TL;DR
- Shinx is May’s Research Breakthrough reward with bonus candies
- Complete seven daily stamps through Field Research tasks for breakthroughs
- Weekly Throwback Challenges feature regional themes and Galarian Pokemon
- Optimize task completion by focusing on high-reward, time-efficient challenges
- Progress carries over between months, so partial stamp collections remain valid
Pokemon Go trainers can now access the refreshed May 2020 Field Research lineup, featuring both standard daily tasks and special limited-time challenges. The monthly Research Breakthrough system offers Shinx encounters complemented by extra candy rewards, providing excellent opportunities for powering up this sought-after Electric-type Pokemon.
Securing a Research Breakthrough requires accumulating seven Field Research stamps, which players earn by completing their initial daily task. This structured approach ensures consistent engagement across at least one week of gameplay. A crucial advantage for dedicated trainers: incomplete stamp progress from April seamlessly transitions into May, eliminating any loss of advancement toward your next breakthrough encounter.
Strategic planning around the stamp system can significantly boost your efficiency. Many experienced players recommend completing easier tasks early in the day to guarantee stamp acquisition, then pursuing more challenging objectives for superior rewards later.
Field Research assignments differ fundamentally from Special Research storylines in both distribution and purpose. While Professor Willow personally issues Special Research quests that unfold narrative content, Field Research tasks generate randomly from spun PokeStops, offering diverse daily objectives.
Beyond the essential stamps needed for breakthroughs, Field Research completion yields valuable in-game resources. Rewards span from practical items like Berries and Poke Balls to direct Pokemon encounters, creating multiple incentive layers for consistent participation.
Common beginner mistake: neglecting to check task requirements before acceptance. Some challenges demand specific weather conditions or Pokemon types that might not be immediately available, potentially wasting valuable item slots in your task queue.
Niantic supplements the standard Field Research rotation with exclusive Throwback Challenge questlines throughout May. Each week showcases a different Pokemon region through themed research tasks, allowing trainers to revisit iconic locations from the franchise history.
The event culminates with the debut of Galarian Pokemon variants, expanding the available creature pool with fresh collection opportunities. These limited-time challenges provide alternative pathways to rare Pokemon beyond standard research breakthroughs.
Advanced optimization: prioritize Throwback Challenges during their active windows since these time-limited opportunities disappear permanently after conclusion. Many trainers overlook that completed special research tasks still count toward daily stamp progress, enabling dual objective completion.
| 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 4 different species of Pokemon | 2 Rare Candies |
| Catch 3 Water-, Electric-, or Bug-type Pokemon | Raichu encounter |
| Catch 3 Electric-type Pokemon | Electabuzz encounter |
| Catch 10 Pokemon | Magikarp encounter; 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 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Battle another trainer | Alolan Geodude encounter |
| Win a Raid | Jolteon encounter |
| Win 5 Raids | Aerodactyl encounter |
| Win a level 3 or higher Raid | Kabuto or Omanyte encounter |
| Win in the Go Battle League | Blitzle encounter |
| 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 | 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 | Electrike encounter |
| Field Research Task | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Transfer 3 Pokemon | Magnemite encounter |
| Trade a Pokemon | Joltik encounter |
| Evolve a Pokemon | Eevee or Lanturn encounter |
| Power up Pokemon 5 times | Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle encounter |
| Send 3 Gifts to friends | Jolteon encounter |
| Take a Snapshot of an Electric-type Pokemon | Voltorb encounter |
| 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 | 3 Silver Pinap Berries |
| Give your Buddy 3 treats | Mareep encounter |
Task completion strategy: prioritize objectives that align with your current gameplay activities. For instance, if you’re already planning to participate in raids, focus on raid-related Field Research tasks to maximize efficiency. Catching tasks often provide the quickest completion times, while throwing challenges offer some of the most valuable Pokemon encounters for skilled players.
Beyond the Research task system, May introduces several significant gameplay developments. The Remote Raid Pass launch celebration features returning Legendary Pokemon in raid rotations, enabling trainers to encounter previously unavailable creatures without leaving home.
Go Battle League Season 2 preparation continues throughout the month, though technical complications have postponed the scheduled May 1 start date. This delay provides additional preparation time for competitive trainers to refine their strategies and team compositions.
Pokemon Go News & Announcements
Pro tip: monitor official Niantic communications for unexpected event extensions or additional bonus periods. Technical issues sometimes result in compensatory rewards or extended timelines that benefit attentive players.
Action Checklist
- Complete one Field Research task daily to secure your stamp toward Research Breakthrough
- Check task requirements before acceptance to avoid impossible objectives
- Prioritize Throwback Challenge tasks during their active weekly windows
- Focus on catching tasks for quick completion and throwing tasks for premium rewards
- Coordinate raid participation with raid-related Field Research tasks for efficiency
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Go’s May Field Research Tasks & Breakthrough Reward Complete guide to May 2020 Field Research tasks with strategies for maximizing rewards and completing Research Breakthroughs efficiently