One of the most important decisions you will make during Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos Global is choosing between the X Version and Y Version path in the Special Research quest. This choice determines which Legendary Pokémon you encounter, which Unown forms you can catch, and which exclusive rewards you take home. The decision is permanent, so it is worth understanding exactly what each path offers before you commit.
How to Purchase the GO Tour Kalos Ticket
You can purchase the Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos Global event ticket for $9.99 USD via the Pokémon GO Web Store or directly through the in-game shop. The ticket is required to access the An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research and make the X or Y path choice.
X vs Y: What Is the Difference?
Choosing between X and Y during Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos primarily determines which Legendary Pokémon you encounter at the end of the Special Research, along with a set of version-exclusive encounters and rewards along the way.
Here is a full breakdown of every reward that differs between the two paths:
| Reward | X Version | Y Version |
| Legendary Encounter | Xerneas (with Special Background) | Yveltal (with Special Background) |
| Legendary Candy | 12 Xerneas Candy | 12 Yveltal Candy |
| Legendary Candy XL | 6 Xerneas Candy XL | 6 Yveltal Candy XL |
| Unown Encounter | Unown X | Unown Y |
| Step 4 Encounter A | Swirlix | Spritzee |
| Step 4 Encounter B | Clauncher | Skrelp |
| Step 4 Power-Up Task | Power up a Fairy-type Pokémon 10 times | Power up a Dark-type Pokémon 10 times |
| Medal | X Version Medal | Y Version Medal |
| Step 5 Stardust Reward | 716 Stardust (Xerneas’s Pokédex number) | 717 Stardust (Yveltal’s Pokédex number) |
| Step 5 XP Reward | 716 XP | 717 XP |
The Stardust and XP difference is minimal. Both paths are nearly identical in value, and the primary reason to favour one over the other is the Legendary Pokémon and Unown form you want.
How to Choose Between X and Y
To make your choice, you need to first progress through the opening steps of the An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research. Once you reach the decision point, both Version options appear on screen and you simply select the one you want. The choice cannot be reversed after it is made, so take a moment to consider which path suits your needs before tapping.
If you previously attended the in-person Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos event in Los Angeles or Tainan, you can still complete the An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research during the Global event, even if you already completed the quest tied to your past in-person event.
Which Version Should You Choose?
The right answer genuinely depends on what you want to get out of Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos, so here is a breakdown by play style.
Choose X Version (Xerneas) If:
You focus on PvP. Xerneas currently sits at number four in the Master League rankings, making it one of the strongest options for competitive battles. Its pure Fairy typing gives it a clear identity as a closer in Master League, hitting hard against Dragon and Dark types. However, to make the most of Xerneas in PvP, you will want to build entirely around a Fairy-type moveset.
You want a strong Fairy-type attacker for raids. Xerneas is a very capable Fairy-type raid attacker, which is a useful typing to have in your roster for taking on Dragon and Dark-type raid bosses.
You are missing Xerneas from your Pokédex or want better IV stats. Pokémon earned through Special Research tasks tend to have stronger IV stats compared to wild or raid catches, making this a good opportunity to land a high-quality version of either Legendary.
Choose Y Version (Yveltal) If:
You focus on PvE raids and gym battles. Yveltal is a powerful Flying-type attacker in PvE content, and it outperforms Xerneas in damage per second overall. If you need a Flying-type attacker in your raid roster, Yveltal is the more versatile option between the two.
You want an all-rounder for Master League. Yveltal sits at number 17 in the Master League rankings and works well as a match starter in PvP thanks to its Flying-type moveset. However, it should never be used as a Dark-type attacker, as it significantly underperforms in that role despite its typing.
You are missing Yveltal from your Pokédex. The same logic applies as with Xerneas. Special Research encounters provide better IV stats, making this a valuable way to add a quality Yveltal to your collection.
If You Already Have Both Legendaries:
Check your current roster and pick whichever Legendary would benefit most from a higher-IV version. Additionally, consider which Unown form you are missing. Unown X and Unown Y are typically only available during special events like GO Tour, so if you are missing either form from your Pokédex, that factor alone could make the decision for you.
Full An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research Steps
Here is every step of the An X-ceptional Yarn Special Research, including all tasks and rewards. Note that Step 4 and Step 5 rewards change depending on which version you choose.
Step 1
Tasks:
- Catch a Pokémon originally discovered in the Kalos region (reward: 10 Xerneas or Yveltal stickers)
Step Rewards: 2,026 Stardust
Step 2
Tasks:
- Catch 60 Pokémon originally discovered in the Kalos region (reward: Charizard encounter)
- Spin 20 PokéStops or Gyms (reward: 200 Charizard Mega Energy)
- Mega Evolve a Pokémon (reward: 6 Charmander Candy)
Step Rewards: 6 Charmander Candy, 6 Charmander Candy XL
Step 3
Tasks:
- Send 6 Gifts and add a sticker to each (reward: 3 Golden Razz Berries)
- Open 6 Gifts (reward: 3 Silver Pinap Berries)
- Catch a Scatterbug (reward: 3 Incense)
Step Rewards: Scatterbug encounter, 664 XP
Step 4
Tasks (vary by version chosen):
- X Version: Power up a Fairy-type Pokémon 10 times (reward: Swirlix encounter); Mega Evolve a Pokémon (reward: Clauncher encounter); Win a Mega Raid (reward: 6 Rare Candy)
- Y Version: Power up a Dark-type Pokémon 10 times (reward: Spritzee encounter); Mega Evolve a Pokémon (reward: Skrelp encounter); Win a Mega Raid (reward: 6 Rare Candy)
Step Rewards: Unown X or Unown Y encounter, 12 Unown Candy
Step 5
Tasks:
- Power up a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon 6 times (reward: 717 Stardust for Y / 716 Stardust for X)
- Catch 12 different species of Pokémon (reward: 717 XP for Y / 716 XP for X)
- Win a five-star raid (reward: 6 Rare Candy)
Step Rewards: Xerneas or Yveltal encounter (with Special Background), 12 Xerneas or Yveltal Candy, 6 Xerneas or Yveltal Candy XL
Can You Get the Other Legendary Without Choosing Its Version?
Yes. Both Xerneas and Yveltal are available in Five-Star Raids throughout the entire Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos Global event. This means whichever Legendary you do not pick through the Special Research, you can still catch through raids on both event days. If you have time to participate in both raid types across the weekend, the Special Research version path is primarily about which encounter you want with a Special Background and which version-exclusive rewards you prefer.
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