As Pokémon Go’s Go Tour: Unova event unfolds, trainers face a thrilling dilemma in the special research quest “It’s Not Over Yet”-will you harness the icy power of Black Kyurem or the chilling might of White Kyurem? This branching quest not only tests your strategic choice between two legendary paths but also offers unique rewards and challenges that could redefine your raid battles. Dive into the quest steps and discover which path aligns best with your playstyle before making a decision that can’t be undone.
The quest unlocks at the start of the event, and as long as you start it during the event hours, it’ll be permanently available to complete at your own leisure. Despite this, we recommend trying your best to complete it during the weekend-long event, as it’ll be easier to find necessary Pokémon spawns and types.
Below we list all the steps for “It’s Not Over Yet” and an explanation between picking between Black Kyurem or White Kyurem.
Update (March 21): Step 4’s objectives have changed, likely to help those stuck at event-specific catch / fusion phase, to requirements that involve catching specific types and using berries.
’It’s Not Over Yet’ Special Research steps and rewards
The “It’s Not Over Yet” Special Research in Pokémon Go offers a multi-step quest with branching paths, allowing players to choose between the Black or White versions, which correspond to encounters with Black Kyurem and White Kyurem respectively. The research begins with catching a Pokémon from the Unova region and rewards players with XP, Stardust, and a Patrat encounter. In the second step, players pick either the Black path (earning Reshiram candy and a Unova Stone) or the White path (earning Zekrom candy and a Unova Stone). Following this, players choose between Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott for additional candy rewards and encounters. Completing all steps grants valuable items including Kyurem candy, Silver Pinap Berries, and GO Tour Stickers. The Special Research has no end date, allowing players to complete it at their own pace while farming candies and energy to power up these legendary Pokémon.
Below, you can see all the steps for the “It’s Not Over Yet” Special Research.
’It’s Not Over Yet’ step 1 of 5
- Catch a Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region (10 Go Tour stickers)
Rewards: 2,025 XP, 2,025 Stardust, Patrat encounter
At this point, you’ll be tasked between picking the Black Version or White Version. As backwards as it may seem, the Black Version is for Reshiram and the White Version is for Zekrom. We detail more about which you should pick in the section later in this guide – otherwise, until then, here are the remaining quest steps.
’It’s Not Over Yet’ step 2 of 5
- Feed your buddy 3 times (Gothita/Solosis encounter in Black/ White respectively)
- Hatch an egg (Vullaby/Rufflet encounter in Black/ White respectively)
Rewards: 3 Reshiram/Zekrom Candy
You will get Gothita, Vullaby, and the Reshiram Candy if you pick the Black Version. You’ll get the Solosis, Rufflet, and the Zekrom Candy if you pick the White Version.
After this step, you’ll also be tasked with picking between the three Unovan starters: Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott. This choice is much simpler, as you should just pick the one you like the best.
Your third step will differ depending on which of the three you pick, but all three of these will be spawning abundantly during the Go Tour event, so it’s not a huge deal if you pick one over the other.
’It’s Not Over Yet’ step 3 of 5
- Power up grass-/fire-/water-type Pokémon 5 times (1 Incense)
- Use an Incense (Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott encounter)
Rewards: 25 Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott Candy, 5 Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott Candy XL
’It’s Not Over Yet’ step 4 of 5
- Catch 50 fire-type Pokémon (25 Blaze/Volt Fusion Energy in Black/White respectively)
- Catch 50 electric-type Pokémon (25 Blaze/Volt Fusion Energy)
- Use 50 Nanab Berries while catching Pokémon (5,000 Stardust)
Rewards: 5 Zekrom/Reshiram Candy, 1 Zekrom/Reshiram Candy, 2,025 XP
Note: These step 4 objectives were originally “Catch Reshiram/Zekrom”, “Catch Kyurem”, and then “Fuse Kyurem”, but were updated on March 21, likely to help those stuck at these event-specific steps progress and finish the research.
’It’s Not Over Yet’ step 5 of 5
- Win 5 raids (Pikachu [Hilbert’s hat] encounter)
- Win 5 raids (Pikachu [Hilda’s hat] encounter)
- Win 5 raids (Pikachu [Nate’s visor] encounter)
- Win 5 raids (Pikachu [Rosa’s visor] encounter)
Rewards: 5 Kyurem Candy, 5 Go Tour stickers, 5 Silver Pinap Berries
’It’s Not Over Yet’ choose a path outcome: Black or White Kyurem?
