'Pressure Rising' is Special Research which rewards an encounter with mythical Volcanion in Pokémon Go.
Debuting at the start of the 'Memories in Motion' season on Tuesday, 3rd March - alongside the 'Pokémon 30th Anniversary' event and a free Mewtwo - this is a rare instance of Special Research with minimal time gating or lengthy steps designed to slow you down.
Two quick notes before we begin: if you have already have Volcanion (as part if a paid Go Fest 2025 ticket) you'll receive Volcanion Candy instead of a second catch. And if 'Pressure Rising' isn't appearing for you, you need to clear the Diancie Special Research 'Glitz and Glam' first.
'Pressure Rising' Special Research steps
As Special Research, 'Pressure Rising' does not expire, meaning you can take as long as you like to complete the following steps:
'Pressure Rising' Special Research step 1/6
- Spin 12 PokeStops or Gyms (1 Incense)
- Use an Incense (20 Poke Balls)
- Catch 12 Pokémon (1 Lucky Egg)
End rewards: 1 Star Piece, 2,025 Stardust, 2,025 XP
'Pressure Rising' Special Research step 2/6
- Make 10 Nice Throws (10 Pinap Berries)
- Explore 2 km (Magneton encounter)
- Complete 6 Field Research tasks (20 Great Balls)
End rewards: 20 Ultra Balls, 2,025 Stardust, 2,025 XP
'Pressure Rising' Special Research step 3/6
- Catch 30 different species of Pokémon (Popplio encounter)
- Power up Water-type Pokémon 20 times (25 Popplio Candy)
- Evolve 5 Water-type Pokémon (3 Popplio XL Candy)
End rewards: 1 Lure Module, 2,025 Stardust, 2,025 XP
'Pressure Rising' Special Research step 4/6
- Catch 30 different species of Pokémon (Fuecoco encounter)
- Power up Fire-type Pokémon 20 times (25 Fuecoco Candy)
- Evolve 5 Fire-type Pokémon (3 Fuecoco XL Candy)
End rewards: 1 Poffin, 2,025 Stardust, 2,025 XP
'Pressure Rising' Special Research step 5/6
- Earn 10 hearts with your buddy (Carbink encounter)
- Hatch 3 Eggs (1 Incense)
- Evolve 6 Pokémon (3 Golden Razz Berry)
End rewards: 5 Volcanion stickers, Volcanion encounter (or 25 Volcanion Candy if you've already caught one), 25 Volcanion Candy
'Pressure Rising' Special Research step 6/6
- Catch a Pokémon on 7 different days (2,025 XP)
- Earn 2 Candies exploring with Volcanion as your buddy (2,025 XP)
- Send a Gift to a friend (2,025 XP)
End rewards: 1 Rare Candy XL, 5 Volcanion XL Candy, 2,025 XP
Thanks to neonmarkov and Chugoldenboy on reddit for fleshing out the above steps.
Remember, as Special Research, there is no time limit to completing the above - so you can take all the time you need in reaching the end.
