Pokémon Go Choose Your Path Timed Research (May 19th, 2026)
All of the 'Choose Your Path Timed Research' rewards in Pokémon Go, along with our recommendation for the best path choice between Battle, Catch and Explore.
www.eurogamer.netHere are the latest widely reported updates on Pokémon GO’s Choose Your Path timed research, as of May 2026.
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What it is: A branching Timed Research introduced during evergreen weeks (weeks without major events) that lets players pick one of three paths—Explore, Catch, or Battle—to determine the tasks and rewards for that week. Players select a path at the start and remain on it for the duration of the Timed Research.[2][4]
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Duration and timing: The events typically run for several days within a given window in May 2026 (e.g., May 19–24, 2026 in some regions) as Niantic tests the format during quieter weeks. Several coverage pieces note the initial rollout occurring in early May 2026 with ongoing follow-ups through mid-May.[3][4][7][2]
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Paths and rewards:
- Explore path emphasizes walking and exploration-related tasks.
- Catch path centers on catching Pokémon and related bonuses.
- Battle path focuses on battling activities and PvE content. Each path yields different bonuses and rewards, and once you choose a path, you cannot switch to another path mid-quest.[4][7][2]
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Coverage and reception: Multiple outlets highlight the novelty of offering a “Choose Your Path” option as a way to tailor weekly content to different playstyles and to sustain engagement during low-event weeks. You’ll find guides and recommendations on which path tends to maximize XP or rewards depending on your goals and playstyle.[1][5][6][7][3]
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Notable references and resources:
- Leek Duck provides official-looking timelines and explains branching mechanics, start/end times, and path-specific bonuses for May 19–24, 2026.[2][4]
- Serebii maintains a dedicated page detailing tasks and rewards for Choose Your Path Timed Research.[9]
- Eurogamer and SSBCrack summarize rewards and give practical guidance on which path to pick, with emphasis on the week’s constraints and the once-only path choice.[6][7]
If you’d like, I can compile a concise “path-by-path” rewards table for the current window and add a recommended path based on your typical playstyle and goals (XP, Stardust, or item rewards). I can also pull the most up-to-date local time windows for Prague, Czech Republic, and convert them to your local time.