The “It’s Not Over Yet” Special Research in Pokémon Go presents players with a pivotal choice between the Black or White path, each leading to a different Kyurem fusion: Black Kyurem or White Kyurem. This decision is significant as it determines the challenges, rewards, and the type of Kyurem you will ultimately encounter and be able to fuse. The Black path aligns with Reshiram and rewards players with items like Reshiram candy and encounters with Gothita and Vullaby, culminating in the chance to obtain Black Kyurem. Conversely, the White path is associated with Zekrom, offering Zekrom candy, encounters with Solosis and Rufflet, and the opportunity to catch White Kyurem. Both paths grant Kyurem candy and other valuable rewards, but the choice is permanent and influences your gameplay strategy, especially regarding the special move Glaciate required for Kyurem’s fusion. Generally, Black Kyurem is considered slightly superior for raids, but the best choice depends on your personal preferences and current needs in Pokémon Go.
Early on in the research, you’ll be tasked to pick between the Black Version (Reshiram) or the White Version (Zekrom). The choice you pick will give you rewards that’ll help you get one of the two Kyurem fusions.
Here are the differences at a glance:
- Black or White Kyurem encountered in raids will be guaranteed to know the move Glaciate for the color you choose.
- The quest steps and rewards around Reshiram and Zekrom will be altered on your decision (being rewarded Reshiram or Zekrom-specific candy, XL candy and fusion energy, and having to catch that Pokémon if you choose the Black or White path respectively).
- You’ll get the Black Version or White Version medal for your trainer profile’s medal list.
Ultimately, though your decision should be based on whether you want Black or White Kyurem to be guaranteed the move Glaciate for the Adventure Effect when fused, the other color still has a chance of knowing this move when caught in raids during the event – or through the use of a Elite TM – so know it’s not a deal breaker.
The rewards, meanwhile, are all things you can source elsewhere from raid completions (or from the event’s free fusion energy codes). If you want to know Black or White Kyurem is stronger to help make your decision for that guaranteed move, read the next section, but in the end, go for the guaranteed move as your primary factor.
Remember, before you pick, that the color of the Black Version is tied to the white-colored legendary Reshiram, while the White Version is tied to the black-colored legendary Zekrom. This matches the Pokémon Black and White games, where each colored legendary was found in the opposite game. Going in with this knowledge may save you a surprise if you were expecting the colors to be aligned!
Is Black or White Kyurem better than the other?
Both Black Kyurem and White Kyurem are powerful and viable choices in Pokémon GO, each excelling in different roles. Black Kyurem is the better option if you prefer a strong physical attacker, boasting a higher Attack stat and access to powerful physical moves like Outrage and Fusion Flare. It performs well in neutral matchups and offers versatility in both PvP and PvE scenarios. White Kyurem, on the other hand, shines as a special attacker with a significantly higher Special Attack stat, specializing in Ice-type moves that are particularly effective against Dragon-types. While White Kyurem is excellent for specific matchups requiring heavy special damage, Black Kyurem generally edges out as the slightly better overall choice for most trainers due to its broader utility and balanced offensive coverage.
If you want a breakdown on the meta and the usefulness surrounding these Pokémon, we got you. Again, you can still get both Black and White Kyurem from raids regardless of the quest decision you make during the event, but a tl;dr of what you need to know as you enter the event:
- Black Kyurem is an overall stronger attacker, though White Kyurem is a better specific ice-type attacker.
- Both are very good in Master League, though Black Kyurem is slightly better.
- White Kyurem’s Adventure Effect, Ice Burn, slows down the target ring speed, when catching Pokémon and Black Kyurem’s move Freeze Shock prevents the target from moving.
- Out of the above two Adventure Effects, White Kyurem’s buffs catch rate more than Black Kyurem’s does, according to datamines – so that might be on the one to go for, especially for auto catching devices like the Go Plus.
If you want more info about the above, we explain more in-depth below.
In terms of gyms and raids (the PvE meta), Black Kyurem comes out ahead of White Kyurem. Black Kyurem is the #2 best ice-type attacker in the game and the #4 best dragon-type attacker in the game – overall ranking it as the #5 best general raid attacker in the game, according to the data from the Pokémon Go Database.
