Pokémon GO Rising Shadows Event: Start Time, Featured Pokémon & More

The Season of Rising Heroes will culminate in another shadowy takeover from the dangerous crime organization Team GO Rocket. While their plans had previously been thwarted in the last takeover event, this time, they’ll be controlling Gyms with their Shadow Pokémon for a new Raid encounter.

This event marks the in-game debut of Shadow Raids, and Shadow Mewtwo makes its return as a formidable five-star Shadow Raid Boss. We have all the details about the Rising Shadows event, including the event schedule, featured Pokémon, Raids, and more in Pokémon GO.

Pokémon GO Rising Shadows Event Dates & Times

Team GO Rocket is returning to Pokémon GO for another takeover event, Rising Shadows, starting on 22nd May 2023 at 10 am local time before concluding on 28th May 2023 at 8 pm local time. This event will end the current Season of Rising Heroes before a new season commences on 1st June 2023.

🚨 Alert! 🚨 Alert! 🚨 Team GO Rocket is back, and they’re bringing #ShadowRaids to Pokémon GO!

Brief yourself on what we’ve learned about Shadow Raid Bosses, Shadow Shards, and Purified Gems here: https://t.co/kIDuOfgrjRpic.twitter.com/6MVgvKCnOh

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) May 18, 2023

Most importantly, this event will introduce Trainers to a brand new raid encounter to look forward to, Shadows Raids. This latest iteration will see various Team GO Rocket members have their Shadow Pokémon placed within Gyms as new Shadow Raid Bosses, which you must defeat to earn various rewards.

This can be achieved by collecting Shadow Shards before using them to form Purified Gems, which can temporarily weaken Shadow Raid Bosses. You can make Purified Gems using the Shadow Shard by requesting the Shard Refiner from Professor Willow before utilizing them during Raid encounters.

Additionally, there are additional event bonuses that Trainers can take advantage of to maximize their rewards earned, encounters, and more. As such, for this event, Team GO Rocket will be seen more prominently in their balloons and at various PokéStops.

Pokémon GO Rising Shadows Event Featured Pokémon

Shadow Mewtwo will return in-game after being last seen in the Ultra Beast Protection Efforts Special Research story in December 2022. This time, Shadow Mewtwo will appear in five-star Shadow Raids throughout the event, and lucky Trainers can gain the opportunity to encounter Shiny Shadow Mewtwo for the first time in-game.

This Psychic Pokémon will be available in-game between 27th and 28th May 2023 from 10 am to 8 pm local time to encounter Shadow Mewtwo in Shadow raids. Plenty of Shadow Pokémon can be discovered throughout this event through regular Raids and Shadow Raids.

Pokémon GO Rising Shadows Event Regular & Shadow Raid Encounters

As mentioned earlier, regular and Shadow Raids will occur during the Rising Shadows event. Likewise, Shadow Mewtwo will set to appear in five-star Shadow Raids with plenty of other Shadow Pokémon joining them at various Gyms.

According to Niantic, Gyms that haven’t been taken over by Team GO Rocket during the event can still host Raids as usual, as most Gyms will feature Shadow Raids between the 22nd and 28th May 2023 from 10 am to 8 pm local time. However, this activity will significantly increase on 27th May 2023 between 10 am and 8 pm local time as all Gyms will be under the control of Team GO Rocket.

Let’s look at all the normal Raids and Shadow Raids occurring for the Rising Heroes event in Pokémon GO:

Pokémon GO Rising Shadows Event Wild Encounters

With various Raid encounters going live for the Rising Shadows event, Trainers can encounter multiple Pokémon spawning in wild encounters. There will be a chance to encounter their Shiny forms (*), where indicated, for which you can put your throwing skills to the test to catch these wild Pokémon listed below:

• Ekans*
• Golbat
• Hisuian Qwilfish
• Houndour*
• Koffing*
• Poochyena*
• Scraggy
• Skorupi*
• Stunky

Pokémon GO Rising Shadows Event: Field & Special Research Tasks

Trainers will also have access to the event-exclusive Field Research tasks available to claim and complete for amazing rewards, including a Mysterious Component and Stardust. The tasks featured in this Field Research event will focus on catching specific Pokémon and defeating various Team GO Rocket members and their Shadow Pokémon.

Following the announcement of the arrival of the Master Ball, Trainers still have time to claim the Seasonal Special Research Story, Let’s GO, until 1st June 2023 at 10 am local time. Once claimed, you can do all the assigned tasks, where completing them earns you various rewards, including a Master Ball.

As we approach the start of the Rising Shadows event, we will update this guide with all the announced Field Research tasks for this event. Lastly, a new Avatar Pose, Rising Hero Pose, will be available to acquire from the in-game Shop, with pricing yet to be determined.