Pokémon GO has gotten a little darker. Team Rocket has begun to invade PokéStops and leave behind mysterious Shadow Pokémon that we must purify. Here's everything we know right now:
Team GO Rocket
Grunts of an offshoot of the classic main-series antagonists, Team Rocket, are taking over some PokéStops in the world of Pokémon GO. Known as Team GO Rocket, the Grunts hijack Stops for 30 minute periods. Invaded PokéStops take on a darker hue when closed and a corrupted, glitching animation.
When you spin the PokéStop, the Grunt will challenge you to a battle. These battles are in the Trainer Battle format (specifically Master League), not the Gym and Raid format. The Grunt will battle with three very high-CP Shadow Pokémon. After you defeat the Grunt, the PokéStop will be freed from Team Rocket's control, and a Shadow Pokémon will be left behind for you to catch.
Even if you defeat the Grunt in your game, it will not free the PokéStop for other people. Grunts only disappear after being defeated or after the hidden clock reaches zero.
When you spin the PokéStop, the Grunt will challenge you to a battle. These battles are in the Trainer Battle format (specifically Master League), not the Gym and Raid format. The Grunt will battle with three very high-CP Shadow Pokémon. After you defeat the Grunt, the PokéStop will be freed from Team Rocket's control, and a Shadow Pokémon will be left behind for you to catch.
Even if you defeat the Grunt in your game, it will not free the PokéStop for other people. Grunts only disappear after being defeated or after the hidden clock reaches zero.
Shadow Pokémon
The mysterious Pokémon the Grunts leave behind are Shadow Pokémon. These are Pokémon with angry red eyes and a dark aura, as well as corrupted hearts. They have low CP and require more Stardust and Candy to power up. Shadow Pokémon also know an exclusive Charged Attack: Frustration.
Shadow Pokémon are encountered after defeated GO Rocket Grunts. You will have a limited amount of Premier Balls to catch them with. The more Pokémon you have conscious at the end of the battle, the more Pokémon you've purified, and the more Grunts you have defeated will contribute to the amount of bonus Premier Balls you receive.
Shadow Pokémon can be purified, meaning the darkness inside of them is expunged, for the cost of some Stardust and Candy. Purification will change the move Frustration into the move Return. It also raises the Pokémon's level to Level 25, and reduces their power-up costs by a small margin.
Snorlax, Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Raticate, Crobat, and their pre-evolutions (excluding Munchlax) can currently be found as a Shadow Pokémon.
Shadow Pokémon are encountered after defeated GO Rocket Grunts. You will have a limited amount of Premier Balls to catch them with. The more Pokémon you have conscious at the end of the battle, the more Pokémon you've purified, and the more Grunts you have defeated will contribute to the amount of bonus Premier Balls you receive.
Shadow Pokémon can be purified, meaning the darkness inside of them is expunged, for the cost of some Stardust and Candy. Purification will change the move Frustration into the move Return. It also raises the Pokémon's level to Level 25, and reduces their power-up costs by a small margin.
Snorlax, Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Raticate, Crobat, and their pre-evolutions (excluding Munchlax) can currently be found as a Shadow Pokémon.
Thanks for reading, Trainers!
SOURCE: Community Reports