Pokémon Go has introduced a new Timed Research event called "Choose Your Path: Charged Embers," offering players a choice of bonuses and tasks. This event, which began on Tuesday, June 30, at 10 a.m. local time and concludes on Friday, July 3, focuses on the Pokémon Magmar and Electabuzz. The research can be found under the "Research" then "Events" section in the in-game menu.

The "Choose Your Path" research allows players to select one of several predefined bonuses that align with their preferred playstyle for the week. These bonuses can influence experience points gained, hatching distances, or rewards from battling. While the initial claim of the research grants standard rewards of 500 Stardust and 5 Poké Balls, the subsequent choice of path dictates the gameplay focus and potential benefits.

Players may encounter either three or six different options, depending on Niantic's ongoing testing of the feature. If six options are presented, players can choose a new path daily, with the research resetting each day. If only three options are available, the chosen path and its associated research will last until Sunday.

The available bonus categories include:

  • Explore (PokéStops): Grants 5x XP for spinning PokéStops.
  • Catch (XP): Awards 1.5x XP for catching Pokémon with nice throws or better.
  • Battle (Raids): Offers an additional 5,000 XP for completing raids.
  • Explore (Hatch): Reduces egg hatch distance by half.
  • Catch (Candy): Provides extra candy for catching Pokémon with nice throws or better.
  • Battle (Team Go Rocket): Yields extra Mysterious Components from Team Go Rocket grunts.

Each selected path involves a series of tasks, with the rewards for completing all stages being consistent across all options: 3 Golden Razz Berries and 5 Rare Candy. The specific tasks differ based on the chosen path. For instance, the "Explore" path includes objectives like walking 3 km, spinning PokéStops or Gyms, and hatching eggs, with encounters featuring Magmar and Electabuzz. The "Catch" path focuses on making various types of throws, such as nice, curveball, and excellent throws, also leading to Magmar and Electabuzz encounters. The "Battle" path involves winning raids, powering up Pokémon, and defeating Team Go Rocket grunts.

The "Charged Embers" event appears similar in structure to the "Fossil Fun" event that preceded it, with the primary difference being the featured Pokémon and specific rewards. Players are advised to select the bonus that best suits their immediate gameplay goals, whether that involves raiding, walking, catching, or other activities.