TL;DR
- December features Lapras and Unovan Darumaka as Research Breakthrough rewards with bonus XP
- Complete 7 daily stamps for breakthroughs – progress carries over between months
- Weather boost tasks offer Poliwag, Vulpix, or Snover encounters
- Throwing challenges provide rare encounters including Gible and Spinda
- Strategic task selection maximizes rewards during limited December timeframe
As December unfolds in Pokemon Go, trainers gain access to fresh Field Research assignments that deliver valuable rewards and unique Pokemon encounters. This monthly rotation presents strategic opportunities to enhance your collection while earning substantial experience points and items.
Despite approaching year’s end, developer Niantic maintains an active event schedule including seasonal celebrations and New Year’s activities. You still have time to complete December’s Field Research objectives and secure the exclusive Research Breakthrough encounters before they rotate out.
Upon achieving Research Breakthrough status this month, you’ll encounter either Lapras or the highly sought-after Unovan Darumaka. Both creatures remain available throughout December, accompanied by bonus experience points when captured. This dual-encounter system increases collection opportunities for dedicated players.
Remember that Research Breakthroughs activate after collecting seven daily stamps. Each day’s initial completed Field Research task grants one stamp. Should December conclude before your breakthrough, accumulated stamps transfer to January, preserving your progression toward next month’s reward encounter.
Field Research differs from Special Research by distributing tasks randomly from PokeStops and Gyms when spinning their Photo Discs. Below you’ll find the comprehensive December Field Research catalog with associated rewards, meticulously compiled by The Silph Road research community.
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Catch 5 Pokemon with Weather boost | Poliwag, Vulpix, or Snover encounter; 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Catch 10 Pokemon with Weather boost | 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Catch 5 different species of Ice-type Pokemon | 2 Rare Candies |
| Catch 3 Fire-type Pokemon | Charmander, Cyndaquil, Torchic, Chimchar, or Tepig encounter |
| Catch 10 Pokemon | Magikarp encounter |
| Catch 10 Normal-type Pokemon | 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokemon | Ponyta encounter; 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Catch a Dragon-type Pokemon | Dratini encounter; 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 |
| Field Research Tasks | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Win 2 Raids | Alolan Sandshrew encounter |
| Win 5 Raids | Aerodactyl encounter |
| Win a level 3 or higher Raid | Kabuto or Omanyte encounter |
| Defeat 2 Team Go Rocket Grunts | Vulpix encounter |
Strategic Insight: Weather boost tasks become significantly easier during appropriate weather conditions. For Dragon-type catches, focus on areas near water biomes or during windy weather. The Ditto challenge requires patience as it disguises itself as common Pokemon like Paras, Hoothoot, and Spinarak.
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Make 3 Great throws | Gastly, Anorith, or Lileep encounter; 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Make 5 Nice throws | Voltorb encounter; 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; 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 |
Advanced Throwing Techniques: For consecutive throw challenges, target larger Pokemon like Sudowoodo or Tauros that present easier hitboxes. The Gible encounter from three consecutive Excellent throws represents one of December’s most valuable rewards for dedicated trainers.
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Hatch an Egg | Sneasel encounter |
| Evolve a Pokemon | Eevee or Flareon encounter |
| Trade a Pokemon | Snorunt encounter |
| Power up Pokemon 5 times | Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle encounter |
| Power up Pokemon 5 times | 10 Beedrill Mega Energy; 10 Venusaur Mega Energy; 10 Charizard Mega Energy; or 10 Blastoise Mega Energy |
| Spin 10 PokeStops or Gyms | 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Send 3 gifts to friends | Houndour encounter |
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Earn 5 Hearts with your Buddy | Growlithe encounter |
| Give your Buddy 3 treats | Spheal encounter |
Efficiency Strategies: Buddy heart tasks synergize well with daily walking routines. For evolution tasks, conserve candy by evolving unevolved forms rather than fully evolved Pokemon. The dual Power-up tasks offer either starter Pokemon or valuable Mega Energy resources.
December delivers abundant activity beyond Field Research in Pokemon Go. The legendary Kyurem has reappeared in five-star Raid battles, while Mega Abomasnow dominates Mega Raids. This week also marks the debut of Shiny Celebi through a new Special Research narrative, providing collectors with exclusive opportunities.
Event Coordination: The holiday event typically increases Ice-type spawns, facilitating completion of Ice-type catching tasks. Coordinate Raid participation with local communities to efficiently complete Win Raid objectives while pursuing legendary encounters.
Strategic trainers should prioritize tasks that align with December’s event bonuses. Weather-boost catching becomes more manageable during event-specific weather patterns, while increased spawn diversity supports type-specific capture challenges.
Action Checklist
- Complete one Field Research task daily to accumulate stamps toward Research Breakthrough
- Prioritize weather-boost tasks during appropriate weather conditions for easier completion
- Target large Pokemon for consecutive throwing challenges to maintain accuracy streaks
- Coordinate with local trainers for raid completion tasks and Rocket Grunt battles
- Complete social tasks like gift sending and trading during community meetups or with nearby friends
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Go’s December 2020 Field Research Tasks And Rewards [Last Chance] Complete guide to December 2020 Field Research tasks, rewards, and strategic completion tips