The Pressure Rising Special Research is now live in Pokémon GO as part of the Memories in Motion season. This free research line gives every trainer a chance to catch the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion globally.
If you missed Volcanion during GO Fest 2025, this is your opportunity. The research includes six steps packed with encounters, Candy, Stardust, XP, and exclusive rewards. Below is the complete breakdown of every task and reward so you can finish it efficiently.
How to Unlock Pressure Rising Special Research
Before you start, make sure you completed the Glitz and Glam Special Research. Without it, the Pressure Rising quest will not appear.
The research becomes available starting:
- March 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. local time
- It does not expire, so you can complete it at your own pace
How to Complete Pressure Rising Special Research in Pokemon GO
Step 1 of 6
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Spin 12 PokéStops or Gyms | 1 Incense |
| Use an Incense | 20 Poké Balls |
| Catch 12 Pokémon | 1 Lucky Egg |
Step Completion Rewards:
- 1 Star Piece
- 2025 Stardust
- 2025 XP
This step is simple. Activate the Incense immediately and catch Pokémon while spinning stops to finish everything in one session.
Step 2 of 6
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Make 10 Nice Throws | 10 Pinap Berries |
| Explore 2 km | Magneton encounter |
| Complete 6 Field Research tasks | 20 Great Balls |
Step Completion Rewards:
- 20 Ultra Balls
- 2025 Stardust
- 2025 XP
Focus on stacking Field Research tasks before heading out so you complete them together while walking 2 km.
Step 3 of 6
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 30 different species | Popplio encounter |
| Power up Water-type Pokémon 20 times | 25 Popplio Candy |
| Evolve 5 Water-type Pokémon | 25 Popplio Candy XL |
Step Completion Rewards:
- 1 Lure Module
- 2025 Stardust
- 2025 XP
Use low-cost Water-types for powering up to save Stardust. Community Day Pokémon work well here.
Step 4 of 6
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 30 different species | Fuecoco encounter |
| Power up Fire-type Pokémon 20 times | 25 Fuecoco Candy |
| Evolve 5 Fire-type Pokémon | 25 Fuecoco Candy XL |
Step Completion Rewards:
- 1 Poffin
- 2025 Stardust
- 2025 XP
Repeat the same strategy as Step 3 but with Fire-types. Use budget Pokémon to avoid heavy Stardust loss.
Step 5 of 6
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Earn 10 hearts with your Buddy | Carbink encounter |
| Hatch 3 Eggs | 1 Incense |
| Evolve 6 Pokémon | 3 Golden Razz Berries |
Step Completion Rewards:
- 5 Volcanion Stickers
- Volcanion encounter
- 25 Volcanion Candy
This is the most important step. Completing it unlocks your Volcanion encounter .
If you already caught Volcanion during GO Fest 2025, this research grants Volcanion Candy instead .
Step 6 of 6
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch a Pokémon on 7 different days | 2025 XP |
| Earn 2 Candies with Volcanion as Buddy | 2025 Stardust |
| Send a Gift to a friend | 2025 XP |
Final Completion Rewards:
- 1 Rare Candy XL
- 5 Volcanion Candy XL
- 2025 XP
Set Volcanion as your buddy immediately after catching it so you can progress toward the 2 Candy requirement.
All Pressure Rising Set Rewards
Here is a quick summary of major rewards:
- Volcanion encounter
- 25 Volcanion Candy
- 5 Volcanion Candy XL
- Rare Candy XL
- Multiple encounters (Magneton, Popplio, Fuecoco, Carbink)
- Stardust and XP bonuses at every stage
Is Pressure Rising Hard to Complete?
No, Pressure Rising is not hard to complete. Most objectives rely on standard gameplay activities you already do every day, such as catching Pokémon, walking to hatch eggs and earn distance, powering up specific types, and evolving Pokémon.
The tasks do not require rare items or difficult raid challenges. Only Step 6 includes a time-based requirement where you must catch a Pokémon on seven different days, but the research does not expire. You can progress at your own pace and finish it comfortably without rushing. Play Now!
