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Pokémon Go Special Research Master Ball quest steps and rewards

How to earn a Master Ball from this pay-to-play quest.

Image credit: The Pokémon Company

Special Research: Master Ball is a pay-to-play special research quest in Pokémon Go, which, as the name suggests, will reward you with a Master Ball once completed.

This quest, however, is only available to Pokémon Go players who did not complete the Timed Investigation: Master Ball since it's been designed to offer players who didn’t complete this quest the chance to earn a Master Ball.

If you’re considering or have already purchased the quest, we’ve listed the Special Research: Master Ball quest steps and rewards below to help you complete this Pokémon Go quest.

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'Special Research Master Ball' quest steps in Pokémon Go

Special Research: Master Ball is a pay-to-play quest that allows Pokémon Go players who didn’t complete the Timed Investigation: Master Ball quest a chance to earn a second Master Ball.

According to the in-game store, the quest is only available for purchase until Tuesday 28th November 2023 so, if you want that Master Ball, you must purchase it before this date. Thankfully, since it's a special research quest, you can complete it at your own pace afterwards.

It’s also important to note that players who have completed Timed Investigation: Master Ball can not purchase this quest.

Below you’ll find all of the Special Research: Master Ball quest steps and rewards - just be wary of spoilers!

Thank you to Amiibofan101 from reddit for the help with this information.

Image credit: Niantic

'Special Research: Master Ball' Step 1 of 3

  • Catch 300 Pokémon - 6000 XP
  • Use 180 Berries to help catch Pokémon - 6000 XP
  • Catch 60 Pokémon in a single day - 6000 XP

Rewards: 7500 XP.

'Special Research: Master Ball' Step 2 of 3

Rewards: 7500 XP.

'Special Research: Master Ball' Step 3 of 3

  • Catch 150 Pokémon in Poké Balls - 6000 XP
  • Catch 150 Pokémon in Great Balls - 6000 XP
  • Catch 150 Pokémon in Ultra Balls - 6000 XP
  • Catch 150 different species of Pokémon - 6000 XP

Rewards: 25,000 XP, 3000 Stardust and 1 Master Ball.


The Max Out Season is here and includes a new global event, Wild Area! Galarian Expedition is currently running in Pokémon Go and it's possible to grab another Master Ball from the pay-to-play Masterwork Research: Master Ball quest. You can now catch Dynamax Pokémon through Max Battles. First, however, you need to visit Power Spots to collect Max Particles and complete the To the Max! quest. Don't forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.


How to purchase Special Research Master Ball in Pokémon Go

The Special Research: Master Ball quest was released on Wednesday 22nd November 2023 for any Pokémon Go players who didn’t complete the Timed Investigation: Master Ball quest. According to the in-game Pokémon Go store, this quest will be available for purchase until Tuesday 28th November 2023.

If you did manage to complete this questline, then you won’t be able to purchase this quest as you’ll have already received the Master Ball tied to it.

Due to being pay-to-play, you must purchase Special Research: Master Ball from the in-game store for £7.99, $7.99 or the equivalent price in your local currency. It can not be purchased using PokéCoins and is nonrefundable. You can not gift it to another player.

To purchase Special Research: Master Ball, first open the in-game store from the main menu and scroll down until you find the banner advertising this quest. After doing so, select said banner followed by the 'Buy' option, which will then walk you through the purchasing options for your device.

Image credit: Niantic/Eurogamer

After buying the quest, it will automatically appear in the Special Research tab. If it doesn’t, try closing and reopening Pokémon Go.

Thankfully, due to being a special research quest, Special Research: Master Ball doesn’t have a deadline. This means, once you’ve purchased it, you can complete it whenever you like.

Remember - you have until Tuesday 28th November to purchase this quest, so, if you want another Master Ball, you must buy it before this quest. Again, once brought, you can complete Special Research: Master Ball at your own pace.

Good luck earning a Master Ball!

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