The 'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research allows you to get a shiny Keldeo in Pokémon Go.
Released in November 2025, it was a paid-for ticket released in the 'Tales of Transformation' season, and also rewards a shiny Keldeo T-shirt avatar item and Candy for a variety of Pokémon, including Unova legendaries Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion.
As with previous Masterwork Research tickets - which is the primary source of getting shiny mythical Pokémon in Pokémon Go - the steps required are amongst the most involved in the game. As such, chances are even if you started back when the ticket was released, you'll still have it in your Special Research inventory, and continue to chip away at its tasks.
This guide explains all the steps in the 'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research in Pokémon Go, so you know exactly when you'll get your hands on a shiny Keldeo.
'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research in Pokémon Go
The 'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research was originally made available between Tuesday, 25th November and Sunday, 30th November 2025, and once purchased, remains in your Special Research inventory until it's completed. In other words, once started, there's no time limit for its various steps.
'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research step 1/7
- Catch 151 Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region (reward: 647 XP)
- Catch 100 Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region (reward: 647 XP)
- Catch 135 Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region (reward: 647 XP)
- Catch 107 Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region (reward: 647 XP)
- Catch 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region (reward: 647 XP)
- Catch a Pokémon on 10 different days (reward: 647 XP)
End rewards: 25 Cobalion Candy, 25 Terrakion Candy, 25 Virizion Candy
'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research step 2/7
- Catch 100 Water-type Pokémon (reward: 15 Snivy Candy)
- Catch 100 Fighting-type Pokémon (reward: 15 Tepig Candy)
- Catch a Pokémon on 15 different days (reward: 15 Oshawott Candy)
End rewards: 10 Snivy XL Candy, 10 Tepig XL Candy, 10 Oshawott XL Candy
'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research step 3/7
- Use 200 super effective Charged Attacks (reward: Hitmonchan encounter)
- Battle in 10 raids with your buddy (reward: Hitmonlee encounter)
- Catch a Pokémon on 21 different days (reward: Hitmontop encounter)
End rewards: 1 Incense, 30 Ultra Balls, 1 Candy XL
'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research step 4/7
- Give 500 Berries to Pokémon at your team's gym (reward: 1 Premium Battle Pass)
- Power up 3 Pokémon to their max CP (reward: Throh encounter)
- Catch a Pokémon on 21 different days (reward: Sawk encounter)
End rewards: 1 Lure Module, 30 Ultra Balls, 1 Rare Candy XL
'Pony Tales' Masterwork Research step 5/7
- Make 300 Excellent Throws (reward: 1 Unova Stone)
- Earn 200 hearts with your buddy (reward: 1 Unova Stone)
- Catch a Pokémon 5 days in a row (reward: 1 Unova Stone)
End rewards: 1 Max Mushroom, 30 Ultra Balls, 1 XL Rare Candy
Due to the time gated nature of the Special Research, later steps have yet to be released. Expect more to be added to the page soon!
