Hardcore Pokemon Go Players Uncover Frustrating Trend in Weekly Research Rewards

For dedicated trainers in Pokemon Go, completing Weekly Research tasks is a regular occurrence, but some long-time players are experiencing frustration with the rewards system.

The completion of Field Research tasks allows trainers to earn a variety of useful items, including Poke Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls, as well as essential consumables like Rare Candies, Stardust, Potions, Revives, and Evolution Stones. However, many trainers look forward to their weekly encounters with specific Pokémon, hoping for a rare catch or increased shiny odds linked to special events.

The Problem with Weekly Research Rewards

Pokemon Go Fashion Week Furfrou glitch Shiny player frustration — Image Credit: Niantic

Recent discussions among the Pokémon Go community reveal a repetitive trend in the weekly encounter Pokémon, particularly the frequent appearance of Furfrou.

A Reddit user expressed their frustration: “It has been weeks on end. Literally. I challenge myself to complete it every week, and almost every time, I get is Furfrou — a Pokémon that doesn’t evolve, is less interesting, and expensive.”

I am sick to death of Furfrou being the weekly research reward. by
u/fearportaigh in
pokemongo

Furfrou is regarded as challenging due to its numerous forms, each requiring a considerable amount of Stardust and Furfrou Candy for transformation. Unlike typical Pokémon that evolve in straightforward ways, Furfrou has a unique form-change mechanic, wherein each transformation costs 10,000 Stardust and 25 Furfrou Candy, making it among the pricier Pokémon to fully acquire.

Is This a Common Frustration?

While Furfrou seems to dominate reward encounters, it’s unclear if it’s the only Pokémon causing discontent among players. Many trainers report dissatisfaction regarding the repetition of certain Pokémon in their weekly rewards, seeking variety instead.

One player remarked on Reddit, “For the past seven weeks, my rewards have been the same: 20 Poke Balls, 2000 Stardust, and an encounter with either Furfrou or Jangmo-o.” Another user lamented, “Mr. Mime has been my weekly reward for over four weeks! Remember when you could get Legendaries? Those were the days!”

Screenshot of Pokemon Go Galarian Mr Mime December 2020 event. — Image Credit: Pokemon Go / Niantic

Several players share similar experiences with Mr. Mime in their encounters, highlighting the tendency for certain Pokémon to become overly familiar. Some fortunate players, however, have managed to encounter shiny versions of Pokémon during their research tasks.

Understanding Weekly Research Rewards

Pikachu and Eevee stand in a field in London — Image Credit: Niantic/The Pokemon Company

For most players, collecting Weekly Research Rewards is a staple activity. To receive these rewards, trainers must complete at least one Field Research task daily. After a full week of tasks, a Research Breakthrough is achieved, granting access to rare Pokémon and various items.

To accumulate rewards, it’s essential to complete one task each day, as the system resets every Monday at 1:00 PM PT. Should a day be missed, players can still catch up by completing tasks before the weekly reset.

Weekly Research Breakthroughs can feature rare Pokémon with enhanced appearance rates, and certain shiny Pokémon might have boosted odds during specific weeks. For players eager to catch elusive Pokémon, these breakthroughs present a valuable opportunity.

With the ongoing grind in Pokémon Go, players can only hope for a diverse array of rewards and a break from the repetitive encounters. Could Furfrou be replaced soon? Only time will tell.

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