Pokemon GO Legendary Heroes: Which Path To Choose? (Sword Or Shield)

Pokemon GO Legendary Heroes: Which Path To Choose? (Sword Or Shield)

As a seasoned Pokémon GO trainer with years of experience under my belt, I must say this guide is quite comprehensive and intriguing! It seems like the developers have really put some thought into the challenges they’ve set for us.


As a devoted Pokémon GO enthusiast, I’m thrilled to announce the arrival of the Legendary Heroes event! This event presents an intriguing predicament: Should I choose the Sword or Shield path? This decision isn’t merely about altering my Incense encounters; it also shapes the research task rewards I receive, and for a trainer like me who’s primarily interested in PVP-compatible teams, these differences are worth pondering over.

Whatever your reason for tracking down certain Pokemon over others in the latest event of the Max Out season, below is everything you need to know to make an informed choice about which of the Sword and Shield Paths to take in Pokemon GO. This guide will go over the rarer shinies that you can potentially encounter during the event, as well as which creatures are the best for each of the main three PVP leagues.

Should Players Choose The Sword Or Shield Path In Pokemon GO?

Pokemon GO Legendary Heroes: Which Path To Choose? (Sword Or Shield)

In much the same way that the allure of 5-star raids lies in the possibility of obtaining a radiant Zacian, your decision in Pokemon GO may hinge on which of the accessible creatures you desire in their glimmering form. Maybe you’ve collected every shiny Pokemon from the Shield Path, but you’re still missing a glistening Swirlix from the Sword path? If that’s the case, your decision is rather clear-cut. You have until October 1 at 8 PM in your local time to finish the timed research and locate these Pokemon.

In the Sword Path, it’s more probable to find Shinies of Pokemon like Scraggy, Gothita, and Passimian. On the other hand, the Shield Path tends to reveal rarer Shinies such as Solosis, Croagunk, and Oranguru. Although Larvitar and Deino were once main features in Community Days, due to the passage of time, they might be considered relatively uncommon now.

Should you have an interest in the Pokemon appearing shiny due to timed research, it’s important to note that all six unique Pokemon associated with these tasks can manifest in their shining form. However, among the four exclusive ones, Galarian Darumaka is considered the scarcest since its debut event took place the longest time ago. Each of these special Pokemon has either been a rare wild encounter or hatched from an egg, boasting enhanced chances of appearing.

In September’s Community Day, Ponyta was the spotlight Pokémon. During Go Fest 2024, Vullaby could be hatched after walking 7 kilometers and had increased chances of appearing. Rufflet had heightened odds to be a shiny Pokémon during the Flock Together Research Day in May 2024. Lastly, Galarian Darumaka appeared in its shiny form during the Winter Holiday 2023 event.

Legendary Pokemon Incense spawns

Sword PathShield Path
SeedotLarvitar
ScraggyLotad
GothitaCroagunk
DeinoSolosis
SwirlixSpritzee
PassimianOranguru

Best PVP Pokemon In Sword Or Shield Path

Pokemon GO Legendary Heroes: Which Path To Choose? (Sword Or Shield)

If you’re more interested in competitive battles (PVP) rather than shiny Pokemon, the Shield Path could be your choice. Currently, Mandibuzz ranks third overall in the Great League, boasting a potent combination of Snarl, Dark Pulse, and Aerial Ace.

Opting for this research provides an encounter with a three-star Vullaby upon completion, offering optimal stats for PVP battles. Moreover, it currently ranks 40th in the Ultra League. Similarly, from Incense spawns, the Oranguru along the Shield Path is competent in the Ultra League, holding a rank of 86 overall when equipped with Confusion, Brutal Swing, and Trailblaze.

In comparison, the top Pokemon in the Shield Path for Master League isn’t quite as powerful as its counterpart from the Sword Path. The final evolution of Larvitar, Tyranitar, is considered a solid option for Master League competition, ranking at number 82 with the move set Smack Down, Brutal Swing, and Stone Edge. Interestingly, Tyranitar can also be Mega Evolved, which makes it a stronger contender in battles compared to its standard form.

On the Sword Path, you’ll encounter Deino, which eventually evolves into Hydreigon. In the Master League, this Pokémon is listed at number 34, equipped with the moves Dragon Breath, Brutal Swing, and Flash Cannon.

Legendary Heroes Research Tasks & Rewards

  • Step 1
    • Catch 8 Pokemon – Skwovet Encounter
      • Total Reward: 8 Pokeball, 800 XP, and 800 Stardust

Sword Path

  • Step 2
    • Use 8 Berries to help catch Pokemon – Incense
    • Power up Pokemon 8 times – Koffing Encounter
    • Catch 8 Pokemon – 8 Great Ball
      • Total Rewards: Galarian Darumaka Encounter, 800 XP, and 800 Stardust
  • Step 3
    • Explore 3km – 8 Razz Berry
    • Use an Incense – Deino Encounter
    • Catch 8 Pokemon – 8 Ultra Ball
      • Total Rewards: Rufflet Encounter, 800 XP, and 800 Stardust

Shield Path

  • Step 2
    • Use 8 Berries to help catch Pokemon – Incense
    • Power up Pokemon 8 times – Koffing Encounter
    • Catch 8 Pokemon – 8 Great Ball
      • Total Rewards: Galarian Ponyta Encounter, 800 XP, and 800 Stardust
  • Step 3
    • Explore 3km – 8 Razz Berry
    • Use an Incense – Larvitar Encounter
    • Catch 8 Pokemon – 8 Ultra Ball
      • Total Rewards: Vullaby Encounter, 800 XP, and 800 Stardust

Pokemon GO Legendary Heroes Catch challenges

Path Catch & TradesPokemonTotal Reward
Sword Path Catch
  • Galarian Darumaka
  • Swirlix (Incense)
  • Gothita (Incense)
  • Seedot (Incense)
  • Scraggy (Incense)
  • Grookey
  • Scorbunny
  • Sobble
  • 1000 XP
  • Skwovet Encounter
Sword Path Trade
  • Spritzee(Trade)
  • Solosis (Trade)
  • Lotad (Trade)
  • Croagunk (Trade)
  • 5000 XP
  • Larvitar Encounter
Shield Path Catch
  • Galarian Ponyta
  • Spritzee (Incense)
  • Solosis (Incense)
  • Lotad (Incense)
  • Croagunk (Incense)
  • Grookey
  • Scorbunny
  • Sobble
  • 1000 XP
  • Skwovet Encounter
Shield Path Trade
  • Swirlix (Trade)
  • Gothita (Trade)
  • Seedot (Trade)
  • Scraggy (Trade)
  • 5000 XP
  • Deino Encounter

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2024-09-26 17:07