Special Research

Special Research (Japanese: スペシャルリサーチ Special Research) are tasks assigned by Professor Willow in Pokémon GO. Unlike Field Research, Special Research tasks have separate, fixed objectives outlined by Professor Willow, and they cannot be obtained from spinning PokéStops.

Players receive rewards for each Special Research task they complete. As with Field Research rewards, the Pokémon that can be caught as a Special Research reward have a set minimum IV of 10 in each stat and an initial Power Up level of 15. Special Research is currently the only method of obtaining Mew, Celebi, Jirachi and Spiritomb. Those Pokémon are programmed to have a 100% catch rate.

Most Special Research tasks are available once the player reaches level 5. They can only be completed once, and tasks cannot be deleted. One set of Special Research tasks can be completed concurrently with tasks from another uncompleted set of Special Research.

List of Special Research

Globally available Special Research

A Mythical Discovery

A Mythical Discovery is the first set of the Special Research tasks that Professor Willow will assign to the player. It is split into eight parts, and completing these tasks will allow Trainers to catch Mew. These tasks have been available since March 31, 2018.

Task	Rewards
1/8
Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms	500 XP
Catch 10 Pokémon	500 XP
Transfer 5 Pokémon	500 XP
Completing 1/8	×10, ×1, ×3
2/8
Earn 2 Candies walking with your Buddy	1000 XP
Make 10 Great Throws	1000 XP
Hatch 3 Eggs	1000 XP
Completing 2/8	×1000, ×3, ×20
3/8
Reach level 15	1500 XP
Battle in a Gym 2 times	1500 XP
Battle in 2 raids	1500 XP
Completing 3/8	×1, ×1, ×2
4/8
Earn a silver Kanto medal	2000 XP
Earn 5 Candies walking with your buddy	2000 XP
Evolve 20 Pokémon	2000 XP
Completing 4/8	×2000, ×3, ×20
5/8
Catch a Ditto	2500 XP
Make 20 Great Throws	2500 XP
Catch 10 Ghost-type Pokémon	2500 XP
Completing 5/8	×1, ×1, ×15
6/8
Battle in 10 raids	3000 XP
Evolve a Magikarp	3000 XP
Reach level 25	3000 XP
Completing 6/8	×3000, ×5, ×3
7/8
Use 50 Berries to help catch Pokémon	3500 XP
Make an Excellent Curveball Throw	3500 XP
Earn a gold Kanto medal	3500 XP
Completing 7/8	, ×4000, ×20
8/8
Claim reward!	4000 XP
Claim reward!	4000 XP
Claim reward!	4000 XP
Completing 8/8	×5000, ×1, ×20

A Ripple in Time

A Ripple in Time is the second set of the Special Research tasks that Professor Willow will assign players, available to players since August 20, 2018. It is unlocked after completing part three of A Mythical Discovery. Much like the first Special Research task, it is split into eight parts, and completing these tasks will allow Trainers to catch Celebi.

Tasks which involve making friends, trading, or sending Gifts, are already completed for those under the age of 13 as these features are locked for younger players.

Task	Rewards
1/8
Power up Pokémon 5 times	1000 XP
Battle in a Gym 2 times	1000 XP
Battle in a raid	1000 XP
Completing 1/8	×10, ×1, ×1
2/8
Make 3 new Friends	1500 XP
Evolve an evolved Grass-type Pokémon	1500 XP
Catch a Pokémon 3 days in a row	1500 XP
Completing 2/8	×1500, ×1, ×1
3/8
Reach level 25	2000 XP
Use a Sun Stone to evolve Gloom or Sunkern	2000 XP
Hatch 9 Eggs	2000 XP
Completing 3/8	, ×1, ×1
4/8
Walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy to earn Candy	2500 XP
Evolve Eevee into Espeon during the day	2500 XP
Send 20 Gifts to friends	2500 XP
Completing 4/8	, ×2500, ×1
5/8
Walk 10 km with Eevee as your buddy to earn Candy	3000 XP
Evolve Eevee into Umbreon at night	3000 XP
Trade a Pokémon	3000 XP
Completing 5/8	×1, ×15, ×1
6/8
Visit PokéStops 7 days in a row	3500 XP
Use 25 Pinap Berries while catching Pokémon	3500 XP
Use items to evolve Pokémon 2 times	3500 XP
Completing 6/8	×3500, ×1, ×5
7/8
Catch 40 Grass- or Psychic-type Pokémon	4000 XP
Make an Excellent Curveball Throw	4000 XP
Earn a Gold Johto medal	4000 XP
Completing 7/8	, ×1, ×10
8/8
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Completing 8/8	×5500×, ×1, ×20

A Spooky Message

A Spooky Message is a time-limited set of the Special Research tasks introduced on October 23, 2018. This special research introduced Spiritomb into the game.

