TL;DR
- Snorlax available as Research Breakthrough until March 1 with 7 daily stamps
- Weather boost tasks offer starter Pokemon encounters and enhanced Stardust rewards
- Battle challenges provide rare fossil Pokemon and Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan encounters
- Throwing skill tasks reward Spinda patterns and valuable Gible encounters
- February events overlap with Valentine’s Day and Kanto Tour for bonus opportunities
Pokemon Go trainers can now access the freshly updated February 2021 Field Research lineup, featuring an entirely new collection of objectives and corresponding rewards to pursue throughout the month. This comprehensive guide breaks down every available task and provides strategic insights to maximize your research efficiency.
The monthly Research Breakthrough encounter brings the iconic Sleeping Pokemon Snorlax into rotation until March 1. Each time you complete a full set of seven daily stamps, you’ll unlock an encounter with this formidable Normal-type Pokemon known for its massive HP pool and competitive viability in gym defense scenarios.
Understanding the stamp collection system is crucial for Research Breakthrough success. You earn exactly one stamp per day by completing your initial Field Research task, requiring consistent daily engagement across a full week to secure the Snorlax encounter. The flexible carryover system ensures any accumulated stamps automatically transfer to next month’s progress if you don’t complete the full set before March.
Field Research tasks generate randomly at PokeStops and Gyms when you spin their Photo Discs. Each location pulls from an extensive task pool, meaning you may need to visit multiple stops to find specific challenges that align with your collection goals or current gameplay activities.
February presents an exceptionally busy event calendar that directly impacts Field Research strategy. The ongoing Valentine’s Day event continues through February 18, while the highly anticipated Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto takes place on February 20. Additionally, Legendary Eon Pokemon Latios and Latias have returned to five-star Raid Battles from February 9-20, creating additional research opportunities through raid-related tasks.
Weather-boosted catching tasks provide excellent opportunities to encounter starter Pokemon while earning enhanced Stardust rewards. The ‘Catch 5 Pokemon with Weather boost’ challenge offers either Poliwag or Vulpix encounters, both of which have valuable evolved forms for both PvE and PvP combat.
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Catch 5 Pokemon with Weather boost | Poliwag or Vulpix encounter OR 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Catch 9 Pokemon with Weather boost | Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott encounter |
| Catch 10 Pokemon with Weather boost | 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Catch 7 different species of Pokemon | 2 Silver Pinap Berries |
| Catch 5 Pokemon | Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle encounter |
| Catch 10 Pokemon | Magikarp encounter OR 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Catch 10 Normal-type Pokemon | 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokemon | Teddiursa encounter OR 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Catch a Dragon-type Pokemon | Dratini encounter OR 1,500 Stardust, 3 Rare Candies, 2 Gold Razz Berries, or 10 Ultra Balls |
| Catch a Ditto | 1,500 Stardust, 3 Rare Candies, 2 Gold Razz Berries, or 10 Ultra Balls |
Strategic tip: Focus on weather-boosted tasks during appropriate weather conditions in your area. Rainy weather boosts Water, Electric, and Bug types, while cloudy weather enhances Fairy, Fighting, and Poison types. This alignment significantly reduces completion time and increases catch success rates.
The Dragon-type catching task presents both a challenge and exceptional reward opportunity. Dratini encounters provide access to the powerful Dragonite evolution line, while the alternative rewards including Rare Candies and Ultra Balls represent some of the most valuable items available through Field Research.
Ditto hunting requires understanding its current disguise pool. During February 2021, Ditto can appear as Paras, Hoothoot, Spinarak, Hoppip, Remoraid, or Whismur. Prioritize catching these species when you have the Ditto research task active.
Battle-focused Field Research tasks offer encounters with rare Pokemon including fossil species and fighting-type specialists. These challenges complement the broader Class Guide principles of strategic team composition and type advantage utilization.
| Field Research Tasks | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Win a Raid | Dratini encounter |
| Win 5 Raids | Aerodactyl encounter |
| Win a level 3 or higher Raid | Kabuto or Omanyte encounter |
| Defeat 2 Team Go Rocket Grunts | Ekans or Koffing encounter |
| Win in the Go Battle League | Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan encounter |
Raid victory tasks provide excellent opportunities to farm Dratini candy or encounter rare fossil Pokemon. The ‘Win 5 Raids’ challenge rewards Aerodactyl, a powerful Rock/Flying type with relevance in specific PvP metas.
Team Go Rocket grunt battles have become more accessible with this research task. Defeating two grunts rewards either Ekans or Koffing encounters, both of which have shadow variants available through Rocket encounters.
Go Battle League research aligns perfectly with the competitive gameplay aspects discussed in our Complete Guide to strategic combat. Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan represent valuable fighting-type additions to any collection, with both having relevance in various PvP leagues.
