A Shadowy Caper was the six-step, ticket-exclusive Marshadow Special Research story for Pokémon GO Fest 2024: Global. Its tasks ranged from catching Pokémon and hatching Eggs to powering up Fighting- and Ghost-type Pokémon. It is different from Niantic’s later free Special Research, A Striking Shadow, announced for April 2025.
What was A Shadowy Caper in Pokémon GO?
A Shadowy Caper was a Special Research story built around Marshadow and offered to ticket holders for GO Fest 2024: Global. It had six steps, with a Marshadow encounter and other event rewards along the way. The task and reward details below describe that original 2024 event story; they do not mean that its ticket can still be purchased.
Its tasks asked players to catch Pokémon, spin PokéStops or Gyms, use Incense and Berries, complete Field Research, hatch Eggs, walk with a Buddy, evolve Pokémon, and power up Fighting- and Ghost-type Pokémon. The specialist event guide lists the full stages and rewards at Leek Duck’s Pokémon GO Fest 2024: Global guide.
A Shadowy Caper tasks and rewards
The stages below separate task rewards from the rewards for completing each stage. Listed values are from the original 2024 event guide.
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- The Marshadow Pokémon Sitting Cuties Plush is weighted with microbeads, so it sits up when you put it on a flat surface. This palm-sized plush is a fun, charming way to show off a favorite Fighting- and Ghost-type Mythical Pokémon originally discovered in Alola!
- Includes Marshadow Sitting Cuties Plush
- Care Instructions: Hand-wash only. Dry flat in shade.
- Item Dimensions: 3.2 x 4.3 x 6.7 inches (8.1 x 10.9 x 17 cm)
- Pokémon Center Original
| Step | Tasks | Listed task rewards | Stage completion rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spin 3 PokéStops or Gyms; use Incense; catch 10 Pokémon. | 2 Incense, 24 Poké Balls, and 3 Nanab Berries. | 2,024 XP, 2 Lure Modules, and 2,024 Stardust. |
| 2 | Complete 3 Field Research tasks; use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon; catch 10 different species. | Encounters with Ducklett and Dunsparce; 2 Incubators. | 2,024 XP, 2 Poffins, and 2,024 Stardust. |
| 3 | Hatch 2 Eggs; spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms; earn 2 Candies walking with a Buddy. | 24 Great Balls; encounters with Emolga, Crabrawler, and Maractus. | 2,024 XP and 2,024 Stardust. |
| 4 | Catch 10 Pokémon; evolve 5 Pokémon; earn 8,020 Stardust. | 2 Star Pieces, 2 Silver Pinap Berries, and a Corsola encounter. | 2,024 XP, a Vullaby encounter, and 2,024 Stardust. |
| 5 | Power up Fighting-type Pokémon 10 times; power up Ghost-type Pokémon 10 times; earn 8,020 XP. | 2 Lucky Eggs, a Rockruff encounter, and 3 Rare Candies. The guide also lists the Marshadow encounter and Marshadow T-shirt; players who already had Marshadow received 25 Marshadow Candy at the end of this step. | The guide lists the Marshadow encounter and T-shirt among this stage’s rewards; the candy substitution is noted at left. |
| 6 | Claim the remaining rewards. | — | 2,024 XP, 2,024 Stardust, 25 Marshadow Candy, 25 Marshadow Candy XL, and the Alolan Greeting Pose. |
The guide also notes that players with prior in-person GO Fest 2024 research could receive alternate Candy rewards for steps 5 and 6. These quantities are in-game quest rewards, not statistics about player outcomes.
How do I get Marshadow in Pokémon GO?
There are two similarly named Special Research stories to distinguish. The original Marshadow opportunity was A Shadowy Caper, tied to the GO Fest 2024: Global ticket. Niantic later announced A Striking Shadow, a separate free story for all Trainers beginning April 3, 2025. Niantic said that this later research would not expire and would normally reward a Marshadow encounter. Trainers who had already accessed the GO Fest 2024-exclusive research instead receive Marshadow Candy. See Niantic’s A Striking Shadow announcement.
Rank #2
- The Zenith Marshadow Pokémon Sitting Cuties Plush is weighted with microbeads, so it sits up when you put it on a flat surface. This palm-sized plush is a fun, charming way to show off a favorite Fighting- and Ghost-type Mythical Pokémon originally discovered in Alola!
- Includes Zenith Marshadow Sitting Cuties Plush
- Care Instructions: Hand-wash only. Dry flat in shade.
- Item Dimensions: 3.2 x 4.3 x 6.7 inches (8.1 x 10.9 x 17 cm)
- Pokémon Center Original
That announcement establishes the later story’s terms, but it does not establish that every account has identical current in-game availability. Check the Special Research tab in your own game for research currently assigned to your account.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A Shadowy Caper vs. A Striking Shadow
| Research | Access | Availability stated by Niantic | Marshadow reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Shadowy Caper | Ticket-exclusive GO Fest 2024: Global Special Research. | Historical 2024 event access; current ticket availability is not established by the cited sources. | Marshadow encounter; the event guide describes Candy substitutions for some players who already had Marshadow. |
| A Striking Shadow | Free to all Trainers starting April 3, 2025. | Niantic said it would not expire. | Normally a Marshadow encounter; Marshadow Candy instead for Trainers who already accessed the GO Fest 2024-exclusive research. |
For the original event’s stage-by-stage task details, see Leek Duck’s guide. For the later free story’s access and reward terms, see Niantic’s announcement.
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- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon.
- SPECIAL MATERIAL: Snuggly 12-inch Pokémon plush is made with super soft material.
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Gengar looks like it jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series.
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 12-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team.
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares.
Rank #4
- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon
- SPECIAL MATERIAL: Snuggly 8-inch Pokémon plush is made with super soft material
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Pikachu looks like it jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 8-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares
Rank #3
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