Every month, Niantic spotlights a 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).
Research Breakthrough encounters can vary month to month. Usually, a single month will feature only one Pokémon, but there have been cases of two or more Pokémon included as possible Research Breakthrough encounters for the month, or even be available over multiple months.
What’s October 2022’s Research Breakthrough encounter?
October 2022’s Research Breakthrough encounter is Shedinja.
Can October 2022’s Research Breakthrough encounter be shiny?
Yes, Shedinja can be shiny. In fact, its shiny version is debuting during this special encounter.
What time is October 2022’s Research Breakthrough encounter active?
This month’s active time window is from Saturday, October 1st, 2022 at 1 p.m. PT | 4 p.m. ET (GMT −7) until Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 at 1 p.m. PT | 4 p.m. ET (GMT −7).
Are there any other bonuses for completing October 2022’s Research Breakthrough?
Trainers will also get 1 Incense with every Research Breakthrough achieved during this time period.
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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?)
