Path choice “Legendary Heroes” in Pokémon Go: Sword or Shield?

“Legendary Heroes” is a Sword and shield-thematic timed research quest that runs until early October 2024 in Pokemon Go.

As part of this branched search, a decision must be made – the Sword Path or Shield path — which will affect both the collection challenges and the angry Pokémon you encounter during the event. Choose wisely!

This Timed Research is part of the “Max Out” season, which saw the debut of various Galar Pokémon, Dynamax Pokémon, and Power Spots.

Available from September 26th, you have until October 1, 2024to start and complete the Legendary Heroes Timed Research. Thanks to LeekDuck for helping fill in the gaps with the following.

Rewards: 8 Pokéballs, 800 XP, 800 Stardust

At this point you choose between the Sword Path and the Shield Path.

You can read our thoughts on the selection in the next section. Otherwise, the steps for both choices are as follows:

Rewards: Galarian Darumaka Encounter, 800 XP, 800 Stardust

Rewards: Encounter with Rufflet, 800 XP, 800 Stardust

Rewards: Galarian Ponyta Encounter, 800 XP, 800 Stardust

Rewards: Encounter with Vullaby, 800 XP, 800 Stardust

This “choose a path” branching research not only leads to various encounters and rewards as part of the quest, but choosing Sword Path and Shield Path also changes the Incense collection challenges and encounters you receive.

The “Catch” collection challenge is based on Pokémon you will encounter when using Incense. The “Trade” collection challenge requires Pokémon that can only be found by using incense on the other pathwhich means you have to trade with someone who catches the Pokémon you can’t catch. Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose a different path than a friendso you can help each other complete the collection challenge.

Note that even if you don't already have those Pokémon in your collection, you can still complete the Trade Gathering Challenge – for example, if you and a friend have chosen the same path. Only the “Catch” portion of the Gathering Challenges relies on you collecting those specific Pokémon as part of the event, while the “Trade” portion works for Pokémon that have been caught.

If you're not interested in completing the Gathering Challenges, your choice will depend solely on the Pokémon you receive from Incense and Timed Research rewards (you can read more details about these elsewhere on this page), as the difficulty and length of the quest steps remain the same for both the Sword Path and Shield Path.

Collection challenges appear once you complete the first step of branching research, and what you receive depends on your sword or shield choice.

Rewards: 1,000 XP, encounter with Skwovet

Rewards: 5,000 XP, encounter with Larvitar

Rewards: 1,000 XP, encounter with Skwovet

Rewards: 5,000 XP, Deino Encounter

The following encounters with Incense depend on your choice of the Sword or Shield path in Timed Research, and all have a chance of making him shine.