Every month, Niantic spotlights a Pokémon (or multiple Pokémon) for Pokémon GO’s Research Breakthrough encounter. This feature was added to the game in April 2018 as part of the Field Research system. Essentially a quest system, Trainers can acquire Field Research tasks by logging in daily and/or spinning PokéStops (one task per PokéStop per day). When a task is completed and a reward is claimed, the Trainer will earn a stamp (only one stamp can be earned each day). After seven stamps are collected, Trainers will activate a Research Breakthrough. This bonus will let Trainers encounter a specific Pokémon to catch and will have a rating of 2- or 3-stars (or even “4-stars” if you’re lucky). As well as earn items, including XP and Stardust.
Research Breakthrough encounters can vary from month to month. In the past, a single month would feature only one Pokémon, but, currently, up to six Pokémon are featured as possible Research Breakthrough encounters for the month. Plus, sometimes these reward pools are carried over multiple months.
What’s December 2025’s Research Breakthrough encounter?
December 2025’s Research Breakthrough encounter is split between two pools.
If you activate your Research Breakthrough encounter before Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10 a.m. your local time, your encounter will be one of the following Pokémon: Alakazam, Aggron, Sinistea, Morpeko, Dreepy, or Frigibax.
If you activate your Research Breakthrough encounter after Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10 a.m. your local time, your encounter will be one of the following Pokémon: Galarian Mr. Mime, Lapras, Snorlax, Honedge, Sinistea, or Dreepy.
Can December 2025’s Research Breakthrough encounter be shiny?
Yes and no. Only some Pokémon from these reward pools will be shiny.
The following Pokémon may be shiny during Research Breakthrough: Alakazam, Galarian Mr. Mime, Lapras, Snorlax, Aggron, Sinistea, and Frigibax.
The following Pokémon won’t be shiny during Research Breakthrough: Honedge, Morpeko, and Dreepy.
What time is December 2025’s Research Breakthrough encounter active?
This month’s active time window is from Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10 a.m. until Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 at 10 a.m. your local time (for Galarian Mr. Mime, Lapras, Snorlax, Honedge, Sinistea, and Dreepy).
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Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
