Pokemon GO X or Y Choice Guide – Best Path in An X-ceptional Yarn

The An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research in Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos 2026 asks players to choose between the X path or the Y path, and this decision changes the rewards, encounters, and the Legendary Pokémon you receive at the end. Because the choice cannot be changed later, many players want to know which path is better before selecting one.

This guide explains the full reward list, all research steps, and the real difference between Xerneas vs Yveltal, including which one is better for raids, PvP, and long-term gameplay. If you want to make the best decision during the Kalos Tour event, read this before choosing your path.

The research is available only to players with the event ticket, and completing it leads to either Xerneas or Yveltal depending on your selection.

What Happens When You Choose X or Y

At the start of the research, the game asks you to pick one of two versions:

• X Version
• Y Version

Once selected, the choice is permanent. You cannot switch later.

Your choice changes:

• Final Legendary encounter
• Step 4 encounter rewards
• Unown form reward
• Some task requirements
• Medal / background theme

Most of the research steps stay the same, but a few rewards are different depending on the path.

X Path Rewards (Xerneas Route)

Choosing the X path leads to the Fairy-type Legendary Xerneas.

Step 1 of 5

• Catch a Pokémon from the Kalos region
• Reward — Stickers
• Step reward — XP and Stardust

Step 2 of 5

• Catch 60 Kalos Pokémon
• Spin 20 PokéStops or Gyms
• Mega Evolve a Pokémon

Reward — Charizard encounter
Step reward — Charmander Candy + XL Candy

Step 3 of 5

• Send 6 gifts with stickers
• Open 6 gifts
• Catch Scatterbug

Reward — Scatterbug encounter
Step reward — XP

Step 4 of 5 (X Path difference)

• Power up Fairy-type Pokémon 10 times
• Mega evolve a Pokémon
• Win a Mega Raid

Encounters:

• Swirlix
• Clauncher
• Unown X

Step 5 of 5

• Power up Legendary or Mythical Pokémon
• Catch 12 different species
• Win a 5-star raid

Final Reward:

• Xerneas encounter
• Xerneas Candy
• Xerneas XL Candy

Y Path Rewards (Yveltal Route)

Choosing the Y path leads to the Dark / Flying Legendary Yveltal.

Steps 1–3 are the same as the X path.

Step 4 of 5 (Y Path difference)

• Power up Dark-type Pokémon 10 times
• Mega evolve a Pokémon
• Win a Mega Raid

Encounters:

• Spritzee
• Skrelp
• Unown Y

Step 5 of 5

Same tasks as X path.

Final Reward:

• Yveltal encounter
• Yveltal Candy
• Yveltal XL Candy

Xerneas vs Yveltal — Which Is Better?

This is the most important question. The best choice depends on how you play Pokémon GO.

Best Path for PvP Players

Pick X path (Xerneas) if you focus on PvP.

Reasons:

• Xerneas is strong in Master League
• Fairy typing counters Dragon and Dark
• High bulk makes it good in long battles
• Strong charged attacks with Geomancy

Xerneas is currently ranked higher than Yveltal in many PvP builds.

If you play Go Battle League often, X is the safer pick.

Best Path for Raids and PvE

Pick Y path (Yveltal) if you focus on raids.

Reasons:

• Yveltal has high damage output
• Strong Flying-type attacker
• Useful in raid bosses weak to Flying
• Good gym attacker

For PvE players, Yveltal usually gives more value.

Best Path for Collectors

If you care about collection, choose based on what you don’t have.

Check:

• Do you have Xerneas?
• Do you have Yveltal?
• Do you need Unown X or Y?
• Do you need candy?

Both Pokémon can appear in raids during the event, so the research choice does not lock you forever, but it affects what you get guaranteed.

Can You Change the X or Y Choice?

No. You cannot change the X or Y choice once it has been selected. After you pick a path in the An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research, the decision becomes permanent for that research line.

The game does not allow you to reset the task, switch to the other version, or receive both rewards from the same research. Because the final encounter depends on this selection, you should decide carefully before confirming your choice.

Do You Need a Ticket for An X-ceptional Yarn?

Yes, you need the event ticket to access the An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research. This research is included as part of the Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos paid event, so players who do not purchase the ticket will not receive this research line in their game.

However, even without the ticket, players can still encounter Xerneas and Yveltal during the event through raids, which means free players are not completely locked out of getting these Pokémon, but they will miss the guaranteed encounter from the Special Research.

Which Path Should Most Players Pick?

For most players:

There is no wrong choice, but picking based on your playstyle gives the best result.

Both paths give strong rewards, but the best choice depends on how you play Pokémon GO. Play Now!