Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research is a brand-new feature introduced during the Forever Forward Season, giving Trainers more control over how they play during non-event weeks. Instead of everyone receiving the same tasks, players can now choose a path that matches their preferred playstyle.
Whether you enjoy exploring, catching Pokémon, or battling, Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research allows you to select the activities you enjoy most while working towards exclusive Timed Research rewards.
Here’s everything we know so far about Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research, including available paths, event dates, and how the feature works.
What Is Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research?
Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research is a new seasonal feature that appears during selected non-event weeks throughout the Forever Forward Season.
When a Choose Your Path Timed Research event begins, Trainers can select one of three different paths:
| Path | Focus |
|---|---|
| Explore | Exploration and Routes |
| Catch | Catching Pokémon |
| Battle | Battles and combat activities |
Your selection determines the Timed Research tasks and bonuses you’ll receive during the event.
Because each Trainer can choose a different path, your research may differ from those chosen by friends or other players.
How Does Choose Your Path Timed Research Work?
When a Choose Your Path event begins, you’ll be presented with three options.
After making your selection, you’ll receive Timed Research tasks linked to your chosen activity.
For example:
Explore Path
Players selecting the Explore Path may receive tasks focused on:
- Walking
- Exploring new areas
- Following Routes
- Visiting PokéStops
- General exploration activities
Catch Path
Players selecting the Catch Path may receive tasks focused on:
- Catching Pokémon
- Using Berries
- Landing Nice, Great, or Excellent Throws
- Catching specific Pokémon types
Battle Path
Players selecting the Battle Path may receive tasks involving:
- Gym Battles
- Raid Battles
- Team GO Rocket encounters
- GO Battle League battles
Niantic has confirmed that Trainers may receive different research opportunities depending on their chosen path.
Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research Schedule
Several Choose Your Path Timed Research events are scheduled throughout the Forever Forward Season.
All times are local.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Choose Your Path: Fossil Fun | June 17 – June 21 |
| Choose Your Path: Charged Embers | June 30 – July 3 |
| Choose Your Path: Fairy Trail | July 28 – August 3 |
| Choose Your Path: Venom and Vines | August 11 – August 17 |
Each event will feature its own themed Timed Research experience.
Which Path Should You Choose?
The best path depends entirely on how you play Pokémon GO.
Choose Explore If You:
- Walk regularly
- Complete Routes
- Enjoy outdoor exploration
- Visit multiple PokéStops daily
Choose Catch If You:
- Focus on collecting Pokémon
- Want to maximise Stardust and Candy
- Play during Spotlight Hours
- Enjoy shiny hunting
Choose Battle If You:
- Raid frequently
- Participate in GO Battle League
- Battle Team GO Rocket
- Focus on competitive gameplay
Until full reward details are released, there may not be a single “best” option for every Trainer.
How Choose Your Path Fits Into Forever Forward
Choose Your Path Timed Research is part of a wider effort by Niantic to make non-event weeks more engaging.
The feature works alongside the updated Daily Discoveries system, which now includes:
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Max Monday |
| Tuesday | Showcase Tuesday |
| Wednesday | Raid Hour |
| Thursday | GO Battle Thursday |
| Friday | Friendship Friday |
| Sunday | Scenic Sunday |
Together, these features provide players with new activities throughout the week, even when major events are not running.
For a full breakdown of weekly bonuses, check out our Pokémon GO Daily Discoveries guide.
Will Choose Your Path Return?
Based on the current schedule, Choose Your Path Timed Research appears to be a recurring seasonal feature rather than a one-time event.
Additional versions may be introduced in future Seasons if the feature proves popular with players.
This could eventually become one of Pokémon GO’s core gameplay systems during quieter periods between major events.
Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research
Pokémon GO Choose Your Path Timed Research gives Trainers more freedom than ever before, allowing them to focus on the activities they enjoy most. Whether you choose Explore, Catch, or Battle, the new system provides a personalised Timed Research experience during selected non-event weeks throughout the Forever Forward Season.
With multiple Choose Your Path events already scheduled, this new feature looks set to become an important part of Pokémon GO moving forward.
For more Pokémon GO guides, event coverage, and seasonal updates, visit our Pokémon GO Hub, our Forever Forward Guide, and Daily Discoveries guide.