Task	Rewards
1/3
Catch 10 Ghost-type Pokémon
Make 8 Great Throws	1080 XP
Use 108 Berries to help catch Pokémon
Completing 1/3	×10, ×1080, ×8
2/3
Catch 10 Dark-type Pokémon
Spin 8 PokéStops you haven't visited before	1080 XP
Catch 108 Pokémon
Completing 2/3	×10, ×1080, ×8
3/3
Claim reward!	1080 XP
Claim reward!	1080 XP
Claim reward!	1080 XP
Completing 3/3	×10, ×8, ×1080

A Spooky Message 2019

A Spooky Message 2019 is a time-limited set of the Special Research tasks introduced on October 17, 2019. This special research is a variant of the original one from 2018 with alternate updated rewards. It allows trainers to catch Spiritomb.

Task	Rewards
1/3
Catch 10 Ghost-type Pokémon
Make 8 Great Throws	1080 XP
Use 108 Berries to help catch Pokémon
Completing 1/3	×10, ×1080, ×8
2/3
Catch 10 Dark-type Pokémon
Spin 8 PokéStops you haven't visited before	1080 XP
Catch 108 Pokémon
Completing 2/3	×10, ×1080, ×8
3/3
Claim reward!	1080 XP
Claim reward!	1080 XP
Claim reward!	1080 XP
Completing 3/3	×10, ×8, ×1080

Let's GO, Meltan

Let's GO, Meltan is a set of tasks introduced on November 16, 2018, to celebrate the release of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. It is split into nine parts, and completing these tasks will allow Trainers to catch Meltan.

Task	Rewards
1/9
Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms	500 XP
Catch 10 Pokémon	500 XP
Transfer 5 Pokémon	500 XP
Completing 1/9	×1000, ×10, ×1
2/9
Earn 2 Candies walking with your buddy	1000 XP
Make 10 Great Throws	1000 XP
Hatch 3 Eggs	1000 XP
Completing 2/9	×2000, ×2, ×1
3/9
Catch a Ditto	1500 XP
Win 2 Gym battles	1500 XP
Battle in 2 raids	1500 XP
Completing 3/9	×10, ×3, ×3
4/9
Catch 5 Steel-type Pokémon	2000 XP
Catch 5 Electric-type Pokémon	2000 XP
Earn 5 Candies walking with your buddy	2000 XP
Completing 4/9	×4000, ×5, ×5
5/9
Evolve a Grimer	2500 XP
Catch 5 Slugma or Gulpin	2500 XP
Make 20 Great Throws	2500 XP
Completing 5/9	×5000, ×20, ×5
6/9
Evolve a Magnemite	3000 XP
Catch 5 Exeggcute	3000 XP
Battle in 10 raids	3000 XP
Completing 6/9	×1, ×1, ×10
7/9
Evolve 1 Drowzee	3500 XP
Catch 1 Cubone	3500 XP
Evolve 1 Scyther	3500 XP
Completing 7/9	×10, ×1, ×3
8/9
Catch 2 Omanyte or Kabuto	4000 XP
Catch 2 Lileep or Anorith	4000 XP
Catch an Aerodactyl	4000 XP
Completing 8/9	×8000, , ×1
9/9
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Completing 9/9	×9000, ×1, ×5

Jump-Start Research

Jump-Start Research is a time-limited set of tasks that may be unlocked between June 28 to September 2, 2019 for players level 10 or higher.

Task	Rewards
1/6
Make a new friend	5000 XP
Catch 3 Pokémon with Weather Boost	5000 XP
Hatch an Egg	5000 XP
Completing 1/6	×2, , ×15000
2/6
Evolve a Dratini	10000 XP
Take a snapshot of Dratini	×30
Earn a Candy with your Buddy	×30
Completing 2/6	×1, ×15000, ×2
3/6
Power up Pokémon 10 times	15000 XP
Battle a Trainer in the Great League	15000 XP
Battle in a raid	15000 XP
Completing 3/6	×2, 15000 XP, ×2
4/6
Catch 5 different species of Pokémon
Catch a Legendary from a Field Research Breakthrough or raid
Hatch 3 Eggs
Completing 4/6	×2, , ×15000
5/6
Take a Snapshot of Eevee	30000 XP
Send 5 Gifts to friends	30000 XP
Trade 3 Pokémon with a friend	30000 XP
Completing 5/6	, 30000 XP, ×2
6/6
Make a new friend	×60
Win a level 3 or higher raid	×60
Evolve a Dragonair	100000 XP
Completing 6/6	×2, 100000 XP, ×15000

A Troubling Situation

A Troubling Situation is a set of tasks that may be unlocked starting July 25, 2019 for players level 8 or higher.

