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?
- Dark Path & Fairy Path Branching Tasks in Pokemon GO’s A Grim Beginning
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
Dark Path: Step 2
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 30 Pokemon | Stardust x1000 |
| Make 5 Nice Throws | Ultra Ball x10 |
| Use an Incense | Impidimp Candy x10 |
| Take snapshots of 3 different wild Pokemon | Cacnea |
Step Completion rewards:
- Star Piece x1
- Poffin x1
- Lucky Egg x1
Dark Path: Step 3
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Evolve 3 Dark Type Pokemon | Pinap Berry x3 |
| Earn a Candy exploring with a Dark Type as your buddy | Ultra Ball x10 |
| Earn 3 hearts with a Dark Type buddy | Fast TM x1 |
Step Completion rewards:
- Stardust x1000
- Rare Candy x3
- Nanab Berry x3
Dark Path: Step 4
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 6 different species of Dark-type Pokemon | 1000 XP |
| Power up Dark Type Pokemon 15 times | Rare Candy XL x1 |
| Use a Dark Type Charged Attack in 3 battles | Charged TM x1 |
Step Completion rewards:
- Dark Detective Medal
- Mighty Obstagoon
- Premium Battle Pass x1
Dark Path: Step 5
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Win a Gigantamax Battle | Silver Pinap Berry x3 |
| Win 2 Shadow Raids | Golden Razz Berry x3 |
| Level up a Max Move | Max Particle x800 |
Step Completion rewards:
- Wilderness Cape Bewear
- Lucky Egg x1
- Star Piece x1
Fairy Path: Step 2
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 30 Pokemon | Stardust x1000 |
| Make 5 Nice Throws | Ultra Ball x10 |
| Use an Incense | Impidimp Candy x10 |
| Take snapshots of 3 different wild Pokemon | Dedenne |
Step Completion rewards:
- Star Piece x1
- Poffin x1
- Lucky Egg x1
Fairy Path: Step 3
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Evolve 3 Fairy Type Pokemon | Stardust x1000 |
| Earn a Candy exploring with a Fairy Type as your buddy | Ultra Ball x10 |
| Earn 3 hearts with a Fairy Type buddy | Fast TM |
Step Completion rewards:
- Stardust x1000
- Rare Candy x3
- Nanab Berry x3
Fairy Path: Step 4
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 6 different species of Fairy Type Pokemon | 1000 XP |
| Power up Fairy Type Pokemon 15 times | Rare Candy XL x1 |
| Use a Fairy Type Charged Attack in 3 battles | Charged TM x1 |
Step Completion rewards:
- Fairy Fanatic Medal
- Mighty Gardevoir
- Premium Battle Pass x1
Fairy Path: Step 5
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Win a Gigantamax Battle | Silver Pinap Berry x3 |
| Win 2 Shadow Raids | Golden Razz Berry x3 |
| Level up a Max Move | Max Particle x800 |
Step Completion rewards:
- Wilderness Cape Bewear
- Lucky Egg x1
- Star Piece x1
