Keldeo’s call echoes through the daybreaks of your station, guiding you to a twist in the Special Research that could redefine how you chase legendary moments.
To get the “Something Extraordinary” Special Research Task set (and Keldeo), you’ll need to buy the $7.99 ticket in the shop. In addition to this, you’ll need to actually open the game and accept the research some time betweenDec. 10 at 10 a.m. and Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. in your local time. If you do not do this, you will not get the research.
Once you start the Special Research, it will be unlocked permanently, so there won’t be any rush to complete it.
Keldeo will likely become available through some type of free-to-play method at some point, but it’s not clear when. Seeing how free-to-play players have not gotten a chance to get Shaymin yet (which was from a ticketed event in June and August), you’ll need to wait quite a bit to get Keldeo.
Below, we list out the Special Research Task steps for “Something Extraordinary” to unlock Keldeo, thanks to help from Serebii.net.
Something Extraordinary step 1 of 7
Step 1 begins the Special Research by asking players to catch ten Pokémon, make ten Curveball Throws, and take a snapshot of a wild Pokémon. Completing these tasks rewards Stardust, Poké Balls, and Razz Berries, setting the stage for the next challenges that lead toward encountering Keldeo.
- Make 3 curveball throws (500 Stardust)
- Catch 10 Pokémon (Oshawott encounter)
- Take a snapshot of a wild Pokémon (10 Great Balls)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Machoke encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Something Extraordinary step 2 of 7
Step 2 of the “Something Extraordinary” research pushes Trainers to continue their progress with another set of tasks. This stage usually involves catching a few Fighting-type Pokémon, completing several curveball throws, and earning Stardust through catches. Rewards often include extra Poké Balls, Berries, and encounters that bring you closer to meeting Keldeo. Focus on catching Pokémon that fit the type requirements to clear this step quickly.
- Battle a team leader 3 times (750 Stardust)
- Catch 5 different species of Pokémon (Staryu encounter)
- Power up Pokémon 5 times (1 Charged TM)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Breloom encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Something Extraordinary step 3 of 7
Step 3 challenges players to catch a variety of Fighting-type Pokémon and power up their companions to progress toward encountering Keldeo. Completing these tasks grants useful rewards such as Stardust, XP, and rare Candy, helping trainers prepare for the final stages of the Special Research. This part highlights Keldeo’s Fighting spirit, encouraging players to strengthen their team and collect battle-ready Pokémon.
- Battle in a raid (1,000 Stardust)
- Catch 5 fighting-type Pokémon (Buizel encounter)
- Evolve 5 Pokémon (3 Egg Incubators)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Scraggy encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Something Extraordinary step 4 of 7
Keldeo’s path continues with precise tasks designed to test your skills and timing, rewarding patience and strategic use of its Water-type moves as you progress through the challenge.
- Battle in the Go Battle League 5 times (1,250 Stardust)
- Catch 7 different species of Pokémon (Marill encounter)
- Use 5 berries to help catch Pokémon (2 Incense)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Poliwrath encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Something Extraordinary step 5 of 7
Step 5 challenges players to complete several Trainer Battles in the GO Battle League, test their skills, and demonstrate strategy. Alongside these battles, they must catch a few specific Pokémon and collect Stardust rewards. Completing this stage moves the Special Research closer to encountering Keldeo, with valuable items like Rare Candy and XP boosting progress toward the finale.
- Win a raid (1,500 Stardust)
- Earn 5 hearts with your buddy (Alomomola encounter)
- Feed your buddy 3 times (1 Fast TM)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Keldeo encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Something Extraordinary step 6 of 7
Step 6 challenges players to complete the final stretch of quests before meeting Keldeo. Trainers must catch several different Pokémon types, make Great or Excellent Throws, and win a few battles to test their skill set. These tasks highlight diverse gameplay elements while leading to the Special Research’s ultimate reward – encountering the mythical Keldeo itself.