Task	Rewards
1/4
Evolve 2 Pokémon
Power up a Pokémon 5 times
Completing 1/4	×1000, 2000 XP
2/4
Catch 2 Shadow Pokémon
Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts
Completing 2/4	×2000, 2000 XP, ×5
3/4
Purify 3 Shadow Pokémon	×3000
Purify a Fire, Water, or Grass-type Shadow Pokémon	3000 XP
Completing 3/4	×2000, ×5, ×1
4/4
Claim reward!	×1000
Claim reward!	1000 XP
Claim reward!	×1000
Completing 4/4	×1, ×1, ×3

A Thousand-Year Slumber

A Thousand-Year Slumber is a set of the Special Research tasks that Professor Willow will assign to the player. It is split into 7 parts, and completing these tasks will allow Trainers to catch Jirachi. These tasks have been available since August 20, 2019.

Task	Rewards
1/7
Catch 25 Pokémon	1000 XP
Spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms
Make 3 new friends
Completing 1/7	×1, ×1, ×1
2/7
Catch 3 Whismur	×10
Evolve a Feebas	1500 XP
Win a gold Hoenn medal	1500 XP
Completing 2/7	×2000, ×10, ×3
3/7
Take a snapshot of Loudred
Make 3 Great Throws in a row	2000 XP
Earn 3 Candies walking with your buddy	2000 XP
Completing 3/7	×20, ×3, ×2000
4/7
Catch 50 Psychic- or Steel-type Pokémon	2500 XP
Power up Pokémon 10 times	2500 XP
Send 10 gifts to friends	2500 XP
Completing 4/7	×1, ×1, ×1
5/7
Battle a team leader 3 times
Win against another Trainer 7 times	3000 XP
Win 5 raids	3000 XP
Completing 5/7	×3, ×20, ×3000
6/7
Take 5 snapshots of Steel- or Psychic-type Pokémon
Make 3 excellent Curveball throws
Spin a PokéStop 7 days in a row	4000 XP
Completing 6/7	×10, ×10, ×5000
7/7
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Claim reward!	4500 XP
Completing 7/7	, ×20,

Team GO Rocket Leaders battles

These sets of tasks are available for players level 8 or higher who have finished A Troubling Situation. They are assigned to the player on the first day of every month^[1] and can carry over to the following months if not completed on time. A player can have only 1 such task active at a time and once a player has completed the task that was active, he may receive the task of the current month. The reward Shadow Pokémon the player may encounter when defeating Giovanni depends of the month on which the task has been completed. Those research tasks were put on hold from May 1, 2020 until end of September 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Month	Bonus reward
November 2019	Shadow
December 2019	Shadow
January 2020	Shadow
February 2020	Shadow
March 2020	Shadow
April 2020

Looming in the Shadows

Looming in the Shadows is a set of tasks that may be unlocked starting November 7, 2019 for players level 8 or higher who have finished A Troubling Situation. This set of Research tasks rewards players with a Super Rocket Radar to find Giovanni.

Task	Rewards
1/6
Spin 10 PokéStops	500 XP
Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts	500 XP
Catch 1 Shadow Pokémon	500 XP
Completing 1/6	×500, x10, x10
2/6
Spin a PokéStop 5 days in a row	750 XP
Purify 15 Shadow Pokémon	750 XP
Win 5 raids	750 XP
Completing 2/6	×1000, ×3, x3
3/6
Use 6 supereffective Charged Attacks in Gym battles	1000 XP
Win 3 Great League Trainer Battles against another Trainer	1000 XP
Defeat 6 Team GO Rocket Grunts	1000 XP
Completing 3/6	×1500, x15, x5
4/6
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra	1250 XP
Completing 4/6	×2000, x1, x3
5/6
Find the Team GO Rocket Boss	×2500
Battle the Team GO Rocket Boss	1500 XP
Defeat the Team GO Rocket Boss	×3
Completing 5/6	×3000, ×1, ×1
6/6
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Completing 6/6	×3, ×20, ×3

A Challenging Development

A Challenging Development is a set of tasks that may be unlocked starting December 1, 2019 for players level 8 or higher who have finished A Troubling Situation. This set of Research tasks is identical to and offers the same rewards as Looming in the Shadows.

