The Looming Shadow A Guideto Eternatusin Pokemon Go

Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, August 20th 2025 at 3:58 GMT by Polygon
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

The arrival of Eternatus, a colossal Legendary Pokémon, has fundamentally shifted the landscape of Pokémon Go. No longer simply a raid boss, Eternatus now sits at the heart of a new Special Research questline called "A Colossal Power," introducing significant gameplay changes and requiring players to adapt their strategies. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about encountering, battling, and ultimately catching Eternatus in Pokémon Go, including candy requirements, team building tips, and understanding the unique mechanics surrounding its appearance.

The Special Research Quest: A Colossal Power

Eternatus isn't just showing up in raids; it’s tied directly to a new Special Research questline. This quest, "A Colossal Power," is available to all players and unfolds in stages, each requiring completion of Field Tasks (spinning PokéStops) and Research Tasks. Crucially, these tasks are not the usual daily or weekly research – they're specifically tied to this Eternatus event.

The progression through the questline dictates when and how Eternatus appears. Initially, players will face weakened forms of Eternatus in raids. As more trainers complete their research tasks globally, Eternatus’s power increases, culminating in a significantly tougher battle against its Perfect Crowned form. This global progress system means everyone's efforts contribute to the difficulty level, creating a shared experience and encouraging collaboration.

Eternatus Forms & Candy Requirements: A Gradual Escalation

The most significant change introduced with Eternatus is its multi-stage appearance. It doesn’t simply appear as one static boss. Instead, it cycles through three forms, each requiring a different amount of Shadow Shard to encounter:

Eternamax Eternatus (Initial Stage): This form appears first and requires the least amount of Shadow Shards for trainers to access.
Regular Eternatus: As more players complete their research tasks, this form becomes available, demanding more Shadow Shards.
Perfect Crowned Eternatus (Final Stage): The most powerful and challenging version, requiring the highest number of Shadow Shards to encounter. This is the form many serious collectors will be targeting.

The amount of Shadow Shards needed varies based on global progress. As of this writing, it takes a significant number – roughly 200 per player globally – for each stage to unlock. Keep an eye on Pokémon Go news and community updates for real-time tracking of these thresholds.

Preparing Your Team: Counters & Strategies

Eternatus boasts a diverse movepool, making it challenging to counter effectively. Its typing (Poison/Steel) grants it numerous resistances, but also vulnerabilities. Here's a breakdown of effective counters:

Dark-Type Pokémon: These are Eternatus’s biggest weakness, dealing double damage thanks to its vulnerability to Dark moves. Examples include Tyranitar, Hydreigon, and Darkrai.
Fighting-Type Pokémon: While Steel resists Fighting, the sheer power of strong Fighting-types can still make a difference. Lucario and Machamp are good options.
Bug-Type Pokémon: Eternatus is also weak to Bug moves, but often requires high attack stats to break through its defenses.

Top Recommended Counters (as of current data):

Mega Rayquaza: Arguably the best counter overall due to its immense power and Dragon/Flying typing.
Shadow Tyranitar: A powerhouse with a strong Dark-type movepool.
Mega Gengar: Deals significant damage with Ghost-type moves, exploiting Eternatus’s weakness.
Dialga: Steel-type Pokémon that can withstand some of Eternatus' attacks while dealing respectable damage.

Remember to power up your counters and equip them with the best possible movesets. Consider using Elite TMs to change their fast or charged attacks if necessary.

Shadow Shards: The New Currency for Raids

The introduction of Shadow Shards is a game-changer. These shards are obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders, and Giovanni. They’re essential for participating in Eternatus raids. You'll need to spend these shards to access each stage of the Eternatus encounter. This adds another layer of strategy – players must actively engage with Team GO Rocket content to be able to battle Eternatus at all.

Remote Raid Passes & Coordination are Key

As with other Legendary encounters, Remote Raid Passes will be crucial for participating in Eternatus raids, especially given the global progress system and potential difficulty. Coordinating with friends or joining local Pokémon Go communities is highly recommended to ensure you have a strong team ready to face this formidable foe.

Catching Eternatus: IVs & Movesets

Once you’ve defeated Eternatus, catching it will be your next goal. Use Golden Razz Berries and Curveballs to maximize your chances of a successful capture. Pay attention to its Individual Values (IVs) – higher IVs indicate a stronger Pokémon. Also, consider the moveset it inherits from the raid battle; certain movesets are more valuable than others for competitive battling or Raid Boss encounters.

The Future of Pokémon Go: A New Era

Eternatus's arrival marks a significant shift in Pokémon Go’s gameplay loop. The integration of Special Research quests, global progress systems, and Shadow Shards adds depth and complexity to the experience. While challenging, overcoming this obstacle will be a rewarding experience for dedicated trainers, ushering in a new era for Pokémon Go. Stay informed through community resources and official announcements to maximize your chances of success against Eternatus and embrace the evolving world of Pokémon Go.

N※N

The Looming Shadow A Guideto Eternatusin Pokemon Go