Pokémon Go Steeled Resolve Event: Blanche vs Cliff – Which Path is Right for You?

The Steeled Resolve event is in full swing in Pokémon Go, and players are faced with a crucial decision: choosing between Rocket Leader Cliff and Blanche in the limited Timed Research.

Before deciding, take a moment to reflect on your Pokémon Go battle style and the meta teams you’re looking to build. Remember, your path choice is final, so choose wisely!

1. Pokémon Go’s Steeled Resolve Timed Research Guide

After completing Step 1 of Pokémon Go’s Steeled Resolve Timed Research, you’ll have to make a choice: “Train” with Cliff or Blanche. This decision will determine the tasks and rewards for the final two steps of the mission.

Your playstyle should inform your choice between the two. From the PvE perspective, we recommend Cliff, and choosing Blanche would be better for PvP.

To help you decide, we’ve broken down the tasks and rewards for each path, ensuring you make an informed decision that suits your gameplay needs.

i. Train with Cliff: Tasks and Rewards

Step 2

• Use 5 super-effective Charged Attacks: 500 Stardust
• Power up Pokémon 5 times: 2 Fast TMs
• Battle in the Go Battle League 5 times: 2 Charged TMs

Completing these tasks rewards you with a Shadow Machop encounter and 2,000 XP.

Step 3

• Catch 25 Pokémon: 10 Ultra Balls
• Power up Pokémon 10 times: Silver Pinap Berry
• Win a Trainer Battle in the Go Battle League: Marowak encounter

Finishing these tasks earns you 3,000 XP, 2,000 Stardust, and a Magnetic Lure Module.

ii. Train with Blanche: Tasks and Rewards

Step 2

• Use 5 super-effective Charged Attacks: 500 Stardust
• Power up Pokémon 5 times: 2 Fast TMs
• Battle in the Go Battle League 5 times: 2 Charged TMs

Completing these tasks rewards you with 2,000 XP and a Marill encounter.

Step 3

• Catch 25 Pokémon: 10 Ultra Balls
• Power up Pokémon 10 times: Silver Pinap Berry
• Win a Trainer Battle in the Go Battle League: Steelix encounter

Finishing these tasks earns you a Magnetic Lure Module, 2,000 Stardust, and 3,000 XP, mirroring the rewards offered for completing Cliff’s tasks.

iii. Blanche vs Cliff – Which Path is Right for You?

PvE Focus: Choose Cliff

Cliff’s rewards include a Shadow Machop, which can be powered up and evolved into a Shadow Machamp, one of the best fighting-type Pokémon in the game. Shadow Machop is not only the rarest Pokémon in this Timed Research but also the most competitive when fully evolved, thanks to the 20% Attack boost Shadow Pokémon receive.

PvP Focus: Choose Blanche

Blanche’s rewards offer a Marill (evolvable into Azumarill) and a Steelix, both of which excel in Great and Ultra Leagues. According to PvPoke, Azumarill and Steelix outperform Marowak and Machamp in PvP. Evolving Marill into Azumarill is particularly valuable for the Great League, and Steelix is a great addition to any Pokédex.

Make the most of the Steeled Resolve event in Pokémon Go! Remember, your choice between Blanche and Cliff depends on your gameplay focus. Happy ‘mon hunting!

2. About Pokemon Go

Developed by Niantic and published by Nintendo, Pokémon Go is a free-to-play augmented reality (AR) game. The game was released in July 2016 for iOS and Android mobile devices.

Directed by Tatsuo Nomura, the game utilizes the GPS on mobile devices to locate, capture, train, and battle Pokémon. The game supports in-app purchases to buy in-game currency used to procure various items. The game launched with around 150 Pokémon species, which had increased to around 600 by 2020.

Praised by both critics and fans for its concept and user-friendly interface, it was one of the most profitable games of 2016. Netting a whopping 1.92 billion dollars in revenue last year itself. With over 500 million downloads, it is a pioneer of location-based and AR games.