This article is part of a directory: Pokemon GO: Full Game Guide | Tips, Tricks, and Events
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While Pokemon GO can be used for battling or trading with others, there are also a few features that can be accessed by casual gamers. These include battling Team Rocket or leaving a Pokemon to defend a gym to earn PokeCoins. However, those looking to reap rewards and gain experience quicker can do so by completing various Research Tasks.

There are several types of Research in Pokemon GO. Those that give "better" rewards are usually Timed Research, and it's very easy to miss them thanks to their deadlines. Field Research Tasks are more aligned to casual players, allowing them to get their share from GO too. Field Research is split up into a few categories, but they're not that difficult to understand.

Updated on September 11, 2023 by Renri Seong: Field Research Tasks are the most common types of tasks in Pokemon GO. At 0:00 local, a random Field Research Task is assigned to each player so long as they have the room for it. Because of their frequency, rewards are usually modest and not as high-quality as their Special Research counterparts. There may be times when Pokemon GO players may want to delete their Field Research if they get stuck with something they don't like. However, what Field Research "qualifies" for being discarded? The following guide has been updated to include a section on when to discard Field Research Tasks.

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Unlocking and Completing Field Research Tasks

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Spinning PokeStops

Each player can hold up to 3 Field Tasks at a time. Unlike Special Research Tasks, Field Research can only be gained from spinning PokeStops or Gyms, with a few exceptions.

Spinning the disc at a PokeStop is simple. All players need to do is make sure their overworld model is within range of the PokeStop (blue cube). If they're close enough, the PokeStop will turn into a blue Poke Ball. Each PokeStop has a 5-minute cooldown, indicated by the purple Poke Ball symbol, before it can be spun again. Gyms are a bit different. Their "roof" will appear as if it's opening when players are within range. To spin a Pokemon Gym, select the icon at the bottom-right after tapping the Gym on the overworld map.

In addition to receiving a Field Task, players will receive items such as Poke Balls and Potions as rewards for spinning. If a player's inventory is full, a notification will show up saying that they have too many items, preventing them from spinning PokeStops.

Obtaining & Viewing Field Research Tasks

To view Field, Special, and Daily Events, tap the binoculars icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen on the overworld map. If a player has three Field Tasks, spinning a PokeStop will not delete any of their current Field Tasks. Players will need to delete unwanted Field Tasks manually. To do this, tap the garbage can icon in the top right corner of the task description in the Field category of the Tasks menu. Once a Field Research Task is completed, there will be a Claim Reward message on the Research Task. Tap this to receive items or initiate a Pokemon Encounter.

Completing one Field Research Task per day will reward players with a Research Stamp. Get a week's worth of Research Stamps, and it will unlock a Research Breakthrough. This will allow players to encounter a Pokemon based on the ongoing Event in Pokemon GO. For example, August 2022's Research Breakthrough Pokemon is the Galarian Stunfisk, a Ground/Steel-type. Most Pokemon that appear during the Research Breakthrough will have higher CP than the Pokemon found in the wild with the chance of being a 2-3 Star, sometimes 4 Star.

Players can only get one Field Research Task per day at PokeStops and Gyms. Most Field Research Tasks can be done within minutes if players have the required items (Poke Balls, Berries, etc). Whenever progress has been made on a Field Research Task, the binoculars icon will have notification circle next to it.

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Types of Field Research

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Bonus Research Tasks

The only time players will be able to have more than three Field Research Tasks is when there are Bonus Research Tasks. Unlike regular Field Research, Bonus Research Tasks appear in a player's task page at midnight and do not require spinning a PokeStop to obtain them. Bonus Field Research have an orange border with EVENT on the Field Research page.

Unfortunately, players with four Field Research Tasks filled won't be able to receive the new Bonus Research Task until they've completed a task slot.

AR Mapping Research Tasks

Received from PokeStops, these tasks will involve scanning an area, then uploading the data. The best way to complete AR Mapping Tasks is to scan the required location for 20-30 seconds while keeping it in the center of the frame. Pokemon GO recommends going a full 360 around the PokeStop.

The Scan Feature and the AR Mapping Researching Tasks won't be unlocked until players reach level 20. They'll appear on the Field Research page with a silver/gray border labeled AR MAPPING. These Research Tasks may give rare rewards such as Poffins.

These may occasionally be obtained by spinning a PokeStop. In the Field Research Menu, they're indicated by a purple border with SPONSORED. Like any other Field Research, Sponsored Research Tasks can be deleted if they're something players don't feel like completing.

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Should You Delete Field Research Tasks?

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Although most Field Research Tasks are simple, there are some that aren't worth their reward. Players may have an easy task such as "Power up Pokemon 3 times," but then there are others such as "Catch a Dragon-type Pokemon" or "Make 3 Great Curveball Throws in a row."

When to Keep Field Research:

  • Look at the requirements of the Field Research. As mentioned previously, some quests are as easy as Powering Up a Pokemon. If it's something that can be done within less than a minute, then players may as well complete it for more items.
  • Field Research that players may want to refrain from deleting are Event-themed tasks, as they'll only appear during the Event. The rewards for these Field Research Tasks are usually Encounters with Event-related Pokemon, making it a great way to farm some Pokemon Candy.

When to Discard Field Research:

  • One way to determine if Field Research is worth keeping is their reward. Surprise Encounters are a good reward for Field Research, but something like x5 Pinap Berries is not. However, Field Research such as the AR Scan Tasks usually have premium rewards (ex: Poffin), but the AR Scanning itself is not worth the effort. It's better to get rid of one task to make room for something better.
  • Another reason for discarding Field Research is if players live near a ton of PokeStops or Gyms. As Field Research is gained from spinning Discs, they'll be picking up new Tasks constantly. Each PokeStop has its own Field Research, so it's not a bad idea to check and see what they have.
  • Some Field Research Tasks are completely random and circumstance-based. One could be asking to "Catch a Dragon-type Pokemon" or "Make 3 Great Curveball Throws in a Row." Depending on the weather and where players are catching Pokemon, the Pokemon Type that they need for the Field Research may not show up at all. If trainers are struggling with the task, then it's better to discard it and try to grab something else.

The decision to delete Field Research is up to each Pokemon GO player. Determine the reward, the task itself, and the surroundings to make the choice easier. Remember that Field Research is very common, and the rewards aren't usually as good as the Special Research or Timed Research Tasks.

Pokemon GO is available for mobile devices.

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