Pokémon GO Team GO Rocket Takeover Event Explained

Niantic Labs, The Pokémon Company

Team Rocket has been a nuisance for Pokémon players ever since the first game. From 12 a.m. local time Nov. 14 up to 8 p.m. Nov. 17, Giovanni and his Team Rocket henchmen will take over Pokémon GO. Here is what players should expect to see during this event.

During Team Rocket Takeover, Giovanni and his goons have several Pokémon caught under their control turning them into Shadow Pokémon. Bonuses during the event include Team Rocket appearing more frequently at PokéStops and in balloons every three hours. Additionally, players can use a Charged TM to help a Shadow Pokémon forget the Charged Attack Frustration.

Pokémon to turn back from Shadow Pokémon

Defeating Team Rocket will revert these Pokémon back to normal ones.

  • Alolan Diglett
  • Golett
  • Natu
  • Onix
  • Wailmer

Egg Pokemon

These Pokémon can be hatched from 12-kilometer eggs. Lucky players can also hatch some shinnies. Shiny Pawniard will be available to hatch from eggs for the first time.

  • Absol - Can be shiny
  • Deino - Can be shiny
  • Larvitar - Can be shiny
  • Pancham
  • Pawniard - Can be shiny
  • Salandit
  • Sandile
  • Scraggy
  • Skorupi - Can be shiny
  • Skrelp
  • Vullaby - Can be shiny

There are four members of Team Rocket players must defeat in order to free the Pokémon. Each member has their own team of Pokémon to battle.

Arlo

  • Shiny Mawile
  • Charizard
  • Salamence
  • Staraptor
  • Dragonite
  • Granbull
  • Scizor

Cliff

  • Shiny Machop
  • Pinsir
  • Crobat
  • Amoonguss
  • Aerodactyl
  • Tyranitar
  • Camerupt

Sierra

  • Shiny Sableye
  • Flygon
  • Cacturne
  • Honchkrow
  • Snorlax
  • Houndoom
  • Cradily

Giovanni

  • Persian
  • Nidoqueen
  • Steelix
  • Rhyperior
  • Mewtwo

Field Research Task

Defeating any two of the three Team Rocket grunts will complete the research task for this event and players will be rewarded with a Mystery Component.