by defeating Grunts, Leaders like Sierra or Cliff, and Giovanni for exclusive prizes. Check in-game for timed steps that align with the Precious Pals event schedule.

Step 1 of 5

  • Catch 15 Pokémon (5 Pinap Berries)
  • Purify 2 shadow Pokémon (10 Poké Balls)
  • Defeat 3 Team Go Rocket grunts (1 Mysterious Component)

Rewards: 1,500 XP, 500 Stardust, Nidoran-F encounter

Step 2 of 5

  • Catch 20 Pokémon (5 Pinap Berries)
  • Purify 5 shadow Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
  • Defeat 6 Team Go Rocket grunts (3 Mysterious Components)

Rewards: 2,000 XP, 1,000 Stardust, Nidoran-M encounter

Step 3 of 5

  • Defeat Team Go Rocket leader Arlo (2,500 XP)
  • Defeat Team Go Rocket leader Cliff (2,500 XP)
  • Defeat Team Go Rocket leader Sierra (2,500 XP)

Rewards: 2,500 XP, 1,500 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, Vulpix encounter

Giovanni Shadow Thundurus best counters and weaknesses

Giovanni’s Shadow Thundurus is dual Electric/Flying, so it is weak to Rock and Ice and resists Ground, Steel, Fighting, Flying, Bug, Grass, and itself (Electric).

Shadow Thundurus typing and weaknesses

  • Typing: Electric/Flying.

  • Weak to: Rock and Ice (both deal super-effective damage).

  • Resists: Ground (immune), Steel, Fighting, Flying, Bug, Grass, and Electric attacks, so avoid using those as main damage types.

Best overall counters (non-Mega)

Aim for strong Rock or Ice attackers with fast, cheap charge moves so you can burn Giovanni’s shields quickly.

  • Mamoswine with Powder Snow + Avalanche (or High Horsepower as coverage).

  • Rhyperior with Smack Down + Rock Wrecker (or Stone Edge).

  • Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang + Avalanche.

  • Weavile with Ice Shard + Avalanche.

  • Tyranitar with Smack Down + Stone Edge.

  • Baxcalibur with Ice Fang + Avalanche.

Best Mega / Primal options

If you can, anchor your team with one strong Mega to boost Rock or Ice damage for the rest of the fight.

  • Mega Diancie with Rock Throw + Rock Slide.

  • Mega Tyranitar with Smack Down + Stone Edge.

  • Mega Glalie or Mega Abomasnow with Ice-type moves (be careful of Electric damage).

Practical team examples

You only need one solid Thundurus counter; your other two Pokémon should cover Persian and Giovanni’s second slot.

Example teams for the final slot vs Thundurus:

  • Team A:

    • Slot 1: Fighting-type for Persian (e.g., Lucario, Conkeldurr).

    • Slot 2: Water/Ground-oriented pick for middle Pokémon (e.g., Swampert, Groudon, Kyogre depending on rotation).

    • Slot 3: Mamoswine (Powder Snow + Avalanche) to hard-counter Shadow Thundurus.

  • Team B:

    • Slot 1: Mega Tyranitar (also burns shields vs Persian).

    • Slot 2: Flexible coverage (Swampert / Rhyperior).

    • Slot 3: Rhyperior (Smack Down + Rock Wrecker) or Galarian Darmanitan for a clean finish on Thundurus.

If you tell me what you have powered up (level 35-50 legendaries, any Megas, etc.), I can propose a precise trio and recommended move sets for your box.

Giovanni full team lineup January 2026

In January 2026, Giovanni’s lineup in Pokémon Go uses a fixed first and last Pokémon, with a rotating middle slot:

Giovanni team (January 2026)

  • Slot 1: Persian (Normal)

  • Slot 2: One of:

    • Rhyperior (Ground/Rock)

    • Machamp (Fighting)

    • Kangaskhan (Normal)

  • Slot 3: Shadow Thundurus (Incarnate Forme) (Electric/Flying)

This means you should build your team around:

  • A strong Fighting-type for Persian and potentially Kangaskhan or Machamp.

  • A Water or Grass-type (or strong Fighting/Ground) for Rhyperior if it appears.

  • A Rock or Ice-type closer (like Rhyperior, Mamoswine, strong Ice legendary, or Mega/Tera equivalents when available) for Shadow Thundurus.

Rate
Niantic Precious Pals Taken Over event Team Go Rocket battle
Arslan Shah

As a junior editor for the blog, he brings over a decade of experience and a lifelong passion for video games. His focus is on role-playing games, and he has a particular appreciation for compelling, story-driven narratives.

AELGAMES