It wouldn't be a season of Pokemon GO without Team GO Rocket interfering in the festivities somehow. Yet this time, the Team GO Rocket leaders have taken the organization's schemes to new heights with the corruption of two Legendary Pokemon simultaneously who await rescuing from players that can successfully overcome their dark powers in battle. Players will only have from March 27 to March 31 during the World of Wonders: Taken Over event to add these Shadow Legendary Pokemon to their teams, before they—and Giovanni—disappear into the shadows once more.
Between Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders, as well as Shadow Raids, this event places an emphasis on a plethora of Shadow Pokemon waiting to have their hearts reopened by a caring trainer. A number of these Shadow Pokemon are rather rare and not commonly found outside of specific event periods, with some even having the chance to appear in their Shiny colorations upon defeating them in battle. Awaiting at the pinnacle of Shadow Raids is the Legendary Pokemon Mewtwo, making its reappearance as a Shadow Pokemon after a few years away.
And if players can get their hands on a Super Rocket Radar, which can be obtained via Special Research that will be available for all players during the event period, they will be able to track down and confront Team GO Rocket's leader, Giovanni, and challenge him to a battle. But be warned—on top of his already-powerful team, he will oppose players with the Legendary Pokemon Groudon, requiring players to create teams more carefully than they've had to previously if they want a chance to catch it.
Here's a breakdown of all of Team GO Rocket's shenanigans during the World of Wonders: Taken Over event, including the evil team-esque Pokemon that will appear aplenty.
Pokemon GO World of Wonders: Taken Over Event Bonuses
For players looking to maximize the potential of their Shadow Pokemon, this event is the perfect opportunity to do it. During the event's duration only, using a Charged TM on a Shadow Pokemon will allow it to forget the move Frustration for another Charged Move in their movepool. This can normally only be done during specific events such as this one, as all Shadow Pokemon normally cannot forget the move Frustration, which they all have as a Charged Move.
Keeping with the trend established over the last several months, this event will once more include paid Timed Research that players can purchase from the in-game shop for $2. This research encourages players to take down Team GO Rocket Grunts, but will only be active during the event duration. Once the event concludes, this research will expire and no longer be able to be completed.
Luckily, free Timed Research will be available to all players that log in during the event, which will reward players with a number of Pokemon that appear with increased spawns during its duration. Field Research tasks themed to Team GO Rocket can also provide a handful of helpful items, including Mysterious Components needed to make Rocket Radars.
Team GO Rocket Grunts are going to be completely taking over the Pokemon GO map thanks to increased appearances at Poke Stops and in balloons. They'll even have some new Shadow Pokemon at their disposal that players can rescue, such as Pidgey, Darumaka, Gothita, and Solosis—with the event-exclusive chance to appear Shiny.
Pokemon GO World of Wonders: Taken Over Event Encounters
Outside of Shadow Pokemon, various Dark Type Pokemon—many of which are used by Team GO Rocket's Grunts and Leaders—will spawn with increased rates in the overworld. Many of these Pokemon are rare and don't often appear with increased rates, so take the chance to catch them and earn their Candies while you can.
- Increased wild encounters: Murkrow, Sableye, Purrloin, Scraggy, Inkay
- Rare wild encounters: Zorua, Vullaby, Deino
Additionally, other nefarious Pokemon are joining the event-themed 12km Egg pool for the World of Wonders: Taken Over event only. This type of Egg can only be obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts, with the Egg pool reverting once the event ends—though Egg pools can always be checked by selecting an Egg and scrolling to the bottom of the screen. This will also be the first opportunity for players in Pokemon GO to obtain a Shiny Sandile.
- 12km Eggs: Larvitar, Sandile, Pawniard, Vullaby, Deino, Pancham, Salandit, Varoom
Pokemon GO World of Wonders: Taken Over Event Raids
Raids are the star of the World of Wonders: Taken Over event, specifically Shadow Raids, which often require teams of players to work together to triumph over. Shadow Raids utilize Purified Gems, which are created through the combination of Shadow Shards earned by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts. The more players in a Shadow Raid that use Purified Gems, the lower the attack power of the Raid boss, which is crucial to taking down this event's slew of bosses—including the powerful Shadow Mewtwo.
- One-star Shadow Raids: Drowzee, Poliwag, Barboach, Foongus
- Three-star Shadow Raids: Hitmontop, Wobbuffet, Sneasel
- Five-star Shadow Raids: Mewtwo
The standard Raid lineup outside of Shadow Raids will coincide with the bosses appearing as part of the World of Wonders season. As part of the ongoing seasonal bonuses, all lower-tier Raids—including Shadow Raids—reward bonus experience, so players should look to complete as many Raids as they can for as long as they're available.