White Kyurem, however, is the #1 ice-type attacker, the #15 dragon-type attacker, and thus the #12 best general raid attacker in the game. This means they’re actually pretty close. If you specifically want an ice-type attacker to help you take down dragon-types, pick White Kyurem. If you want a better general attacker, pick Black Kyurem.
As for Go Battle League (PvP), Black Kyurem is #2 and White Kyurem is #5 as the top Pokémon for Master League, according to PvPoke. The difference is small, but if you’re looking to minmax in PvP and are ready to invest in a third move slot and all that jazz, Black Kyurem is the choice for you.
You will also want to consider the Adventure Effects that each Pokémon has:
- White Kyurem knows Adventure Effect Ice Burn, which slows down the target ring when catching Pokémon for 10 minutes. This also makes the Pokémon “much easier to catch,” according to Niantic.
- Black Kyurem knows Adventure Effect Freeze Shock, which locks the Pokémon you’re trying to catch in place, preventing it from moving around for 10 minutes. Just like the above move, it also makes the Pokémon “much easier to catch.”
Both of these help catch Pokémon, but Black Kyurem’s will specifically help you against any pesky flying/floating Pokémon that love to wiggle around while you’re hucking precious Premier Balls at it. While not confirmed directly by Niantic, the Pokémon Go Wiki has datamined information stating that White Kyurem increases catch rate by 50%, whereas Black Kyurem only increases catch rate by 25%. That being said, it may be wiser to pick White Kyurem if you planning on taking advantage of that higher catch rate (for creatures like, say, the Galarian birds).
Finally, keep in mind that the stats your Black and White Kyurem will get are based off of the Kyurem, not the Reshiram or Zekrom. If you’re looking to fuse because you’ve been sitting on a high-IV Reshiram or Zekrom, don’t do it! Keep that Reshiram as a fire-type attacker and the Zekrom as an electric-type attacker.
Again, this doesn’t mean that picking one means you can’t have the other. During the Go Tour: Unova event, tons of Black and White Kyurem will be appearing in raids, alongside Reshiram and Zekrom, so you can battle it out in raids to get the materials for the one you don’t pick from the research. Don’t get got by FOMO – even Dusk Mane and Dawn Wing Necrozma ended up returning as part of a raid day several months after its initial debut, so even if you don’t nab one now, there’s hope for later events.
If you’re diving deep into Pokémon Go’s Go Tour: Unova weekend event, we have the information you need. Check out our guides on redeeming free fusion energy codes, the rotating habitats and bonuses, how to get Black and White Kyurem with Fusion, the Go Tour Pass, and our Kyurem counters and weaknesses guide.
Which path offers the most powerful rewards for my gameplay style
Choosing between Black Kyurem and White Kyurem in Pokémon Go’s “It’s Not Over Yet” quest depends on your gameplay style and desired rewards. Black Kyurem typically appeals to players who favor physical attack power and aggressive battling, offering strong offensive capabilities that can enhance raid and PvP performance. White Kyurem, on the other hand, tends to provide a more balanced or special-attack-focused option, which may suit players who prefer versatile or strategic approaches. Both paths grant unique rewards and the opportunity to catch the respective Kyurem form, but Black Kyurem’s path often yields slightly more powerful offensive rewards, making it ideal if maximizing raw damage output aligns with your playstyle. Conversely, White Kyurem’s path may offer rewards that complement tactical versatility and endurance in battles. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prioritize raw power or balanced, strategic flexibility in your gameplay.
Which exploration method aligns best with my reward preferences
The exploration method that best aligns with your reward preferences is one that incorporates intrinsic rewards based on uncertainty in learned reward models, such as the RUNE (Reward Uncertainty for Exploration) approach. This method encourages exploration by measuring novelty through disagreement across an ensemble of learned reward functions, effectively guiding exploration towards states and actions that are both novel and aligned with your preferences. It improves sample- and feedback-efficiency by focusing exploration on areas where the reward model is uncertain, thus maximizing the value of your exploration efforts according to your personal reward criteria. If you prefer exploration that balances novelty and tailored rewards, this uncertainty-based intrinsic reward method is optimal.
