Similar to other games in the franchise,Pokemon Go’smain antagonist isTeam Go Rocket,appearing throughout the game, looking to defeat you using their Shadow Pokemon. Pokemon Go’s most recent event, the Galarian Expedition Event, is being taken over by Team Go Rocket, changing both the features and bonuses that you experience.

TheGalarian Expedition: Taken Over Eventwill be active for only four days, taking place fromTuesday, Jul 19, 2025, at 12am local time to Friday, June 04, 2025, at 8pm local time.There will be several changes to the game during this brief event, all included for you below in our complete event guide.

Pokemon Go Team Go Rocket Balloon flying over several PokeStops.

Event Bonuses

There are two main bonuses for this event, both having to do with Team Go Rocket and Shadow Pokemon. First, you canexpect to encounter Team Go Rocket members more frequently during this event,both atPokeStopsand in balloons.

The second bonus has to do with the Shadow Pokemon that you possess, obtained as a reward for defeating members of Team Go Rocket. During the Galarian Expedition: Taken Over Event, you will be able touseCharged TMs and Elite Charged TMsto make Shadow Pokemon forget the Charged Attack Frustration.

Team Go Rocket Leaders Cliff, Sierra, and Arlo with the Pokemon Go logo in the bottom-right corner.

Typically, Shadow Pokemon are unable to forget Frustration, disabling them from learning different moves in their attack pool.

With this in mind, make sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity to get rid of this Charged Attack.

Professor Willow with Pikachu on his shoulder, with Mew and the Pokemon Go logo on the right.

Shadow Pokemon Updates

Like the previously hosted “Taken Over” events in Pokemon Go, this event will bring anupdate to the different Shadow Pokemon that you encounter. Starting with the Galarian Expedition: Taken Over Event, and extending after its conclusion, you can expect to see Team Go Rocket Grunts and Team Go Rocket Leaders Arlo, Sierra, and Cliff using different Shadow Pokemon.

Additionally, there will besix different Pokemon that have been turned into Shadow Pokemon for the first time, possessed by Team Go Rocket Grunts starting with this event. This includes:

Shadow Mewtwo in a city, with Giovanni and a Pokemon Go Shadow Raid behind.

Event Research

Seasonal Special Research Story Update

This season’sSpecial Research Story will be updatedwith the start of this event, unlocking more tasks to be completed. This portion of the Special Research Story will becentered around Team Go Rocket, requiring you to complete tasks having to do with Team Go Rocket members and Shadow Pokemon.

The conclusion of this section of the Special Research Story will provide you with aSuper Rocket Radar, used to track down and battle againstTeam Rocket’s Leader, Giovanni.Defeating Giovanni will reward you with an opportunity to catchShadow Heatran, available for the first time in Pokemon Go through this Special Research Story.

Three phone screens side by side, each with a Squirtle entered into a Pokemon Showcase.

This Special Research Story can be acquireduntil June 24, 2025, at 9:59 am local time.

Event Field Research Tasks

Visit different PokeStops during the Galarian Expedition: Taken Over Event to receive differentEvent Field Research Tasks. These limited-time tasks will require you to complete specific in-game tasks, most likely having to do with either Team Go Rocket or Shadow Pokemon; rewarding you with one of the following items.

Event Shadow Raids

During the Galarian Expedition: Taken Over Event, Team Go Rocket will be taking over different Pokemon Gyms to hostShadow Raids,including bothOne-Star and Three-Star Raids. Each of these Shadow Raid Pokemon can be found below with the tier of Raid that they will be found in.

Remote Raid Passes are disabled for Shadow Raids,requiring you to be in-person if you would like to attempt one.

Additionally, make sure tostock up on and use Purified Gemsin Shadow Raids, subduing the Shadow Pokemon you are battling against.

Three-Star

Event Pokemon Showcases

Make sure to keep your eye out forEvent Pokemon Showcasesthroughout the Galarian Expedition: Taken Over Event. These Showcases will be hosted at different PokeStops found in the game, allowing you to enter Pokemon within specific requirements.

For the Pokemon Showcases for this event, you will have to enter event-themed Pokemon,most likely Shadow Pokemon or those that are associated with Team Rocket. To earn the most points and obtain the best rewards from these Pokemon Showcases, verify to use Pokemon that are either exceptionally large or small, depending on the competition being hosted.