The Take-Over Continues

The Take-Over Continues is a set of tasks that may be unlocked starting January 1, 2020 for players level 8 or higher who have finished A Troubling Situation. This set of Research tasks presents some changes from the previous 2 special researches.

Task	Rewards
1/6
Spin 10 PokéStops
Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts	500 XP
Catch 1 Shadow Pokémon	500 XP
Completing 1/6	×500, x10, x10
2/6
Spin a PokéStop 3 days in a row	750 XP
Purify 5 Shadow Pokémon	750 XP
Win 5 raids	750 XP
Completing 2/6	×1000, ×3, x3
3/6
Use 6 supereffective Charged Attacks in Gym battles	1000 XP
Win 3 Great League Trainer Battles against another Trainer	1000 XP
Defeat 6 Team GO Rocket Grunts	1000 XP
Completing 3/6	×1500, x15, x5
4/6
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra	1250 XP
Completing 4/6	×2000, x1, x3
5/6
Find the Team GO Rocket Boss	×2500
Battle the Team GO Rocket Boss	1500 XP
Defeat the Team GO Rocket Boss	×3
Completing 5/6	×3000, ×1, ×1
6/6
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Completing 6/6	×3, ×20, ×3

A Professor’s Work is Never Done

A Professor’s Work is Never Done is a set of tasks that may be unlocked starting February 1, 2020 for players level 8 or higher who have finished A Troubling Situation. This set of Research tasks is similar to The Take-Over Continues with slightly altered rewards. During February 2019, this research gave players opportunities to attempt to catch Shadow Raikou as a bonus reward for defeating Giovanni.

Task	Rewards
1/6
Spin 10 PokéStops
Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts	500 XP
Catch 1 Shadow Pokémon	500 XP
Completing 1/6	×500, x10, x10
2/6
Spin a PokéStop 3 days in a row	750 XP
Purify 5 Shadow Pokémon	750 XP
Win 5 raids	750 XP
Completing 2/6	×1000, ×3, x3
3/6
Use 6 supereffective Charged Attacks in Gym battles	1000 XP
Win 3 Great League Trainer Battles against another Trainer	1000 XP
Defeat 6 Team GO Rocket Grunts	1000 XP
Completing 3/6	×1500, x15, x5
4/6
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra	1250 XP
Completing 4/6	×2000, x1, x3
5/6
Find the Team GO Rocket Boss	×2500
Battle the Team GO Rocket Boss	1500 XP
Defeat the Team GO Rocket Boss	×3
Completing 5/6	×3000, ×1, ×1
6/6
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Completing 6/6	×3, ×20, ×3

The Shadow Threat Grows

The Shadow Threat Grows is a set of tasks that may be unlocked starting March 1, 2020 for players level 8 or higher who have finished A Troubling Situation. This set of Research tasks is similar to The Take-Over Continues with slightly altered rewards. This research task was extended until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak. The bonus reward for beating Giovanni remained Shadow Entei for the month of April.

Task	Rewards
1/6
Spin 10 PokéStops
Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts	500 XP
Catch 1 Shadow Pokémon	500 XP
Completing 1/6	×500, x10, x10
2/6
Spin a PokéStop 3 days in a row	750 XP
Purify 5 Shadow Pokémon	750 XP
Win 5 raids	750 XP
Completing 2/6	×1000, ×3, x3
3/6
Use 6 supereffective Charged Attacks in Gym battles	1000 XP
Win 3 Great League Trainer Battles against another Trainer	1000 XP
Defeat 6 Team GO Rocket Grunts	1000 XP
Completing 3/6	×1500, x15, x5
4/6
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff	1250 XP
Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra	1250 XP
Completing 4/6	×2000, x1, x3
5/6
Find the Team GO Rocket Boss	×2500
Battle the Team GO Rocket Boss	1500 XP
Defeat the Team GO Rocket Boss	×3
Completing 5/6	×3000, ×1, ×1
6/6
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Claim reward!	2000 XP
Completing 6/6	×3, ×20, ×3

Celebrate 2019

Celebrate 2019 is a set of tasks that can be unlocked starting December 14, 2019 at 9a.m. local time.

