The Unova region legacy continues to shape the late-game experience in Pokémon GO, especially through the persistent "It's Not Over Yet" Special Research. While originally introduced during the major Unova celebrations of 2025, this research remains a staple for trainers looking to master the intricacies of legendary fusions. Since this specific questline has no expiration date, it serves as a long-term progression path for both returning veterans and newer trainers who have recently reached the higher trainer levels.

Completing this research is not just about checking off boxes; it’s a strategic journey that forces decisions between the Black and White versions of the Unova narrative, directly impacting which legendary power you can harness. With the current level cap sitting at 80 and the meta revolving around high-DPS dragon and ice types, the rewards offered here—ranging from Fusion Energy to rare protagonist-themed Pikachu—are more relevant than ever.

Understanding the Core Structure of the Research

"It’s Not Over Yet" is a five-stage Special Research that branches significantly. Unlike standard research where every player gets the same outcome, this one mirrors the classic dual-release strategy of the main series games. The tasks are designed to test your ability to catch, hatch, and battle, while the rewards focus heavily on the Tao Trio: Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem.

Stage 1: The Initial Unova Push

The journey begins with a nod to the Unova region's roots. The first stage is identical for everyone and sets the pace for the grind ahead.

  • Task: Catch a Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region.
  • Reward: 10 Go Tour Stickers.
  • Completion Rewards: 2025 XP, 2025 Stardust, and an encounter with Patrat.

While Stage 1 seems trivial, it serves as a gateway to the first major decision point. Once completed, you are presented with a choice that determines your path for the rest of the research: the Black Version or the White Version.

The Big Choice: Black Version vs. White Version

This is where most trainers pause. The choice between Black and White is not merely aesthetic; it dictates the type of Fusion Energy you receive and the specific legendary candies you will accumulate.

Choosing the Black Version

In the Black Version path, the focus is on Zekrom and its fusion potential. Interestingly, the research rewards you with Reshiram candy to help you build a balanced roster while you focus on Zekrom-related tasks.

  • Stage 2 Tasks: Feed your buddy 3 times (Gothita encounter) and hatch an egg (Vullaby encounter).
  • Stage 2 Rewards: 1 Unova Stone and 3 Reshiram Candy.

Selecting Black Version is often preferred by trainers who lack a strong Electric-type attacker. Zekrom remains one of the premier Electric attackers in the Master League and high-tier raids, especially when considering its eventual fusion into Black Kyurem.

Choosing the White Version

Conversely, the White Version path pivots toward Reshiram and its fiery capabilities.

  • Stage 2 Tasks: Feed your buddy 3 times (Solosis encounter) and hatch an egg (Rufflet encounter).
  • Stage 2 Rewards: 1 Unova Stone and 3 Zekrom Candy.

White Version is typically the go-to for trainers who prioritize Fire-type utility. Reshiram’s performance in raids against Steel and Bug-type bosses is virtually unmatched, and the White Kyurem fusion offers a unique Ice/Fire coverage that is rare in the 2026 meta.

Stage 3: The Starter Path Split

After committing to Black or White, the research branches again, this time based on the Unova starters: Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott. This choice is less about long-term meta impact and more about immediate resource needs and personal preference for the Gen 5 starters.

The Grass Path (Snivy)

  • Tasks: Power up Grass-type Pokémon 5 times and use an Incense.
  • Rewards: Snivy encounter, 25 Snivy Candy, 5 Snivy Candy XL.

The Fire Path (Tepig)

  • Tasks: Power up Fire-type Pokémon 5 times and use an Incense.
  • Rewards: Tepig encounter, 25 Tepig Candy, 5 Tepig Candy XL.

The Water Path (Oshawott)

  • Tasks: Power up Water-type Pokémon 5 times and use an Incense.
  • Rewards: Oshawott encounter, 25 Oshawott Candy, 5 Oshawott Candy XL.

In the current game state, Candy XL for starters is relatively easy to farm during Community Day Classics, but for a new player, these tasks provide a necessary boost to get a viable Serperior, Emboar, or Samurott into a Great League-ready state.

Stage 4: Kyurem Fusion and the Power of Energy

Stage 4 is where the "It's Not Over Yet" research delivers its highest value. This stage introduces the Fusion mechanic, which was a revolutionary addition to Pokémon GO’s late-game systems. Fusion allows you to combine Kyurem with either Zekrom or Reshiram to create Black Kyurem or White Kyurem, respectively.

Black Version Branch: Seeking Volt Fusion Energy

  • Tasks: Catch Zekrom (25 Volt Fusion Energy), Catch Kyurem (25 Volt Fusion Energy), and Fuse Kyurem (5000 Stardust).
  • Rewards: 5 Reshiram Candy, 1 Reshiram Candy XL, 2025 XP.

White Version Branch: Seeking Blaze Fusion Energy

  • Tasks: Catch Reshiram (25 Blaze Fusion Energy), Catch Kyurem (25 Volt Fusion Energy), and Fuse Kyurem (5000 Stardust).
  • Rewards: 5 Zekrom Candy, 1 Zekrom Candy XL, 2025 XP.

Strategic Analysis of Fusion

Fusion in Pokémon GO is an expensive but rewarding endeavor. Black Kyurem (using Volt Fusion Energy and Zekrom) tends to be the superior choice for neutral damage and generalist raiding. Its base stats are astronomically high, and with the right move set, it can tear through Dragon-type raid bosses with ease.

White Kyurem (using Blaze Fusion Energy and Reshiram) serves as a niche but powerful Ice/Fire hybrid. In specific raid scenarios where the boss is double-weak to Ice but carries Steel-type coverage moves, White Kyurem’s unique profile offers better survivability than traditional Ice types like Mamoswine or Weavile.

