For the past couple of days, Team Rocket has been causing mischief in Pokemon GO. They have been taking over Pokestops, and trying to battle players with Shadow Pokemon. If you are lucky enough to find a Rocket Stop, and beat a Grunt in battle, you have a chance to get a Shadow Pokemon. The Shadow Pokemon can then be Purified, giving you a high CP version of the Pokemon. It’s a pretty fun event, even if it had a shaky start.
🚨 Alert 🚨
🚨 Alert 🚨
We’re hearing reports that #TeamGORocket has taken control of a huge number of PokéStops in New York City. 🗽 Trainers in New York City, help us stop the spread of Team GO Rocket by defeating as many Grunts as you can. The world will be watching. pic.twitter.com/UTCyAKlGZp— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) July 26, 2019
It would seem that Team Rocket are stepping up their game, however. They have started taking over real world locations, starting with Times Square, New York. Rocket Stops have started to show up all over the city. These give anyone in the Time Square area a great chance to get some powerful Pokemon. It appears that they have even been vandalizing Pokemon GO posters!
🚨 Alert 🚨 #TeamGORocket has taken over parts of New York City! 🗽 Early reports suggest that they have focused their efforts on communication methods like posters and billboards. https://t.co/VChTMBWlVw
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) July 26, 2019
I’m fully expecting Team Rocket to launch assaults on other cities around the world. For now, it’s impossible to know where they might strike next. If you want to get ready, just in case they do invade near you, there are important things to remember. First, you need to get close to Pokestops to see if they have turned into Rocket Stops. They will turn a dark grey as you get close to them if they have been taken over. When you spin the Rocket Stop, you might get a chance to fight a Grunt. If you beat the Grunt, you can get a Shadow Pokemon!
Shadow Pokemon can be Purified! Not only does Purification help Shadow Pokémon return to a more normal state, but Purified Pokemon can also become stronger than their normal counterparts due to the gratitude they feel toward the Trainer who saved them! They also require less resources to power up, or evolve.
It might be a good idea to hold on to your Stardust and Candies for now, just in case Team Rocket shows up in your area. You will need plenty of both to help those Shadow Pokemon.