Is the Pokemon GO World Championship paid Timed Research worth buying?

The Pokemon GO community is buzzing with excitement as the 2024 Pokemon World Championships are just around the corner. Scheduled to take place from local time 10 am on August 16 to local time 8 pm on August 20, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii, this prestigious event will crown the top Pokemon GO player as the World Champion.

With such an epic event on the horizon, Niantic is pulling out all the stops with a special in-game celebration, including the much-anticipated paid Timed Research. But the big question is: Is it worth your money?

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

Check out the current Pokemon GO raid bosses that you can encounter in-game

What’s Included in the Pokemon GO World Championship paid Timed Research?

Players, both who pay extra and those who don't, have enough to enjoy from this event (Image via The Pokemon Company)

For $5.00 (or equivalent in your local currency), you can unlock the event-exclusive Timed Research. Here’s a breakdown of what you will receive:

One Premium Battle Pass: This useful item allows one to get premium rewards in GO Battle League or participate in raids with higher levels without using your regular Raid Pass.
25,000 Stardust: A good amount of Stardust that will help you power up and evolve your Pokemon.
Themed Pokemon Encounters: You will have the opportunity to encounter and catch event-themed Pokemon, including Azumarill, Vigoroth, and even the Legendary Cresselia. To be able to catch a rare Pokemon like Cresselia is enough to hook many players.
Featured Attacks: Some Pokemon caught in this Timed Research will know exclusive moves from the event. Lickitung will know Body Slam and Charjabug will have Volt Switch as its Fast Attack.

Notably, this actually is a Timed Research, just as it says. You will need to wrap up the tasks and claim your rewards before Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. in your local time zone or they will expire.

Also read: Pokemon GO 2024 World Championships Celebration preparation guide

Is the Pokemon GO World Championship paid Timed Research worth the Investment?

Cresselia will be one of the creatures available to encounter in the paid Timed Research (Image via The Pokemon Company)

When it comes to spending money on in-game content, value is subjective and varies from player to player. To help you decide, let’s break down the potential pros and cons.

Pros:

Exclusive rewards: The Premium Battle Pass alone is enough to be a major pro available at that price if you're an active player who's involved in raids or GO Battle League matches. Additionally, the 25,000 Stardust added to the mix in bulk is an especially sweet deal for trainers focused on leveling up their Pokemon.
Event-theme encounters: For a Pokemon like Cresselia, which is not commonly available in catches, this chance to obtain one will be most appealing. Other powerful Pokemon like Vigoroth and Azumarill and exclusive moves for Lickitung and Charjabug will greatly increase the Timed Research's value for a player interested in strengthening their teams for future battles.
Unique experience: Playing a World Championship theme keeps some excitement and exclusivity for its gameplay. Participating in this global celebration, even remotely, can be quite an experience for fans who are serious about it.

Cons:

Time constraint: The time-bound nature of the research can be a big drawback. If you don't complete the tasks within the given time, you lose the opportunity to earn rewards, and basically, the investment of $5 is wasted.
Event overload: Some players could feel like they're drowning in events and challenges taking place in Pokemon GO. They would prefer to save their money for other in-game purchases, which would mean something more long-term in return.
Non-guaranteed Shinies: While the chance to bump into these theme-event Pokemon is really elusive, it's worth bearing in mind that Shinies are not guaranteed. So if you're hoping to get that Shiny Cresselia or any other Pokemon of that sort, the chances are small.

Also read: Should you purify Shadow Kirlia in Pokemon GO?

Should you buy the Pokemon GO World Championship paid Timed Research?

If you’re an active Pokemon GO player who enjoys participating in events and values the rewards offered, the $5.00 Timed Research could be a worthy investment. The Premium Battle Pass, Stardust, and encounters with rare Pokemon like Cresselia provide solid value, especially for those dedicated to the GO Battle League or collecting strong Pokemon.

However, if you're a casual player or someone who often skips most events due to lack of time, this may be a Timed Research you would think twice before purchasing. Since the rewards are time-sensitive, you would need to dedicate your time to the tasks in the period that the event will be live.

In the end, whether the Pokemon GO World Championship paid Timed Research is worth it comes down to your play style and what you value most in the game. For some, the chance to be part of this unique celebration and score exclusive rewards will be more than worth the price of admission. For others, it might be a pass this time around.

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Edited by Angad Sharma