A new datamine suggests thatPokémon GOwill introduce a pivotal new item familiar to fans of the franchise in an upcoming update. This item could address the frustrating grind needed to obtain a Pokémon with perfect stats, measured inevery Pokémon as a set of secret Individual Values(IVs) that provide extra boosts to its core stats. IVs are present in both the main series games and Niantic’sPokémon GO. While core series games include ways to improve IVs,Pokémon GOdoesn’t have the tools for creating a perfect pocket monster—but that could soon change.
According to a recent datamine (viaPokémon GO Hub), players may soon have the option of increasing their Pokémon’s underlying stats inPokémon GO.The datamine found lines of code for items related to “Single Stat Increases” and stat increases to all three stats at once. Additionally, the datamine uncovered error codes that prohibit these mystery items from being used in certain cases, like if a Pokémon’s stat was already at max level. These line items indicate thatPokémon GOis likely gearing up to introduce Bottle Caps, an item from the main series games used to boost IVs.
How Bottle Caps Might Work in Pokémon GO
Bottle Caps Usually Provide Permanent Boosts To Stats, But That Could Change In Pokémon Go
In main series games likePokémon Scarlet and Violet,there are two kinds of Bottle Caps.Regular Bottle Caps allow players to max out the IV of one stat, while Gold Bottle Caps allow players to max out the IVs of all a Pokémon’s stats.Based on the datamine, there are two likely possibilities for how Bottle Caps might work inPokémon GO: either they’ll serve as temporary IV boosts for raids, or they’ll allow for permanent changes to improve Pokémon for use in PvP battles.
Concerned Pokémon GO Players Are Transferring Their Pokémon To Home After Niantic Acquisition
Niantic’s acquisition by Scopely is causing some concern among Pokémon GO players, causing some to turn to Pokémon Home for a solution.
While subtle, IV stat increases can make all the difference in close PvP battles or raids where there are relatively few players.Pokémon GOis notorious for requiring repetitive legwork to find a Pokémon with perfect IVs, which is especially obnoxious when dealing with Pokémon locked behind raids.Bottle Caps or a similar item would be a game changer forPokémon GO, although many fans are already concerned about the potential monetization aspect of such an essential item.
Our Take: Bottle Caps Good, Monetization Possibility Bad
The Possibility Of Paywalling Bottle Caps Remains Worrisome
While Bottle Caps are long overdue forPokémon GO, therecent purchase of Niantic by Scopelyadds a worrisome aspect to new items included in the game. Given how muchPokémon GO’smonetization has increased in recent years,it feels like a real possibility that Bottle Caps could be a paid premium iteminstead of something that could be obtained by free-to-play players. Our hope is thatPokémon GOkeeps the playing field level and makes Bottle Caps available to all players equally.