Task	Rewards
Celebrate 2019
Catch 19 Pokémon	2019 XP
Catch 19 Pokémon	2019 XP
Catch 19 Pokémon	2019 XP
Completing	x20, x1, x9

Throwback Challenge Champion 2020

Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 is a set of research tasks that is only accessible to players who have completed the Timed Research Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto, Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto, Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn and Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh starting June 3, 2020 1 p.m. local time. This challenge gives various Unova and Galarian Form Pokémon as rewards, as well as Genesect as a final reward. Unlike other challenges, Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 is not time limited and can be completed at a later date.

Task	Rewards
1/5
Make 15 Great Throws
Catch 15 Pokémon	x1
Transfer 15 Pokémon	x30
Completing 1/5	, x500, 500 XP
2/5
Evolve 5 Pokémon	x5
Hatch 15 Eggs
Win 15 raids	x10
Completing 2/5	, x500, 500 XP
3/5
Make an Excellent Throw	x5
Battle another Trainer 15 times
Power up Pokémon 15 times	x500
Completing 3/5	, x500, 500 XP
4/5
Give your buddy 15 treats	x1
Catch a Dragon-type Pokémon
Take 15 snapshots	x1
Completing 4/5	, x500, 500 XP
5/5
Claim reward!	x1
Claim reward!
Claim reward!	x1
Completing 5/5	, x5,

Ticketed events

Ticketed Special Researches are available to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop. Story events for those research occur on event days such as raid days with specific bosses or community days. The ticket disappears from the player's Bag once the event ends. Players who do not complete the Special Research during the event can still do so later as the research may be altered with alternate tasks less reliant on event encounters.

EX Raid Boss introduction

Those special researches give exclusive access to new EX Raid bosses before they are formally introduced to the EX raid rotation the following month.

A Colossal Discovery

A Colossal Discovery is available to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop between October 24 and November 2, 2019.^[2] The story event takes place on November 2, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. It is a four-part Special Research that, upon completion, allows players to catch Regigigas before it becomes available in EX Raids in December 2019.

Along with the rewards listed for completing the Special Research tasks, players with the ticket can also receive up to 10 additional free Raid Passes from spinning Gyms during the event period. Ticket holders may also receive event-exclusive Field Research tasks from spinning PokéStops.

Task	Rewards
1/4
Catch a Regirock, Regice, or Registeel from a raid Win 3 raids (after event)	3000 XP
Catch 7 Rock-type Pokémon Catch 49 Pokémon (after event)
Evolve 7 Rock-type Pokémon
Completing 1/4	×3, ×3000, ×10
2/4
Catch a Regirock, Regice, or Registeel from a raid Win 3 raids (after event)	3000 XP
Catch 7 Ice-type Pokémon Catch 49 Pokémon (after event)
Evolve 7 Ice-type Pokémon
Completing 2/4	×1, ×3000, ×10
3/4
Catch a Regirock, Regice, or Registeel from a raid Win 3 raids (after event)	3000 XP
Catch 7 Steel-type Pokémon Catch 49 Pokémon (after event)
Evolve 7 Steel-type Pokémon
Completing 3/4	×1, ×3000, ×10
4/4
Take a snapshot of Regirock Take 7 snapshots of Rock-type Pokémon (after event)	3000 XP
Take a snapshot of Regice Take 7 snapshots of Ice-type Pokémon (after event)	3000 XP
Take a snapshot of Registeel Take 7 snapshots of Steel-type Pokémon (after event)	3000 XP
Completing 4/4	, ×10,

A Drive to Investigate

A Drive to Investigate is available to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop from March 17, 2020 to March 26, 2020. The story event takes place from March 20, 2020 at 8 a.m. to March 26, 2020 at 10 p.m. local time. It is a five-part Special Research that allows players to catch Genesect before it becomes available in EX Raids in April 2020.^[3]

Along with the rewards listed for completing the Special Research tasks, players with the ticket can also receive up to 5 additional free Raid Passes from spinning Gyms during the event period. Ticket holders may also receive event-exclusive Field Research tasks from spinning PokéStops.

Task	Rewards
1/5
Battle another Trainer 5 times	×1000
Catch 25 Normal-type Pokémon	×3
Give your buddy 1 treats
Completing 1/5	×5, ,
2/5
Power up a Pokémon 5 times	×1000
Catch 25 Fire-type Pokémon	×3
Send 3 gifts to friends
Completing 2/5	×3, , ×3
3/5
Transfer 3 Pokémon	×1000
Catch 25 Water-type Pokémon	×3
Hatch an Egg
Completing 3/5	×3, ,
4/5
Make 3 Great Throws in a row	×1000
Catch 25 Electric-type Pokémon	×3
Play with your buddy
Completing 4/5	×3, , ×1
5/5
Battle a Team Leader 3 times	×1000
Catch 25 Ice-type Pokémon	×3
Take 3 snapshots of Genesect
Completing 5/5	×1, ×10, ×3

Community Day

From March 2020 on, optional Special Researches are proposed for enhanced game play experience during monthly Community Day.

