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In Pokémon GO’s 2025 Tour: Unova Special Research “It’s Not Over Yet,” Black Version paired with Reshiram-themed rewards and the Glaciate catch condition after Black Kyurem raids; White Version paired with Zekrom-themed rewards and the condition after White Kyurem raids. The choice also determined which Adventure Effect received longer Tour Pass durations. Neither badge was established as a universal winner.
Black Version vs. White Version at a glance
| Choice | Themed research rewards | Raid form tied to the Glaciate catch condition | Associated fused form and effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Version | Reshiram-themed rewards | Kyurem encountered after defeating Black Kyurem in a five-star raid would know Glaciate | Black Kyurem uses Freeze Shock, which stops encountered Pokémon from moving during the effect |
| White Version | Zekrom-themed rewards | Kyurem encountered after defeating White Kyurem in a five-star raid would know Glaciate | White Kyurem uses Ice Burn, which slows the target ring to make Excellent Throws easier |
The badge name and fusion partner can be easy to mix up: Black Version was associated with Reshiram-themed rewards, but Black Kyurem is Kyurem fused with Zekrom. White Version was associated with Zekrom-themed rewards, while White Kyurem is Kyurem fused with Reshiram. Pokémon GO’s 2026 fusion announcement confirms which Pokémon make each form.
What the choice changed in the event
The global Special Research became available Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local time. Players selected a badge through that research. Pokémon GO said the badge determined certain rewards and bonuses; the choice was part of the 2025 Tour: Unova event, not a permanent ranking of the two forms.
Research rewards and Glaciate
Black Version brought Reshiram-themed research rewards, while White Version brought Zekrom-themed rewards. The raid connection also followed the badge: the announced Glaciate condition applied to Kyurem encountered after defeating the matching form—Black Kyurem for Black Version, White Kyurem for White Version. The official Tour: Unova announcement describes the research choice and its rewards.
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Tour Pass bonuses
The free, limited-time Tour Pass increased Catch XP and extended the Adventure Effect associated with the chosen badge at listed milestones. The 2025 announcement gave the following multipliers:
| Tour Pass tier | Catch XP multiplier | Associated Adventure Effect duration multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 2 | 1.5× | 1.5× |
| Tier 3 | 2× | 2× |
| Tier 4 | 3× | 3× |
Black Version applied the duration bonus to Freeze Shock; White Version applied it to Ice Burn. These were event progression bonuses, not evidence that one form was stronger in battle.
How Freeze Shock and Ice Burn differ
Black Kyurem’s Freeze Shock makes encountered Pokémon unable to move during the effect, which can make them easier to catch. White Kyurem’s Ice Burn slows the target ring, helping players time Excellent Throws. Choose between them based on which catching aid is more useful to you; the official announcements do not give a comparative battle ranking.
At the time of the 2025 announcement, each effect lasted 10 minutes when activated and could be extended in 10-minute increments. Freeze Shock cost 5,000 Stardust and 5 Kyurem Candy to activate; Ice Burn cost 5,000 Stardust and 3 Kyurem Candy. Only one Adventure Effect could be active at a time. These are the rules stated for that event, so do not assume the costs or mechanics remain unchanged. The 2025 Adventure Effects announcement gives the original details.
Fusion requirements and ownership limits
For Kyurem Fusion Raid Day, announced for January 10, 2026, Pokémon GO listed the following fusion requirements:
| Fused form | Fusion requirements |
|---|---|
| Black Kyurem | Kyurem + Zekrom; 1,000 Volt Fusion Energy, 30 Kyurem Candy, and 30 Zekrom Candy |
| White Kyurem | Kyurem + Reshiram; 1,000 Blaze Fusion Energy, 30 Kyurem Candy, and 30 Reshiram Candy |
The same announcement said separating a fusion costs no Fusion Energy or Pokémon Candy. It also stated that Black Kyurem and White Kyurem cannot be traded, transferred to the professor, or transferred to Pokémon HOME. These details are attributed to the 2026 announcement and may change with later game updates. Read the official fusion announcement.
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- Sits up easily on a desk, shelf, or other flat surface
- Care Instructions: Hand Wash Only. Line Dry.
- Item Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.1 x 5.3 inches (23.1 x 12.9 x 13.4 cm)
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Which badge should you choose?
If you are comparing the choices for their 2025 event benefits, base the decision on the reward theme you preferred, the raid form connected to the announced Glaciate catch condition, and whether Freeze Shock or Ice Burn better suited your catching style. Black Version matched Reshiram rewards and the Black Kyurem raid condition; White Version matched Zekrom rewards and the White Kyurem raid condition.
The choice was offered through the event’s Special Research. The available official announcements do not establish whether every account can still access that research or whether a badge selection can be changed, so players should not assume the choice remains available or reversible.
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Best Value
- The Black Kyurem Sitting Cuties Plush is weighted with microbeads, so it sits up when you put it on a flat surface. This palm-sized plush is a fun, charming way to show off a favorite Dragon- and Ice-type Legendary Pokémon originally discovered in Unova!
- Sits up easily on a desk, shelf, or other flat surface
- Care Instructions: Hand Wash Only. Line Dry.
- Item Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 6.3 inches (23.8 x 17 x 16 cm)
- Pokémon Center Original
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