Pokémon GO Full Steam Ahead Volcanion Special Research Quest and GO Fest 2025 Tasks

Steam whirls through Pokémon Go as the Mythical Volcanion makes its long-awaited global debut in the ’Full Steam Ahead’ Special Research-an exclusive questline erupting with rare encounters, valuable rewards, and one unmissable chance to add the unique Fire- and Water-type legend to your Pokédex.

You will need to login during the Go Fest event (on June 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.) to get the research. Once you do so, you’ll be able to finish it at your leisure – though keep in mind that the perks throughout Go Fest will likely make completing this easier, so it’s best to do it while you can.

This research does have a ton of rewards, including rare encounters with Pokémon like Klefki and just generally nice rewards like XL Candy.

Below, we list all the steps to the “Full Steam Ahead” Volcanion Special Research set.

’Full Steam Ahead’ Special Research Tasks and rewards

The ’Full Steam Ahead’ Special Research in Pokémon Go is a six-step questline available exclusively to GO Fest 2025 Global ticket holders, culminating in a guaranteed encounter with the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion. Players will complete a range of tasks-such as spinning PokéStops, using Incense, making Nice Throws, and catching various Pokémon species-across the steps. Notable rewards include encounters with Pokémon like Klefki, Flabébé (orange flower), Popplio, Fuecoco, and Dapper Pikachu, as well as premium items like a Lucky Egg, Incense, Ultra Balls, Star Piece, Rainy Lure Module, Super Incubator, and exclusive Volcanion Candy and stickers. After unlocking the quest during the event window, it can be completed at any pace. If trainers already caught Volcanion at an in-person GO Fest, they instead receive bonus Volcanion Candy.

’Full Steam Ahead’ step 1 of 6

Spin 12 PokéStops or gyms (1 Incense)
Use an Incense (20 Poké Balls)
Catch 12 Pokémon (1 Lucky Egg)

Rewards: 1 Star Piece, Pikachu (red top hat) encounter, 2,025 XP

’Full Steam Ahead’ step 2 of 6

Make 10 nice throws (1 Incense)
Explore 2 km (Klefki encounter)
Complete 6 Field Research tasks (20 Great Balls)

Rewards: 20 Ultra Balls, Flabébé (orange) encounter, 2,025 XP

’Full Steam Ahead’ step 3 of 6

Catch 30 different species of Pokémon (Popplio encounter)
Power up water-type Pokémon 20 times (25 Popplio Candy)
Evolve 5 water-type Pokémon (3 Popplio Candy XL)

Rewards: 5 Zacian and Zamazenta stickers, 1 Super Incubator, 1 Rainy Lure module

’Full Steam Ahead’ step 4 of 6

Catch 30 different species of Pokémon (Fuecoco encounter)
Power up fire-type Pokémon 20 times (25 Fuecoco Candy)
Evolve 5 fire-type Pokémon (3 Fuecoco Candy XL)

Rewards: 5 Volcanion Sticker, 1 Poffin, 1 Lure Module

’Full Steam Ahead’ step 5 of 6

Earn 10 hearts with your buddy (Carbink encounter)
Hatch 3 eggs (1 Incense)
Evolve 6 Pokémon (3 Golden Razz Berries)

Rewards: Volcanion T-shirt cosmetic, Volcanion encounter, 25 Volcanion Candy

If you’ve already caught a Volcanion from attending an in-person Go Fest event, you’ll get 25 Volcanion Candy instead.

’Full Steam Ahead’ step 6 of 6

Catch a Pokémon on 7 different days (2,025 XP)
Earn 2 candies exploring with Volcanion as your buddy (2,025 Stardust)
Send a gift to a friend (2,025 XP)

Rewards: 1 Rare Candy XL, 5 Volcanion Candy XL, 2,025 XP

Thanks Leek Duck for providing details on the above.

