Phrasemaker

During the GO Wild Area: Global 2025 event in Pokemon GO, Ticket holders will gain access to a new event-exclusive Special Research. This Special Research is titled A Grim Beginning and involves branching paths that Trainers can choose between completing, each one offering slightly different rewards.

However, you can only complete one of these paths, so you will need to be sure of your decision. If you’re wondering if you should choose Fairy Path or Dark Path in Pokemon GO’s A Grim Beginning Special Research, a complete explainer guide has been outlined below.

Table of Contents

• Should You Choose Fairy Path or Dark Path in Pokemon GO’s A Grim Beginning Special Research?
  • A Grim Beginning: Step 1
• Dark Path & Fairy Path Branching Tasks in Pokemon GO’s A Grim Beginning
  • Dark Path: Step 2
  • Dark Path: Step 3
  • Dark Path: Step 4
  • Dark Path: Step 5
  • Fairy Path: Step 2
  • Fairy Path: Step 3
  • Fairy Path: Step 4
  • Fairy Path: Step 5

Should You Choose Fairy Path or Dark Path in Pokemon GO’s A Grim Beginning Special Research?

The A Grim Beginning Special Research will become available for Ticket-holding Trainers starting November 15, 2025, at 10 AM local time – when the GO Wild Area: Global 2025 event begins.

In the A Grim Beginning Special Research, you will first need to complete Step 1. The required tasks and rewards for this step have been included below.

A Grim Beginning: Step 1

Task	Reward
Catch 10 Pokemon	2000 XP
Spin 5 PokeStops or Gyms	Poffin x1
Take snapshots of 3 different wild Pokemon	Dynamax Ralts

Step Completion rewards:

• Impidimp
• Lucky Egg x1
• Incense x1

Now that you have reached Step 2, you will need to choose between the Fairy Path and Dark Path. Both of these paths offer Tasks that are somewhat parallel to one another, but focused on the respective Pokemon Type. However, the rewards for either path differ slightly.

The most notable differences between the two are that they will offer different medals at Step 4. Dark Path will reward Trainers with the Dark Detective Medal, while Fairy Path players will receive the Fairy Fanatic Medal.

In addition to this, after completing Step 3, players who choose the Fairy Path will also be able to obtain a Mighty Gardevoir. Players who instead choose the Dark Path will be able to obtain a Mighty Osbtagoon. If you have a strong preference for either of these Pokemon, then that should be the main influence for your decision.

Remaining branching steps, including all tasks and rewards for the Dark Path and Fairy Path in Pokemon GO’s A Grim Beginning Special Research, have been included below.

Dark Path & Fairy Path Branching Tasks in Pokemon GO’s A Grim Beginning