❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Pokémon Go Steeled Resolve Research path: Should you choose Cliff or Blanche?

Whether to go with the Team Mystic Gym Leader or the tough Rocket Leader.

Pokemon GO gameplay showing the choices to train with Cliff or Blanche during the Steeled Resolve event's Timed Research

Niantic

Published: Wednesday, 22 January 2025 at 2:34 pm

Stay ahead of the game! Sign up for our FREE gaming newsletter

The Steeled Resolve event is truly under way, with Pokémon Go players struggling to choose between Rocket Leader Cliff and Blanche paths as part of its limited Timed Research.

Ad

While you're hunting down Steeled Resolve's new additions to the game, like Rookidee and Corviknight, the "Steeled Resolve Timed Research" mission gives you the option to "Train" either with Cliff or the Team Mystic Leader as part of its second of three stages - each with their own set of exclusive rewards for the remainder of the quest.

However, once you pick a path, you're not allowed to change it, just like when you needed to do the same picking between Sierra and Spark in the Holiday Part 1 event.

To make sure you make the right decision, we've laid out all of the tasks and rewards you'll get with each choice of path.

Pokémon Go Steeled Resolve path: What are the options?

Pokemon GO gameplay showing the tasks in part 2 of 3 in the Steeled Resolve Timed Research after choosing Cliff

The second step of the Steeled Resolved Timed Research. Niantic

Once you have completed Step 1 of 3 of Pokémon Go's Steeled Resolve Timed Research, you will be presented with the choice to "Train" with either Cliff or Blanche, with each option providing the following tasks and rewards for the remainder of the mission:

"Train with Cliff" tasks & rewards

Step 2 out of 3

As you complete all three tasks, you'll be rewarded with a Shadow Machop encounter along with 2,000 XP.

Step 3 out of 3

When you complete the final set of three tasks for Cliff, you'll also get 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust, and a Magnetic Lure Module.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

"Train with Blanche" tasks & rewards

Step 2 out of 3

As you complete this set of tasks for Blanche in Steeled Resolve, you'll also get 2,000 XP and a Marill encounter.

Step 3 out of 3

Like with Cliff, finishing this final set of Steeled Resolve tasks for Blanche will grant you a Magnetic Lure Module, 2,000 Stardust, and 3,000 XP.

Pokémon Go Steeled Resolve path: Should you choose Blanche or Cliff?

Pokemon GO gameplay showing the "Train with Cliff" path and Machop

Cliff & Machop, which you can get as a Shadow Pokémon as a reward during his research path. Niantic/The Pokemon Company

Which Steeled Resolve Timed Research part is best for you is subjective to your Pokédex and personal preference, but Cliff is the best to Train with and the ideal path to take for Pokémon Go players in general.

The reason for this is since most of the rewards in the two paths are the same except for the Pokémon encounters you get, the decision comes down to which Pocket Monsters from these choices work best for you.

In Cliff's case, Shadow Machop is not only the rarest of the Pokémon that can be found among this Timed Research, but it will also be the most competitive when fully evolved into a Machamp - due to the fact Shadow Pokémon get a 20 per cent Attack boost in exchange for an equal drop in Defence.

Evolving Blanche's Marill into Azumarill is also good as a contender for the PvP Great League, and the Steelix you can get is great if you're missing the Onix evolution in your Pokédex.

Nevertheless, Cliff's path with the Shadow Machop presents the rarer opportunity to add one of the most powerful Fighting types in the game to your arsenal.

What else is included in the Pokémon Go Steeled Resolve event?

An encounter with Marill during Steeled Resolve in Pokemon Go

A Marill encounter during Steeled Resolve. Niantic

During its run from now until Sunday 26th January 2025, at 10am, the Steeled Resolve event has brought a ton of other content to Pokémon Go, including Pokémon debuts, increased spawns, bonuses, Raids, and premium Timed Research

Pokémon debuts

Steeled Resolve has seen the Pokémon Go debut of Rookidee and its evolutions, Corvisquire and Corviknight.

Event bonuses

While you play the Steeled Resolve event in Pokémon Go, you'll be able to make use of the following bonuses, as confirmed on the news post announcing it:

If you play in the Pokémon Go Battle League, you can also get more Rookidee encounters as rewards at all ranks - with more in the premium track.

Increased spawns

While taking part in the Steeled Resolve event, Pokémon Go players will find the following Pokémon spawning more frequently:

New & current Raids

During Steeled Resolve, the following 1-Star and 5-Star bosses will be appearing - along with those like Dialga, Mega Gallade, and Mega Medicham as listed in the Pokémon Go Raid Bosses schedule for the month:

1-Star Raids

5-Star Raids

Egg pool

During Steeled Resolve, 2km Eggs hatched in Pokémon Go can produce any of the following Pokémon:

Steeled Resolve Premium Timed Research

For the price of $5, or your local currency equivalent, Steeled Research offers the chance for Pokémon Go players the chance to take part in premium tasks to get even more rewards.

As you complete these tasks, all of the rewards you can get are as follows:

Field Research tasks

Steeled Resolve also features special Pokémon Go Field Research tasks that offer you extra Pokémon encounters and item rewards in exchange for easy feats:

Ad

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Ben Williams

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...