As a lead-up to this year’s (virtual) GO Fest and to celebrate the 4th anniversary of their phenomenal game, Niantic is filling the month of July with special research activities that will reap an abundance of rewards for players who participate.
For those of you who dare to take on the challenges that lie ahead, here’s a look at what to expect over the upcoming weeks.
Week #1:
July 3rd-July 8th
Challenge: Skill
Complete (3 sets of) timed research that tests your ability to catch Pokémon.
“Elite Skill” Challenge
– 50 Excellent Throws
– Catch 100 Pokémon
– Catch 25 Different Species of Pokémon
Main Rewards:
– Star Piece/Special Items
– Encounters with Ducklett & Flying Pikachu
Team Challenges/Rewards:
If 1 million members of each team complete their weekly timed research, an additional monster will make an appearance during GO Fest.
Team Instinct: Chimecho
Team Mystic: Alomomola
Team Valor: Chansey
Also Available This Week:
Party Hat Pokémon
(all are shiny possibilities)
Flying types
Flying Pikachu (shiny possibility)
Ducklett (Evolve: Swanna)
Photobomb Surprise
New Shiny: Pidove
Ho-Oh Weekend:
July 3rd-July 6th
Connect to the “How To” for Ho-Oh, here.
Last year’s “Jump Start” Research will also be available this week to any players who haven’t yet completed it. This will be a terrific way for players to earn a large amount of XP & Stardust.
Week #2:
July 10th-July 15th
Challenge: Battle
Complete (3 sets of) timed research that tests your Team GO Rocket battling skills.
“Elite Skill Challenge”
– Defeat 15 Team GO Rocket Grunts
– Defeat a Team GO Rocket Leader 5 times
– Defeat the Team GO Rocket Boss
Main Rewards:
– Super Rocket Radar/Special Items
– Encounters with Hitmonlee & Absol (shiny possibility)
Team Challenges/Rewards:
If 1 million members of each team complete their weekly timed research, an additional monster will make an appearance during GO Fest.
Team Instinct: Ferroseed
Team Mystic: Alolan Grimer
Team Valor: Alolan Marowak
Battle Themed Event:
July 12th: 11am-2pm (Details)
Also Available This Week:
Poison & Dark types in the wild/raids/eggs
Team GO Rocket Balloons
Meowth Balloon (Jessie & James)
Shadow Suicune (w/Giovanni encounter)
New Shadow Pokémon
GO Rocket Box (480 coins)
Week #3:
July 17th-July 22nd
Challenge: Friendship
Complete (3 sets of) timed research that celebrates friendship.
Tip for GO Fest Friendship Challenge:
When you reach the “earn a candy walking with your buddy” task, make sure to walk with a 1km monster to accomplish this part of the research even faster.
Here are some suggestions:
– Petilil
– Pikachu/Pichu
– Weedle
– Pidgey
“Elite Skill Challenge”
– Use 30 Berries to help catch Pokémon
– Send 30 Gifts to friends
– Earn 30 Hearts with your buddy
TIPS:
1. In order to earn 30 Hearts faster, concentrate on only filling in 4 of the 6 hearts for a monster and then move on to your next Pokémon. (Then, keep repeating until you’re done).
The hearts you can fill in the fastest are:
– take a snapshot
– battle together
– play together
– give your buddy a treat
2. Use a Poffin to double the amount of hearts available for a monster, which allows you even more to accomplish on each Pokémon.
Main Rewards:
– Lucky Egg/Special Items
– Encounters with Alolan Raichu & Petilil
Team Challenges/Rewards:
If 1 million members of each team complete their weekly timed research, an additional monster will make an appearance during GO Fest.
Team Instinct: Togetic
Team Mystic: Dratini
Team Valor: Litwick
Also Available This Week:
Summer Themed Pokémon
Summer Style Pikachu (shiny possibility)
Petilil
Photobomb Surprises (Random)
New Shiny: Bellsprout
NOTE:
Players who complete the timed research each week will gain access to extra difficult tasks called, “Elite Skill” challenges which will result in “bragging rights” for any Trainer who can accomplish them.
After the 3 weeks of challenges are over, Trainers will be able to participate in this year’s virtual GO Fest from 10am-8pm on July 25th & 26th. The only requirement to participate is the purchase of a $14.99 ticket via the in-game shop. (Read more about GO Fest, here).
Beyond the 3 weeks of Research Events and GO Fest, here are a few more things players can enjoy this month.
Community Day
July 19th (11am-5pm)
– Shadow Punch (New Move)
– 1/4 Egg hatch distance
– 3 hour Incense
– Photobomb Surprises
– CDay Box (in-game shop)
– CDay Exclusive Research ($1 Ticket)
Spotlight Hour (6-7pm)
July 7th:
Taillow (shiny possibility)
2x Transfer Candy
July 14th:
Zubat (shiny possibility)
2x Evolve XP
July 21st:
Oddish (shiny possiblity)
2x Catch Stardust
July 28th:
Buizel
2x Catch XP
July Research Breakthrough
July 1st-August 1st
Larvitar (shiny possibility)
Tier 5 Raid Boss
Kyurem
Starts: July 7th (4pm)
Raid Hour: Each Wednesday (6-7pm)
“How To” article
Sources: Niantic, Bulbapedia (pic), Siliconera (pic), pokemongohub (pic), serebii.net (pic), funnyjunk.com (pic)