Trainers should note that Fusion is not a permanent transformation in the sense that it can be reversed, but the energy costs mean you should choose your primary fusion target carefully. This research provides the initial "seed" energy required to understand the mechanic, but consistent raiding is necessary to maintain a high-performance fused legendary.

Stage 5: The Ultimate Raid Grind and Protagonist Pikachu

The final stage of the research is a test of endurance and community engagement. It requires winning a significant number of raids, but the rewards are some of the most sought-after collectibles in the game: Pikachu wearing the hats and visors of the Unova protagonists.

The Tasks and the Pikachu Variants

To complete Stage 5, you must win a total of 20 raids (broken down into four tasks of 5 wins each). Each set of wins grants an encounter with a different themed Pikachu:

  1. Hilbert’s Hat Pikachu: Styled after the male protagonist of Pokémon Black and White.
  2. Hilda’s Hat Pikachu: Styled after the female protagonist of Pokémon Black and White.
  3. Nate’s Visor Pikachu: Styled after the male protagonist of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
  4. Rosa’s Visor Pikachu: Styled after the female protagonist of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.

Completion Rewards for Stage 5: 5 Kyurem Candy, 5 Silver Pinap Berries, 5 Go Tour Stickers.

For collectors, these Pikachu are the crown jewels of the Unova era. They rarely return to the spawn pool, making this Special Research the most reliable way to secure them for your living dex. From a gameplay perspective, the 20-raid requirement is best tackled during a Raid Day or a heavy event rotation to maximize the utility of your Raid Passes.

Meta-Relevance in 2026: Why This Research Still Matters

As we navigate the 2026 season, many might wonder if 2025-era research is still worth the effort. The answer lies in the "Power Creep" management. While newer Paldean Pokémon (Gen 9) have introduced formidable contenders like Baxcalibur and Koraidon, the Tao Trio (Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem) has maintained its standing due to the specific Fusion mechanics.

The Level 80 Cap Influence

With the level cap increased to 80, the amount of Candy XL required to max out a legendary is immense. "It’s Not Over Yet" provides a decent injection of these rare candies. More importantly, it grants access to Kyurem encounters which are vital for farming the XL candy needed to push a Black or White Kyurem toward the Level 50+ threshold.

The Dynamax and Gigantamax Factor

While Dynamax mechanics have taken center stage in recent updates, fused legendaries like Black Kyurem remain the gold standard for non-Dynamax raids. They offer a level of raw statistical power that few other Pokémon can match without temporary buffs. Furthermore, the sheer bulk of these fused forms makes them excellent anchors for raid teams when you are trying to minimize lobby time.

Deep Dive: Black Kyurem vs. White Kyurem for Master League

For trainers who venture into the Go Battle League, the choice made in this Special Research has long-lasting repercussions. Let's look at how the fused forms stack up in the 2026 Master League meta.

Black Kyurem: The Offensive Juggernaut

Black Kyurem possesses a move pool that includes Dragon Tail and Outrage, often paired with a secondary coverage move like Stone Edge or Iron Head. In the Master League, its ability to pressure shields with high-damage fast moves makes it a terrifying lead or safe swap. However, its weakness to Fairy, Fighting, and Rock types means it requires a team built specifically to cover these vulnerabilities.

White Kyurem: The Tactical Specialist

White Kyurem often utilizes Dragon Breath and Blizzard, occasionally running Fusion Flare for surprising Fire-type coverage against Steel-type walls like Melmetal or Metagross. While generally considered slightly less versatile than the Black form in open play, in a meta dominated by Steel-types, White Kyurem can be the ultimate counter-pick.

Resource Management: Stardust and Candy XL

One of the silent challenges of the "It’s Not Over Yet" research is the resource drain. Fusing Kyurem costs 5,000 Stardust per instance, and powering up these legendaries to a competitive level can easily exceed 500,000 Stardust.

Trainers should prioritize their spending based on their primary gameplay mode:

  • PvE Focus: Prioritize the Black Version for the high DPS output in raids.
  • PvP Focus: Analyze your current Master League team. If you lack a response to Togekiss or Zacian, neither fusion may be the answer, but Black Kyurem offers the best neutral pressure.
  • Collector Focus: The choice between Black and White is less important than ensuring you complete Stage 5 for the limited-edition Pikachu.

Maximizing Your Rewards

To get the most out of this research in 2026, consider the following strategies:

  1. Coordinate with Events: Time your Stage 5 raid wins with a "2x Raid XP" event. Since you have to win 20 raids anyway, you might as well maximize the experience gain to help reach the elusive Level 80.
  2. Use Silver Pinap Berries Wisely: The research gives you 5 Silver Pinap Berries at the end. Save these for the Kyurem or Zekrom/Reshiram encounters within the research to ensure you get the maximum amount of candy.
  3. The Buddy System: Once you have your fused Kyurem, make it your buddy. Walking a fused legendary can yield Candy XL (though at a slow rate), which is essential for endgame powering.

Final Thoughts on the Unova Journey

The title of the research, "It’s Not Over Yet," is a fitting tribute to the longevity of Pokémon GO. It reminds us that even years after the initial hype of a region's launch, there are deeper layers of mechanics—like Fusion—to explore. This research isn't just a list of chores; it's the definitive guide to mastering one of the most complex legendary trios in the game's history.

Whether you find yourself leaning toward the shadows of the Black Version or the radiant heat of the White Version, the journey through the Unova Special Research is a hallmark of a dedicated trainer's career. Take your time, choose your path wisely, and remember that in the world of Pokémon GO, the discovery truly never ends.