The line at the raid cleared and someone shouted, “I picked X!” A friend across the street shoved their phone into my hands and said, “You picked wrong.” I realized then the choice wasn’t just about a Pokémon — it was about what you want out of time spent playing.
I’m going to walk you through the exact consequences of choosing X or Y in the Pokémon Go Tour: Kalos 2026 Special Research. You have to make the call at the start, you can’t have both, and the ticket is the gate that lets you choose. I’ll help you pick the side that fits how you play.
At every meetup someone asks: X vs Y — Which one should you pick in Pokémon Go
You need the Pokémon Go Tour Kalos Global ticket to access the branching Special Research. The moment you accept the research, you pick either path X or path Y and that choice sets which final legendary you can encounter: Xerneas for X, Yveltal for Y. You don’t get a second bite — once you commit, the other legendary is off the table.
So how do you decide? It comes down to three quick questions: Do you care about type, do you want the Unown letter, and do you want a specific set of event catches and stickers? Answer those, and the choice becomes obvious.
Can I catch both Xerneas and Yveltal in this event?
Short answer: no, not within the same Special Research run. You can still encounter them elsewhere — raids, trades, or future promos — but the research path itself offers only one final encounter. Think of the ticket as a single-use compass needle: it points one way and won’t spin back.
Do I need a ticket to choose X or Y?
Yes. Owning the Kalos Global ticket gives you access to the branching Special Research that contains the X/Y choice. Without the ticket you won’t see that decision at all, so buying it is the only way to play the branching path during the event window.
What are the meaningful differences in rewards between X and Y?
Most steps mirror each other — Charizard encounters, Mega Charizard energy, Mega Raid rewards, and general XP and Stardust. The main divergences are the Pokémon tied to path flavor (X offers Xerneas-related stickers and encounters; Y substitutes Yveltal equivalents) and the Unown letter reward that matches your pick.
| Step | Task | X Version Rewards | Y Version Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catch a Pokémon originally discovered in the Kalos region | 10 Xerneas Stickers2026 XP2026 Stardust | 10 Yveltal Stickers2026 XP2026 Stardust |
| 2 | Catch 60 Pokémon originally discovered in the Kalos region | Charizard encounter | Charizard encounter |
| 2 | Spin 20 different PokéStops or Gyms | 200 Mega Charizard Energy | 200 Mega Charizard Energy |
| 2 | Mega Evolve a Pokémon | 6 Charmander Candy | 6 Charmander Candy |
| 2 | Step Rewards | 6 Cake Slice6 Charmander Candy | 6 Cake Slice6 Charmander Candy |
| 3 | Send 6 Gifts and add a sticker to each | 3 Golden Razz Berry | 3 Golden Razz Berry |
| 3 | Open 6 Gifts | 3 Silver Pinap Berry | 3 Silver Pinap Berry |
| 3 | Catch a Scatterbug | 3 Incense | 3 Incense |
| 3 | Step Rewards | Scatterbug encounter 664 XP | Scatterbug encounter 664 XP |
| 4 | Power up Dark-type Pokémon 10 times (X version) / Fairy-type Pokémon 10 times (Y version) | Swirlix encounter | Spritzee encounter |
| 4 | Mega Evolve a Pokémon | Clauncher encounter | Skrelp encounter |
| 4 | Win a Mega Raid | 6 Rare Candy | 6 Rare Candy |
| 4 | Step Rewards | Unown X encounter12 Unown Candy | Unown Y encounter12 Unown Candy |
| 5 | Power up Legendary or Mythical Pokémon 6 times | 717 Stardust | 717 Stardust |
| 5 | Catch 12 different species of Pokémon | 717 XP | 717 XP |
| 5 | Win a five-star raid | 6 Rare Candy | 6 Rare Candy |
| 5 | Final Step Rewards | Xerneas encounter12 Xerneas Candy6 Xerneas Candly XL | Yveltal encounter12 Yveltal Candy6 Yveltal Candly XL |
Here’s how I break it down for you, depending on play style.
On benches and in raid lobbies I hear collectors vs battlers: If you chase a competitive edge
If you prioritize raids, PvP, or building a meta roster, ask which typing and IVs matter more to you. Yveltal is a Dark/Flying-type powerhouse for certain raid and solo scenarios; Xerneas sits on Fairy-type strengths that can flip matchups you’d otherwise lose. Check resources like GamePress and PvPoke for moveset calculators and community IV guides before you decide — that research can make a one-time choice feel strategic, not random.
Walking through parks I see aesthetic collectors and completionists: If you want the look and the medal
If stickers, Unown letters, and collection pieces drive you, pick the path that aligns with your album. X gives Xerneas stickers and an Unown X; Y hands Yveltal stickers and Unown Y. The final encounter and candy rewards are mirrored to your choice, so choose the one that fills a gap in your collection or your Gym defense photos.
I’ll stress one simple truth: you’re buying a themed experience, not an eternal right to both legendaries. Niantic and The Pokémon Company designed the event to create choices and conversation — and they succeeded. The decision you make now should match how you enjoy the game.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself which of the two metaphors matters most: is this a compass needle that points your account’s future, or a golden key that opens the single door you wanted? Which will you regret missing more — the type advantage or the sticker and Unown letter — and who would you trade with in your local Discord or on Reddit to fill the gap?
So which path are you picking, and why does it matter to your squad?