Pokemon Go choose a path: Should you pick XP or Stardust?

The Winter Holiday 2023 Pokemon Go event gives players the chance to pick two different paths in its Timed Research, so here’s whether you should pick between Experience or Stardust in the Winter Wishes Research.

Pokemon Go is celebrating the Winter Holiday 2023 Part 1 event, giving players the chance to catch debuting Ice-type Pokemon alongside costumed creatures ready for Christmas. On top of that, the event also added more Research for trainers to complete, and one of them is a new event-exclusive branched Timed Research.

So, if you’re wondering what path should you choose between Catching Pokemon and Collecting Stardust in the Winter Wishes Timed Research, we’ve got you covered.

• Catching Pokemon or Collecting Stardust: Which path to choose?
• Pokemon Go Winter Wishes Timed Research choose a path explained
  • Stage (1/2)
  • Stage (2/2)

Catching Pokemon or Collecting Stardust: Which path to choose in Pokemon Go?

After Pokemon Go players complete the first step in the Winter Wishes Timed Research, they’ll have to choose between Catching Pokemon or Collecting Stardust. It’s worth noting that the Winter Wishes Timed Research will give you the same encounters no matter what path you choose. The main difference will be in the ultimate reward and the special bonus you’ll get.

What’s more, both paths are almost identical in terms of tasks you’ll need to complete. So, you might prefer one path over the other based on the ultimate reward you’ll get. Both paths will grant you encounters with Spheal, Eevee, Lapras, Stantler, Cetoddle, Pikachu, and Galarian Mr. Mime.

So, you should pick the Catching Pokemon path if you’re interested in getting a Lucky Egg to earn more Experience. However, you should pick the Collecting Stardust path if you want a Star Piece to earn more Stardust with each catch.

Picking the Experience path will activate a 2x XP bonus for catching Pokemon, while the Stardust path will activate a 2x Stardust bonus for catching Pokemon. Both bonuses will last until the event ends on December 31, 2023, at 8 PM (local time).

Whatever path you choose, you must complete all tasks and claim all rewards before Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 8 PM (local time).

Pokemon Go Winter Wishes Timed Research choose a path explained

The first stage of the Pokemon Go Winter Wishes Timed Research is the same for all players, while stage (2/2) will be different whether you choose Catching Pokemon or Collecting Stardust.

Here are the tasks and rewards of the two stages of Pokemon Go Winter Wishes Timed Research:

Winter Wishes Timed Research Stage (1/2)

• Catch 5 Pokemon – 1x Glacial Lure Module
• Spin 3 PokeStops or Gyms – Holiday attire Pikachu encounter
• Power up Pokemon 5 times – 2x Silver Pinap Berry

Completion rewards: 500 Stardust and 500 XP.

Winter Wishes Timed Research Catching Pokemon Stage (2/2)

• Catch 10 Pokemon – Holiday attire Spheal encounter
• Catch 25 Pokemon – Holiday Hat Eevee encounter
• Catch 40 Ice-type Pokemon – Lapras encounter
• Catch 8 different species of Ice-type Pokemon – Holiday attire Stantler encounter
• Earn 25,000 XP – Cetoddle encounter
• Send 25 Gifts to friends – Holiday attire Pikachu encounter

Completion rewards: Galarian Mr. Mime encounter and a Lucky Egg.

Winter Wishes Timed Research Collecting Stardust Stage (2/2)

• Catch 10 Pokemon – Holiday attire Spheal encounter
• Catch 25 Pokemon – Holiday Hat Eevee encounter
• Catch 40 Ice-type Pokemon – Lapras encounter
• Catch 8 different species of Ice-type Pokemon – Holiday attire Stantler encounter
• Earn 7,500 Stardust – Cetoddle encounter
• Send 25 Gifts to friends – Holiday attire Pikachu encounter

Completion rewards: Galarian Mr. Mime encounter and a Star Piece.

And there you have it! That’s all you need to know to choose a path in the Winter Wishes Timed Research. For more Pokemon Go content, make sure to check other guides below:

Pokemon Go Community Day schedule | Pokemon Go Raid schedule | How to catch Ditto in Pokemon Go | How to get shiny Meltan in Pokemon Go | All Pokemon Go Timeless Travels Special Research tasks & rewards | Best Elite Charged TMs in Pokemon Go | Best Elite Fast TMs in Pokemon Go | How to get Mewtwo in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go Team Rocket Grunt lineups & counters | Pokemon Go promo codes