Throwback Challenge 2020 is a massive Pokémon GO event that spans through the entire month of May and features Throwback Challenge Timed Research lines that celebrate Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh regions.
The grand finale of the Challenge is completing all four Research lines, which unlocks the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research, in which you can earn Rare Candies, reward encounters with Genesect, Galarian Meowth and Galarian Stunfisk, Professor Willow’s glasses as an exclusive avatar item, and more.
Alright, we already said this is a massive event, so it mandates a massive guide. Here’s the timeline of the event:
| Special Research Line | Time |
|---|---|
| Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto Timed Research | Friday, May 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time |
| Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto Timed Research |
Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time |
| Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn Timed Research | Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time |
| Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh Timed Research | Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 29, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time |
| Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research unlock and event | Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time |
Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto
Mewtwo
See our Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto guide for the Special Research quest line tasks and rewards.
From Friday, May 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto Timed Research.
Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Kanto Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Mewtwo that knows Psystrike.
Bonuses
While the Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto Timed Research is available, you can look forward to the following features and bonuses.
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region, such as Venonat and Chansey, will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region will also be available to battle in raids.
- The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Venonat, Machop, Onix, Lickitung, Tangela, Scyther, Pinsir, Lapras, and Eevee.
- In honor of Charizard being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region, Pikachu wearing Charizard hats will be appearing in the wild!
- If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Venonat!
- Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region.
- 2× Catch XP, 2× Raid XP, and 2× Hatch XP bonuses will be active.
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Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto
Ho-Oh
From Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto Timed Research.
Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Johto Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Ho-Oh that knows the event-exclusive attack Earthquake.
Bonuses
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region, such as Dunsparce and Skarmory, will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region will also be available to battle in raids.
- The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Chinchou, Yanma, Girafarig, Pineco, Dunsparce, Gligar, Shuckle, Skarmory, and Phanpy.
- In honor of Umbreon being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region, Pikachu wearing Umbreon hats will be appearing in the wild!
- If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Dunsparce!
- Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region.
- 2× Catch Stardust and 2× Raid Stardust bonuses will be active.
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Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn
Groudon
From Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn Timed Research.
Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Hoenn Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Groudon that knows the event-exclusive attack Fire Punch.
Bonuses
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region—such as Skitty, Zangoose, and Seviper—will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region will also be available to battle in raids.
- The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Lotad, Slakoth, Nincada, Skitty, Sableye, Mawile, Trapinch, Feebas, and Clamperl.
- In honor of Rayquaza being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region, Pikachu wearing Rayquaza hats will be appearing in the wild!
- If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Skitty!
- Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region.
- The distance needed to hatch an Egg once it’s been placed in an Incubator and the distance needed to earn Buddy Candy will be halved.
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Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh
Cresselia
From Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 29, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh Timed Research.
Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Sinnoh Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Cresselia that knows the event-exclusive attack Grass Knot.
Bonuses
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, such as Cherubi and Glameow, will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region will also be available to battle in raids.
- The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Cranidos, Shieldon, Glameow, Chingling, Bonsly, Happiny, Gible, Munchlax, Riolu, and Mantyke.
- In honor of Lucario being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, Pikachu wearing Lucario hats will be appearing in the wild!
- If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Glameow!
- Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region.
- One-hour Star Piece duration, one-hour Incense duration, and one-hour Lucky Egg duration bonuses will be active.
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Throwback Challenge Champion 2020
Genesect (Normal)
Join Professor Willow as you rediscover Pokémon originally found in the Unova region and meet Pokémon originally discovered in the Galar region as they make their Pokémon GO debut.
Complete all four sets of tasks in this Special Research to earn five Rare Candies; reward encounters with Galarian Meowth, Galarian Stunfisk, and Genesect; and Professor Willow’s glasses as an exclusive avatar item!
Unlike the previous sets of Timed Research, this Special Research isn’t time-limited and can be unlocked and completed at any time.
Bonuses
From Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, all Trainers can look forward to the following features, even if they don’t have access to the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research.
- Galarian Stunfisk will be making its Pokémon GO debut! Find it in the wild, in raids, and as a Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research reward encounter.
- The following Pokémon will also be making their Pokémon GO debut and hatching from 7 km Eggs along with their usual forms:
- Galarian Meowth,
- Galarian Zigzagoon,
- Galarian Darumaka,
- and Galarian Stunfisk.
- You’ll also be able to evolve Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, and Galarian Darumaka into their Galarian evolved forms!
- Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
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