Arlo vs. Candela in Pokémon Go – Which Path Should You Choose

Pokémon Go has always been about exploration, battling, and making choices that shape your journey. One of the latest in-game events, “Beloved Buddies,” presents trainers with a decision that affects their rewards and challenges. This event asks players to choose between Candela, the fierce leader of Team Valor, or Arlo, one of the dangerous Team GO Rocket leaders. Each choice leads to different tasks, encounters, and bonuses. If you’re unsure which path to take, don’t worry! This guide will break down everything you need to know about Arlo vs Candela Pokémon Go, helping you decide which path suits your playstyle best.

The “Beloved Buddies” Event – What You Need to Know

The Beloved Buddies event is a limited-time event that introduces a special Timed Research quest where players must choose between Arlo vs Candela Pokémon Go. This choice changes the objectives you need to complete and the rewards you receive.

The event runs until February 15, 2025, at 8 p.m. local time, giving players time to complete all the tasks and collect their rewards.

The two paths focus on different aspects of the game:

• Choosing Candela involves bonding with your buddy, interacting with friends, and completing social tasks.
• Choosing Arlo focuses on battles against Team GO Rocket, including a showdown with Arlo himself.

Candela Path – The Buddy Trainer Route

What Happens If You Choose Candela?

If you select Candela’s path, your tasks will focus on increasing friendship with your buddy Pokémon, trading, and social interactions. This path is ideal for trainers who enjoy buddy-related challenges and prefer non-battle tasks.

Candela Path Tasks

1. Earn hearts with your buddy (e.g., feed, play, or walk with them)
2. Earn a Candy by walking with your buddy
3. Make a new friend in Pokémon Go
4. Send gifts to friends
5. Play with your buddy multiple times
6. Trade a Pokémon with a friend

Candela Path Rewards

By completing these tasks, you can receive:

• Pokémon encounters: You may meet Pokémon like Dunsparce and Rapidash
• Items like Poffins (boosts buddy affection)
• Buddy-related rewards (like extra hearts and XP bonuses)

Who Should Choose Candela?

• Players who enjoy buddy mechanics and interacting with friends.
• Trainers who don’t like battling or struggle to find Team GO Rocket Grunts.
• Casual players who prefer collecting and trading over fighting.

Arlo Path – The Battle-Focused Route

What Happens If You Choose Arlo?

If you select Arlo’s path, you’ll engage in battles with Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders. This path is for trainers who enjoy the combat aspect of Pokémon Go and want to earn Shadow Pokémon.

Arlo Path Tasks

1. Catch a certain number of Pokémon
2. Transfer Pokémon to Professor Willow
3. Defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts
4. Defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo

Arlo Path Rewards

By completing these tasks, you can receive:

• Shadow Pokémon encounters, including Shadow Diglett and Shadow Scizor
• Rocket Radar helping you track down Team GO Rocket leaders
• XP and Stardust for battling success

Who Should Choose Arlo?

• Players who love battles and frequently engage with Team GO Rocket.
• Trainers looking for Shadow Pokémon to add to their collection.
• Players who don’t mind grinding through Rocket battles for bigger rewards.

Choosing the Best Path – Arlo vs Candela Pokémon Go

Which One is Right for You?

Your choice depends on how you prefer to play Pokémon Go. If you enjoy battling, Arlo is the way to go. If you love social interactions and buddy mechanics, Candela is the better choice.

Category Candela Path Arlo Path

Focus Buddy Pokémon & Social Play Battles & Shadow Pokémon

Best For Casual players, collectors, social players Hardcore battlers, competitive trainers

Main Tasks Earning hearts, trading, making friends Fighting Team GO Rocket, catching Shadow Pokémon

Key Rewards Dunsparce, Rapidash, Poffins Shadow Pokémon, Rocket Radar

Arlo’s Team in Pokémon Go

If you choose Arlo, be prepared to battle him. His lineup changes over time, but currently, his team includes:

1. First Pokémon: Shadow Diglett
2. Second Pokémon: Shadow Alakazam or Shadow Sharpedo
3. Final Pokémon: Shadow Scizor or Shadow Salamence

How to Beat Arlo

• Use Water-types against Shadow Diglett
• Use Dark or Ghost-types against Shadow Alakazam
• Use Fire-types against Shadow Scizor
• Use Ice or Fairy-types against Shadow Salamence

Why This Event Matters

The “Beloved Buddies” event brings fresh content and forces trainers to make a strategic decision. This type of branching Timed Research isn’t common in Pokémon Go, so it adds an extra layer of engagement.

Additionally, the rewards from each path can be useful in different ways:

• Candela’s path helps you build friendships and enhance your buddy system.
• Arlo’s path strengthens your team by providing Shadow Pokémon and Rocket Radars.

Final Thoughts – Candela or Arlo?

If you still can’t decide, think about what matters most in your Pokémon Go journey.

• Choose Candela if you want a relaxed experience that focuses on buddy interactions and social features.
• Choose Arlo if you enjoy battling and earning strong Shadow Pokémon.

No matter which path you choose, this event is a great opportunity to engage with Pokémon Go in a unique way and collect exclusive rewards. So get out there, make your choice, and enjoy the adventure!

Which path are you choosing? Let us know in the comments!