Pokémon Go new Research Breakthrough goes live

Pokemon Go Professor Willow
Pokemon Go Professor Willow (Image credit: Niantic)

What you need to know

  • Late on Halloween, Niantic announced new Research Breakthrough rewards.
  • After completing seven days of Research, trainers will earn an encounter with Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Groudon or Kyogre.
  • Encounters with these five Legendary Pokémon will be available through the end of the year.

November is here and with it, Pokémon Go has new Research Breakthrough rewards. Replacing the Flower Crown Eevees, players can encounter one of five Legendary Pokémon when completing seven days of Research. The potential encounters for November and December are the Gen 1 Legendary Birds: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres; and the Gen 3 mascots: Groudon and Kyogre. While all five Legendary Pokémon have been available multiple times before, two of the five are still on the top twenty attackers list and the other three are great back ups. And, in case you've not been lucky enough to stumble across shiny versions, all five have the potential to be shiny.

Kyogre, the Sapphire mascot, remains the best Water type Pokémon in the game, while Moltres was only recently unseated by Chandelure as the best Fire type in the game. Meanwhile, Groudon is one of the best Pokémon for the Master League PVP Battles. Zapdos remains one of the top Electric type Pokémon out there, though its secondary Flying type makes it especially weak against Ice types and Articuno is still a solid choice for an Ice type, even if outclassed by Mamoswine, Glaceon and Weaville. There is the potential to claim up to nine Breakthrough rewards before January brings us a new Breakthrough reward so be sure to complete at least one Research task a day to increase your chances at getting your top choices.

Which of these Legendary Pokémon are you hoping for? Are you excited for the chance to catch them again or did you have your hopes up for something new? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go news and guides!

Casian Holly

Casian Holly has been writing about gaming at iMore since 2019, but their real passion is Pokémon. From the games to the anime, cards and toys, they eat, sleep, and breathe all things Pokémon. You can check out their many Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield guides and coverage here on iMore.