You tap the screen and the choice appears: X or Y. Around you, raid groups pause; a single button decides which legendary strolls into your collection. I watched a player weigh nostalgia against power and freeze for a long beat.
I’m going to cut to what matters: your ticket buys access to the Special Research and a single path — X Version or Y Version — and that path hands you either Xerneas or Yveltal plus a string of rewards. I’ll point out the real differences, the tiny quirks, and the one straightforward rule you can rely on when you hit that prompt.
Should You Choose X or Y in Pokemon GO Tour Kalos?
In a neighborhood raid I heard two friends finish each other’s sentences when the choice popped up. The short answer: pick the Pokémon you want — Xerneas for the X path, Yveltal for the Y path.
The Special Research starts by asking you to choose, and that choice determines the final Legendary encounter and the matching medal. The tasks themselves are nearly identical: catch Kalos Pokémon, spin PokéStops and Gyms, open and send Gifts, win raids, and complete Mega-related actions. Aside from cosmetic rewards (stickers and an Unown XP/Y split), the two paths mirror each other closely.
If you’re holding out for a particular shiny, or if you want a specific profile medal shown in The Pokémon Company communities, go with the name that means more to you. If not, follow whatever feels fun in the moment — like choosing a concert seat when both offer a great view.
How to get the Pokemon GO Tour Kalos Special Research?
The Special Research is available only to players who buy the Tour Kalos ticket inside the Pokémon GO app. Niantic distributes the research as part of the ticket package, and once purchased you’ll see the research appear in your Special Research tab — no extra steps beyond claiming tasks and completing them.
Which Legendary Pokemon can you get from the Pokemon GO Tour Kalos Special Research?
Choose X and you’ll earn Xerneas at the end; choose Y and you’ll meet Yveltal. If you already have both legendaries, the decision is mostly aesthetic — which sticker set and medal you prefer — though some players chase the Unown letter tied to their chosen path.
When does the Pokemon GO Tour Kalos Global event end?
The event window closes on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM Local Time, but the Special Research tasks remain available after the global event finishes, so you don’t have to finish every step on the live day.
X Version or Y Version Tasks and Rewards Comparison
I watched players compare lists and trade tips at a park table, phones face-up like score sheets. The mechanics are straightforward: both paths share the same challenges, but a few rewards are slotted to match the version letter (X vs Y).
| Step | Task | X Version Rewards | Y Version Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catch a Pokemon originally discovered in the Kalos region | Xerneas Stickers ×10 2026 XP ×2026 Stardust |
Yveltal Stickers ×10 2026 XP ×2026 Stardust |
| 2 | Catch 60 Pokemon originally discovered in the Kalos region | Charizard encounter | Charizard encounter |
| Spin 20 different PokéStops or Gyms | Charizard Mega Energy ×200 | Charizard Mega Energy ×200 | |
| Mega Evolve a Pokémon | Charmander Candy ×6 | Charmander Candy ×6 | |
| — | Step Rewards | Cake Slice ×6 Charmander Candy ×6 |
Cake Slice ×6 Charmander Candy ×6 |
| 3 | Send 6 Gifts and add a sticker to each | Golden Razz Berry ×3 | Golden Razz Berry ×3 |
| Open 6 Gifts | Silver Pinap Berry ×3 | Silver Pinap Berry ×3 | |
| Catch a Scatterbug | Incense ×3 | Incense ×3 | |
| — | Step Rewards | Scatterbug encounter 664 XP |
Scatterbug encounter 664 XP |
| 4 | Power up Dark-type Pokemon 10 times (X version) / Fairy-type Pokémon 10 times (Y version) | Swirlix encounter | Spritzee encounter |
| Mega Evolve a Pokémon | Clauncher encounter | Skrelp encounter | |
| Win a Mega Raid | Rare Candy ×6 | Rare Candy ×6 | |
| — | Step Rewards | Unown X encounter Unown Candy ×12 | Unown Y encounter Unown Candy ×12 |
| 5 | Power up Legendary or Mythical Pokemon 6 times | Stardust ×716 | Stardust ×717 |
| Catch 12 different species of Pokemon | 716 XP | 717 XP | |
| Win a five-star raid | Rare Candy ×6 | Rare Candy ×6 | |
| — | Final Step Rewards | Xerneas encounter Xerneas Candy ×12 Xerneas Candy XL ×6 |
Yveltal encounter Yveltal Candy ×12 Yveltal Candy XL ×6 |
The differences are cosmetic and tiny: Unown X versus Unown Y, a sticker set, and small XP/Stardust points that won’t move the needle. If you chase Mega Energy (Charizard), craft strategies around Mega Raids — community groups listed on Discord and The Silph Road channels will help you stack those wins quickly.
Players who value collection completeness should pick whichever Legendary they don’t yet have. Players who care about buddy candy, shadow counters, or PvP roles might prioritize type utility: Xerneas brings Fairy-type power, Yveltal brings Dark/Flying punch. If you’re split down the middle, flipping a coin is a fine way to decide — like a coin flip between two rare cards.
Tools like PokéAssistant and PokéBattler can help you evaluate IVs and raid performance if you want to optimize which version benefits your raid roster. Niantic and The Pokémon Company designed the event to be friendly to free-to-play players, but the ticket gives you those guaranteed Legendary encounters and the themed rewards behind them.
You’ll be able to finish the Special Research after the live event window closes, so there’s no real penalty for pausing and planning your route: grind the Gift spins, join a couple of community raids, and you’ll clear the steps without frantic scheduling. If you want the Unown corresponding to your version, factor that into your choice now.
Which version did you pick, and what convinced you to make that choice?