In Pokémon GO, A Ripple in Time is a special research quest that many players remember fondly because it rewards them with the Mythical Pokémon Celebi, one of the series’ rarest and most beloved creatures. Unlike normal Field Research tasks, this special research unfolds in a series of eight steps, each with its own objectives and rewards. Players must complete these tasks in order to unlock encounters, items, and experience points that help progress toward the final goal of encountering and catching Celebi. Understanding the structure and rewards of A Ripple in Time can help trainers plan their gameplay and make the most of this memorable questline.
What is A Ripple in Time?
A Ripple in Time is a Special Research storyline in Pokémon GO that was released on August 20, 2018, and focuses on Celebi, a Psychic/Grass-type Mythical Pokémon originating from the Johto region. Special Research quests are unique, fixed sets of tasks that differ from random Field Research, and they typically lead to guaranteed encounters with rare or Mythical Pokémon. To get A Ripple in Time, players must first progress through earlier special research lines such as A Mythical Discovery.
How the Quest Works
The quest is divided into eight steps, each requiring players to complete a series of objectives such as powering up Pokémon, battling, walking with a buddy, or catching specific types of Pokémon. Completing each part rewards players with items, experience points, or Pokémon encounters that help them advance further in the research.
Step-by-Step Rewards Breakdown
Each step in A Ripple in Time comes with its own set of tasks and rewards. Completing these steps not only brings players closer to encountering Celebi but also grants useful items and experience that can benefit overall gameplay.
Part 1 Rewards
In the first part of the research, players typically have to power up Pokémon, battle in gyms and raids. The rewards for completing Part 1 include
- 10 Poké Balls
- Fast TM
- Super Incubator
These items help players prepare for further objectives and make early progress through the quests.
Part 2 Rewards
The second part focuses on social gameplay and evolution tasks. Completing these objectives usually earns
- 1,500 Stardust
- 1 Sun Stone
- 1 Premium Raid Pass
The Premium Raid Pass is especially useful for participating in more raids, which can help with experience and rare Pokémon encounters.
Parts 3 to 5 Rewards
As players advance, tasks become more involved and often require level progress, egg hatching, and buddy Pokémon walks. The typical rewards include
- Eevee encounter and King’s Rock
- Stardust and Metal Coat
- Star Piece, Pinap Berries, and UpGrade item
These items support both candy gain and evolution of Pokémon that require special items.
Part 6 Rewards
Part 6 usually tasks players with consistent gameplay like visiting PokéStops daily and using berries or evolution items. Completing these objectives typically grants
- 3,500 Stardust
- Dragon Scale
- Silver Pinap Berries
These rewards help with powering up and evolving specific Pokémon, making it easier to complete the research and prepare for the final steps.
Part 7 Rewards
Part 7 is often where the anticipation peaks, as players are close to the longawaited Celebi encounter. Tasks here often include catching specific types of Pokémon and performing special throws. The rewards include
- Charged TM
- Silver Pinap Berries
- The Celebi encounter
This step gives players a chance to catch Celebi itself, making it one of the most exciting moments in the entire quest.
Part 8 Final Rewards
The final part usually involves claiming accumulated rewards from the entire questline, which may include
- 5,500 Stardust
- Super Incubator
- 20 Celebi Candy
These final rewards are valuable for powering up Celebi or other Pokémon, and the Super Incubator can be used to hatch more eggs for bonus experience and rare Pokémon.
How Celebi Fits Into the Game
Celebi is a Mythical Pokémon famous for its timetraveling lore in the Pokémon universe. In Pokémon GO, Mythical Pokémon are typically unobtainable in the wild and can only be caught through special research like A Ripple in Time. Obtaining Celebi adds a rare and powerful Pokémon to a trainer’s roster and helps complete the Pokédex.
Why Celebi is Special
Beyond rarity, Celebi’s typing and moves make it a desirable Pokémon for both battle and collection purposes. Its Psychic/Grass typing gives it unique strengths and strategic value in gym battles, raids, and PvP matches. For many players, capturing Celebi is a memorable achievement that reflects dedication to completing one of Pokémon GO’s more involved research questlines.
Tips for Completing the Research Efficiently
Completing A Ripple in Time can take time, especially steps involving walking with a buddy or daily activities. Players often find value in planning tasks in advance and using items like Super Incubators and Premium Raid Passes effectively. Exploring with friends or coordinating tasks across multiple days helps make progress smoother.
Stay Consistent
Many objectives depend on cumulative progress, such as walking distances or consecutive daily spins. Keeping a steady routine helps ensure that these tasks are completed in a timely manner.
Use Rewards Wisely
Items gained from research can aid in future tasks. For example, Stardust helps power up Pokémon early on, while Incubators and evolution items make later steps easier. Planning when to use these resources can save time and effort.
A Ripple in Time in Pokémon GO is a beloved special research quest that rewards players with valuable items and, most importantly, an encounter with the Mythical Pokémon Celebi. Spread across eight steps with varying tasks and rewards – from Poké Balls and Stardust to evolution items and Premium Raid Passes – this quest offers a structured and engaging way to experience Pokémon GO’s research system. Completing each step brings trainers closer to capturing Celebi and gaining powerful rewards that enhance their gameplay. With careful planning, consistency, and active participation, players can successfully conquer A Ripple in Time and add a rare Pokémon to their collection.