TL;DR
- December features Legendary Pokemon encounters including Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Groudon, and Kyogre
- Complete 7 daily stamps for Research Breakthroughs with Shiny chances
- Multiple task categories: catching, battling, throwing, hatching, and social activities
- Strategic task selection can maximize rewards and rare Pokemon encounters
- Combine with December’s Evolution Event and Community Day for optimal results
December brings an exciting rotation of Field Research missions to Pokemon Go, offering trainers numerous opportunities to earn valuable rewards and encounter rare Pokemon. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about maximizing your December research experience.
Field Research represents daily objectives distributed exclusively through PokeStops, distinct from Professor Willow’s Special Research storylines. When spinning Photo Discs, you’ll receive randomized tasks that, upon completion, grant experience points, useful items, and direct Pokemon encounters. Unlike Special Research, there’s no cap on how many Field Research tasks you can accomplish daily, though strategic selection proves crucial for efficiency.
The stamp collection system provides structured progression – your initial completed task each day earns a stamp. Accumulating seven stamps triggers a Research Breakthrough, delivering enhanced rewards plus encounters with coveted Legendary Pokemon. December continues the trend from previous months, featuring Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Groudon, and Kyogre as potential breakthrough rewards. Even trainers with existing Legendaries should pursue multiple breakthroughs this month due to the increased Shiny encounter probability.
Beyond the standard research offerings, December introduces special events including the inaugural Evolution Event (December 5-12) offering boosted evolutionary item acquisition, and a Community Day weekend (December 14-15) featuring returning previous Community Day Pokemon.
Pokemon Go News & Announcements
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Catch 5 Pokemon with Weather boost | Poliwag or Vulpix 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 10 Pokemon | Magikarp encounter |
| Catch 5 Fairy Pokemon | Marill encounter |
| Catch 5 Normal Pokemon | Zigzagoon encounter |
| Catch 3 Fire, Water, or Electric Pokemon | Doduo encounter |
| Catch 4 Grass or Ice Pokemon | Seel encounter |
| Catch 15 Pokemon | Sandshrew encounter |
| Catch 3 different species of Dark Pokemon | Poochyena enounter |
| Catch 3 different species of Psychic Pokemon | Drowzee encounter |
| Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokemon | Snorunt encounter; 500 Stardust, 6 Razz Berries, 2 Pinap Berries, or 5 Great Balls |
| Use 5 Razz Berries to help catch Pokemon | Swinub encounter |
| Use 10 Nanab Berries while catching Pokemon | Scyther encounter |
| Catch a Dragon 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 |
|---|---|
| Battle in a Raid | Spoink encounter; 200 Stardust, 5 Nanab Berries, 5 Potions, or 2 Revives |
| Battle in a Gym | Mankey or Makuhita encounter; 200 Stardust, 5 Nanab Berries, 5 Potions, or 2 Revives |
| Battle another trainer | Electrike encounter |
| Battle a team leader 2 times | Natu encounter |
| Win a Gym battle | Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle encounter; 500 Stardust, 10 Nanab Berries, 3 Super Potions, or 4 Revives |
| Battle in a Gym 5 times | Machop encounter; 500 Stardust, 10 Nanab Berries, 3 Super Potions, or 4 Revives |
| Use a super-effective Charged Attack in 7 Gym battles | Electabuzz encounter; 1,000 Stardust, 1 Rare Candy, 3 Hyper Potions, 6 Revives, or 1 Max Revive |
| Win 5 Raids | Aerodactyl encounter |
| Win a level 3 or higher Raid | Kabuto or Omanyte encounter; 1,000 Stardust, 1 Rare Candy, 3 Hyper Potions, 6 Revives, or 1 Max Revive |
| Win 3 Gym battles | Jynx encounter; 1,000 Stardust, 1 Rare Candy, 3 Hyper Potions, 6 Revives, or 1 Max Revive |
| Use a super-effective Charged Attack in a Gym battle | 500 Stardust, 10 Nanab Berries, 3 Super Potions, or 4 Revives |
| Win a Raid | 500 Stardust, 10 Nanab Berries, 3 Super Potions, or 4 Revives |
| Win 3 Raids | 1,500 Stardust, 3 Max Potions, 8 Revives, or 3 Max Revives |
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Make 3 Great throws | Gastly, Buneary, 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 in a row | 1,500 Stardust, 1 Rare Candy, 9 Razz Berries, 3 Pinap Berries, 10 Poke Balls, or 5 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 | Larvitar 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 |
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Hatch an Egg | Exeggcute or Hoppip encounter; 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, or 5 Poke Balls |
| Hatch 3 Eggs | Magmar encounter; 1,000 Stardust, 1 Rare Candy, 9 Razz Berries, 3 Pinap Berries, 10 Poke Balls, or 5 Ultra Balls |
| Hatch 5 Eggs | Chansey encounter; 3 Rare Candies |
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Transfer 3 Pokemon | Sableye encounter |
| Trade a Pokemon | Bronzor encounter |
| Evolve a Pokemon | Cubone or Eevee encounter |
| Earn 3 Candies walking with your Buddy | Ponyta encounter |
| Take 5 snapshots of Eevee | Gulpin encounter |
| Power up Pokemon 5 times | Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle encounter |
| Send 10 Gifts to friends | Sneasel encounter |
| Spin 10 PokeStops or Gyms | 200 Stardust, 3 Razz Berries, 1 Pinap Berry, 5 Silver Pinap Berries, or 5 Poke Balls |
Maximizing your December Field Research efficiency requires strategic planning. Prioritize tasks offering Pokemon encounters you need for your Pokedex or that provide valuable items like Rare Candies. Weather-boosted catching tasks become significantly easier during appropriate weather conditions, making them ideal for quick completion.
For Shiny hunters, focus on tasks granting encounters with Pokemon having available Shiny forms. The Research Breakthrough Legendaries present exceptional Shiny hunting opportunities this month. Remember that task stacking allows you to hold multiple research objectives simultaneously, enabling selective completion based on daily opportunities.
Common mistakes include wasting time on difficult tasks when easier alternatives exist nearby, and failing to coordinate with local trainers for battle-related challenges. Advanced players should target tasks with multiple reward options to increase chances of obtaining desired items or Pokemon.
Time estimates vary significantly – simple catching tasks might take minutes, while hatching multiple eggs requires substantial walking distance. Plan your play sessions around task requirements and available time.
Understanding game mechanics proves crucial for efficiency. For example, knowing which Pokemon types appear frequently in your area helps select appropriate catching tasks. Similarly, understanding battle mechanics ensures efficient completion of gym and raid-related objectives.
Action Checklist
- Complete your first Field Research task daily to earn stamps
- Focus on weather-boosted catching tasks during appropriate weather conditions
- Coordinate battle tasks with local trainers for efficient completion
- Prioritize tasks with Shiny-capable Pokemon encounters
- Stack multiple research tasks and complete based on daily opportunities
- Combine research completion with December’s Evolution Event and Community Day
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Go’s Field Research List For December 2019 Complete guide to December 2019 Field Research tasks with strategies for maximizing rewards and Shiny encounters