The 'Precious Pals: Taken Over' Special Research is a Team Go Rocket questline in Pokémon Go.
Debuting in January 2025 as part of the 'Precious Pals' event, it's the latest in a long line of Special Research where you face a series of Team Go Rocket grunts and leaders, before facing off against Giovanni with a shadow legendary Pokémon.
This guide explains all known steps in the 'Precious Pals: Taken Over' Special Research in Pokémon Go - but before then, a quick note on how 'Taken Over' events work.
How 'Taken Over' events work
The legendary shadow Pokémon debuting in 'Precious Pals: Taken Over' is Incarnate Forme Thundurus. However, a quirk with how 'Taken Over' research works is if you complete this quest after the next one 'Taken Over' debuts, you'll face the next shadow legendary Pokémon instead - so make sure you face Giovanni before then if you want Incarnate Forme Thundurus.
Also, if 'Precious Pals: Taken Over' doesn't appear for you, then you need to complete any existing 'Taken Over' you have active, as only one can appear in your Special Research at any one time.
'Precious Pals: Taken Over' quest steps in Pokémon Go
'Precious Pals: Taken Over' debuted on Friday, 23rd January 2026 as part of 'Precious Pals' event. As Special Research, it will remain in your quest inventory until it's completed, meaning there is no time limit to taking on the following challenges.
'Precious Pals: Taken Over' Special Research step 1/5
- Catch 15 Pokémon (reward: 5 Pinap Berries)
- Purify 2 Shadow Pokémon (reward: 10 Poké Balls)
- Defeat 3 Team Go Rocket Grunts (reward: 1 Mysterious Component)
End rewards: 1,500 XP, 500 Stardust, Nidoran♀ encounter
'Precious Pals: Taken Over' Special Research step 2/5
- Catch 20 Pokémon (reward: 5 Pinap Berries)
- Purify 5 Shadow Pokémon (reward: 10 Great Balls)
- Defeat 6 Team Go Rocket Grunts (reward: 3 Mysterious Components)
End rewards: 2,000 XP, 1,000 Stardust, Nidoran♂ encounter
'Precious Pals: Taken Over' Special Research step 3/5
- Defeat Team Go Rocket Leader Arlo (reward: 2,500 XP)
- Defeat Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff (reward: 2,500 XP)
- Defeat Team Go Rocket Leader Sierra (reward: 2,500 XP)
End rewards: 2,500 XP, 1,500 Stardust, 1 Super Rocket Radar
'Precious Pals: Taken Over' Special Research step 4/5
- Find the Team Go Rocket Boss (reward: 10 Hyper Potions)
- Battle the Team Go Rocket Boss (reward: 10 Ultra Balls)
- Defeat the Team Go Rocket Boss (reward: 6 Max Revives)
End rewards: 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust, Vulpix encounter
'Precious Pals: Taken Over' Special Research step 5/5
- Claim reward! (reward: 1,500 Stardust)
- Claim reward! (reward: 1,500 Stardust)
- Claim reward! (reward: 1,500 Stardust)
End rewards: 6,000 XP, 5,000 Stardust, 3 Charged TM
Remember, though the quest remains in your Special Research after 'Precious Pals: Taken Over' ends, be sure to remove Frustration from any shadow Pokémon before the 'Taken Over' event itself ends.
Best of luck taking on Giovanni!
