Pokemon Go Throwback Challenge 2020: Everything You Need to Know

Update (05/08/20): On Twitter, Niantic, the developer of Pokemon Go, said players will only receive 5 Rare Candies for completing the Johto Timed Research Tasks, instead of 10. The developer said trainers can claim the other five “on the first page of the Hoenn Throwback Timed Research,” which kicks off later in May.

Original Story:

Trainers, Pokemon Go will celebrate some of the different regions in the Pokemon universe with a major in-game event that’s coming soon.

The Throwback Challenge event will allow players to complete up to five different sets of Special Research tasks to receive a variety of rewards. Four of these five sets are themed after different regions (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh), while the fifth set will be available once you’ve completed the previous four. The first four quest lines will have eight sets of three tasks to complete. The fifth quest line will only feature four sets of tasks to finish.

The first four questlines in this Throwback Challenge event will only be available for a limited time, so you may need to work fast to complete them. In a news post, Niantic, the developer of Pokemon Go, said you’ll be able to complete them all “in an individual setting.” That means you won’t need to team up with other trainers in the real world to finish them.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each timed event and quest line will feature.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto
Available from May 1 at 1 p.m. to May 8 at 1 p.m. local time

• Pokemon from the Kanto region will appear more frequently in the wild, and they’ll also be available to battle in Raids.
• Venonat, Machop, Onix, Lickitung, Tangela, Scyther, Pinsir, Lapras, and Eevee will be available to hatch from 7 km Eggs.
• Pikachu wearing Charizard hats will appear in the wild.
• You may encounter Shiny Venonat.
• You’ll be able to collect themed Field Research tasks that reward you with encounters with Pokemon from the Kanto region.
• You’ll earn two times the normal amount of experience points when capturing Pokemon, hatching Eggs, and completing Raids.

If you complete the Throwback Challenge Special Research tasks during this Kanto-themed week, you’ll receive 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with Mewtwo that knows the move Psystrike.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto
Available from May 8 at 1 p.m. to May 15 at 1 p.m. local time

• Pokemon from the Johto region of the Pokemon universe will appear more often in the wild. This includes pocket monsters like Dunsparce and Skarmory.
• Pokemon from Johto will also be available to battle in Raids.
• Chinchou, Yanma, Girafarig, Pineco, Dunsparce, Gligar, Shuckle, Skarmory, and Phanpy will have the chance to hatch from 7 km Eggs.
• Pikachu wearing Umbreon hats will appear in the wild.
• You may encounter Shiny Dunsparce.
• Event-themed Field Research tasks will be available, which will reward you with encounters with Pokemon from Johto.
• You’ll earn two times the normal amount of Stardust when capturing Pokemon and completing Raids.

If you can complete all of the Throwback Challenge Special Research tasks in the Johto set, you’ll earn 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with Ho-Oh that knows Earthquake.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn
Available from May 15 at 1 p.m. to May 22 at 1 p.m. local time

• Pokemon from the Hoenn region will appear more frequently in the wild, and you’ll also be able to battle them in Raids.
• 7 km Eggs may contain Lotad, Slakoth, Nincada, Skitty, Sableye, Mawile, Trapinch, Feebas, and Clamperl.
• Pikachu wearing Rayquaza hats will be available to encounter in the wild.
• You may encounter Shiny Skitty.
• You’ll have the chance to collect themed Field Research tasks that reward you with encounters with pocket monsters from the Hoenn region.
• The walking distance to hatch Eggs and earn Buddy Candy will be cut in half during this event.

If you complete all of the Hoenn-themed Special Research tasks during this week, you’ll receive 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with Groudon that knows the battle move Fire Punch.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh
Available from May 22 at 1 p.m. to May 29 at 1 p.m. local time

• Pokemon originally found in the Sinnoh region will appear more often in the wild, and they’ll also be available to challenge in Raids.
• 7 km Eggs will have the chance to contain Cranidos, Shieldon, Glameow, Chingling, Bonsly, Happiny, Gible, Munchlax, Riolu, and Mantyke.
• Pikachu that are wearing Lucario hats will appear in the wild.
• You will have the chance to encounter Shiny Glameow.
• You’ll be able to collect Field Research tasks that reward you with encounters with Pokemon from the Sinnoh region of the Pokemon universe.
• Star Pieces, Incense, and Lucky Eggs will last for one hour (rather than 30 minutes) if they’re activated during this event.

Completing this week’s Special Research tasks will reward you with 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with Cresselia that knows the move Grass Knot.

Throwback Challenge Champion 2020

If you complete all four quest lines that are available in May, you’ll unlock the “Throwback Challenge Champion 2020” Special Research tasks, which will focus on Pokemon from the Unova and Galar regions of the Pokemon universe.

By completing these tasks, you’ll earn 5 Rare Candies, encounters with Galarian Meowth, Galarian Stunfisk, and Genesect, and a set of avatar glasses inspired by Professor Willow. While the four weekly quest lines for Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh will only be available to complete for a limited time, if you successfully unlock the Champion series, it can be completed at any time going forward.

In addition, from June 3 at 1 p.m. until June 8 at 1 p.m. local time, a variety of updates will be available for all players, including those that didn’t unlock the Champion series. Here’s what we can look forward to:

• Pokemon from the Unova region will appear more frequently in the wild.
• Galarian Stunfisk will be available to encounter in the wild and in Raids.
• Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Darumaka, and Galarian Stunkfisk (as well as their “normal” forms) will be available to hatch from 7 km Eggs.
• You’ll be able to evolve Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, and Galarian Darumaka into their Galarian evolutions.

Phew – That’s definitely a lot to take in! Make sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on any of these “throwback” events in Pokemon Go!

Are you looking forward to the Throwback Challenge event in Pokemon Go? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us at @superparenthq.