July Field Research Pokemon GO Guide

July Field research in Pokemon GO may be a bit more complicated this year.

In celebration of Pokemon GO's fourth anniversary, Niantic Labs has set up a variety of weekly challenges for players to complete. These events are meant to be the lead-up to the global Pokemon GO Fest event taking place later next month. All trainers are eligible to join in the challenges whether they will be participating in GO Fest or not. These challenges will take the form of "Timed Research lines."

July Field Research Pokemon GO Guide

The first week's challenge is skill-based and takes place from July 3 at 8 a.m. through to July 8 at 10 p.m. Trainers will be tasked with catching Pokemon and each team will have a set goal to meet in order to unlock that Pokemon for GO Fest.

Completing these challenges will earn the chance at an encounter with Ducklett or Flying Pikachu with a shiny chance. At one million captures, teams Valor, Instinct, and Mystic will have unlocked appearances by Chansey, Chimecho, and Alomomola, respectively.

Week two's challenge is all about battling and takes place from July 10 at 8 a.m. to July 15 at 10 p.m. Completing these challenges will unlock encounters with Hitmonlee and Absol. Trainers will likely see tasks revolving around gyms and Team Rocket PokeStops.

As a reward for their efforts, at one million trainer research completions, teams Valor, Instinct, and Mystic will unlock appearances by Alolan Marowak, Ferroseed, and Alolan Grimer, respectively.

Week three will feature friendship-based challenges. It will take place starting on July 17 at 8 a.m. and ending on July 22 at 10 p.m. Trainers can expect tasks such as sending gifts, stickers, and possibly interacting with their buddy Pokemon. Encounters for completing these tasks include Alolan Raichu and Petilil.

Respective one million goal awards for teams Valor, Instinct, and Mystic are Litwick, Togetic, and Dratini.

Early completion of any lines for the duration of their specific week will unlock the ability to take on the corresponding Go Fest Elite Challenge.