In July 2019, an update to PokemonGO has introduces Team GO Rocket along with 2 new types of Pokemon - Shadow Pokemon and Purified Pokemon. To make things clearer for Trainers, a short Special Research Quest was added to the game explaining the process of fighting the Team GO Rockets Grunts, catching their Shadow Pokemon, then Purifying them. We've listed below the steps and rewards of this Special Research Quest.

In a nutshell, Team GO Rocket is taking over Poke-Stops randomly for 30 minutes at a time. These Poke-Stops seem to flicker and turn black as you approach them. When interacting with a Team GO Rocket Poke-Stop, a Team GO Rocket Grunt will challenge you to a fight. When you defeat a Grunt, they leave one of their Shadow Pokemon behind for you to catch. A Shadow Pokemon can then be Purified using Candy and Stardust. 

 

Stage 1 of 4

• Evolve 2 Pokémon (Murkrow encounter)
• Power up a Pokémon 5 times (Sableye encounter)

Completion Rewards: 1,000 Stardust, 2,000 XP.

 

Stage 2 of 4

• Catch 2 Shadow Pokémon (Koffing encounter)
• Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts (Ekans encounter)

Completion Rewards: 2,000 Stardust, 2,000 XP, 5 Golden Razz Berries.

 

Stage 3 of 4

• Purify 3 Shadow Pokémon (3,000 Stardust)
• Purify a Fire, Water, or Grass-type Shadow Pokémon (3,000 XP)

Completion Rewards: 2,000 Stardust, 5 Silver Pinap Berries, 1 Rare Candy.

 

Stage 4 of 4

• Auto completed (1,000 Stardust)
• Auto completed (1,000 XP)
• Auto completed (1,000 Stardust)

Completion Rewards: 1 Fast TM, 1 Charged TM, 3 Rare Candies.