Pro tip: Coordinate raid completions with friends to efficiently complete the ‘Win 5 Raids’ task. Using free daily raid passes across multiple days makes this challenge cost-effective while building toward the Aerodactyl reward.
Throwing skill challenges test and refine your Pokemon catching technique while offering some of the most desirable rewards in the Field Research system. These tasks range from basic nice throws to advanced excellent curveball sequences.
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Make 3 Great throws | Gastly, Anorith, or Lileep encounter OR 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Make 5 Nice throws | Voltorb encounter OR 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Make 3 Nice throws in a row | 500 Stardust, 2 Pinap Berries, 5 Great Balls, or 2 Ultra Balls |
| Make 3 Great throws in a row | Onix encounter OR 1,000 Stardust, 1 Rare Candy, 9 Razz Berries, 3 Pinap Berries, 10 Poke Balls, or 5 Ultra Balls |
| Make 3 Great curveball throws | 1,000 Stardust, 1 Rare Candy, 9 Razz Berries, 3 Pinap Berries, 10 Poke Balls, or 5 Ultra Balls |
| Make 3 Great curveball throws in a row | 1,500 Stardust, 3 Rare Candies, 2 Gold Razz Berries, or 10 Ultra Balls |
| Make 5 Great curveball throws in a row | Spinda encounter |
| Make an Excellent throw | 500 Stardust, 2 Pinap Berries, 5 Great Balls, or 2 Ultra Balls |
| Make 3 Excellent throws in a row | Gible encounter |
| Make 5 curveball throws in a row | 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Make 2 Nice curveball throws in a row | 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
The ‘Make 5 Great curveball throws in a row’ task rewards Spinda, which features multiple pattern variations that rotate monthly. February 2021 offers pattern #5, making this particularly valuable for collectors seeking to complete their Spinda dex.
Gible encounters through the ‘Make 3 Excellent throws in a row’ challenge represent one of the most sought-after rewards. Gible evolves into the powerful pseudo-legendary Garchomp, making this task worth practicing and mastering.
Advanced technique: For consecutive throw tasks, target larger Pokemon with predictable attack patterns like Tauros, Sudowoodo, or Onix. These larger catch circles and consistent movement patterns dramatically increase success rates for maintaining throw streaks.
Common mistake: Many players attempt difficult throw tasks on inappropriate Pokemon. Practice excellent throws on raid bosses or research encounter Pokemon first, as these cannot flee and allow unlimited attempt opportunities.
Collection and evolution tasks focus on core Pokemon Go mechanics while rewarding encounters with various Pokemon and valuable Mega Energy resources. These challenges integrate seamlessly with the progression systems detailed in our Weapons Unlock methodology for systematic resource acquisition.
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Hatch an Egg | Gligar encounter |
| Evolve a Pokemon | Eevee or Magnemite encounter |
| Power up Pokemon 5 times | Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle encounter |
| Power up Pokemon 5 times | 10 Beedrill Mega Energy; 10 Venusaur Mega Energy; 15 Charizard Mega Energy; or 15 Pidgeot Mega Energy |
| Spin 10 PokeStops or Gyms | 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Earn 5 Hearts with your Buddy | Cubone encounter |
| Give your Buddy 3 treats | Spoink encounter |
| Trade a Pokemon | Machop, Geodude, Abra, or Gastly encounter |
| Send 3 gifts to friends | Roselia encounter |
Mega Energy tasks provide crucial resources for activating Mega Evolutions. The ‘Power up Pokemon 5 times’ challenge can reward energy for Beedrill, Venusaur, Charizard, or Pidgeot. Prioritize tasks that reward energy for Pokemon you regularly use in raids or PvP battles.
Buddy interaction tasks have been optimized for efficiency. You can earn 3 hearts quickly by feeding, playing, and taking a snapshot with your buddy, then complete the final hearts through walking distance.
Trading research tasks work best when coordinated with frequent playing partners. Keep low-value Pokemon specifically for completing these tasks to minimize Stardust costs while maximizing completion speed.
Optimization strategy: Save evolution tasks for when you have multiple Pokemon ready to evolve, then activate a Lucky Egg to double experience gains while completing the research objective.
Action Checklist
- Complete one Field Research task daily to accumulate stamps toward Snorlax Research Breakthrough
- Prioritize weather-boosted catching tasks during appropriate in-game weather
- Practice excellent throws on raid bosses to prepare for Gible encounter task
- Coordinate raid completions with friends using daily free passes for ‘Win 5 Raids’ task
- Save evolution tasks for Lucky Egg sessions to maximize experience gains
- Complete buddy interaction tasks through feeding, playing, and snapshot activities
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Go February Field Research Tasks And Rewards List Complete guide to February 2021 Field Research tasks, rewards, and strategic completion tips for Pokemon Go players
