Team GO Rocket battles are some of the most exciting aspects of Pokémon GO, and the ultimate test in this grind is facing Giovanni. Beating the suave Boss of the villainous group lets you catch a Shadow Legendary, often a new force to be reckoned with in both/either the PvE and PvP meta
For more than six years, each new GO Rocket rotation would have players looking for the Super Rocket Radar, obtained through completion of the popular Special Research involving battles with Grunts and Leaders.
Now, a huge change has everyone baffled and frustrated: the Team GO Rocket Special Research IS NO MORE, even for new players. If you’re wondering what the new method to get the Super Rocket Radar is, here are all the details.
Starting from the Steeled Resolve event on Tuesday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. local time, players need to progress through the Steeled Resolve GO Pass to unlock the Super Rocket Radar.
- A Super Rocket Radar can be obtained for free, but you will have to reach Rank 30 of the GO Pass Basic version before Monday, May 4, at 8 p.m. local time.
- You can instead opt to pay for the GO Pass Deluxe version and instantly get the Super Rocket Radar at Rank 1.
Progressing through the various stages of GO Pass Basic to reach Rank 30 is quite the grind. Progression through the Ranks is done by earning points, and you can earn up to 500 extra points daily by completing certain tasks.
- Win a raid: 100 points
- Hatch an Egg: 40 points
- Catch a Pokémon: 5 points
However, from Saturday, May 2, at 12:00 a.m. to Monday, May 4, at 7:59 p.m. local time, there’s no daily limit for how many points you can collect.
For US$4.99 (or the equivalent in your local currency), you can upgrade to the GO Pass Deluxe, a paid version of the GO Pass that offers more rewards and quicker progression.
For US$6.99 (or the equivalent in your local currency), you can upgrade to the GO Pass Deluxe + 6 Ranks to also automatically grab enough points to hit Rank 7.
The paid version gives an instant Super Rocket Radar at Rank 1, and also the free Super Rocket Radar at Rank 30. As such, players who upgrade to the Deluxe version via the Pokémon GO Web Store can get themselves two Super Rocket Radars.
No.
Even progressing past the introductory ‘Troubling Situation’ Special Research, which would lead players to the latest Giovanni quest from Precious Pals Taken Over, no longer paves the way to any new Giovanni Special Research.
As such, taking on GO Pass is now the one and only way to obtain the Super Rocket Radar and face Giovanni.
Related reading
- All GO Rocket guides: Arlo lineup and counters, Sierra lineup and counters, Cliff lineup and counters, Team GO Rocket Grunt lineups
