New Research Breakthrough Encounters For Pokémon Go Start May 1

Niantic confirmed that the new Research Breakthrough encounters for Pokémon​ GO will be Ho-OH, Lugia, Latias, and Latios. The new encounters start May 1 at 4 p.m. EDT and go all the way to the end of June.

For those not familiar, research tasks are a game mechanic that offer Trainers rewards once they complete daily research objectives. Tasks are obtained at PokéStops and require players to, among others, catch a specific Pokémon, perform certain actions, or battle in Gyms. The tasks are easy enough that casual players can complete them in around 15 to 30 minutes.

That said, the more difficult the task, the better the reward. While research tasks can be cancelled in order to get other tasks, there is no limit to the number of tasks that a player can complete per day.

Once a Field Research task is completed, players get one Stamp, limited to one per day. When a player reaches seven stamps, that player gets what is known as a Research Breakthrough, which includes exclusive rewards.

Niantic also provided updates on Eggs.

Beginning April 26 at 4 p.m. EDT, different Pokémon now hatch from eggs. For two kilometer eggs, Trainers can expect to hatch Bonsly, Chimchar, Piplup, and Turwig, among many others. For five kilometer eggs, Trainers can expect to see Bronzor, Buizel, Combee, Croagunk, Cubone, Glameow, and Skorupi. For 10 kilometer eggs, expect to find Absol, Cranidos, Mawile, Riolu, Shinx, and Shieldon.

It was previously announced that Shiny Meltan were making a comeback, but only for a limited time. This rare and mysterious Pokémon appears when the Mystery Box is opened. A Mystery Box can be obtained by sending a Pokémon from Pokémon Go to the Nintendo Switch under the titles Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!

The event started April 24, and ends May 5 at 4 p.m. EDT. To make things even more exciting, Niantic tweaked the game mechanics for the Mystery Box. In the past, Trainers needed to wait seven days before being able to open a new box. During the event, Trainers are allowed to open Mystery Boxes every three days.