What are the A Ripple In Time Pokemon Go rewards 2026?

Quest Overview

A Ripple in Time is a significant Special Research quest line in Pokémon GO that allows players to encounter the Mythical Pokémon Celebi. Originally released as the second major global Special Research series, it follows the journey of "A Mythical Discovery," which focused on Mew. As of 2026, this quest remains a permanent fixture for trainers, providing a structured path to earning rare items and high-value encounters through a series of themed objectives.

Accessing the Quest

To begin A Ripple in Time, trainers must first make progress in the initial Special Research series. Specifically, players generally gain access to these tasks once they reach the seventh stage of the Mew quest line. This progression ensures that players have a foundational understanding of game mechanics, such as catching, evolving, and battling, before moving on to the more advanced requirements associated with the Johto region's Mythical guardian.

Celebi Encounter

The primary draw of this research is the guaranteed encounter with Celebi. Unlike standard wild encounters, Celebi is caught through a special AR (Augmented Reality) sequence that concludes the eighth stage of the research. As of current 2026 standards, Celebi remains a prized addition to the Pokédex, representing the psychic and grass-type mastery of the Johto region. While it may not dominate the current meta for high-level PvE raids, its rarity and historical significance make it a cornerstone for collectors.

Quest Steps

The research is divided into eight distinct stages, each requiring the completion of three specific tasks. These tasks are designed to encourage various styles of gameplay, from social interaction to technical catching skills. Below is a detailed breakdown of the objectives trainers must navigate.

Initial Stages

The first step focuses on basic maintenance and engagement. Players must power up a Pokémon five times, battle in a gym twice, and participate in a single raid. These tasks are relatively simple and serve to refresh the player on combat mechanics. Moving into the second stage, the focus shifts to social features and consistency. Trainers are required to make three new friends, catch a Pokémon three days in a row, and evolve an already evolved Grass-type Pokémon. This stage often takes a minimum of three days due to the time-gated catching requirement.

Intermediate Challenges

As players progress into the third and fourth stages, the difficulty increases. Requirements include reaching Trainer Level 25 and using a Sun Stone to evolve a Sunkern or Gloom. Additionally, players must walk 10km with an Eevee as their buddy to earn candy and then evolve that Eevee into Espeon during the day. The fourth stage mirrors this with a nighttime requirement, asking players to walk another 10km with Eevee to evolve it into Umbreon at night. These steps emphasize the buddy system and the importance of the day/night cycle in the Pokémon universe.

Advanced Objectives

The later stages require more specialized actions. Stage six involves visiting PokéStops seven days in a row, making it the longest time-gate in the series. Players must also use Pinap Berries while catching Pokémon and use special evolution items. Stage seven requires catching 40 Grass-type or Psychic-type Pokémon and making an Excellent Curveball Throw. Once these are cleared, the final stage is purely for claiming rewards and the Celebi encounter itself.

Research Rewards

Completing the various stages of A Ripple in Time provides a wealth of items that are highly beneficial for both new and veteran players in 2026. The rewards are distributed both upon completing individual tasks and upon finishing an entire stage.

Item Breakdown

Throughout the eight steps, players can expect to accumulate a variety of consumables and utility items. The total rewards include approximately 5,500 Stardust, which is essential for powering up high-level Pokémon for competitive play. Additionally, players receive a Super Incubator, which allows for faster egg hatching, and various TMs (Technical Machines) to change a Pokémon's move set. Premium items like Raid Passes and Sun Stones are also granted, providing the necessary tools to complete the Johto Pokédex.

Stage	Key Tasks	Major Rewards
1	Power up 5 times, Battle in Gym/Raid	10 Poké Balls, 1 Fast TM
2	3 New Friends, 3-Day Catch Streak	1,500 Stardust, 1 Sun Stone
3	Reach Level 25, Use Sun Stone	Premium Raid Pass, King's Rock
4	Evolve Eevee to Espeon (Walk 10km)	2,500 Stardust, Metal Coat
5	Evolve Eevee to Umbreon (Walk 10km)	1 Pineco Encounter, 1 Upgrade
6	7-Day PokéStop Streak	3,500 Stardust, 1 Dragon Scale
7	Catch 40 Grass/Psychic, Excellent Throw	10 Silver Pinap Berries, Celebi
8	Claim Rewards	20 Celebi Candy, Super Incubator

Celebi Candies

Upon the successful capture of Celebi, the final stage rewards players with 20 Celebi Candies. Because Celebi is a Mythical Pokémon, obtaining its candy through traditional means is impossible. These 20 candies are vital for players looking to increase the CP of their new mythical companion. While players can also use Rare Candies to power up Celebi, the specific candies provided at the end of the quest give a significant head start.

Future Updates

The landscape of Pokémon GO is constantly shifting, and as of 2026, many older research tasks have seen minor quality-of-life adjustments. While the core "A Ripple in Time" quest remains largely the same to preserve the original experience, Niantic has occasionally updated the mechanics surrounding Special Research to ensure compatibility with newer devices and game versions.

Potential Changes

In recent months, there have been discussions regarding how older mythical encounters might be integrated with newer features like Dynamax or updated AR capabilities. While "A Ripple in Time" remains a static quest, players often see seasonal events that boost the spawn rates of Grass and Psychic types, making it easier to complete the catch requirements of stage seven. Trainers should keep an eye on official announcements for any limited-time research that might offer Shiny Celebi, as "A Ripple in Time" only guarantees the standard form.

Social Integration

With the continued evolution of social features in 2026, the "Make 3 New Friends" requirement has become easier than ever. Through global communities and local meetups, trainers can quickly find others to fulfill this task. For those who also engage in digital asset trading or looking for secure platforms to manage gaming-related interests, checking out WEEX can provide a reliable environment for various transactions. Staying connected with the community is key to navigating long-term quests like Celebi's.

Gameplay Tips

To complete this quest efficiently in 2026, players should plan their Eevee evolutions carefully. Since the quest requires walking 10km and earning two candies before evolving during a specific time of day, it is best to set Eevee as a buddy as soon as stage three is completed. This ensures that the distance is already tracked by the time the player reaches stages four and five.

Catching Strategy

The "Excellent Curveball Throw" in stage seven is often the biggest hurdle for casual players. To master this, it is recommended to target Pokémon with large catch circles, such as Wailmer, Ponyta, or Slowbro. Using a Nanab Berry can also help by calming the Pokémon, making it easier to line up the perfect throw. Patience is essential, as the seven-day streaks in stages two and six cannot be bypassed and require daily engagement with the app.

Resource Management

Saving evolution items like Sun Stones and King's Rocks is advisable until they are specifically required by the quest. Many players make the mistake of using these items early, only to find they lack the resources when the quest task appears. By following the structured steps of the A Ripple In Time Pokemon Go quest guide, trainers can ensure they reach the Celebi encounter with all the necessary items and experience to succeed.