I'm assuming most of us have been made aware of this earlier this morning but let's compile more comprehensive info:
Pokémon Research aka Quests
1. The first big takeaway from this is the introduction of
Mew. The specifics to when and how Mew will be accessible to the playerbase remain a mystery until the update rolls out, but it sets the precedent for what Mythicals might go through in Go. Celebi and Jirachi to follow is a reasonable assumption down the line. The Gen 1 Dex being finished is in sight.
2. There are two types of research:
- Field Research is the quest-based system based on completing certain objectives (Catch 2 Dragon-types, or Transfer 5 Pokémon as examples) and can be obtained through spinning stops; furthermore, it seems you can
delete quests. You can simultaneously do
three quests at any given time, and there is seemingly no limit to how many you can do in a day. You can rewards upon completion of the quests; naturally, the harder the quest, the bigger the win (
Known rewards: Potions, Rare Candies, TMs).
The important part here stems from
Stamps. You can earn one Stamp per day by completing at least one Field Research task and when you obtain seven stamps, you obtain a
Research Breakthrough which gives you big rewards and a potential encounter with a
Legendary Pokémon. Again, nothing clear so far but this could be big for more rural / solo players to obtain these otherwise inaccessible beasts. All in all, this is very similar to the 7-day streak we've been exposed to with Spins / Catches, only it appears to be
non-cumulative (e.g. do a quest Monday, and then do one on Wednesday and it stacks as 2 stamps).
- Special Research is the second type of Research, which is given to you by Professor Willow himself. The specifics to this are mostly unknown but seem to take characteristics from the Field Research (quests). This is where
Mew probably ties in.
You get some EXP for each quest you complete, as well.
3.
The official Pokémon Twitter has stated the release of this quest system to take place on
March 30. Just 4 days to go!