Pokémon GO: Rising Shadows Event Guide(Dates, Times and Rewards)

For the first time in Pokémon GO Shadow Pokémon are coming to raids in the Rising Shadows Event. Shadow Pokémon are some of the strongest in Pokémon GO for trainers to use in PvP and raids, but previously have only been available through Team Rocket battles. However, during the new Rising Shadows Event, trainers will also be able to catch Shadow Pokémon through Raids, including the strongest Pokémon currently available in Pokémon GO Shadow Mewtwo.

The Rising Shadows Event in Pokémon GO will run from Monday, May 22nd, 10am local time until Sunday, May 28th, 10am local time. The Rising Shadow event follows the recent Pokémon GO: An Instinctive Hero Event hero based around the team leaders in the game. While there are no new Pokémon during the event, Shiny Shadow Mewtwo makes its debut in Pokémon GO. While the chances of finding one are very rare, it is a prize that trainers are going to be keen to get across the week’s event.

Rising Shadows Events Raids

The Rising Shadows Event focuses on Raids with the debut of Shadow Raids in Pokémon GO. Despite the recent changes with remote raid passes in Pokémon GO, the event has a lot to offer for all trainers. Alongside the legendary Mewtwo, there are four 1-star Shadow Raids, and four 3-Star Shadow Raids available. All of these Shadow Raids will also only be available in-person with remote Raid Passes not useable.

Of the Shadow Raids players should keep an eye out for Beldum. The Steel-type Pokémon Beldum evolves into Shadow Metagross, one of the strongest of its type in Pokémon GO. Players should also try to capture a strong Shadow Machop as its evolution Machamp remains one of the best fighting types available for players.

In the 3-star Shadow Raids, the Generation 2 starter evolutions Bayleef, Quilava and Croconaw can all become solid options for their types, but Shadow Sneasel, which is also available, is the strongest of the four and also has a shiny variation.

Alongside the new Shadow Raids, normal raids will also still be available at Pokémon Gyms during the event. This includes several with shiny possibilities such as Lapras and Mawile. In the normal 5-Star raids, players can find Regigigas and Tapu Fini, as well as there being two Mega Raids across the week.

From the start of the event until Wednesday, May 24 at 10 am local time, Pinsir will be available and after this time it will switch to Mega Altaria.

How To Catch Shadow Mewtwo In Pokémon GO

Considered to be the strongest Pokémon in Pokémon GO, Shadow Mewtwo is a must-have for all trainers. If players haven’t got one so far, the weekend is the perfect opportunity to catch one. If trainers have already done so, the event still provides a chance to catch a better version to use in PvP battles, or for the first time a shiny version. While we haven’t seen Shadow Mewtwo in raids before the same counters can be used to take it down as were needed when taking on the Team Rocket boss Giovanni in Pokémon GO.

It hasn’t been confirmed how many players it will take to beat a Shadow Mewtwo in a raid, but it is almost certain to be the hardest raid yet in Pokémon GO, making it key that players use the best counters available. Shadow Mewtwo is a Psychic-type Pokémon making it weak to Ghost, Dark and Bug-types.

Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom can be great options, but for players that don’t have access to the mega versions, the legendary Giratina and Darkrai are also super effective. A final option is the Gen 1 Ghost-type Gengar, but it will not be able to take many hits itself, as it is also weak to Shadow Mewtwo.

Rising Shadow Event Spawns

Alongside the changes in raids, the Rising Shadows event also sees certain Pokémon appear more frequently in the wild. Nine Pokémon will have increased spawn rates including four, Ekans, Koffing, Houndour, and Poochyena having shiny versions available. The Pokémon with increased spawn rates all are old Team Rocket favorites and while not the strongest, there are some uncommon spawns in Pokémon GO such as Husuian Qwilfish.

Rising Shadow Event Bonuses

Alongside Raids and Spawn increases there are several bonuses for the Rising Shadow event. Team GO Rocket will appear more frequently at Pokestops and in Balloons. A new avatar pose, the Rising Hero Pose, will be available from the start of the event onwards.

Finally, the event will have a new set of Field Research tasks for trainers to complete, offering further Pokémon to capture. While there is no new Special Research just for this event, players still have until June 1st to complete the Season 10: Rising Heroes tasks.

While players wait for the upcoming introduction of the Master Ball, The Rising Shadows event brings a major change to the game. The new Shadow Raids provide trainers with the first chance to catch Shiny Shadow Mewtwo making the Rising Shadow Event one not to be missed in Pokémon GO.