Should You Choose Spark or Sierra in the Pokemon GO Holiday Part 1 Research?

In Pokemon GO's Holiday Part 1 branching research, trainers face a crucial decision: aid Spark or Sierra. This guide clarifies the choices, helping you optimize your holiday gameplay. The free event research, running from December 17th to December 22nd at 9:59 AM local time, presents this choice after completing the initial tasks.

Choosing Your Path: Spark vs. Sierra

The core difference lies in the Pokemon type focus and reward encounters. The choice isn't drastically impactful, but it influences your catching strategy and desired rewards.

Spark's Ice-Type Challenge:

Selecting Spark directs your efforts towards Ice-type Pokemon. Completing Part 2 yields an Alolan Vulpix encounter.

Spark - Part 2 Tasks & Rewards:

Spark - Part 3 Tasks & Rewards:

Sierra's Fire-Type Pursuit:

Choosing Sierra focuses your efforts on Fire-type Pokemon, rewarding you with a Shadow Vulpix encounter in Part 2. Note that Part 3 rewards remain consistent regardless of your initial choice.

Sierra - Part 2 Tasks & Rewards:

Sierra - Part 3 Tasks & Rewards: (Identical to Spark's Part 3)

Your decision hinges on your preferred Vulpix variant (Alolan or Shadow) and the Pokemon type you wish to prioritize catching. Pokemon GO is currently available for play.