Candela or Arlo choose a path outcomes in Pokémon Go

You’ll need to choose between Candela or Arlo as part of Pokémon Go’s “Beloved Buddies” free Timed Research. The choice you should pick is based on what kind of content you do, what type of Pokémon you need, and your general playstyle.

Below we explain the choices between the two branched choices in Pokémon Go’s “Beloved Buddies” Timed Research.

Which path should you pick? Candela or Arlo?

After the first step of the free research, there’ll be a branched choice: Should you pick Candela or Arlo?

If you want a PvP-relevant Pokémon and Poffins, you should pick Candela. Candela offers a meta-relevant Great League PvP pick: Dunsparce. However, this isn’t super hard to come across (the spawns are boosted for Dunsparce during this event, too), so this shouldn’t be too much of a determining factor when it comes to picking Candela.

If you want a more PvE-oriented Pokémon and a Rocket Radar, you should pick Arlo. You’ll get a Cubone, which evolves into Marowak, a decent Great League PvP contender, and a Scizor, which can Mega Evolve into a pretty good bug-type attacker. Arlo also offers a Rocket Radar, so if you’re hunting down Giovanni and the Team Go Rocket leaders, this is pretty useful.

Notably unlike past branched research, the steps are actually different based on which person you choose. Candela requires adding a new friend and trading Pokémon to another player, so if you’re an introvert or a solo player, these may be walls that will prevent you from finishing the research. In this case, you should pick Arlo’s path.

Candela and Arlo Timed Research steps and outcomes

Below, we list the steps and rewards for the “Beloved Buddies” Timed Research. Remember that you must complete the research before the event ends on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. in your local time.

‘Beloved Buddies’ step 1 of 3

• Catch 15 Pokémon (5 Ultra Balls)
• Spin 5 PokéStops or gyms (Remoraid encounter)
• Explore 2 km (Mantine encounter)

Rewards: 1,000 Stardust, 1,000 XP

After completing this step, you’ll get the choice to pick between Candela and Arlo. Doing so will impact what tasks you get as well as the rewards.

‘Beloved Buddies’ step 2 of 3 (Candela)

• Earn 10 hearts with your buddy (500 Stardust)
• Earn a candy exploring with your buddy (Luvdisc encounter)
• Make a new friend (2 Poffins)

Rewards: Dunsparce encounter, 2,000 XP

‘Beloved Buddies’ step 2 of 3 (Arlo)

• Catch 15 Pokémon (500 Stardust)
• Transfer 5 Pokémon (Cubone encounter)
• Defeat 3 Team Go Rocket grunts (1 Rocket Radar)

Rewards: Shadow Diglett encounter, 2,000 XP

‘Beloved Buddies’ step 3 of 3 (Candela)

• Play with your buddy 5 times (10 Ultra Balls)
• Send 3 gifts to friends (500 Stardust)
• Trade a Pokémon (Shellder encounter)

Rewards: Rapidash encounter, 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust

‘Beloved Buddies’ step 3 of 3 (Arlo)

• Catch 25 Pokémon (10 Ultra Balls)
• Transfer 15 Pokémon (500 Stardust)
• Defeat Team Go Rocket Arlo (Slowpoke encounter)

Rewards: Scizor encounter, 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust

After completing all three steps (no matter which path you picked), you’ll also get an additional 2,500 XP and 2,500 Stardust.