Pokémon Go: Research Breakthrough Rewards

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

While most of the rare Pokémon you catch in Pokémon Go come from Raids, Eggs, or spawning on the map, each month Trainers can catch earn encounters with a particular Pokémon just for completing a week's worth of Field Research tasksin the form of Research Breakthrough Rewards. These are special bonus rewards earned after completing seven days of Field Research. Unlike Field Research Rewards that are determined by the Task completed, Research Breakthrough Rewards change each month. Read ahead for every past Research Breakthrough Reward, as well as the current Pokémon encounter, and be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!

What is the current Research Breakthrough Reward in Pokémon Go?

Pokemon 592 Frillish (Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Starting at 4 PM EST April 1, 2021, the Research Breakthrough Reward will be a male Frillish. The Water and Ghost type from the Unova region evolves into Jellicent for 50 candy and is either pink or blue based on gender. This Frillish has a CP range of 501-539. The Shiny version is green for males and red for females. The research will run through 4 PM EST May 1, 2021.

What is a Research Breakthrough Reward in Pokémon Go anyway?

After collecting seven Field Research Stamps, Trainers can collect a Research Breakthrough Reward in Pokémon Go. That Reward will include 2,000 Stardust, 3,000 XP, a limited Pokémon Encounter, and a Mysterious Item. The Pokémon encounter changes depending on when you collect it. The Mysterious Item is random from a pool of Items that include:

  • Poké Ball (20x)
  • Ultra Ball (5x)
  • Pinap Berry (5x)
  • Rare Candy (3x)
  • Sinnoh Stone
  • Unova Stone

How do you earn a Research Breakthrough Reward in Pokémon Go?

Pokemon Go Field Research (Image credit: Niantic)

Research Breakthrough Rewards are a bonus for something you're probably already doing: Field Research. Field Research are the various Tasks you pick up upon spinning a PokéStop. Each PokéStop gives out a different Field Research each day and you can hold up to three of these Tasks at a time. Currently, Niantic is also rewarding a single bonus research task every day, because so many cannot safely reach PokéStops. You can complete as many Field Research Tasks in a day as you want but you can only earn one stamp towards your Research Breakthrough Reward. Your stamp is earned upon collecting your Field Research Reward so you can save completed tasks for days you might be too busy. Once you've earned seven stamps, you can collect your Research Breakthrough Reward. It's just that simple!

Which Research Breakthrough Reward will you get?

Maybe this month's Pokémon Encounter is for a Pokémon you already have plenty of or one you're just not interested in. Well, just like you can save your Field Research for a future day, you can also hold off on collecting your Research Breakthrough Reward. Your Reward is determined when you collect it, not when you earn it.

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.