Key Takeaways:

1. Spark’s Path Offers Alolan Vulpix: Ideal for players seeking a powerful and versatile Great League Pokémon, Alolan Ninetales.
2. Sierra’s Path Offers Shadow Vulpix: Great for collectors but less impactful in competitive play.
3. Double Catch XP and Half Egg Hatch Distance: Maximize rewards during the event for faster progression.

The Pokémon Go Holiday 2024 Part 1 Event is in full swing, running from December 17 to December 22, 2024, bringing festive fun and exclusive rewards. As part of the event, players are faced with a key decision in the Timed Research: should you align with Spark or Sierra? Let’s break it all down to help you make the best choice.

Pokémon Go Holiday 2024 Part 1 Overview

Event Highlights:

• Double Catch XP: Earn extra experience points for every Pokémon you catch.
• Halved Egg Hatch Distance: Hatch eggs faster to access rare Pokémon.
• Dedenne in Holiday Attire: A brand-new festive Pokémon debuts.
• Free Timed Research: Players can unlock tasks and rewards without spending coins.
• Exclusive Field Research Tasks: Available by spinning PokéStops.
• Collection Challenges: Three new challenges to complete before the event ends.

Timed Research plays a central role, with players choosing between Spark’s Ice-type tasks and Sierra’s Fire-type tasks.

Spark vs. Sierra: A Closer Look

Choosing Spark: The Ice-Type Specialist

If you choose Spark, your tasks will focus on:

• Catching Ice-type Pokémon.
• Powering up Ice-types.
• Completing Ice-related Field Research tasks.

Rewards:

• Encounter with Alolan Vulpix.
• Opportunities to collect rare Ice-type Pokémon like Spheal, Swinub, and Snorunt.

Why Choose Spark? The key advantage is Alolan Vulpix, which evolves into Alolan Ninetales, an Ice and Fairy-type Pokémon. Alolan Ninetales is highly versatile in Great League battles and can also shine in certain raids thanks to its dual-typing. If you’re building a competitive team, this path is your best bet.

Choosing Sierra: The Fire-Type Trail

By selecting Sierra, your tasks will require:

• Catching Fire-type Pokémon.
• Powering up Fire-types.
• Completing Fire-related Field Research tasks.

Rewards:

• Encounter with Shadow Vulpix.
• Access to Fire-types like Darumaka, Litleo, and potentially Hisuian Growlithe.

Why Choose Sierra? Shadow Pokémon are coveted by collectors due to their rarity. While Shadow Ninetales can be a strong choice, it doesn’t match Alolan Ninetales in terms of utility. Opt for this path if your goal is to expand your Shadow Pokémon collection.

Timed Research Tasks and Rewards

The Timed Research tasks are broken into four steps, with Step 2 diverging based on your chosen path.

General Rewards:

• Rare Candy.
• Stardust.
• Event-themed Pokémon encounters.
• Holiday-themed items and cosmetics.

Field Research Tasks

By spinning PokéStops during the event, you can pick up event-specific Field Research Tasks. Completing these tasks yields rewards such as Poké Balls, Berries, and Pokémon encounters.

Collection Challenges

The event includes three exclusive Collection Challenges:

1. Ice to Meet You: Focuses on catching Ice-types like Spheal and Delibird.
2. Hot to Go: Centers on Fire-types like Darumaka and Litleo.
3. Festive Friend: Involves capturing Pokémon in Holiday Attire.

To complete these challenges, ensure you’re actively catching, hatching, and evolving the required Pokémon before December 22, 2024.

Our Recommendation: Spark Over Sierra

While both paths have their merits, Spark edges out Sierra due to the value of Alolan Ninetales in battles. It’s more versatile, making it a solid addition to your collection, especially for PvP enthusiasts. However, if your goal is to collect rare Shadow Pokémon, Sierra’s path still offers a unique opportunity.

Tips for Maximizing Your Holiday Part 1 Event Experience

1. Spin PokéStops Daily: Gather as many event-exclusive Field Research Tasks as possible.
2. Use Egg Incubators Wisely: With halved Egg Hatch Distance, prioritize high-kilometer eggs to make the most of the event.
3. Coordinate with Friends: Trade event Pokémon or work together on difficult tasks to complete your Collection Challenges.

FAQ

1. What happens if I don’t complete the Timed Research?
If you don’t finish by December 22, 2024, the research disappears, and you lose access to the rewards.

2. Are the rewards the same for both Spark and Sierra?
Yes, except for the Pokémon encounter. Spark offers Alolan Vulpix, while Sierra provides Shadow Vulpix.

3. Can I switch paths after choosing?
No, your decision is final, so choose wisely based on your goals.

4. Is the paid Timed Research available yet?
At the time of writing, the paid Timed Research ticket is inaccessible, and Niantic has yet to address the issue.

5. Which Pokémon is better: Alolan Ninetales or Shadow Ninetales?
Alolan Ninetales is more versatile and valuable in PvP battles, making it the better choice overall.