Trainers are buzzing with excitement as the “Let’s Go” Special Research in Pokémon Go unfolds a new path packed with curious tasks, rare encounters, and rewards that could reshape your next adventure in Niantic’s ever-popular game.
The rewards are completely free, and sees the debut of the Master Ball. Thankfully, tasks are easy enough to complete, so it’s worth completing as you play your usual amount of Pokémon Go. In other words – no specific need to grind!
Below, we’ve listed out the steps to the “Let’s Go” Special Research, which was concluded on May 22, 2023, with the introduction of steps four to six.
Let’s Go step 1 of 6
Catch a Dragonite in the wild during this special research. Power it up to at least 20 CP afterward. Earn 10 Candies by feeding Pokémon for the first tasks in this sequence. Rewards include 5,000 Stardust and a Pidgey encounter. Progress opens the path to the next stage.
- Catch 10 Pokémon (5 Poké Balls)
- Make 10 curveball throws (5 Razz Berries)
- Power up Pokémon 5 times (1,000 Stardust)
Rewards: 1,500 XP, Mankey encounter
Let’s Go step 2 of 6
Step 2 continues the Let’s Go Special Research with tasks that encourage catching more Pokémon and using items strategically. Players are usually asked to catch several species, transfer a few to Professor Willow, and perhaps evolve one to progress. Completing these objectives grants useful rewards such as Poké Balls, Stardust, and encounters that help trainers strengthen their teams for the next steps.
- Catch 15 Pokémon (10 Poké Balls)
- Make 10 great throws (5 Pinap Berries)
- Transfer 20 Pokémon (5 Great Balls)
Rewards: 2,000 XP, Meditite encounter
Let’s Go step 3 of 6
Step 3 challenges players to catch Pokémon, explore new encounters, and continue building progress toward the final rewards. Tasks may include catching a set number of Pokémon, transferring some to Professor Willow, and earning Stardust. Completing this step grants useful items such as Pinap Berries, more Stardust, and a Pokémon encounter that helps trainers move closer to finishing the Special Research.
- Power up Pokémon 10 times (10 Great Balls)
- Make 7 great throws (1 Lure Module)
- Defeat a Team Go Rocket grunt (3 Revives)
Rewards: 2,500 XP, Machoke encounter
Let’s Go step 4 of 6
Step 4 of the Let’s Go Special Research focuses on preparing players for the home stretch of the tasks. Trainers must transfer 20 Pokémon, send 10 gifts to friends, and catch a Pokémon using a Pinap Berry. Completing these tasks rewards players with Stardust, XP, and an encounter with Meltan, bringing them closer to completing the full research line and obtaining more Meltan Candies for future evolutions.
- Catch a Pokémon (500 XP)
Rewards: 1,000 XP, 1,000 Stardust
Let’s Go step 5 of 6
Embark on the final stage with careful preparation, as you wrap up the Let’s Go Special Research saga and claim the last rewards and insights.
- Catch 25 Pokémon (2,500 Stardust)
- Defeat 3 Team Go Rocket grunts (3 Hyper Potions)
- Make 5 excellent throws (Galarian Farfetch’d encounter)
- Evolve 5 Pokémon (2,500 Stardust)
- Battle in a gym 3 times (5 Revives)
Rewards: Master Ball, 1,000 Stardust, 1000 XP
Let’s Go step 5 of 6
- Claim reward (10 Ultra Balls)
- Claim reward (2 Pinap Berries)
- Claim reward (1 Star Piece)
How to make excellent throws in Pokémon Go
Excellent throws in Pokémon Go land your Poké Ball inside the smallest target circle size (about 20% of the full circle), boosting catch rates by 1.85x and earning high XP, which is key for tasks like the “Let’s Go” Special Research.
Core Technique
Hold the Poké Ball until the circle shrinks to excellent size, then spin for a curveball and release-don’t flick yet. Wait for the Pokémon’s attack animation (common on shadows or incense spawns), then throw straight up the screen center as it nears the end of the attack; the circle locks, making hits easier.
Practice Tips
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Target big, close Pokémon first like Snorlax, Nosepass, Pidgey, or Rattata for larger hitboxes and shorter throws.
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Turn off AR for consistent positioning, catch everything to build muscle memory, and use regular Poké Balls on high-CP foes that might break out for retries.
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Progress from nice/great throws to excellents; experiment with flicking up-right at 45 degrees or real-time circle timing.
Mastery takes practice but pays off for research, legendaries, and XP grinding.
Best Pokémon to practice Excellent Throws on
Spheal, Snorlax, and Slowpoke stand out as top Pokémon for practicing excellent throws due to their large size, slow animations, and generous hitboxes that make landing in the tiny circle easier.
Easy Targets
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Spheal: Abundant spawns with a big, stationary body; ideal for chaining throws.
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Snorlax: Huge model and minimal movement, perfect for beginners building confidence.
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Slowpoke/Slowbro: Wide frame and predictable behavior, often cited for consistent excellents.
Other Strong Options
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Machop line (Machoke/Machamp raids): Reliable from Tier 3 raids with clear attack pauses.
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Ponyta, Chansey, Wailmer: Large or slow enough for repeated practice without frustration.
Practice Strategy
Start with AR off on common spawns like these during events for unlimited retries, aiming for circle-lock timing on attacks. Progress to slightly trickier ones like Nosepass or raid bosses once comfortable.
