For Pokémon GO trainers eager to secure the ultimate capture tool, the Master Ball Special Research quest offers a tantalizing challenge-and a pricey ticket to guaranteed success. But with a steep $7.99 price tag and a series of demanding tasks ahead, is this Master Ball quest truly worth the investment? Dive into the step-by-step guide to uncover what it takes to earn this rare Poké Ball and whether it’s a smart buy for your Pokémon journey.
While the steps for this paid research seem daunting, you have an unlimited amount of time to do it, so it shouldn’t be that bad. We list out the steps and whether or not it may be worth buying below. At the bottom of this page, we also list the older Master Ball research from November 2023, if you’re looking for that info.
Pokémon Go Master Ball Special Research Tasks and rewards (October 2024)
The Pokémon Go Master Ball Special Research for October 2024 offers players a paid Masterwork Research quest priced at $7.99, available from October 4 to October 11. Completing this quest rewards players with a Master Ball, the most powerful Poké Ball in the game that guarantees a catch, making it ideal for securing rare or difficult Pokémon such as the Galarian Legendary Birds or perfect IV “hundos.” The research consists of four steps with various tasks like catching hundreds of Pokémon, using berries, making curveball throws, and visiting PokéStops over multiple days. Alongside the Master Ball, players earn XP, Stardust, and encounters with special Galarian Pokémon like Galarian Stunfisk and Galarian Mr. Mime. While the quest requires a financial investment and time to complete, it can be done at the player’s own pace once purchased and is especially valuable for dedicated players seeking guaranteed catches of rare Pokémon.
This pass debuted alongside the “Galarian Expedition” event in October 2024 and is available to purchase until Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. in your local time.
Step 1 of 4
- Catch 250 Pokémon (20 Poké Balls)
- Use 150 berries to help catch Pokémon (15 Razz Berries)
- Make 100 nice curveball throws (2,500 Stardust)
Reward: 2,500 XP, Galarian Stunfisk encounter
Step 2 of 4
- Catch 300 Pokémon (25 Poké Balls)
- Make 100 great curveball throws (15 Pinap Berries)
- Transfer 50 Pokémon (2o Great Balls)
Rewards: 3,500 XP, Galarian Farfetch’d encounter
Step 3 of 4
- Catch 350 Pokémon (20 Great Balls)
- Defeat 25 Team GO Rocket members (5 Charged TMs)
- Catch 75 different species of Pokémon (15 Revives)
Rewards: 4,500 XP, Galarian Weezing encounter
Step 4 of 4
- Visit PokéStops on 7 different days (2,500 XP)
- Catch a Pokémon on 7 different days (2,500 Stardust)
- Hatch 20 eggs (Galarian Mr. Mime encounter)
- Catch 75 Pokémon in a single day (20 Ultra Balls)
- Make 50 excellent throws (20 Max Revives)
- Catch 500 Pokémon (3 Silver Pinap Berries)
Rewards: 5,000 XP, 5,000 Stardust, 1 Master Ball
Is the Master Ball Special Research quest ticket worth buying?
The Master Ball Special Research quest ticket in Pokémon Go is worth buying primarily if you plan to use the Master Ball it rewards. Priced at $7.99, this pay-to-play quest offers a set of tasks that grant a guaranteed Master Ball upon completion, making it valuable for capturing rare or legendary Pokémon without fail. However, if you are a collector or casual player who might not use the Master Ball, purchasing the ticket may not be cost-effective. The quest also provides substantial XP and Stardust, which can be a bonus for players looking to level up. Ultimately, the ticket is best suited for those who want the security of a guaranteed catch and are willing to invest in the premium content for that advantage.
Straight-up, this ticket is only worth buying if you’re going to actually use the Master Ball. Of course, you can also buy it if you’re a collector who just wants to hold on to the 100% catch guaranteed ball, but it’s kind of a waste in that case.
Digging a little deeper, I would only personally recommend buying this pass if:
- You use your Daily Adventure Incense often and you’re trying to grab a Galarian Articuno, Zapdos, or Moltres – which run away after the first failed ball. This way, you can catch your bird guaranteed.
- You want insurance for a guarantee for a specific shiny or rare spawn in the wild. This includes Azelf, Mesprit, or Uxie, though you can find them at actual raids from time to time.
