Team Go Rocket Taking Over Pokémon Go Fest Weekly Challenge With Some Surprise Guests

It’s finally clear that Team Go Rocket isn’t just sightseeing as they appear to be taking things up a notch. With Team Go Rocket balloons appearing more often in Pokémon Go, the Go Fest Weekly Challenge: Battle Timed Research is now going to be entirely focused on taking down Team Go Rocket. You can read on how things started here.

The Weekly Challenge started today, July 10, at 8:00 AM and ends on July 15 at 10:00 PM (local time). Features of these challenges include:

• Poison-type and Dark-type Pokémon are appearing in the wild, in Eggs, and in raids.
• Team Go Rocket balloons are appearing more often.
• The Meowth balloon seems to be appearing at a higher rate.
• Suicune has been turned into a Shadow Pokémon.
  • Defeat Giovanni to save it.
  • Complete the Go Fest Weekly Challenge: Battle Timed Research to receive a Super Rocket Radar that will help you track Giovanni down.
• These Pokémon are being captured and turned into Shadow Pokémon now. Try and rescue these Pokémon:
  • Nidoran ♀
  • Nidorina
  • Nidoran ♂
  • Nidorino
  • Machop
  • Machoke
  • Gligar
  • Shuckle
  • Stunky
  • Skuntank

There’s also news that Team Go Rocket Leaders appear to have found additional species of Pokémon to turn into Shadow Pokémon. It also appears that Team Go Rocket has plans to not only capture more Pokémon, but also take over more PokéStops. This probably won’t be the last time Trainers are going to encounter Team Go Rocket.

If that’s not enough, there’s also something happening on Sunday July 12 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (local time). Trainers should keep their eyes out for:

• Team Go Rocket balloons in the skies and more Team Go Rocket Grunts capturing PokéStops for the duration of the take-over.
• 2× Stardust when you defeat Team Go Rocket Grunts and Team Go Rocket balloons.
• The Meowth balloon appearing more often than usual.
• The opportunity to use a Charged TM to let your Pokémon forget the move Frustration and learn a new move.
• Team Go Rocket music playing in Pokémon Go.

Surrender now or prepare to fight!

By now you’ve probably seen some clues as to who the special guests arriving to Pokémon Go. Who else do you think is arriving in a Meowth balloon? Watch the video below before we continue:

That’s right Trainers, none other than the iconic Jessie and James are making an appearance for a limited time. In addition, Team Go Rocket has assigned Shadow Pokémon to protect them.

For those of you who want to take the duo on, just check the map. Once you see the Meowth balloon, tap it in order to fight against Jessie and James. There are also going to be avatar items inspired by Jessie and James available in the shop.

Decide quickly if you want to fight them or not as they won’t be staying for too long.