Investigating Illusions

Investigating Illusions is available to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop. The ticket was initially planned to be sold between March 14 and March 15, 2020 with the story event taking place on March 15, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time on the day of the Abra Community Day, but the whole event was postponed worldwide to April 25, 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is a four-part Special Research.

Task	Rewards
1/4
Catch 10 Abra	×20
Power Up Pokémon 10 Times	x10
Make 5 Nice Throws
Completing 1/4	×2000, ×1,
2/4
Catch 15 Abra	×20
Evolve 3 Abra	1000 XP
Transfer 10 Pokémon
Completing 2/4	×2000, ×1, ×1
3/4
Make 3 Great Curveball Throws	×20
Evolve 1 Kadabra	×5
Transfer 10 Pokémon	1500 XP
Completing 3/4	×2000, ×1, ×1
4/4
Claim reward!	×5000
Claim reward!	1500 XP
Claim reward!	×5
Completing 4/4	×2000, ×3,

Seeing Double

Seeing Double is available to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop. The story event takes place on May 24, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time on the day of the Seedot Community Day. The steps of the research are identical to those from the Special Research Investigating Illusions with slightly altered rewards and task order.

Task	Rewards
1/4
Power Up Pokémon 10 Times	x10
Catch 10 Seedot	×20
Make 5 Nice Throws
Completing 1/4	×2000, ×1,
2/4
Catch 15 Seedot	×20
Transfer 10 Pokémon
Evolve 3 Seedot	1000 XP
Completing 2/4	×2000, ×1, ×1
3/4
Make 3 Great Curveball Throws	×20
Evolve 1 Nuzleaf	×5
Transfer 10 Pokémon	1500 XP
Completing 3/4	×2000, ×1, ×1
4/4
Claim reward!	×5000
Claim reward!	1500 XP
Claim reward!	×5
Completing 4/4	×2000, ×3,

A Hairy Situation

A Hairy Situation is available to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop. The story event takes place on June 20, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time on the day of the Weedle Community Day.

Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020

Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 is available to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop between June 3, 2020 1 p.m. and June 8, 2020 1 p.m. local time. It is identical to Throwback Challenge Champion 2020. For players who did not complete the Throwback Challenge 2020 line of Timed Researches, it gives the same rewards as Throwback Challenge Champion 2020. For players who could unlock Throwback Challenge Champion 2020, it gives alternate rewards when doing this Special Research.^[4]

Task	Rewards
1/5
Make 15 Great Throws	×10*
Catch 15 Pokémon	x1
Transfer 15 Pokémon	x30
Completing 1/5	, x500, 500 XP ×10, x500, 500 XP*
2/5
Evolve 5 Pokémon	x5
Hatch 15 Eggs	×10*
Win 15 raids	x10
Completing 2/5	, x500, 500 XP ×10, x500, 500 XP*
3/5
Make an Excellent Throw	x5
Battle another Trainer 15 times	×10*
Power up Pokémon 15 times	x500|
Completing 3/5	, x500, 500 XP ×10, x500, 500 XP*
4/5
Give your buddy 15 treats	x1
Catch a Dragon-type Pokémon	×10*
Take 15 snapshots	x1
Completing 4/5	, x500, 500 XP ×10, x500, 500 XP*
5/5
Claim reward!	x1
Claim reward!	×10*
Claim reward!	x1
Completing 5/5	, x5, ×10, x5, x3000*

GO Fest 2020

GO Fest 2020 themed Special Researches are available worldwide to players who purchased a ticket with real money in the in-game shop from June 15, 2020 on. The GO Fest 2020 experience was made available worldwide and modified to fit restrictions imposed by the coronavirus outbreak.

GO Fest 2020—Day 1

Players who have purchased the GO Fest 2020 ticket need to play on the first day of GO Fest 2020 on July 25, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m. local time in order to receive this Special Research. There is no time limit to complete this research once it has been obtained.

GO Fest 2020—Day 2

Players who have purchased the GO Fest 2020 ticket need to play on the second day of GO Fest 2020 on July 26, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m. local time in order to receive this Special Research. There is no time limit to complete this research once it has been obtained.

Event-exclusive Special Research

These are sets of Special Research that are exclusive to certain real-world events.

