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Pokémon Go In the Rough quest step and rewards

How to catch Carbink in Pokémon before its global release.

In the Rough is a pay-to-play timed research quest, which allows you to catch Carbink from Gen 6 in Pokémon Go before its global release.

Carbink will be released globally in Pokémon Go as part of the Go Fest 2023: Global event in August, so it's fitting that, to access this timed research quest, you need to purchase a ticket to said event.

Still, if you’d like to add Carbink before this event, you’ll find the In the Rough quest step and rewards below, along with details on how to purchase In the Rough.

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'In the Rough' quest step and rewards in Pokémon Go

Below you’ll find the In the Rough quest step and rewards for this timed research quest in Pokémon Go.

If you want to complete this timed research quest, then you must first purchase a Go Fest 2023: Global Ticket before Wednesday 5th July. After doing this, you have until Saturday 26th August at 9am (local time) to complete the quest itself or else you’ll lose access to the rewards.

It’s important to note that Carbink will be appearing in two-star raids as part of the free-to-play Global Go Fest 2023 celebrations on Saturday 26th August and Sunday 27th August. So, if you don’t want to purchase a ticket, you’ll be able to add this Pokémon to your Pokédex then.

Be warned - the section below does contain spoilers!

Thank you to Amiibofan101 from reddit for the help with this information!

'In the Rough' Step 1 of 1

  • Play with your buddy 5 times - 1 Lure Module
  • Open 5 Gifts - 10 Ultra Balls
  • Make 10 Great Throws - 500 Stardust
  • Power up 10 Rock or Fairy-type Pokémon - Onix encounter
  • Catch 25 different species of Pokémon - 1 Lucky Egg

Rewards: 3000 XP, 3 Silver Pinap Berries and Carbink encounter.

How In the Rough works in Pokémon Go

In the Rough is a timed research quest which you unlock in Pokémon Go by purchasing a Go Fest 2023: Global Ticket before Wednesday 5th July.

Once you’ve purchased the ticket, the questline will automatically appear in your timed research collection. You then have until Saturday 26th August at 9am (local time) to complete it or else you won’t be able to earn the quest’s rewards.

It’s also important to note that, if you do purchase this ticket, and play Pokémon between Saturday 15th July to Monday 1st August, you’ll also automatically unlock the Shimmering Strides timed research quest which will reward you with the Carbink Shoes for your avatar. This second timed research quest will also be available to anyone who purchases a Go Fest 2023: Global Ticket before Monday 1st August.

Aside from these stipulations, In the Rough works exactly the same as any other timed research quest in Pokémon; you need to complete the challenges and unlock its rewards before the deadline or else they will vanish forever! Thankfully In the Rough only has one quest step, consisting of five challenges, so it should take you very long to complete.


The Dual Destiny Season is here! It brings the Holiday Part 1 event with it. You can now catch Dynamax Pokémon through Max Battles. First, however, you need to visit Power Spots to collect Max Particles and complete the To the Max! quest. Don't forget to try out Routes, Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon, fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases.


How to purchase In the Rough in Pokémon Go

If you want to unlock the In the Rough timed research quest, then you must, in fact, purchase a Go Fest 2023: Global Ticket from the in-game Pokémon Go store by Wednesday 5th July. Purchasing a Go Fest 2023: Global Ticket after this date will no longer unlock the In the Rough quest.

A Go Fest 2023: Global Ticket costs £13.99, $14.99 or the equivalent in your local currency. Tickets are nonrefundable and can’t be purchased using PokéCoin, but you can gift them to other players.

To purchase a ticket, visit the in-game story, which is accessed via the game’s main menu. From there, you simply need to find the banner that advertises the quest.

Selecting this banner will bring up more information about the quest, and to purchase it, select the 'Buy' option before following the purchase instructions specific for your device.

Select the 'Pokémon Go Fest 2023: Global Ticket' banner to purchase the ticket.

In the Rough will automatically appear in the 'Today' tab like all timed research quests after you’ve purchased the ticket.

If you do purchase this ticket before Wednesday 5th July, you will also automatically unlock the Shimmering Strides timed research quest that will reward you with the Carbink Shoes for your avatar, which will be made available between Saturday 15th July.

Good luck completing In the Rough!

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