You remember the hype. Back in 2020, during the height of the global shift toward remote play, Niantic dropped a Special Research line that felt... different. It wasn't just another grind for XP. It was a narrative-driven quest line that finally brought the "Victory Pokémon" into the hands of millions. If you’re looking to investigate a mysterious energy Pokémon GO players are still talking about, you’re diving into the legendary quest for Victini.
It’s a strange one. Most Special Research tasks are pretty straightforward, but this one has a certain weight to it. It’s a multi-step journey that forces you to interact with almost every core mechanic in the game, from battling Team GO Rocket to making new friends.
Honestly, Victini is a beast in certain Great League compositions. It’s not just a trophy. That Fire/Psychic typing is quirky enough to catch people off guard, and V-Create is one of the hardest-hitting moves in the entire game relative to its energy cost. But before you get to the PvP wins, you have to get through the chores.
What is the Investigate a Mysterious Energy Quest Anyway?
Basically, this is the permanent way to get Victini if you missed out on the paid GO Fest 2020 ticket. Niantic eventually realized that locking a Mythical Pokémon behind a weekend-only paywall wasn't great for the long-term health of the game. So, they released this Special Research for everyone.
It’s long. Very long.
The quest is broken down into six distinct stages. You’ll spend a lot of time catching Psychic and Fire-type Pokémon. You’ll also find yourself hunting down Team GO Rocket Grunts because, apparently, they’re just as obsessed with this "mysterious energy" as Professor Willow is.
If you've already completed the GO Fest version, don't get your hopes up for a second Victini. You'll just get extra candy. Which, to be fair, you’ll need if you want to power that little guy up for the Master League or just to flex in raids.
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The Grind: Breaking Down the Stages
Let’s be real: Stage 4 is where most people get stuck.
Why? Because it requires you to defeat three Team GO Rocket Leaders. Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra aren't always easy to find, especially if you’re playing in a rural area or during a week where the Rocket Balloon spawns feel slightly nerfed. You have to grind through 18 Grunts just to get the radars needed to fight the leaders. It’s a time sink.
Starting Out (Stages 1-3)
The first half of the quest is mostly about the fundamentals.
- You’ll need to catch 30 Pokémon.
- Spin 30 PokéStops or Gyms.
- Send gifts to friends.
It’s busy work. But it sets the stage. You’ll also need to catch several Fire and Psychic types. If you’re playing during a rainy weather boost, this can be a nightmare. Pro tip: use an Incense or wait for a localized event that features these types. Meditite, Slowpoke, and Exeggcute are your best friends here.
The Mid-Game Wall (Stage 4-5)
Once you’ve cleared the leaders, Stage 5 is where the magic happens. This is where you actually investigate a mysterious energy Pokémon GO has been teasing through the dialogue. You’ll be tasked with catching Victini itself.
The encounter is scripted. Don't panic. You can’t "lose" Victini, even if your aim is terrible. It has a 100% catch rate because it’s a Mythical encounter. Use a Pinap Berry. Seriously. There is no reason to use a Razz Berry here. Get that extra candy because walking a Mythical Pokémon for candy takes 20km per drop. That's a lot of walking for a single power-up.
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Why Victini Is Actually Good (The Meta Perspective)
A lot of people catch Victini and let it rot in their storage. That’s a mistake.
Victini’s signature move, V-Create, is ridiculous. It deals 95 damage for only 40 energy. That is an insane DPE (Damage Per Energy) ratio. The downside? It lowers your Defense by three stages every time you use it. It’s the ultimate "nuke and switch" Pokémon.
In the Great League, Victini can absolutely melt Registeel, Galarian Stunfisk (be careful of the Rock Slides though), and Skarmory. If you can bait a shield with Psychic or Flame Charge and then land a V-Create, the game is usually over.
But you have to be smart. Because of that Defense debuff, if you don't have a switch clock ready, Victini becomes paper-thin. One fast move from a Swampert will delete you. It requires high-skill play, which is why the experts love it and the casuals ignore it.
Common Obstacles and How to Bypass Them
Let's talk about the "Make 3 New Friends" task. This is the bane of the introverted player's existence.
You don't actually have to go meet strangers at a park. Head over to Reddit (r/PokemonGoFriends) or use apps like PokeGenie. You can find trainer codes in seconds. Add them, send a gift, and move on. If you're really desperate, you can delete an existing friend and re-add them. It usually counts, though it’s a bit of a "cheese" tactic.
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Another hurdle: "Win 3 Raids."
If you're a solo player, look for 1-star raids. Magikarp, Shinx, or whatever is in rotation. Don't waste your time trying to solo a 5-star Mega Raid unless you have a top-tier counter team. The quest doesn't care about the difficulty level. A win is a win.
The Lore Behind the Energy
Professor Willow spends a lot of time talking about the "infinite energy" that Victini supposedly produces. In the Pokémon lore, Victini is said to bring victory to the trainer that befriends it.
In Pokémon GO, this is reflected in the quest’s focus on battling. By the time you finish the research, you will have fought dozens of Grunts and several bosses. It’s a trial by fire. It’s one of the few times Niantic actually matches the "vibe" of the Pokémon to the tasks you have to perform.
Actionable Steps for Completion
If you’re currently sitting on this quest and haven't finished it, here is your game plan:
- Hoard Rocket Radars: Don't equip them until you reach Stage 4. You want to have them ready to go so you don't have to hunt Grunts when you're already tired of the quest.
- Save Your Rare Candy: Victini is expensive. If you plan on using it for PvP, you’ll need to unlock a second move (Psychic or Overheat). That costs 100,000 Stardust and 100 Candy. Start saving now.
- Check the Weather: Psychic types spawn more in Windy weather; Fire types spawn in Sunny/Clear weather. Plan your walks accordingly.
- Buddy Up: Switch Victini to your buddy immediately after catching it. Even if you aren't walking 20km a day, every little bit of passive candy helps.
The "Investigate a Mysterious Energy" quest isn't just about the rewards. It's about the journey through the game's mechanics. It’s a grind, sure, but the payoff is one of the most unique and competitively viable Mythical Pokémon in the game. Get out there, find those Grunts, and claim your victory.