Pokémon Go ‘A Striking Shadow’ Marshadow special research tasks and rewards

The “A Striking Shadow” Special Research is another opportunity to get Marshadow in Pokémon Go.

The fighting- and ghost-type mythical was first made available to Pokémon Go Fest 2024 paid ticket holders, and as with all mythical releases, the time has come for Marshadow to be available for all players for free.

The research is available as part of April 2025’s “Stunning Styles” event, which also saw the debut of Paldean Tauros. Once you have logged into Pokémon Go during the event period and have the research available, it will not expire — meaning you can complete it at your own pace.

Know that if you have already claimed the “A Shadowy Caper” research from Go Fest 2024, you’ll receive extra Marshadow candy instead of a second encounter. This is a mythical Pokémon after all!

‘A Striking Shadow’ special research steps

Once you’ve started the “A Striking Shadow” special research, there is no time limit to completing the research. Thanks to Leek Duck for helping flesh out the following steps.

‘A Striking Shadow’ step 1 of 6

• Catch 50 Pokémon (10 Razz Berries)
• Spin 50 PokéStops or Gyms (Mankey encounter)
• Explore 10km (20 Poké Balls)

Rewards: 2,000 XP, Timburr encounter, 3 Golden Razz Berries

‘A Striking Shadow’ step 2 of 6

• Hatch 10 Eggs (Duskull encounter)
• Earn 3 Candies walking with your buddy (10 Razz Berries)
• Send 10 Gifts to friends (Misdreavus encounter)

Rewards: 2,000 XP, Frillish encounter, 3 Silver Pinap Berries

‘A Striking Shadow’ step 3 of 6

• Use 3 Incense of Daily Adventure Incense (10 Great Balls)
• Evolve 5 Pokémon (Shuppet encounter)
• Complete 20 Field Research tasks (3 Pinap Berries)

Rewards: 2,000 XP, Meditite encounter, 1,500 Stardust

‘A Striking Shadow’ step 4 of 6

• Win 5 Shadow Raids (Mienfoo encounter)
• Defeat 10 Team Go Rocket members (2 Fast TMs)
• Use 15 Supereffective Charged Attacks (2 Charged TMs)

Rewards: 2,000 XP, Makuhita encounter, 1,500 Stardust

‘A Striking Shadow’ step 5 of 6

• Earn 25,000 XP (2 Rare Candy)
• Earn 25,000 Stardust (2 Rare Candy)
• Make 5 Excellent Throws (2 Rare Candy)

Rewards: 2,000 XP, Marshadow encounter, 1,500 Stardust

Upon completing this step, an exception here is for those who have claimed the “A Shadowy Caper” research from Go Fest 2024, you’ll receive 25 Marshadow Candy instead of an encounter.

‘A Striking Shadow’ step 6 of 6

• Explore 10km (5 Marshadow Candy)
• Power up ghost-type Pokémon 10 times (5 Marshadow Candy)
• Power up fighting-type Pokémon 10 times (5 Marshadow Candy)

Rewards: 2,000 XP, 20 Marshadow stickers, 15 Marshadow Candy

As well as Paldean Tauros, other recent additions to Pokémon Go include the Go Pass April battle pass, which offers the chance to get another Lucky Trinket.