GO Fest 2018

Special Research was available to players at the GO Fest 2018 held at Chicago, Illinois on July 14 and 15, 2018.

Task	Rewards
1/5
Spin 15 PokéStops or Gyms	500 XP
Earn 1 Candy walking with your buddy	500 XP
Catch 15 Pokémon	500 XP
Completing 1/5	×1000, ×3, ×50
2/5
Catch 10 Fire-type Pokémon
Catch 10 Water-type Pokémon
Catch 10 Grass-type Pokémon
Catch 10 Steel-type Pokémon
Catch 10 Rock-type Pokémon
Catch 10 Ice-type Pokémon
Completing 2/5	×2000, ×3, ×20
3/5
Catch 7 Unown Catch 7 Psychic-type Pokémon (after event)	1500 XP
Spin 20 PokéStops or Gyms	1500 XP
Hatch 3 Eggs	1500 XP
Completing 3/5	, ×10, ×3000
4/5
Catch 5 Plusle	2000 XP
Catch 5 Minun	2000 XP
Completing 4/5	×4000, ×10, ×20
5/5
Claim reward!	2018 XP
Claim reward!	2018 XP
Claim reward!	2018 XP
Completing 5/5	×5000, ×3, ×3

Pokémon GO Safari Zone in YOKOSUKA

Special Research was available to players at the Pokémon GO Safari Zone in YOKOSUKA event held from August 29 to September 2, 2018.

Task	Rewards
1/2
Spin 3 PokéStops or Gyms	×3
Catch 10 Beldum
Catch 10 Ralts
Catch 10 Slakoth
Hatch 3 Eggs	3000 XP
Completing 1/2	×10, ×20, ×10
2/2
Claim reward!	2018 XP
Claim reward!	2018 XP
Claim reward!	2018 XP
Completing 2/2	×100000

GO Fest 2019—Chicago

Special Research was available to players at the GO Fest 2019 Chicago held at Chicago, Illinois from June 14 to 16, 2019.

Task	Rewards
1/5
Spin 7 PokéStops or Gyms	×25
Make 3 new friends	×10
Send 3 Gifts to Friends	×1
Completing 1/5	×25, ×15, ×15
2/5
Catch 5 different species of Fairy-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Water-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Grass-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Steel-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Rock-type Pokémon
Completing 2/5	×3, ×5, ×5
3/5
Catch 3 Unown Hatch 3 Eggs (after event)	×1
Take a snapshot of Ralts in its GO Fest habitat Take 5 snapshots of Fairy-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Gastly in its GO Fest habitat Take 5 snapshots of Ghost-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Hippopotas in its GO Fest habitat Take 5 snapshots of Ground-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Snover in its GO Fest habitat Take 5 snapshots of Ice-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Horsea in its GO Fest habitat Take 5 snapshots of Water-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Completing 3/5	×5000, ×5, ×1
4/5
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Completing 4/5
5/5
Trade for 3 Pokémon from at least 100 km away Evolve 3 Pokémon (after event)	×3
Hatch 5 Eggs	×3
Take 3 snapshots of Jirachi	×1
Completing 5/5	×20, ×5, ×5000

GO Fest 2019—Dortmund

Special Research was available to players at the GO Fest 2019 Dortmund held at Dortmund, Germany from July 4 to 7, 2019.

Task	Rewards
1/5
Spin 7 PokéStops or Gyms	×25
Make 3 new friends	×10
Send 3 Gifts to Friends	×1
Completing 1/5	×25, ×15, ×15
2/5
Catch 5 different species of Ground-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Water-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Psychic-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Steel-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Bug-type Pokémon
Completing 2/5	×3, ×5, ×5
3/5
Catch 3 Unown Hatch 3 Eggs (after event)	×1
Take a snapshot of Nidoran♂ in its GO Fest habitat Take 1 snapshot of Ground-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Feebas in its GO Fest habitat Take 1 snapshots of Water-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Scyther in its GO Fest habitat Take 1 snapshot of Grass-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Meditite in its GO Fest habitat Take 1 snapshot of Psychic-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Magnemite in its GO Fest habitat Take 1 snapshots of Steel-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Completing 3/5	×5000, ×5, ×1
4/5
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Completing 4/5
5/5
Trade for 3 Pokémon from at least 100km away Evolve 3 Pokémon (after event)	×3
Hatch 5 Eggs	×3
Take 3 snapshots of Jirachi	×1
Completing 5/5	×20, ×5, ×5000

GO Fest 2019—Yokohama

Special Research was available to players at the GO Fest 2019 Yokohama held at Yokohama, Japan from August 6 to 12, 2019.

