Pokémon Go has launched a new Timed Research event titled 'Venom and Vines,' which is a variation of the 'Choose Your Path' feature. This event is currently running during a period of lower in-game activity and introduces a notable experiment: two different versions of the quest itself. Players booting up the game will discover which version of 'Venom and Vines' they have received, as the selection is seemingly randomized.

Both versions of the 'Venom and Vines' research are branching quests, presenting players with three distinct paths to choose from: Explore, Catch, or Battle. The player's selection will dictate the challenges they face and the bonus they unlock. Crucially, once a path is chosen, it cannot be changed for the duration of the event.

Two Quest Versions

The core difference lies in how bonuses are applied. One version, referred to as 'Daily Bonus,' allows players to select a new bonus each day from six options. The second version presents a choice of one bonus out of three, which remains active for the entire duration of the quest period. This distinction significantly impacts strategic decision-making for players.

Daily Bonus Paths

For players receiving the daily bonus version, the available paths each offer a unique advantage that refreshes every 24 hours. These include:

  • Explore (Hatch): Halves the hatch distance for eggs placed in Incubators.
  • Explore (PokéStops): Awards five times the experience points (XP) for spinning PokéStops.
  • Catch (XP): Grants 1.5 times the XP for catching Pokémon with Nice Throws or better.
  • Catch (Candy): Awards an extra Candy for catching Pokémon with Nice Throws or better.
  • Battle (Raids): Provides an additional 5,000 XP for completing raids.
  • Battle (Team Go Rocket): Awards an extra Mysterious Component when defeating Team Go Rocket Grunts.

Each of these daily paths features a second set of tasks. For example, the 'Explore (Hatch)' path's Step 2 includes tasks such as walking 1km, hatching an egg, or following a route, with encounters of Venonat and Fomantis as rewards. Similarly, other daily paths have their own specific challenges and rewards.

Week-Long Bonus Paths

In the version where a single bonus is chosen for the entire event, the options are more focused:

  • Explore: The bonus is halved hatch distance for eggs in Incubators. The associated Step 2 tasks include walking 3km, spinning 25 PokéStops or Gyms, hatching 2 eggs, or following 2 routes, all leading to Venonat and Fomantis encounters. This path is recommended for players who want to clear out their egg inventory efficiently.
  • Catch: The bonus provides an extra Candy for catching Pokémon with Nice Throws or better. Step 2 tasks involve making 15 Nice Throws, 15 Curveball Throws, 3 Excellent Throws, or 15 Great Curveball Throws, with Venonat and Fomantis as rewards. This path is suggested for players who prioritize candy collection.
  • Battle: The bonus is an extra Mysterious Component from Team Go Rocket Grunts. Step 2 tasks include winning a raid, winning 2 raids, defeating 8 Team Go Rocket Grunts, or using 10 supereffective Charged Attacks, yielding Venonat and Fomantis encounters. This path is best for players focused on combating Team Go Rocket.

Across all paths and versions, the first step of the 'Venom and Vines' research requires players to claim a reward of 500 Stardust and grants five Poké Balls. The ultimate rewards for completing Step 2 of any path include three Golden Razz Berries and five Rare Candies.

Additionally, 'Venom and Vines' introduces three event-exclusive field research tasks: 'Explore 1km' (rewarding a Venonat or Fomantis encounter), 'Make 5 Nice Throws' (rewarding an Impidimp or Morelull encounter), and 'Defeat a Team Go Rocket Grunt' (rewarding an Impidimp or Morelull encounter).

The 'Venom and Vines' Timed Research is available now and concludes on Monday, August 17th, at 8 p.m. local time. Players are encouraged to boot up Pokémon Go to determine which version of the research they have received and to make their strategic path choices accordingly.