Pokemon GO Throwback Challenge 2020 Guide

One of the biggest events in Pokemon GO is the Throwback Challenge 2020. This event spans the entire month of May, and trainers celebrate Kango, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh through Throwback Challenge Timed Research lines. Our Pokemon GO Throwback Challenge 2020 guide explains everything you need to know about this event.

The final Challenge is to complete all four different Research lines. This unlocks the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research, where trainers earn various rewards.

Throwback Challenge 2020 Schedule

Here’s a breakdown of the Throwback Challenge 2020 Special Research Lines:

• Kanto Timed Research: May 1 to May 8 at 1:00 PM
• Johto Timed Research: May 8 to May 15 at 1:00 PM
• Hoenn Timed Research: May 15 to May 22 at 1:00 PM
• Sinnoh Timed Research: May 22 to May 29 at 1:00 PM
• Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research: June 3 to June 8 at 1:00 PM

Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto

From Friday, May 1 at 1:00 PM Local Time through Friday, May 8 at 1:00 PM Local Time, the Kanto Times Research will be available. You’ll need to complete 8 sets of tasks to earn 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with a Mewtwo with Psystrike.

You can look forward to some of the following bonuses while the Kanto Timed Research is active:

• Pokemon discovered in the Kanto region like Venonat and Chansey appear in the wild more frequently, and they are also available to battle in raids.
• Pokemon hatching from 7 km Eggs to include: Venonat, Machop, Onix, Lickitung, Tangela, Scyther, Pinsir, Lapras, and Eevee
• Charizard is Pokemon of the Year, so Pikachu with Charizard hats will be in the wild.
• Possibility of finding a Shiny Venonat.
• Double Catch XP, Raid XP, and Hatch XP bonuses.

Kanto Task Breakdown

Kanto Task Set 1

• Catch 3 Grass, Water or Fire-type Pokemon – Poke Ball x10
• Take a snapshot of a Bug-type Pokemon – Pinap Berry x5
• Catch a Rock-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Onix Encounter
  • Golden Razz Berry x1

Kanto Task Set 2

• Battle in a raid – Clefairy Encounter
• Transfer 3 Pokemon – Super Potion x10
• Catch 1 Water-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Starmie Encounter
  • Silver Pineap Berry x2

Kanto Task Set 3

• Evolve 3 Pokemon – Great Ball x10
• Hatch an Egg – Encounter
• Catch an Electric-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Raichu Encounter
  • Golden Razz Berry x2

Kanto Task Set 4

• Give your buddy a treat – Gastly Encounter
• Send a gift to a friend – Dratini Encounter
• Catch a Grass-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Tangela Encounter
  • Silver Pinap Berry x2

Kanto Task Set 5

• Earn a candy walking with your buddy – Ultra Ball x10
• Make 3 Great Throws – Chansey Encounter
• Catch a Poison-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Arcanine Encounter
  • Golden Razz Berry x2

Kanto Task Set 6

• Take a snapshot of an Ice-type Pokemon – Hyper Potion x10
• Catch a Fighting-type Pokemon – Lapras Encounter
• Catch a Psychic-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Alakazam Encounter
  • Silver Pinap Berry x2

Kanto Task Set 7

• Take a snapshot of an Ice-type Pokemon – Hyper Potion x10
• Evolve a Pokemon – Aerodactyl Encounter
• Catch a Fire-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Arcanine Encounter
  • Golden Razz Berry x2

Kanto Task Set 8

• Power up a Pokemon 6 times – Charged TM x1
• Battle Another Trainer – Star Piece x1
• Catch a Ground-type Pokemon – Stardust x500
• Total Rewards
  • Rare Candy x1
  • Nidoking Encounter
  • Silver Pinap Berry x1

Kanto Task Set 9

• Claim Reward – 3000 XP x3
  • Rare Candy x10
  • Mewtwo Encounter

Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto

The Johto Throwback Challenge will be available from Friday, May 8 at 1:00 PM to Friday, May 15 at 1:00 PM Local Time. You will need to complete eight sets of tasks in Johto Timed Research for 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with Ho-Oh that knows Earthquake (exclusive).

Here are some bonuses you can look forward to during Johto’s Timed Research:

• Pokemon Originally discovered in Johto Region like Skarmory and Dunsparce are appearing more in the wild. They will also be available to battle in raids.
• Pokemon hatching from 7 KM Eggs: Chinchoi, Yanma, Girafarig, Pineco, Dunsparce, Gilgar, Shuckle, Skarmory, and Phanpy.
• Umbreon Pokemon of the Year in Johto region means Pikachu wearing Umbreon hats will be appearing in the wild.
• You have the opportunity for a Shiny Dunsparce.
• Double Catch Stardust and Raid Stardust bonus is active.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn

Starting on Friday, May 15 at 1:00 PM to Friday, May 22 at 1:00 PM Local Time, the Hoenn Time Research tasks for the Throwback Challenge 2020 will be available. Trainers need to complete 8 sets of tasks to collect 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with a Groudon that knows Fire Punch (exclusive).

Some bonuses trainers can look forward to during the Hoenn Timed Research are:

• Pokemon from the Hoenn region like Skitty, Zangoose, Seviper, appear more frequently in the wild, and they will also be available in raids.
• Pokemon hatching from 8 km Eggs: Lotad, Slakoth, Nincada, Skitty, Sableye, Mawile, Trapinch, Feebas, and Clamperl.
• Rayquaza was chosen as Pokemon of the Year for Hoenn region, so Pikachu wearing Rayquaza hats appear in the wild.
• Opportunity to catch a Shiny Skitty.
• Egg hatch distance from incubators and distance needed to get Buddy Candy is cut in half.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh

From Friday, May 22 at 1:00 PM to Friday, May 29 at 1:00 PM Local Time, the Sinnoh Timed Research will be available. Again, trainers need to complete 8 tasks for 10 Rare Candies and an encounter with Cresselia that knows Grass Knot (exclusive).

During this Sinnoh Timed Research, trainers can expect the following bonuses:

• Pokemon in the Sinnoh Region, such as Cherubi and Glameow, appear more in the wild, and they are also available to battle in raids.
• Pokemon from 7 km Eggs: Cranidos, Shieldon, Glameow, Chingling, Bonsly, Happiny, Gible, Munchlax, Riolu, and Mantyke.
• Lucario is Pokemon of the year for Sinnoh Region, so Pikachus wearing Lucario hats appear in the wild.
• Opportunity to catch a Shiny Glameow.
• One-hour Star Piece duration, incense duration, and Lucky Egg duration bonuses.

We’ll make sure to update our Pokemon GO Throwback Challenge 2020 Guide when we have more details about each individual Timed Research challenge.