Task	Rewards
1/5
Spin 7 PokéStops or Gyms	×25
Make 3 new friends	×10
Send 3 Gifts to Friends	×1
Completing 1/5	×25, ×15, ×15
2/5
Catch 5 different species of Ice-type Pokémon
Catch 8 different species of Water-type Pokémon
Catch 3 different species of Grass-type Pokémon
Catch 5 different species of Flying-type Pokémon
Catch 3 different species of Normal-type Pokémon
Completing 2/5	×3, ×5, ×5
3/5
Catch 3 Unown Hatch 3 Eggs (after event)	×1
Take a snapshot of Snorunt in the Snowy Habitat Take 5 snapshots of Ice-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Poliwag in the Ocean Habitat Take 5 snapshots of Water-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Lotad in the Ocean Habitat Take 5 snapshots of Grass-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Swablu in the Cloudy Sky Habitat Take 5 snapshots of Flying-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Take a snapshot of Taillow in the Cloudy Sky Habitat Take 5 snapshots of Normal-type Pokémon (after event)	×5000
Completing 3/5	×5000, ×1, ×5
4/5
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Claim reward!	2019 XP
Completing 4/5
5/5
Trade for 3 Pokémon from at least 100km away Evolve 3 Pokémon (after event)	×3
Hatch 5 Eggs	×3
Take 3 snapshots of Jirachi	×1
Completing 5/5	×20, ×5, ×500

Safari Zone St. Louis 2020

This Special Research was available to players who purchased ticket to the Safari Zone St Louis 2020. This event was supposed to be held in St Louis, Missouri, USA on March 27 - 29, 2020. This event was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak and the Special Research was instead made available worldwide to all ticket holders on March 27 - 29, 2020, local time at the same time and date of their original event ticket. It's a 2 part Special Research that, upon completion, rewards a shiny Teddiursa. The steps of the research were modified to prevent trainers from going outside or interacting with other players.

Task	Rewards
1/2
Evolve 3 Pokémon	×100
Transfer 10 Pokémon	×1
Catch 10 Different Species of Pokémon	×5
Completing 1/2	×1, ×1, ×10
2/2
Take a Snapshot of your buddy	×1
Give your buddy 3 treats	×100
Play with your buddy 3 times	×1
Completing 2/2	×1, , ×20000

Safari Zone Liverpool 2020

This Special Research was available to players who purchased ticket to the Safari Zone Liverpool 2020. This event was supposed to be held in Liverpool, UK on April 17 - 19, 2020. This event was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak and the Special Research was instead made available worldwide to all ticket holders on April 17 - 19, 2020, local time at the same time and date of their original event ticket. It's a 2 part Special Research that, upon completion, rewards a shiny Chinchou. The steps of the research are identical to those from the Special Research Safari Zone St. Louis 2020 with slightly altered rewards and task order.

Task	Rewards
1/2
Transfer 10 Pokémon	×1
Evolve 3 Pokémon	×100
Catch 10 Different Species of Pokémon	×5
Completing 1/2	×1, ×1, ×10
2/2
Take a Snapshot of your buddy	×1
Give your buddy 3 treats	×100
Play with your buddy 3 times	×1
Completing 2/2	×1, , ×30000

Safari Zone Philadelphia 2020

This Special Research was available to players who purchased ticket to the Safari Zone Philadelphia 2020. This event was supposed to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on May 08 - 10, 2020. This event was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak and the Special Research was instead made available worldwide to all ticket holders on May 08 - 10, 2020, local time at the same time and date of their original event ticket. It's a 2 part Special Research that, upon completion, rewards a shiny Voltorb. The steps of the research are identical to those from the Special Research Safari Zone St. Louis 2020 with slightly altered rewards and task order.

Task	Rewards
1/2
Transfer 10 Pokémon	×1
Evolve 3 Pokémon	×100
Catch 10 Different Species of Pokémon	×5
Completing 1/2	×1, , ×1
2/2
Take a Snapshot of your buddy	×1
Give your buddy 3 treats	×100
Play with your buddy 3 times	×1
Completing 2/2	×1, , ×30000

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 特殊調查 Dahksyùh Diuhchàh Mandarin 特殊調查 Tèshū Diàochá French Études spéciales German Spezialforschung Italian Ricerca speciale Korean 스페셜리서치 Special Research Brazilian Portuguese Pesquisa especial Spanish Investigación especial

See also

• Field Research
• Timed Research

References

This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.