Pokémon Go is offering trainers a special opportunity to encounter the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora through a limited-time Special Research quest called "A Thunderous Discovery." This research will only be available to claim during the Pokémon Go Fest: Global 2026 event, which runs from July 11 at 10 a.m. to July 12 at 7 p.m. local time. Once claimed, the research does not expire, allowing players to complete it at their own pace, although completing tasks during the Go Fest event itself may offer advantages.
Zeraora has historically been a rare Pokémon, with limited availability even in mainline titles. Its prior main series appearances include distributions for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and it is also featured in Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC.
"A Thunderous Discovery" Quest Steps
The "A Thunderous Discovery" Special Research is divided into eight steps, each with specific tasks and rewards.
Step 1 of 8
Tasks: Spin 8 PokéStops or gyms, Use an Incense, Catch 7 Pokémon. Rewards: 1 Star Piece, 6 Nanab Berries, 1 Lure Module.
Step 2 of 8
Tasks: Explore 1 km, Use 10 berries to help catch Pokémon (Pawmi encounter), Catch 15 different species of Pokémon. Rewards: 1 Incense, Tynamo encounter, 2,026 Stardust.
Step 3 of 8
Tasks: Complete 3 Field Research Tasks (Pikachu [Instinct hat] encounter), Catch 3 electric-type Pokémon (Pikachu [Mystic hat] encounter), Power up electric-type Pokémon 10 times (Pikachu [Valor hat] encounter). Rewards: 6 Go Fest Mewtwo stickers, 1 Incubator, 2,026 XP.
Step 4 of 8
Tasks: Explore 2 km (Electrode encounter), Make 8 great throws (Ninjask encounter), Make 5 great curveball throws (Aerodactyl encounter). Rewards: 2,026 XP, 26 Ultra Balls, 2 Premium Raid Passes.
Step 5 of 8
Tasks: Battle in 3 raids (3 Max Revives), Win a raid (3 Max Potions), Catch 20 different species of Pokémon (3 Razz Berries). Rewards: 2,025 XP, 2 Super Incubators, 2,026 Stardust.
Step 6 of 8
Tasks: Explore 2 km (Bulbasaur [Pikachu visor] encounter), Make 8 excellent throws (Charmander [Pikachu visor] encounter), Make 3 great throws in a row (Squirtle [Pikachu visor] encounter). Rewards: Go Fest Zeraora sticker, Zeraora encounter, 26 Zeraora Candy. Trainers who already possess Zeraora from a previous Go Fest event will receive Zeraora Candy instead.
Step 7 of 8
Tasks: Take a snapshot of Zeraora (1 Poffin), Earn a candy exploring with Zeraora as your buddy (3 Rare Candy), Earn 6 hearts with Zeraora as your buddy (3 Silver Pinap Berries). Rewards: 6 Go Fest stickers, 1 Zeraora T-shirt, 2 Super Incubator.
Step 8 of 8
Tasks: Catch a Pokémon on 7 different days (2,026 XP), Hatch 2 eggs (2,026 Stardust), Send a gift to a friend (2,026 XP). Rewards: 3 Rare Candy XL, Poké Ball Shades, 6 Zeraora Candy XL.
Information regarding the later steps of this research was confirmed by TrainersGo on X.