Pokémon Go: “A Troubling Situation” Quest-Line Guide

It’s the height of Summer and Niantic, once again, has given Pokémon Go fans a reason to endure the heat. As of today, Team GO Rocket is back in the real world, but this time, with a vengeance.

Certain Pokéstops will look slightly discolored and act erratically on the map due to the team’s poisonous presence there. To return the pokéstops to normal, trainers must defeat the ‘Team Rocket Grunt’ and their ‘Shadow Pokémon’. According to the Pokémon website, these Pokémon will “behave strangely and seem to be in pain”, so it’s your duty as a trainer to defeat the Grunt in battle, which is when the Team Rocket member will discard their shadow Pokémon, leaving you with the option to catch it.

Catching these Shadow Pokémon is more difficult than their usual forms, although once captured, you have the ability to ‘purify’ them. Though, to purify them, it’ll cost you a hefty amount of stardust as well as candies. But it could be worth it. When they’ve returned to there usual form (if that’s what you desire) there CP will dramatically increase. It’s also important to note that you can’t trade them in their shadow forms. So for the sake of trade and the poor creature, it’s better to purify it.

This update is called “A Troubling Situation”, and the questline comes in four not-so-troubling stages.

Part One:

The first stage involves two special research tasks; the first is evolving two of your party members for a Murkrow encounter. The second is powering up our Pokémon 5 times for a Sableye encounter – not too difficult so far. This will reward you with 1,000 stardust, which will come in handy later on, and 2,000 XP.

Part Two:

Next up, you have to defeat three-team rocket grunts and catch two Shadow Pokémon for an Ekans and Sableye encounter. Note that these Team Rocket Grunts are more challenging than they have been in the past – so it’s a good idea to level up your Pokémon as Stage One emphasizes.

Part Three:

Stage Three is similar to Stage Two, this time purifying 3 Shadow Pokémon. But this time, instead of battling Team Rocket, you have to specifically purify a Fire, Water, or Grass-type. For this stage’s completion, you’ll receive 2,000 stardust, 5 Silver Pinap, and 1 Rare Candy.

Part Four:

Stage Four will automatically complete after you’ve finished the previous three stages, rewarding you with another 2,000 Stardust, 1,000 XP, 1 Charged TM, 1 Fast TM, and 3 Rare Candy. Some pretty neat rewards – worth the outdoor sweat. Despite there being no announced time limits, it’s probably best to catch and purify as many Shadow Pokémon as you can before the event does end.

This update will no doubt get players back into the Summer heat with not only the exciting prospect of Pokémon Sword and Shield around the corner but the more challenging battle scenarios, more powerful Pokémon, and great rewards.