A Striking Shadow Special Research Guide: Marshadow global Debut

Marshadow

Marshadow debuts globally in “A Striking Shadow” Special Research Story that is available for free starting Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time. Trainers who complete the Special Research will earn an encounter with the Mythical Pokémon Marshadow. This Special Research does not expire, so you can complete it at your own pace.

If you have already accessed the Pokémon GO Fest 2024–exclusive Special Research, completing this new Special Research will award you Marshadow Candy instead. This page details all of the Tasks and Rewards required to complete “A Striking Shadow”.

A Striking Shadow Tasks and Rewards

A Striking Shadow (1/6)

Tasks

Task	Reward
Catch 50 Pokémon	10× Razz Berry
Spin 50 PokéStops or Gyms	Mankey
Explore 10 km	10× Razz Berry

Stage Rewards

A Striking Shadow (2/6)

Tasks

Task	Reward
Hatch 10 Eggs	Duskull
Earn 3 candies walking with your buddy	10× Razz Berry
Send 10 Gifts to Friends	Misdreavus

Stage Rewards

A Striking Shadow (3/6)

Tasks

Task	Reward
Use 3 Incense or Daily Adventure Incense	10× Great Ball
Evolve 5 Pokémon	Shuppet
Complete 20 Field Research tasks	3× Pinap Berry

Stage Rewards

A Striking Shadow (4/6)

Tasks

Task	Reward
Win 5 Shadow Raids	Mienfoo
Defeat 10 Team GO Rocket members	2× Fast TM
Use 15 supereffective Charged Attacks	2× Charge TM

Stage Rewards

A Striking Shadow (5/6)

Tasks

Task	Reward
Earn 25,000 XP	2× Rare Candy
Earn 25,000 Stardust	2× Rare Candy
Make 5 Excellent Throws	2× Rare Candy

Stage Rewards

A Striking Shadow (5/6)

Tasks

Task	Reward
Explore 10 km	5× Marshadow Candy
Power up Ghost-type Pokémon 10 times	5× Marshadow Candy
Power up Fighting-type Pokémon 10 times	5× Marshadow Candy

Stage Rewards

Storyline

Stage 1/6

Aha, %PLAYERNAME%! Your timing couldn’t be better! Tell me—have you noticed anything unusual about your shadow lately? Several Trainers across the region claim to have seen something strange going on with their shadows.

I’m pretty sure the reports align with something I put down in my older research, but I have to find my notes before I can confirm my theory. If you’re up for it, let’s go with a tried-and-true play: I’ll search my archives, and you can go out and investigate. Your field observations could prove invaluable!

Stage 2/6

Yo, %PLAYERNAME%! You looking for the prof? He just bolted by a second ago. He had a big old notebook with him! The vibes around here have been mega off lately, what with all the weird shadows creeping people out! I mean, not that I’m scared or anything. I’m cool like a cucumber, you know?

But hey, if you wanted to take a break from shadow-hunting, we could hang a bit, trade some battle strats, maybe grab a quick snack? No? Yeah, I guess you’re right, finding Professor Willow is probably the priority!

Stage 3/6

Greetings, %PLAYERNAME%. I see my appearance has caught you off guard. Rest assured, you did not startle me. You’re looking for Professor Willow, correct? I saw him moments ago, though his behavior was somewhat…unusual. It looked as though he was tracking something through the shadows, off in that direction.

These shadowy anomalies you’ve likely heard about—I’ve been studying them myself, though my observations have yet to yield definitive conclusions. Perhaps your own investigation will prove more fruitful. But be cautious, %PLAYERNAME%.

Stage 4/6

Oh, %PLAYERNAME%! You after Professor Willow, too? You know all these weird shadows? They’re no random occurrence. There’s something moving through them. Something interesting. While Blanche is doing the analyzing thing and Spark is jumping at every shadow, I say you and me tackle this thing head-on!

Just remember, keep that fighting spirit burning, %PLAYERNAME%! Whatever’s out there is testing us!

Stage 5/6

Found you at last, %PLAYERNAME%! We must’ve been walking right past each other in all these shadows. I’ve cross-referenced our recent field data against my old notes, and I managed to identify the source of these mysterious occurrences!

A powerful presence is out there, observing Trainers and their Pokémon. Based on the data, it should be nearby, too. We’re looking at a massive research opportunity here—and you’re the perfect Trainer for the occasion!

Get out there and investigate the thing that’s causing all these odd shadows—but remember to be careful. We don’t know for sure what lies in the darkness!

Stage 6/6

Exceptional work, %PLAYERNAME%!

The strange shadows were actually the Mythical Pokémon Marshadow, hiding in plain sight! Well, plain-ish.

Following its trail through the darkness got us closer than we realized, but it took someone with your special connection to Pokémon to finally draw it into the light.

This is a significant moment! You’ve not only solved the mystery of the shadows—you’ve also gained a powerful new friend in Marshadow!