- Win in the Go Battle League (1,500 Stardust)
- Catch 15 fighting-type Pokémon (Tympole encounter)
- Make 3 great throws in a row (2 Super Incubators)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Medicham encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Something Extraordinary step 7 of 7
Step 7 concludes the Keldeo Special Research with a rewarding finale. After completing the final set of tasks, trainers can encounter Keldeo in its Ordinary Form for the first time outside special events. The step also includes bonus items such as Rare Candy, Stardust, and XP, making it a satisfying finish to the research line. Completing all steps adds Keldeo to your Pokédex and marks the completion of this limited-time adventure.
- Take 3 snapshots of Keldeo (Tirtouga encounter)
- Take a snapshot of a grass-type Pokémon (2,000 Stardust)
- Take a snapshot of a steel-type Pokémon (2,000 Stardust)
- Take a snapshot of a rock-type Pokémon (2,000 Stardust)
Keldeo Special Research steps walkthrough
Something Extraordinary Overview
The “Something Extraordinary” Keldeo Special Research was a ticketed quest from Pokémon Go’s 2022 Mythic Blade event, granting access to Ordinary Forme Keldeo via seven stages of tasks.
Players had to buy a $7.99 ticket and claim it during the event window (December 10-11, 2022), but could complete it anytime after.
Step 1 of 7
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Make 3 curve throws
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Catch 10 Pokémon (Oshawott encounter)
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Take 10 snapshots of wild Pokémon
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Machop encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries.
Step 2 of 7
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Battle a Team Leader 3 times
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Catch 5 different species of Pokémon (Staryu encounter)
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Power up Pokémon 5 times
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Beldum encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries.
Step 3 of 7
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Battle in a raid 1 time
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Catch 5 Fighting-type Pokémon (Timburr encounter)
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Evolve 5 Pokémon (3 Incubators)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Scraggy encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries.
Step 4 of 7
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Battle in the GO Battle League 3 times
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Catch 7 different species of Pokémon (Marill encounter)
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Use 5 berries to assist catching Pokémon (2 Incense)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Poliwrath encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries.
Step 5 of 7
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Win a raid
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Earn 5 hearts with your buddy (Alomomola encounter)
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Feed your buddy 10 times (Fast TM)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Keldeo encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries.
Step 6 of 7
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Win 3 GO Battle League matches
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Catch 15 Fighting-type Pokémon (Gible encounter)
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Make 3 Great throws in a row (2 Super Incubators)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Medicham encounter, 2 Silver Pinap Berries.
Step 7 of 7
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Take 3 snapshots of Keldeo (Tirtouga encounter)
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Take snapshot of a Grass-type (2,000 Stardust)
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Take snapshot of a Steel-type (2,000 Stardust)
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Take snapshot of a Rock-type (2,000 Stardust)
Rewards: 2 Rare Candy, Keldeo encounter, Keldeo T-shirt.
Recent Alternative: Tales of Transformation
A free 2025 seasonal research (September-December) offered Keldeo (with Resolute Form unlock) across 8 steps, starting with Water/Fighting catches and evolutions.
Step 1 rewards a Keldeo encounter (or 50 Candy if owned); later steps add Candy/XL Candy up to form change.
How to evolve Keldeo to Resolute Form
To evolve Keldeo to its Resolute Forme in Pokémon Go, open your Pokémon storage, select a Keldeo caught from the “Tales of Transformation” Special Research, and use the “Change Forme” option on its summary screen.
This requires 50 Keldeo Candy and 10,000 Stardust, which players typically earn by progressing through the free “Tales of Transformation” research (introduced September 2025) or via Pinap Berries during encounters.
Requirements
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Keldeo must originate from the 2025 “Tales of Transformation” quest (Ordinary Forme initially).
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Forme change unlocked post-November 2025 “Final Justice” event; no Special Item or level requirement beyond resources.
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Resolute Forme learns Secret Sword (Fighting-type Charged Move: 120 base power in Gyms/Battles).
Candy Sources
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Complete research steps for 25+ Keldeo Candy per stage (e.g., Step 1: 25 Candy).
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Pinap Berry on catches doubles yield; transfers yield 1 Candy each.
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Rare XL Candy from later steps aids power-ups after forme change.
Resolute Forme is reversible to Ordinary at no extra cost.
