Home News Should You Choose Spark or Sierra in the Pokemon GO Holiday Part 1 Research?

Should You Choose Spark or Sierra in the Pokemon GO Holiday Part 1 Research?

Author : Brooklyn Jan 20,2025

In Pokemon GO's Holiday Part 1 branching research, trainers face a crucial decision: aid Spark or Sierra? This guide clarifies the choices, helping you optimize your Holiday Part 1 progress.

Pokemon GO Holiday Part 1 Research: Key Dates

While the official Niantic announcement omits the free event research, it's available from December 17th to December 22nd, 9:59 AM local time. This three-part research, "Holiday Part 1," presents the choice between assisting Team Instinct's Spark or confronting Team GO Rocket's Sierra.

Related: Top Pokemon GO Holiday Cup Little Edition Team Strategies

Choosing Spark or Sierra in Pokemon GO Holiday Part 1

The core difference lies in the Pokemon types: Ice-type for Spark, Fire-type for Sierra. Your selection depends on your preferred Pokemon and desired reward encounter.

Spark's Research: Ice-Type Focus

Pokemon GO Spark

Image via Niantic

Opting for Spark directs your efforts towards Ice-type Pokemon. Completing Part 2 rewards an Alolan Vulpix encounter.

Part 2 Tasks & Rewards

Research Task	Reward
Catch 10 Ice-Type Pokemon	10 Pinap Berries
Take 5 snapshots of different wild Pokemon	20 Poke Balls
Complete 5 Field Research Tasks	500 Stardust
Complete All Three Tasks	Alolan Vulpix encounter, 2000 XP

Part 3 Tasks & Rewards

Research Task	Reward
Catch 25 Ice-Type Pokemon	10 Ultra Balls
Power Up Ice-Type Pokemon 10 Times	1 Golden Razz Berry
Collect MP from 3 Power Spots	100 Max Particles
Complete All Three Tasks	Sandygast Encounter, 3000 XP, 2000 Stardust

Note: Part 3 rewards (including the Sandygast encounter) are identical regardless of your choice.

Sierra's Research: Fire-Type Focus

Pokemon GO Rocket Leaders

Image via Niantic

Choosing Sierra focuses your efforts on Fire-type Pokemon, with a Shadow Vulpix encounter as the Part 2 reward.

Part 2 Tasks & Rewards

Research Task	Reward
Catch 10 Fire-Type Pokemon	10 Pinap Berries
Take 5 snapshots of different wild Pokemon	20 Poke Balls
Complete 5 Field Research Tasks	500 Stardust
Complete All Three Tasks	Shadow Vulpix encounter, 2000 XP

Part 3 Tasks & Rewards

Research Task	Reward
Catch 25 Fire-Type Pokemon	10 Ultra Balls
Power Up Fire-Type Pokemon 10 Times	1 Golden Razz Berry
Collect MP from 3 Power Spots	100 Max Particles
Complete All Three Tasks	Sandygast Encounter, 3000 XP, 2000 Stardust

The decision hinges on your preferred Vulpix variant (Alolan or Shadow) and desired Pokemon type focus during the event.

Pokemon GO is currently available.

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