Key Takeaways
- Marshadow is locked behind A Striking Shadow, a 9-step Special Research task released in September 2024
- Step 9 requires hatching 10 Eggs and completing 5 Shadow Raids — a brutal endgame grind
- This gate targets endgame players who have surplus Stardust, candy, and raid resources
- Marshadow's power justifies the grind: it's a Fighting/Ghost-type with a unique movepool
Why Does Marshadow Want Eggs and Shadow Raids?
Marshadow was introduced to Pokémon GO in September 2024 through A Striking Shadow, a Special Research line so demanding it was immediately nicknamed "A Striking Grind" by the community. The final step — Step 9 — requires:
- Hatch 10 Eggs (any distance: 2 km, 5 km, or 10 km)
- Complete 5 Shadow Raids (Tier 1, Tier 3, or Tier 5 — all count)
This is one of the most resource-intensive research lines ever released. Let's unpack why.
The Eggs: Time and Walking
Hatching 10 Eggs sounds simple, but consider:
- You can only hold 9 Eggs at a time (12 with a Poke Ball Plus)
- Each Egg must be walked 2 km, 5 km, or 10 km to hatch
- 10 km Eggs give the best rewards (Rare Candy, Stardust, TMs), but they're slow
- Most players hatch 5 km Eggs for a balance of speed and rewards
Estimated time: 10–40 km of walking. A player who hatches 5 km Eggs exclusively needs to walk 50 km total. If they hatch 10 km Eggs, it's 100 km. Realistically, most players walk 10–20 km of Eggs over 2–3 weeks.
The Shadow Raids: Resource Burn
Completing 5 Shadow Raids is also a commitment:
- Each Shadow Raid requires a Remote Raid Pass or a physical trip to a gym
- You must purify the Shadow Pokémon after each raid (costs 1,000 Stardust + 1 Candy at minimum, up to 5,000 Stardust + 1 Candy for 3-star)
- Shadow Raids are event-only — they appear during specific events (e.g., Team GO Rocket invasions, Shadow Articuno/Zapdos/Moltres events)
- Outside of events, Shadow Raids are scarce
This means you're not just raiding — you're also managing purification costs. 5 purifications = 5,000–25,000 Stardust + 5 Candy.
Why This Combo Specifically?
Niantic didn't pick random requirements. The Eggs + Shadow Raids combo targets two distinct endgame pillars of Pokémon GO:
- Eggs represent exploration and walking. Anyone who's hatched 10 Eggs has been actively playing for weeks.
- Shadow Raids represent combat and team coordination. Shadow Raids are typically done in groups or with Remote Raid Passes (which cost $2 each or 100 PokeCoins).
Together, they represent ~20,000 Stardust spent (egg hatching + purification), 50+ km walked, and 5 high-tier raids completed. This is not casual content. This is veteran content.
Marshadow's Power Justifies It
Marshadow is a Fighting/Ghost-type with a unique niche:
- High Attack (192 base) with Pressure as its ability (doubles starDust cost for opponents in PvP)
- In PvE, its Aura Sphere hits for STAB neutral damage against most targets
- It can learn ** Spectral Steel** (exclusive move) and Dynamic Punch (via Elite TM)
- In PvP, it's viable in Great League and Master League with smart team-building
This isn't a "just for collection" Mythical. Marshadow can genuinely affect your PvP rankings.
Pro Tip: You don't need to hatch all 10 Eggs yourself. You can receive Eggs from friends via gifts, or use the Poke Ball Plus to auto-hatch eggs while you walk your buddy.
The Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
Unlike shorter research lines that can be completed in days, A Striking Shadow spans 3+ weeks because of the Egg walking component:
| Task | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Hatch 10 Eggs (5 km) | ~250 km of walking (spread over 2–3 weeks) |
| Complete 5 Shadow Raids | Event-dependent (anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks) |
| Purify 5 Shadow Pokémon | 5,000 Stardust + 5 Candy (per raid) |
Can You Speed It Up?
Yes, somewhat:
- Poke Ball Plus: Auto-hatches Eggs while you walk
- Adventure Sync: Counts steps even when the app is closed
- Lucky Eggs: 2x XP boost, but use during raid catch phases
- Friend gifts: Receive 7 km Eggs from friends (but these count towards your 9-Egg limit)
But you cannot bypass the 10-Egg or 5-Shadow-Raid requirement. These are hard gates.
Marshadow's Stats and Viability
| Stat | Value (Marshadow) |
|---|---|
| Attack | 192 |
| Defense | 147 |
| Stamina | 190 |
| Typing | Fighting / Ghost |
| Ability | Pressure |
Marshadow's Pressure ability is unique — it doubles the starDust cost for your opponent in PvP. In Great League, this can make matchups much more favorable, especially against heavy-dust-cost teams.
Moves Overview
| Fast Move | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Counter | Fighting | Best fast move for DPT |
| Shadow Claw | Ghost | Alternative for energy generation |
| Charge Move | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aura Sphere | Fighting | 100% accurate, STAB |
| Dynamic Punch | Fighting | Elite TM exclusive, confusion |
| Spectral Steel | Steel | Event exclusive, good coverage |
| Rock Smash | Fighting | Budget option |
Is A Striking Shadow Worth It?
If you're a casual player, the grind will feel punishing. 10 Eggs and 5 Shadow Raids require significant time and money investment.
If you're a veteran player who regularly raids, walks daily, and participates in Team GO Rocket events, A Striking Shadow is a reasonable challenge — and Marshadow is a strong reward.
The bottom line: Niantic designed this research line to reward players who treat Pokémon GO as a lifestyle game, not a mobile time-killer. Marshadow isn't a participation trophy — it's a badge of dedication.
Bottom Line: The 10 Eggs + 5 Shadow Raids requirement is a deliberate filter targeting endgame players. Marshadow's unique typing and ability make it one of the strongest non-legendary Fighters in the game. The grind is brutal, but the payoff is real.
FAQ
Can I use Lucky Eggs during this task?
Yes, but the Eggs need to be walked to full distance first. Activate the Lucky Egg just before claiming the hatched Pokémon for double XP and Stardust.
Do Shadow Raids from Giovanni count?
No. Only standard Shadow Raids (the ones that appear at gyms during Team GO Rocket events) count toward this task.
What if I transfer an Egg before hatching it?
Transferring an Egg destroys it permanently. You'll need to replace it from a PokéStop, Gym, or Friend gift.
Can I complete this solo?
For Shadow Raids, yes if you have Remote Raid Passes. For Eggs, yes if you walk regularly. But it's faster with friends.