Shadow Latios is the focus of a special research assignment in Pokémon Go where players will be able to rescue and catch the Dragon/Psychic-type Pokémon. Research assignments are one of several activities Pokémon Go has planned for players in July in addition to Spotlight Hours, the 6th Anniversary Event including the Battle Weekend, and more.
Shadow Pokémon are Pokémon that are being used by the nefarious Team GO Rocket to fight against players. They are different from normal Pokémon because they are stronger in battle, and powering them up requires less Stardust and Candy than normal or purified Pokémon. Players can choose to leave these Pokémon in their shadow form, or purify them. Purifying a Pokémon helps players rank up to earn the Purifier Medal in Pokémon Go.
Shadow Latios is part of the Pokémon Go storyline with Team GO Rocket's Giovanni, classically the boss of the whole organization. To earn Shadow Latios, players need to complete the Field Notes: Team GO Rocket research. If players complete all the tasks before September 1, 2022, they will have the opportunity to face Giovanni, battle against him and his tough Pokémon, and potentially catch Shadow Latios.
How to Catch Shadow Latios in Pokémon Go
The first step is to complete the Team GO Rocket research. There are six stages to the Team GO Rocket research in Pokémon Go:
- Step 1: Win a raid, defeat 3 Team GO Rocket members, and catch a Shadow Pokémon.
- Step 2:Catch 5 Shadow Pokémon, Make 3 nice curveball throws, defeat 5 Team GO Rocket Grunts
- Step 3:Purify 5 Shadow Pokémon, defeat 5 Team GO Rocket Grunts, earn 3 candies walking your Buddy
- Step 4:Defeat Team GO Rocket leader Arlo, defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff, defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra
- Step 5:Find, battle, and defeat the Team GO Rocket Boss, Giovanni. Shadow Latios can be caught during this stage of the research.
- Step 6:Claim XP rewards
While Shadow Latios is not listed as a reward for completing these field research tasks, players will encounter Shadow Latios if they beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go. The battle with Giovanni will be difficult; he uses Persian and Shadow Latios, and then either Nidoking, Machamp, or Rhyperior. Shadow Latios is weak to Bug, Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost, and Ict attacks, so players looking to defeat Shadow Latios in battle should choose one of those types of Pokémon.
Once Giovanni is defeated, players are awarded white Premier Balls based on how well they performed in battle. Players can earn up to seven Premier Balls, but will lost one ball for each Pokémon that fainted during battle. Shadow Pokémon are more difficult to catch than normal Pokémon because they move around a lot and attack the plater; use a Pokémon Go Nanab Berry to calm Shadow Latios down, then try to get Nice, Great, or Excellent throws. If players do not catch Shadow Latios with the Premier Balls, or if they run out of Balls, they will not be able to catch Shadow Latios from Team GO Rocket Leader Giovanni.
Pokémon GO is available on iOS and Android.