Pokémon Go Johto Throwback Challenge event guide

Pokémon Go’s Throwback Challenge for the Johto region takes place from May 8 until May 15.

Pokémon from the Johto region will start spawning more frequently, as well as hatching out of seven kilometer eggs you obtain during this event period. Pikachu with Umbreon hats will spawn during the event period, adding another variation to the “Pikachu in hats” list. Dunsparce will also be spawning Shiny for the first time during this event.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Image source: Niantic

Throughout the week, there’ll also be doubled XP gained from catching Pokémon and raiding.

There’s also a batch of Field Research tasks players can complete to encounter some Johto region Pokémon:

The star feature of this event is the special Throwback Challenge. Completing these tasks will reward you with a Ho-oh with the move Earthquake. You’ll also get rewards like Incense and rare Pokémon encounters like Gligar along the way.

There will be five weeks of challenges, Johto being the second. Finishing all five weeks (including last week’s Kanto tasks), will reward you with a Genesect.

Johto Throwback Challenge Tasks

Step 1 of 9

• Catch 3 grass-, water-, or fire-type Pokémon (10 Poké Balls)
• Send a gift to a friend (Dunsparce encounter)
• Catch a flying-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Xatu encounter, 1 Silver Pinap Berry, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 2 of 9

• Play with your buddy (Spinarak encounter)
• Give your buddy 3 treats (5 Razz Berries)
• Catch a bug-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Pineco encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries, 1 Golden Razz Berries

Step 3 of 9

• Make 3 great throws (1 Charged TM)
• Hatch an egg (Snubbull encounter)
• Catch an normal-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Miltank encounter, 1 Silver Pinap Berry, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 4 of 9

• Evolve a Pokémon (Sudowoodo encounter)
• Catch 5 different species of Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
• Catch a ghost-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Misdreavus encounter, 1 Golden Razz Berry, 2 Silver Pinap Berries

Step 5 of 9

• Take 3 snapshots with your buddy (Shuckle encounter)
• Make 4 nice curveball throws (Mantine encounter)
• Catch a fighting-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Hitmontop encounter, 1 Silver Pinap Berry, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 6 of 9

• Catch an electric-type Pokémon (1 Incense)
• Power up Pokémon 3 times (Mareep encounter)
• Catch a steel-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Skarmory encounter, 1 Golden Razz Berry, 2 Silver Pinap Berries

Step 7 of 9

• Evolve a Pokémon (1 Kings Rock)
• Catch a water-type Pokémon (Gligar encounter)
• Catch an ice-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Piloswine encounter, 1 Silver Pinap Berry, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 8 of 9

• Take a snapshot of an ice-type Pokémon (1 Dragon Scale)
• Battle another trainer (10 Ultra Balls)
• Power up the Pokémon 6 times (500 Stardust)

Reward: Donphan encounter, 1 Golden Razz Berry, 2 Silver Pinap Berries

Step 9 of 9

• 3000 XP
• 3000 XP
• 3000 XP

Reward: Ho-oh encounter, 5 Rare Candy

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Prices taken at time of publishing.

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