The latest Pokémon GO event, Legendary Heroes, introduces a tough choice for players: Should the Sword or Shield Path be your selection? During this Timed Research quest extending to October 2024, participants must choose a path that presents rewards, experiences, and obstacles.
This verdict can affect the kinds of Pokémon that appear when using Incense and the exact Collection Challenges players have to accomplish. Which do you rate higher — Sword or Shield? We need to get into the details so you can select the most appropriate option for your journey.
What you need to know about Pokémon Go the Sword or Shield Choice
Between September 26 and October 1, 2024, Pokémon GO players can join the Legendary Heroes quest as part of the “Max Out” season. The primary decision comes in the second stage: Are you choosing the Sword or the Shield Direction? Both routes present the same challenges but are distinguished by the Pokémon you’ll find and the rewards you’ll earn. If you pick the Sword Path, you may run into Pokémon, including Deino and Galarian Darumaka, or the Shield Path gives you Galarian Ponyta and Larvitar. Research in this area immediately affects the Pokémon you draw with Incense and the Collection Challenges you must fulfill.
It’s essential to understand that while the processes for each pathway are alike, the Collection Challenges differ. To illustrate, Sword Path players must finish the Sword Path Catch Challenge, encompassing Pokémon, including Gothita, Grookey, and Sobble. The Shield Path Challenge will have Shield Path players encountering Croagunk, Lotad, and Solosis instead. Successfully finishing all the challenges might mean trading Pokémon with friends who decided on the alternative path. If the Collection Challenges don’t catch your eye, your predilection will mostly depend on the Pokémon available from Incense and the total rewards.
Which is better: Sword or Shield Path?
Is Sword Path superior to Shield Path? It comes down to what you like. Pokémon like Deino can be found more effectively on Sword Path. But the Shield Path might be better if you like Pokémon like Larvitar and Croagunk. While both avenues lead to like rewards in XP and Stardust, the Pokémon encounters, and Collection Challenges are where you will see the variations. Remember that choosing a different path from your friend might help you complete the trade challenges more effortlessly when deciding.
Sword vs. Shield: How it affects collection challenges
Selecting one of the Sword Path or the Shield Path impacts the Pokémon Collection Challenges and Incense encounters. Sword Path players will find that the key Incense Pokémon comprises Deino, Passimian, and Scraggy. The characters of Shield Path will include Pokémon such as Larvitar, Croagunk, and Lotad. Should we regard Deino as more valuable than the Sword or Shield Path? Depending on what Pokémon you decide to emphasize, your choice could enable you to encounter both rare and shiny Pokémon.
We need to take a closer look at the challenges. On the Sword Path, participants must catch Pokémon, including Galarian Darumaka, Scorbunny, and Seedot. At the same time, on the Shield Path, they will run into Pokémon such as Galarian Ponyta, Solosis, and Grookey. All roads have singular Collection Challenges, and to finish the full set, you might need a friend who went down the alternate route. Participants in the ‘Trade’ Collection Challenge swap particular Pokémon from the other path. For instance, participants in Sword Path can obtain Pokémon like Croagunk and Solosis in trades, while those on Shield Path will have to trade for Gothita and Swirlix.
Your chosen path determines the Pokémon featured in your Collection Challenges:
- Sword path catch challenge:
- Galarian Darumaka
- Gothita
- Grookey
- Scorbunny
- Scraggy
- Seedot
- Sobble
- Swirlix
- Rewards: 1,000 XP, Skwovet encounter
- Shield path catch challenge:
- Croagunk
- Galarian Ponyta
- Grookey
- Lotad
- Scorbunny
- Sobble
- Solosis
- Spritzee
- Rewards: 1,000 XP, Skwovet encounter
It would help if you traded with a friend who chose the opposite path to complete both challenges.
Rediscover Pokémon GO rewards: Sword vs. Shield path
Choosing either path also affects your Incense encounters and the Trade Challenges:
- Sword path trade challenge:
- Croagunk
- Lotad
- Solosis
- Spritzee
- Rewards: 5,000 XP, Larvitar encounter
- Shield path trade challenge:
- Gothita
- Scraggy
- Seedot
- Swirlix
- Rewards: 5,000 XP, Deino encounter
Legendary Heroes Event: Step-by-step guide
Here’s a breakdown of the Timed Research steps, depending on your choice:
Step 1:
- Catch 8 Pokémon: Skwovet encounter
- Rewards: 8 Poké Balls, 800 XP, 800 Stardust
Step 2:
At this point, you’ll choose either the Sword Path or the Shield Path, and the following steps will differ:
Sword path
- Step 1:
- Use 8 Berries to catch Pokémon: 1 Incense
- Power up Pokémon 8 times: Koffing encounter
- Catch 8 Pokémon: 8 Great Balls
- Rewards: Galarian Darumaka encounter, 800 XP, 800 Stardust
- Step 2:
- Explore 3 km: 8 Razz Berries
- Use an Incense: Deino encounter
- Catch 8 Pokémon: 8 Ultra Balls
- Rewards: Rufflet encounter, 800 XP, 800 Stardust
Shield path
- Step 1:
- Use 8 Berries to catch Pokémon: 1 Incense
- Power up Pokémon 8 times: Koffing encounter
- Catch 8 Pokémon: 8 Great Balls
- Rewards: Galarian Ponyta encounter, 800 XP, 800 Stardust
- Step 2:
- Explore 3 km: 8 Razz Berries
- Use an Incense: Larvitar encounter
- Catch 8 Pokémon: 8 Ultra Balls
- Rewards: Vullaby encounter, 800 XP, 800 Stardust
Sword or Shield: Incense encounters
Here’s a list of Pokémon you can encounter with Incense based on your path selection:
- Sword path incense encounters:
- Deino
- Gothita
- Passimian
- Scraggy
- Seedot
- Swirlix
- Shield path incense encounters:
- Croagunk
- Larvitar
- Lotad
- Oranguru
- Solosis
- Spritzee
Each encounter has a chance to be shiny, making your choice even more exciting. The choice between Sword or Shield path impacts your Timed Research rewards and your entire gameplay experience during the event. Whichever path you pick, explore and make the most of the Legendary Heroes event before it ends in October 2024.
Image credits: Pokemon Go