Did you finish that already? There’s still more to do for Pokémon Go Fest 2025. Check out our rotating habitat schedule guide to see when you can find certain critters.

How will the ‘Full Steam Ahead’ quest redefine your Pokémon GO experience during GO Fest 2025

The ‘Full Steam Ahead’ quest is redefining the Pokémon GO experience at GO Fest 2025 by unlocking Volcanion’s global debut through a multi-step Special Research exclusively for ticket holders, adding unique challenges, exclusive encounters, and rare rewards that make the festival both more valuable and more memorable for players.

Key aspects of how it redefines your experience:

Access to Volcanion’s Mythical Debut: For the first time, all global GO Fest 2025 ticketed players can add Volcanion, the unique Fire- and Water-type Pokémon, to their Pokédex-a new collectible milestone. This is significant as Volcanion had only been available in-person prior to this event.
Tiered, Story-Based Research: The quest spreads across six steps, blending tasks such as spinning PokéStops, catching and evolving specific types, making throws, hatching eggs, and buddy activities. This approach encourages more varied and engaged gameplay during the festival, guiding your in-game activity and rewarding you at every turn.
Exclusive and Thematic Rewards: Each step provides rare items (Star Piece, Incense, Lure Modules, Super Incubator), exclusive stickers, themed encounters (Pikachu with red accents, Flabébé Orange Flower, Klefki), and festival-focused avatar items (Volcanion T-shirt). Completing the quest culminates with a Volcanion encounter plus bonus Volcanion Candy, which is particularly important for competitive players and collectors.
Enhanced Social and Exploration Features: Tasks like sending gifts, exploring distances, and earning hearts with your buddy reinforce the game’s social and movement elements, aligning perfectly with the spirit of GO Fest.
Flexible Time for Completion: Unlike timed event research, ‘Full Steam Ahead’ does not expire. Once unlocked during the event window, you can complete it at your own pace, making it accessible for all play styles and schedules.

Overall, the integration of Volcanion through a bespoke global Special Research is elevating GO Fest 2025 into a more interactive, rewarding, and community-driven experience, giving players a tangible reason to participate, explore, and engage with every aspect of the festival.

How will completing the Full Steam Ahead quest enhance my overall GO Fest 2025 experience

Completing the Full Steam Ahead quest during GO Fest 2025 will significantly enhance your experience by granting access to exclusive content, unique rewards, and memorable encounters centered around the global debut of Volcanion.

Key ways it enhances your GO Fest 2025 experience:

Guaranteed Volcanion Encounter: Completing the quest unlocks a one-time chance to catch the Mythical Volcanion, a unique Fire- and Water-type Pokémon making its worldwide debut for ticket holders. This is a milestone addition to your Pokédex and cannot be obtained through regular gameplay.
Rich and Varied Rewards: As you progress, you’ll receive valuable items like a Star Piece, Lucky Egg, Super Incubator, Incense, Lure Modules, Ultra Balls, and XL Candy, as well as festival-themed avatar items and exclusive stickers. These items offer tangible advantages for both event and future play.
Rare Encounters: Apart from Volcanion, special encounters with Pokémon such as Klefki, Fuecoco, Popplio, and event-costumed Pikachu are included, providing limited-time opportunities to catch regionals or event exclusives.
Flexible Completion: This Special Research does not expire, allowing you to finish at your own pace even after GO Fest ends-ideal for players with busy schedules.
Engaged, Thematic Gameplay: The quest’s six varied steps encourage different types of play, from spinning PokéStops and hatching eggs to completing throws, field research, and buddy activities.
Community and Collection Goals: With enhanced event features like themed collection challenges and global collaborative goals, completing Full Steam Ahead adds to the sense of festival participation and achievement.

Overall, finishing Full Steam Ahead transforms GO Fest 2025 from just a day of spawns into a deeper, more interactive experience, rewarding your engagement with a rare Mythical Pokémon, top-tier items, and exclusive content unavailable elsewhere.