A mysterious new Special Research has sparked excitement among Pokémon Go trainers as Spark and Team Instinct take center stage. “An Instinctive Hero” brings exclusive encounters, themed rewards, and surprising twists that could shake up your collection.
Pokémon Go An Instinctive Hero Special Research quest steps
Players complete a sequence of tasks to earn Event Rewards: gather stamps and complete Field Research steps, battle at Gyms and Raids when prompted, catch specific Pokémon during designated windows, and claim back-to-back rewards culminating in the final Special Research completion and exclusive avatar pose.
The following research steps – found on the “Special” screen – has no end date, provided you have logged in and begun the quest during the event:
Step 1 of 4
- Make 10 Nice Throws (5 Pinap Berries)
- Catch 20 Pokémon (5 Poké Balls)
- Spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms (Exeggcute encounter)
Rewards: 1,500 XP, 1 Egg Incubator
Step 2 of 4
- Hatch an Egg (1 Incense)
- Use 15 Razz Berries to help catch Pokémon (5 Great Balls)
- Spin 20 PokéStops or Gyms (Ferroseed encounter)
Rewards: 2,000 XP, 20 Chansey Candy
Step 3 of 4
- Catch 30 Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
- Earn 5 Candies walking with your Buddy (5 Pinap Berries)
- Hatch 3 Eggs (Chansey encounter)
Rewards: 2,500 XP, Elekid wearing a Spark-themed accessory encounter
Step 4 of 4
- Claim reward (10 Pinap Berries)
- Claim Reward (10 Great Balls)
- Claim Reward (10 Ultra Balls)
Rewards: 2,500 XP, 2,500 Stardust
Thanks to Twitter for filling in the gaps for the above quest steps.
Pokémon Go An Instinctive Hero Field Research and rewards
The “An Instinctive Hero” Field Research in Pokémon Go celebrates Team Instinct leader Spark and features Electric-type encounters that tie into his theme. Completing tasks during the event can reward players with encounters with rare Pokémon such as Elekid or other Electric-types, Golden Razz Berries, and Stardust. Trainers can also earn event-themed items and progress toward the Special Research quest, making it a great opportunity to strengthen Electric-type collections and earn valuable bonuses.
The following are available for the duration of the event, and once collected, they can be completed after the event ends:
- Hatch an Egg (Electabuzz, Magmar, or Mantine encounter)
- Hatch 2 Eggs (Chansey or Chimecho encounter)
- Hatch 3 Eggs (Snorlax or Magneton encounter)
Pokémon Go An Instinctive Hero egg hatching changes
During the “An Instinctive Hero” event, several adjustments were made to egg hatching, giving players new Pokémon to aim for from certain distances. Special attention was placed on 2 km and 7 km eggs, which included species tied to Spark’s Electric-type theme and event story. Players could also benefit from bonuses that reduced hatch distance and increased Candy or Stardust rewards, making egg incubation more rewarding throughout the event period.
As part of “An Instinctive Hero,” there are updates to all egg pools.
Joining the 2km, 5km and 10km egg pools is Gen 5 Pokémon Larvesta, which debuts as part of the event “if you’re very lucky,” according to Niantic. (In other words, it’s a rare find.)
If you don’t hatch one before the event ends, the good news is it’ll be part of those pools until the end of the season.
In 7km eggs, you can encounter the following for the duration of the event (May 2 to May 8):
- Axew
- Goomy
- Happiny
- Karrablast
- Mantyke
- Mime Jr.
- Shelmet
- Timburr
Pokémon Go An Instinctive Hero event bonuses
During the An Instinctive Hero event, players can enjoy several bonuses that make catching and evolving Pokémon more rewarding. Incense, excluding the Daily Adventure Incense, lasts longer throughout the event, and players have increased chances to encounter certain Electric-type Pokémon. Field Research tasks reward encounters tied to Spark’s Electric-themed Pokémon preferences, and the event-exclusive Special Research gives extra items, Stardust, and rare encounters for completing each stage.
The following bonuses will be available during event hours from May 2 to May 8:
- Double XP for hatching Pokémon
- Double stardust for hatching Pokémon
- Increased chance of hatching shiny Pokémon from 2km, 5km, and 10km eggs (not 7km)
How to get shiny Elekid from An Instinctive Hero research
Shiny Elekid from Pokémon Go’s “An Instinctive Hero” Special Research is possible but relies purely on luck, as the Step 3 reward encounter has a standard shiny rate (about 1 in 450-500).
Encounter Details
The exclusive Elekid (with Spark-themed armband accessory) appears after completing Step 3 tasks: catch 30 Pokémon, earn 5 buddy candies, and hatch 3 eggs. This is the only source for the costumed version during its season, and it can be shiny despite the accessory.
Tips to Maximize Odds
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Complete the research during the original May 2023 event for egg-hatching bonuses (2x XP/Stardust, boosted shiny rates on 2-10km eggs), though the encounter itself isn’t egg-based.
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Save the encounter for last; if not shiny, no redo option exists-it’s one guaranteed Elekid per research.
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Players have reported shiny successes, as seen in community videos and posts.
What are the tasks to complete An Instinctive Hero Special Research
“An Instinctive Hero” Special Research in Pokémon Go consists of four steps with specific tasks focused on catching, throwing, spinning stops, hatching eggs, and using berries. These tasks unlock progressively and culminate in exclusive encounters like a Spark-themed Elekid. All details are drawn from prior confirmed sources in this conversation.
Step 1 Tasks
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Make 10 Nice Throws
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Catch 20 Pokémon
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Spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms (Exeggcute encounter)
Step rewards: 1 Incubator, 1500 XP
Step 2 Tasks
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Hatch 1 Egg
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Use 15 Razz Berries to help catch Pokémon
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Spin 20 PokéStops or Gyms (Ferroseed encounter)
Step rewards: 20 Chansey Candy, 2000 XP
Step 3 Tasks
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Catch 30 Pokémon
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Earn 5 Candies walking with your buddy
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Hatch 3 Eggs (Chansey encounter)
Step rewards: Elekid (Spark-themed accessory) encounter, 2500 XP
Step 4 Tasks
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Claim reward (10 Pinap Berries)
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Claim reward (10 Great Balls)
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Claim reward (10 Ultra Balls)
Step rewards: 2500 Stardust, 2500 XP
