The 'Precious Paths' Special Research is a seasonal questline in Pokémon Go.
Debuting in December 2025 alongside the 'A Precious Catch' Master Ball Masterwork research quest, it is season-long Special Research updated throughout the titular season, and is free for all players.
In season-long research, steps are added in increments, usually alongside new events or in-game updates. Because it's Special Research, there is no time limit to complete the steps - so as long as you add it to your quest log at some point during the season, it'll remain forever on your account to complete at your leisure.
This guide explains all steps in the 'Precious Paths' Special Research in Pokémon Go.
Update (21st February): Added steps 11 and 12, introduced for all players as part of the 'Go Tour: Kalos' in-person events over the weekend.
'Precious Paths' Masterwork Research in Pokémon Go
The 'Precious Paths' Special Research debuted on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025 as part of the titular new season, and provided you log in by 3rd March 2026, will remain in your quest inventory until it's completed, meaning there is no time limit to taking on the following challenges.
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 1/12
- Catch 30 Pokémon (reward: Sprigatito encounter)
- Use 15 Berries to help catch Pokémon (reward: Fuecoco encounter)
- Spin 10 PokéStops or Gyms (reward: Quaxly encounter)
End rewards: 3 Rare Candy, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 2/12
- Power up Pokémon 15 times (reward: Lechonk encounter)
- Earn 20 hearts with your Buddy (reward: 999 XP)
- Take a Snapshot of your Buddy (reward: 999 Stardust)
End rewards: 1 Poffin, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 3/12
- Battle in the Go Battle League 5 times (reward: 1 Charged TM)
- Use 10 supereffective Charged Attacks (reward: 1 Fast TM)
- Win a Raid with your buddy (reward: 5 Max Revives)
End rewards: Primeape encounter, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 4/12
- Use 5,000 Stardust (reward: Fidough encounter)
- Purify 3 Shadow Pokémon (reward: 999 XP)
- Defeat 5 Team Go Rocket Grunts (reward: 999 Stardust)
End rewards: 3 Rare Candy, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 5/12
- Catch 10 different species of Pokémon (reward: Pawmi encounter)
- Use 25 Berries to help catch Pokémon (reward: Tadbulb encounter)
- Make 15 Great Throws (reward: 15 Great Balls)
End rewards: 3 Rare Candy, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 6/12
- Power up Pokémon 25 times (reward: Paldean Wooper encounter)
- Win a Raid (reward: 999 XP)
- Win a Max Battle (reward: 999 Stardust)
End rewards: 15 Ultra Balls, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 7/12
- Explore 5 km (reward: Nymble encounter)
- Spin 20 PokéStops or Gyms (reward: 20 Pinap Berries)
- Follow a Route (reward: 1 Incense)
End rewards: Dunsparce encounter, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 8/12
- Catch 50 Pokémon (reward: Cetoddle encounter)
- Hatch 5 Eggs (reward: 999 XP)
- Evolve 10 Pokémon (reward: 999 Stardust)
End rewards: 1 Star Piece, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 9/12
- Trade a Pokémon (reward: Smoliv encounter)
- Open 20 Gifts (reward: 20 Razz Berries)
- Send 20 Gifts and add a sticker to each (reward: 20 Great Balls)
End rewards: 3 Rare Candy, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 10/12
- Earn 15 hearts with a buddy (reward: Greavard encounter)
- Take 5 snapshots with your buddy (reward: 999 XP)
- Play with your buddy on 5 different days (reward: 999 Stardust)
End rewards: 1 Poffin, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 11/12
- Catch 30 Pokémon (reward: 15 Ultra Balls)
- Evolve 10 Pokémon (reward: 999 XP)
- Spin 5 PokéStops you haven't visited before (reward: 999 Stardust)
End rewards: Bisharp encounter, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
'Precious Paths' Special Research step 12/12
- Win 3 Raids (reward: 9 Rare Candy)
- Win 3 Max Battles (reward: 9 Rare Candy)
- Follow 3 Routes (reward: 9 Rare Candy)
End rewards: Tinkatink encounter, 999 XP, 999 Stardust
And we're done! Remember, since it's Special Research, you don't have to finish this before the 'Precious Paths' season ends. This is useful for the last couple of steps and their dreaded Route and new PokéStop requirements.
