If you mean the January 2025 Steel Resolve research, the choice changes four Pokémon encounters: Blanche’s path offers Marill and Steelix, while Cliff’s offers Shadow Machop and Marowak. The listed tasks and other stage rewards are otherwise shared. This is a guide to that event, not a rule for every Blanche-or-Cliff choice in Pokémon GO.
What changes between Blanche and Cliff?
The Steel Resolve event guide lists the same task structure for both branches. The differences are the encounters attached to specific stage rewards and tasks.
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| Research point | Blanche | Cliff |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 completion encounter | Marill | Shadow Machop |
| Stage 3: win a GO Battle League trainer battle | Steelix | Marowak |
| Stage 3 completion rewards | 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust, Magnetic Lure Module | 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust, Magnetic Lure Module |
These outcomes are listed in the Steel Resolve event guide. The evidence supports choosing based on which encounters you want; it does not establish that either branch is easier or universally more valuable.
Tasks and rewards in both branches
Stage 1: complete before choosing
- Catch 15 Pokémon — 5 Ultra Balls.
- Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms — Bunnelby encounter.
- Walk 2 km — Paldean Wooper encounter.
Stage completion rewards: 1,000 Stardust and 1,000 XP.
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- The packaging is Japanese, but item works the same as the US version.
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Stage 2: after choosing a path
- Use 5 effective Charged Attacks — 500 Stardust.
- Power up Pokémon 5 times — 2 Fast TMs.
- Battle in the GO Battle League 5 times — 2 Charged TMs.
Stage completion gives 2,000 XP and the branch-specific encounter: Marill for Blanche or Shadow Machop for Cliff.
Stage 3
- Catch 25 Pokémon — 10 Ultra Balls.
- Power up Pokémon 10 times — Silver Pinap Berry.
- Win a GO Battle League trainer battle — Steelix for Blanche or Marowak for Cliff.
Completing the stage grants 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust, and a Magnetic Lure Module, whichever path you selected.
Rank #2
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
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- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Which path should you choose?
Choose Blanche if Marill and Steelix are the encounters you want; choose Cliff if you prefer Shadow Machop and Marowak. If you are deciding based on difficulty or total reward value, the event guide does not establish an advantage for either branch.
Can you change your choice?
No. Niantic’s multiple-path Special Research support page says a path selection cannot be reversed or updated after it is made. Check the task and reward descriptions in the app before confirming, especially if you are looking at a different research event.
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- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
When was Steel Resolve available?
The event guide lists Steel Resolve as running from January 21, 2025 at 10 a.m. through January 26, 2025 at 8 p.m.; it does not specify a timezone. These are historical event outcomes and do not establish rewards for a current or future Blanche-or-Cliff prompt.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
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