So, the Winter Holiday Part 1 Timed Research is finally live in Pokémon GO, and honestly, it’s a bit of a chaotic mess if you aren't prepared for how Niantic structured the branching paths this year. You’ve probably seen the pop-up on your screen already. It’s that familiar blue-tinted menu that promises encounters with festive Pokémon, but there is a catch that most players overlook until they’re halfway through the park and realize they picked the wrong "wish."
It’s cold out. Or maybe it’s not, depending on your hemisphere, but the "Winter Holiday" vibe is definitely the focus here.
What is Holiday Part 1 Timed Research anyway?
Basically, this is a limited-time set of tasks that expires as soon as the first half of the December event ends. If you don't finish it, those rewards vanish into the digital ether. Unlike Special Research, which stays in your inventory forever, this one has a ticking clock. Most people get tripped up by the "Timed" aspect because they think they have all month. You don't. You have a few days.
The core of the Holiday Part 1 Timed Research revolves around catching specific Ice-types and making a choice between different bonuses. Usually, Niantic gives us a "Pick Your Path" option. One path might focus on extra XP for catching, while another leans heavily into Stardust or Egg hatching distance.
Choosing is permanent.
If you're a level 50 player, you’re likely hunting Stardust. If you’re still grinding toward that level cap, the XP path is a no-brainer. But let's be real—most of us just want the shiny Galarian Darumaka or the costume Spheal.
The Tasks You’ll Actually Face
Don't expect anything revolutionary here. It's the standard "Catch 10 Pokémon," "Make 5 Great Throws," and "Send 3 Gifts with Stickers." It’s busywork, sure, but it’s busywork with a purpose.
The first page of the Holiday Part 1 Timed Research is usually a warm-up. You do the basics, get some Poké Balls, and then the real game starts. What's interesting about this year’s iteration is the inclusion of "Explore 2km" tasks. This is Niantic’s classic way of nudging you out the door. If you’re playing from a couch with an Incense, you’re going to hit a wall pretty fast.
The Problem with the Paid Ticket
There is a $2.00 USD (or your local equivalent) ticket version of this research too. Some people call it a "whale bait" move, but others see it as a cheap way to snag an extra Incubator.
Is it worth it?
Well, if you look at the math, the paid Holiday Part 1 Timed Research usually offers about $5.00 worth of in-game items if you were to buy them individually in the shop. You get a couple of Premium Battle Passes, maybe a Silver Pinap Berry or two, and an encounter with something like a festive-ribbon Delibird.
If you’re a casual player who only logs in once a day, skip the ticket. You won't finish it. If you’re a daily grinder, the two dollars is basically the price of a mediocre cup of coffee for a decent boost in Rare Candy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to claim the rewards: This sounds stupid, but people do it. They finish the tasks and wait to "stack" the encounters for a Lucky Egg session, then the event ends at 8:00 PM local time and poof—the rewards are gone.
- Ignoring the "Power Up" tasks: You’ll likely see a task to power up Pokémon 5 or 10 times. Don't waste your Stardust on a high-level legendary for this. Find a level 1 Pidgey or Magikarp and dump the minimum amount of dust into it just to clear the requirement.
- The Great Throw wall: If you aren't great at curveballs, use Nanab Berries. They stabilize the Pokémon so you can actually hit the circle.
Strategy for Fast Completion
If you want to blow through the Holiday Part 1 Timed Research in under an hour, you need a plan.
First, save your Daily Adventure Incense. Don't use it until you see a task that requires catching different species or walking. The spawns triggered by that incense count toward your totals and often help you find those pesky Ice-types that might not be spawning frequently in your specific biome.
Second, check your friend list. You’re going to need to send gifts. Don't open all your gifts in the morning; save some so you can return the favor when the research task asks you to "Send 5 Gifts."
The Spawns We’re Chasing
Let's talk about Cetoddle. It’s the star of the show lately. During the Holiday Part 1 Timed Research, Cetoddle is everywhere, and its evolution, Cetitan, is a beast in certain PvP niche formats. More importantly, it’s a relatively easy "Great Throw" target because its hit box is massive.
You also have the costume variants. Pikachu in a holiday hat? Check. Spheal with a scarf? Check. These are purely cosmetic, but they have high trade value for collectors who missed previous years.
Is the Research Actually "Rewarding"?
That depends on your definition of "reward."
If you're looking for a guaranteed 100% IV legendary, you're going to be disappointed. That's not what this is. This is about the grind. It's about getting those extra Mega Abomasnow Energy points so you can finally Mega Evolve yours for the next Rayquaza raid.
The real value lies in the items. Star Pieces and Lucky Eggs are rarely given away for free these days. Completing the Holiday Part 1 Timed Research is one of the few ways to restock your inventory without opening your wallet to the Niantic shop.
The Nuance of Branching Quests
When you get to the "Choose Your Path" screen, stop. Think.
The "Catching" path is usually the easiest for city players. If you live in a rural area with three PokéStops in a five-mile radius, do NOT pick the catching path. Pick the "Hatching" or "Buddy" path. You’re going to be walking anyway; you might as well get rewarded for the distance you’re putting in.
I’ve seen so many players get stuck on "Catch 50 Pokémon" because they live in the middle of nowhere and ran out of balls. Don't be that person. Know your environment.
The Lore vs. The Gameplay
It’s kind of funny how we treat this. There’s no real "story" to the Holiday Part 1 Timed Research. Professor Willow pops up, says something about the cold, and then tells you to go catch 20 Snorunt.
We don't play it for the plot.
We play it because Pokémon GO is a game of checklists. There is a specific dopamine hit that comes from turning a grayed-out task bar into a bright orange "Claim Reward!" button.
Actionable Next Steps for Trainers
If you want to maximize your efficiency during this window, here is exactly what you should do right now:
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- Clear your Pokémon storage. You don't want to be deleting Pidgeys while you're in the middle of a lure module session. Make at least 50 spots of breathing room.
- Stack your field research. Try to find "Catch 5 Ice-type Pokémon" field research from stops. This stacks with the Timed Research, meaning one catch counts toward two different reward sets. Efficiency is king.
- Focus on the Mega. Have a Mega-evolved Ice or Water type active (like Mega Glalie or Mega Blastoise). This gives you extra candy for every holiday spawn you catch during your research run.
- Check the clock. The Part 1 research usually ends around December 23rd. If it’s the 22nd and you haven't started, prioritize the walking tasks immediately.
- Use the "Fast Catch" glitch. If you know how to slide the berry menu and back out of the encounter, use it. It cuts the animation time in half and lets you finish the "Catch 100" tasks in a fraction of the time.
The Holiday Part 1 Timed Research isn't the most difficult challenge Niantic has ever thrown at us, but it requires a bit of foresight. Don't let the timer run out while you're sitting on a "Claim Reward" button. Get out there, pick the path that fits your local geography, and get those scarf-wearing Pokémon before they’re replaced by the Part 2 roster.