Pokémon GO Fest 2026 Research Leads Trainers to Zeraora
The eight-step A Thunderous Discovery quest rewards Trainers with a Zeraora encounter, Candy, event stickers, avatar clothing, and useful items.
Pokémon GO Fest 2026: A Thunderous Discovery sends Trainers on an eight-part search for the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora. The Special Research will be available during Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global, which runs on July 11 and 12, 2026.
Professor Willow’s investigation covers exploration, Pokémon catches, Electric-type training, raids, and a few tricky throws. Completing the full quest leads to a Zeraora encounter, 26 Zeraora Candy, a Zeraora T-Shirt, and several event-themed rewards.
A Thunderous Discovery Special Research tasks and rewards
Here is the full breakdown of every task and reward listed for the research. The quest begins with simple exploration and catching objectives before moving into raids and buddy activities with Zeraora.
Step 1/8
The first step asks Trainers to get moving, use Incense, and catch a few Pokémon.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Spin 8 PokéStops or Gyms | 1 Incense |
| Use an Incense | 26 Poké Balls |
| Catch 7 Pokémon | 1 Lucky Egg |
Step completion rewards: 1 Star Piece, 6 Nanab Berries, and 1 Lure Module.
Step 2/8
The second step adds a short walk, a Berry-based catching task, and a collection target that requires 15 different species.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Explore 1 km | 26 Poké Balls |
| Use 10 Berries to help catch Pokémon | Pawmi |
| Catch 15 different species of Pokémon | 2,026 Stardust |
Step completion rewards: 1 Incense, Tynamo, and 2,026 Stardust.
Step 3/8
Electric-type Pokémon take center stage in the third step. Trainers must complete Field Research, catch Electric types, and power up an Electric-type Pokémon 15 times.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Complete 3 Field Research tasks | Pikachu wearing a blue GO Fest 2026 cap |
| Catch 3 Electric-type Pokémon | Pikachu wearing a red GO Fest 2026 cap |
| Power up Electric-type Pokémon 15 times | Pikachu wearing a yellow GO Fest 2026 cap |
Step completion rewards: 6 Mewtwo Stickers, 1 Incubator, and 2,026 XP.
Step 4/8
Step four combines a longer walk with Great Throws and Great Curveball Throws. Its encounters include three Pokémon from different types.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Explore 2 km | Electrode |
| Make 8 Great Throws | Ninjask |
| Make 5 Great Curveball Throws | Aerodactyl |
Step completion rewards: 2,026 XP, 26 Ultra Balls, and 2 Premium Battle Passes.
Step 5/8
The research then turns toward raids. Trainers need to enter three raids, win one, and catch 20 different Pokémon species.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Battle in 3 raids | 3 Max Revives |
| Win a raid | 3 Max Potions |
| Catch 20 different species of Pokémon | 3 Golden Razz Berries |
Step completion rewards: 2,026 XP, 2 Super Incubators, and 2,025 Stardust.
Step 6/8
Step six brings the search close to its target. Trainers must complete more throwing challenges and walk another 2 km before receiving the research’s main encounter reward.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Explore 2 km | Bulbasaur |
| Make 8 Excellent Throws | Charmander |
| Make 3 Great Throws in a row | Squirtle |
Step completion rewards: 6 Zeraora Stickers, Zeraora, and 26 Zeraora Candy.
That encounter is the centerpiece of A Thunderous Discovery. Once Zeraora joins the team, the final listed objectives focus on building a bond with the Mythical Pokémon.
Step 7/8
The seventh step asks Trainers to use Zeraora as their buddy and spend time with it after the encounter.
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Take a snapshot of Zeraora | 1 Poffin |
| Earn a Candy exploring with Zeraora as your buddy | 3 Rare Candy |
| Earn 6 hearts with Zeraora as your buddy | 3 Silver Pinap Berries |
Step completion rewards: 6 GO Fest 2026 Stickers, a Zeraora T-Shirt, and 1 Super Incubator.
Step 8/8
The final step celebrates the completed search and the new friendship between the Trainer and Zeraora. The provided research breakdown does not list separate tasks or rewards for this page, so Step 7 contains the last listed objectives and completion rewards.
What to prioritize during the research
Trainers can make steady progress by spinning PokéStops, using Incense, catching a wide range of species, and keeping an eye out for Field Research. The middle stages are more demanding, especially the Excellent Throws and the three Great Throws in a row.
Raid participation matters for Step 5, while the final stage requires Zeraora to remain your buddy long enough to earn a Candy and six hearts. The payoff is a new Mythical Pokémon, Candy for powering it up, and a GO Fest-themed outfit for your avatar.
Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global begins on July 11, 2026, so Trainers can plan their Incense, raid passes, and walking time around the event window. Tell us what you think of the Zeraora research rewards in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Pokémon Go
Developed by Niantic Labs, The Pokémon Company
Travel between the real world and the virtual world of Pokémon with Pokémon Go for iPhone and Android devices! With Pokémon Go, you'll discover Pokémon in a whole new world, your own! Join Trainers across the globe who are discovering Pokémon as they explore the world around them.
- Genre: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator
- Platforms: Android, iOS
- Modes: Single player, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO)
- Release: 2016-07-06
- Publisher: Niantic Labs
-
Age Rating:
ESRB E10+ / PEGI 3 / CLASS_IND L / USK 6
- IGDB Rating: 66.4/100