I would not personally use the Master Ball for a Legendary Pokémon from a raid. You can get a free raid pass every day and even Premium Raid Passes are a dime a dozen. There is no raid Pokémon that is worth using a Master Ball on, as you can just try the raid again (using another pass).
The exception to this is if you have trouble hitting difficult raid targets with the given Premier Balls. Some Pokémon, like Shadow Lugia, are pretty hard to even hit with a normal ball, so if you really want a Shadow Lugia, we would not judge you for using your Master Ball on it.
All in all, the pass is worth it if you just want a Master Ball. What you use it on is up to you. Use it on a Pidgey! Use it on a special shiny you find in the wild! Use it on a Pikachu with a hat! We support your choices.
Pokémon Go Master Ball Special Research Tasks and rewards (November 2023)
The Pokémon Go Master Ball Special Research, released on November 22, 2023, is a paid quest available for $7.99 USD, designed for players who missed the original Season-long Timed Investigation: Master Ball. The research consists of three stages with tasks such as catching hundreds of Pokémon, using berries, hatching eggs, and making excellent throws. Completing all tasks rewards players with a Master Ball, along with substantial XP and Stardust bonuses. The quest can be purchased until November 28, 2023, and once bought, it can be completed at the player’s own pace without a deadline, making it a valuable opportunity for Trainers seeking a Master Ball outside the original timed event.
This pass debuted alongside the “Party Up” event in November 2023 and was available to purchase until Nov. 28. You can see the steps for it below.
Step 1 of 3
- Catch 300 Pokémon (6,000 XP)
- Use 180 berries to help catch Pokémon (6,000 XP)
- Catch 60 Pokémon in a single day (6,000 XP)
Reward: 7,500 XP
Step 2 of 3
- Catch 500 Pokémon (6,000 XP)
- Hatch 30 eggs (6,000 XP)
- Make 100 excellent throws (6,000 XP)
Rewards: 7,500 XP
Step 3 of 3
- Catch 150 Pokémon in Poké Balls (6,000 XP)
- Catch 150 Pokémon in Great Balls (6,000 XP)
- Catch 150 Pokémon in Ultra Balls (6,000 XP)
- Catch 150 different species of Pokémon (6,000 XP)
Is buying the Masterwork Research worth the $7.99 for a guaranteed Master Ball
Buying the Masterwork Research for $7.99 to obtain a guaranteed Master Ball in Pokémon GO is generally considered worthwhile only if you plan to use the Master Ball strategically, such as on rare or hard-to-catch Pokémon like Galarian Legendary Birds or perfect IV (“hundo”) Pokémon. The Master Ball guarantees a catch without fail, which can be invaluable in these cases.
However, many players and community feedback suggest that the quest’s price feels steep relative to the rewards and tasks involved, which are similar to free research tasks already available in the game. If you are a collector who just wants the Master Ball without intending to use it, it may not be the best value. Also, the quest is available for a limited time and must be purchased within a specific window, but once bought, you can complete it at your own pace.
In summary, the purchase is worth it if you need a guaranteed catch tool for special Pokémon and don’t mind the cost; otherwise, waiting for future free opportunities or using regular Poké Balls may be more economical.
Does the $7.99 investment justify the guaranteed Master Ball catch
The $7.99 investment for the Master Ball Special Research quest in Pokémon GO is a divisive topic among players. Many feel the price is steep for what amounts to a single guaranteed Master Ball after completing a few encounters, with some describing it as a money grab with minimal content for the cost. However, others argue that the guaranteed catch is invaluable, especially when used on rare or hard-to-catch Pokémon like Galarian Legendary Birds or shiny Pokémon, where the Master Ball ensures no risk of losing the encounter.
Community feedback suggests that the value depends heavily on your playstyle and priorities: if you want a guaranteed catch on a once-in-a-lifetime or very rare Pokémon, the cost can be justified. But if you are more casual or unwilling to spend, the price may not feel worth it given the limited rewards and the availability of other catching methods.
In summary, the $7.99 can be worth it for trainers who value certainty on critical catches, but for others, it may seem overpriced for a single Master Ball and a short quest line.
