Pokémon GO players have a new limited-time challenge to complete before the upcoming Spring Marathon event officially begins later this month. Niantic recently launched the “Choose Your Path” Timed Research event, and unlike many previous research quests, this one asks players to pick between three completely different routes: Explore, Catch, or Battle.
Each option comes with separate objectives and its own exclusive bonus, although the overall rewards stay fairly similar across all three paths. Once players make their decision, though, there is no going back, so choosing the right route matters. The event is currently live and runs until May 11 at 8 PM local time.
After claiming the opening rewards of 500 Stardust and five Poke Balls, players are greeted by Professor Willow before being asked to select one of the three available paths.
Explore Path Is Built For Active Players
The Explore route is clearly aimed at trainers who spend a lot of time walking around, visiting new locations, and spinning PokeStops throughout the day.
To finish the path, players need to walk 5 kilometers and spin 50 PokeStops. Completing those tasks rewards trainers with Great Balls, Ultra Balls, Golden Razz Berries, and Rare Candies. The bigger attraction, though, is the bonus unlocked afterward.
Players who complete the Explore route receive a 5x XP bonus for spinning PokeStops during the remainder of the event. For players planning long outdoor sessions or grinding XP across busy city areas, that bonus could become extremely useful.
Catch Path Could Be The Most Popular Choice
The Catch route focuses entirely on improving throw accuracy and catching large numbers of Pokémon. Players choosing this option must complete 15 Excellent throws and land 50 Curveball throws. Like the other paths, the reward pool includes Great Balls, Ultra Balls, Golden Razz Berries, and Rare Candies.
The real value comes from the XP bonus tied to the route. Completing the Catch path unlocks a 1.5x XP multiplier for catching Pokémon using Nice throws or better. That means every Nice, Great, or Excellent throw becomes more rewarding for players trying to level up quickly.
Many trainers may choose this option because Lechonk Community Day takes place before the Timed Research expires. Since Community Day events usually involve catching huge numbers of Pokémon in a short amount of time, the XP boost from the Catch route could become very valuable.
Battle Path Rewards Raid Players
The Battle route is aimed more toward competitive and Raid-focused trainers. To complete the path, players need to win five Raids and use 25 super-effective Charged Attacks. The rewards remain similar to the other routes, including Rare Candies and Golden Razz Berries.
The difference is the special bonus players unlock afterward. Completing the Battle path gives trainers an additional 5,000 XP for every Raid completed during the event period. For players who regularly participate in Raids with friends or local groups, the extra XP can stack up very quickly.
The timing also works well because more Raid-focused events are expected later this month, including Mega Falinks Raid Day.
So Which Path Should Players Choose?
There is probably no perfect answer because each option suits a different type of player. The Explore path makes the most sense for trainers who spend a lot of time outside spinning PokeStops. The Catch route may be ideal for players planning to fully grind Community Day and maximize XP through catches.
Meanwhile, the Battle path feels best suited for players who regularly focus on Raids and team battles. No matter which option players choose, the event still offers useful rewards and bonus XP opportunities across the board.
With the Timed Research only available until May 11, players do not have much time left to decide which route fits their playstyle best.
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