You’re standing there, phone vibrating in your palm, looking at two very different faces. On one side, you have Candela, the fierce leader of Team Valor, looking like she’s ready to sprint into a volcano. On the other, there’s Arlo—the former Valor member turned Team GO Rocket grunt leader, rocking that signature "I’m better than you" smirk. It’s a classic fork in the road. In the "A Hero’s Journey" Special Research, Niantic basically puts you on the spot: do you Pokemon Go team up with Candela or investigate Arlo?
Honestly, it feels like a high-stakes decision, but let’s be real—the game doesn’t always tell you what you’re actually signing up for.
Most players just tap the first thing they see because they want the rewards. I get it. But there’s a nuance to this choice that affects your gameplay experience for the duration of the research. If you choose Candela, you're leaning into the spirit of competition and power. If you go the Arlo route, you're diving into the investigative side of the lore, tracking down the trail of the guy who betrayed the team. It’s a flavor choice, sure, but in a game that’s often just a grind for XL candy, these narrative beats are what keep us from burning out.
Why the Choice Feels So Heavy
Niantic loves these branching paths. We saw it first with the Style choices in previous events, and they’ve doubled down on it lately. When you choose to Pokemon Go team up with Candela or investigate Arlo, you aren't just picking a color; you are picking a set of tasks.
If you go with Candela, expect the tasks to mirror her personality. We’re talking about "Power Up Pokemon" tasks and "Win Raids." It’s aggressive. It’s straightforward. It’s exactly what you’d expect from someone who thinks the secret to life is hidden in a 100% IV Charizard.
The Arlo path is a bit more... detective-focused? "Investigate" is the keyword there. You’ll be dealing more with the Team GO Rocket side of the game. If you’re a fan of farming 12km eggs or you just really enjoy the satisfaction of wiping that smug look off Arlo’s face with a well-timed Hydro Cannon, this is your lane. Arlo’s history with Candela makes this specific branch feel more personal than the others. Remember, Arlo used to be a protege under Candela before he defected to the dark side. That tension is the backbone of this whole questline.
The Nitty Gritty of the Research Tasks
Let's look at what actually happens once you click that button. You aren't just getting a different dialogue box.
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If you decide to Pokemon Go team up with Candela, your Stage 2 tasks are going to revolve around the heat of battle. You'll likely see requirements like evolving a certain number of Fire-type Pokemon or hitting Great Throws in a row. It’s about skill and growth. Players who have a stash of Rare Candy and a few Pokemon they were planning to max out anyway will find this path incredibly fast. It’s efficient.
Choosing to investigate Arlo shifts the focus. You’ll find yourself hunting down Grunts. You’ll be looking for those blacked-out PokeStops. It’s a bit more time-consuming because you’re at the mercy of Rocket balloon spawns and finding the right stops in your local park. However, for players who live in high-density areas with tons of stops, this is a breeze. It also feels more like a "mission" rather than a chore list.
Pro Tip: Don't pick the Arlo path if you're stuck in a rural area with one PokeStop three miles away. You’ll be waiting on balloons every few hours, and that’s a slow way to play.
Breaking Down the Rewards
Is there a difference in what you get?
Mostly, no. The big prize—the encounter with a special Pokemon like Ponyta wearing a Candela-themed accessory—is the goal regardless of the path. But the journey matters.
The Candela path often rewards things like TMs or Berries that help with catching and refining your roster. The Arlo path is more likely to drop components or items related to the Rocket encounters. Think of it this way: are you trying to build your team up, or are you trying to tear the villains down?
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Actually, there’s a psychological element here too. Many players feel a sense of loyalty to their chosen team. If you’re Team Valor, you’re obviously going to Pokemon Go team up with Candela or investigate Arlo with a heavy bias toward your leader. But even Team Mystic or Instinct players sometimes jump on the Candela train because Valor's quests are often perceived as more "active."
The Lore You Might Have Missed
Arlo isn't just a random bad guy. In the deep lore of Pokemon Go—yes, there is actual lore buried in those blog posts—Arlo and Candela have a massive history. Arlo was once a bright-eyed trainer on Team Valor. He was Candela's friend. When he left to join Team GO Rocket, it wasn't just a career change; it was a betrayal.
When you choose to Pokemon Go team up with Candela or investigate Arlo, you’re stepping into the middle of a breakup. Candela is fueled by that "show them what they lost" energy. Arlo is fueled by "I found something better (and darker)."
This makes the "Investigate" path feel much more like a spy thriller. You’re looking for clues. You’re trying to figure out what Arlo is up to with the Shadow Pokemon technology. If you skip the dialogue, you’re missing half the fun. Read the prompts. Spark and Blanche have their own versions of this, but the Candela/Arlo dynamic is arguably the most dramatic because of that shared past.
Which Path Should You Actually Choose?
If you want my honest opinion? It depends on your current inventory and your local environment.
- Choose Candela if: You have a lot of Stardust to spend, you enjoy Raiding, and you want to finish the research quickly while staying at home or hitting a gym cluster.
- Choose Arlo if: You have plenty of Potions and Revives (you’ll need them for the Grunts), you enjoy the Rocket mechanic, and you want a story that feels a bit more "undercover."
There is no "wrong" answer. You won't miss out on a Legendary because you picked one over the other. The game is designed to be fair, even if it tries to make the choice feel monumental.
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What's interesting is how the community reacts. On Reddit and Discord, you’ll see people arguing that one path is "easier." Usually, the "investigate" path takes longer because you have to find specific NPCs, whereas the "team up" path can be done by just clicking buttons on your existing Pokemon. Speedrunners almost always go with the team leader over the investigator.
Common Misconceptions
One big myth is that choosing to Pokemon Go team up with Candela or investigate Arlo changes your team permanently. It doesn't. You can be Team Instinct and still work with Candela for this event. You aren't defecting. You’re just a mercenary for hire in this specific story.
Another misconception is that the Arlo path gives you a better chance at a Shiny Shadow. Shadow Shiny rates are tied to the leader encounters themselves (Arlo, Sierra, Cliff), not the Special Research path. While the research might give you a Rocket Radar to find him, the odds of that Pokemon being shiny remain the standard 1 in 64 (approximately) for Rocket Leaders.
Actionable Steps for Your Research
To make the most of this choice, follow these steps before you click:
- Check your Potion stock. If you’re low on Revives, avoid the Arlo path. You’re going to be fighting a lot of Grunts and potentially Leaders.
- Look at the clock. If you only have an hour to play, the Candela path is generally more "controllable." You can power up Pokemon anywhere. You can’t spawn a Rocket Grunt out of thin air if you’ve already cleared your local area.
- Sync with your friends. If you’re playing with a group, it’s way more fun if you all pick the same path. You can call out Rocket Grunt locations or trade Pokemon that need to be evolved for the Candela tasks.
- Don't rush the final encounter. The reward Pokemon for these tasks often have unique costumes. Ensure you have enough Great Ball or Ultra Ball stock to catch them on the first try, and maybe a Silver Pinap if you want to maximize the candy.
The choice to Pokemon Go team up with Candela or investigate Arlo is one of the few times the game asks you to care about the characters. Whether you want to be a powerhouse or a detective, just make sure you're ready for the grind. Once you make the choice, there's no going back—at least not until the next event.
Next Steps for Success:
- Audit your Stardust: Make sure you have at least 50,000 Stardust if you choose Candela, as "Power Up" tasks can get expensive at higher levels.
- Clear your inventory: Ensure you have space for at least 10-15 new Pokemon catches to avoid the "Storage Full" message mid-battle.
- Check your local map: Verify if Rocket Grunts are active in your area before committing to the Arlo path.