12.21.2024
Current Events
Monthly: Events/Raids/Spotlight Hours
Seasonal: Events/Research/Nesting PokéMon/GO Battle League
Team GO Rocket
Special Research
General Tips
Trainer Code
863639848622
Referral Code
Q9VDXY9RC
Friendship Leveling Up
Most people run a lucky egg during a CD or other timed event so that's a good time to level up in friendship with them. I usually time my gift opening with those friends I'm one day away from leveling up with at the beginning of each CD or other timed event so we'll both have lucky eggs going. Communicate & coordinate with your PokéMon GO friends so you both use this time to level up together.
1 Interaction Away From Leveling Up With Next
@MFJones4ever ❤
@melpov36 ❤
@hvictoria13 ❤
@BelleKurvez ❤❤
@brodymathias2013 ❤❤
@clefairydust ❤❤
@DadProfitt ❤❤
@DFTBA24 ❤❤
@kayluh0211 ❤❤
@Lebronthe2506 ❤❤
@OhioPlayerJunie ❤❤
@PrincessBinor ❤❤
@ProtectorEtseh ❤❤
@RjSkunkMan ❤❤
@Scarletcrystal5 ❤❤
@SemiCharmedKnda ❤❤
@Shumpie666 ❤❤
Lucky Friends
@ChicoTheBully
@RenaissanceGal
@banditmamaw
@LittleWox
@bigw0x
@xROOTEDx
@1zordia2126
@Utisz
@Jholli29
@Aspirax
@JustinTimes2075
@HiVolt1980
@ChaaarlieCAS
@CatLady2151
@Wolfbombdiggity
@AngelaDR
@RoboPokeBaby
@hatcher1965
@jm7777777
@RascalJHF
@Sugar7776
@MonkeyBoy5691
@bananadrumr
@Erndidy
@melpov
@ColnagoChris
@DMoney31
@dietznuts2
@Raslin63
@bonash3015
I may list here PokéMon I'm looking for to get a shiny and/or lucky of so that my friends know what I'm looking to trade.
-Community Day Preparation-
Weather
??? (??? type) receives weather boosts from ??? weather. Weather conditions in the Kettering, OH area for this CD is forecasted to be ??? at ??°.
My CD Plans
I will be stuck at work at GAMESWAP, but it's busy on the weekends so I don't know if I'll be able to interact with others in PokéMon GO much.
---
Start & End Times
There used to be confusion every Community Day about start time 'cos Niantic posted times in their PST time zone...currently there is a worldwide rolling start time window of 2PM - 5PM (for the Northern Hemisphere). This may change from time to time due to certain conditions.
Weather
Pay attention to the weather and be prepared! Also, certain weather can boost the CP of CD PokéMon depending on their type.
Stock Up & Make Room
I usually like to have close to 200 regular PokéBalls (since I use my PokéMon GO + to catch a lot) and 200 empty slots in both items and PokéMon storage so you don't have to waste time making room for everything during the 3hr window of the event. Also stock up on candies for that specific PokéMon since you'll need more candies when you go to evolve them. You can stock up on candies by catching more and holding off on evolving specific PokéMon or using Rare candies. The PokéMon who will most likely have future Community Days (or other such events specifically for them) will be starters, 10km hatches, those with 3 stages in it's family, potential future Mega Evolution's & some more unique/popular ones.
Re-Start App Before & After Event
On the games server end, they seem to flip a switch to turn on the CD PokéMon spawn (and shiny) rates...but in this, sometimes previously spawned PokéMon can overlap with catches before/after the event which can cause problems. You could see and catch one PokéMon, but it could glitch out or become a different PokéMon. So make sure to freshly close and re-open the app at the start and finish of the event to reduce problems.
Community Day Boxes
In the past, these boxes were usually cheap/basic with Ultra Balls plus other items that fit the theme of that CD, it's bonuses and/or recent/concurrent PokéMon GO events. They usually appear in the Shop a day before CD. The more recent trend is that they'll be expensive & contain an Elite TM...which can be worth it if you have a good stat PokéMon that you already evolved up before it's CD so you can give the CD move to it. I personally don't feel they're worth the higher price as there will be other ways to get these Elite TM's.
Community Day Bonuses
3hr Lures happen every CD and this applies to the special (Glacial, Mossy & Magnetic) Lure Modules as well. Start any Lures *after* CD starts for it to extend to the full 3hrs of the CD.
There's also either an XP/StarDust/Incubating bonus as well. XP & Stardust bonuses are self explanatory, but it's good to use Lucky Eggs & Star Pieces together for an extra bonus as well as going through your stacked Field Research to capitalize on it more. Waiting 'til CD starts to do your first catch to cash in on the "first catch of the day" XP & Stardust bonuses can help, too! Incubation bonuses, you have to put the eggs in incubators *after* the CD starts and the effect of the Incubation bonus goes on after CD for those eggs you put into Incubators before CD ends.
(2k, sometimes 5k) Eggs you obtain during CD can contain PokéMon from that CD. In that, it's best to try to hatch them before the window of time to get the CD exclusive move ends in case what you hatch is better/shiny!
Also, some Raids during CD may feature PokéMon in that CD PokéMon family.
Items stack when using them so you can use multiple of each time-based item (Lucky Egg, Incense & Star Piece) so you can activate them all at the beginning of the event to focus on the actual event and not have to keep track of the time on them as much. In the case of Incense (which last 3hrs on CD) you can add more during the event to stack another 3hrs after the event!
Community Day Exclusive Moves
I try to make an extra PokéMon of one's with it's exclusive CD move for trade fodder for later. They give you up to 2hrs after CD to gain the exclusive CD move, so after the spawns end, appraise each one carefully, transfer the ones you don't need to get more candy and make the best one's with that move! I also like to mark PokéMon who have these exclusive CD moves with a special symbol/character after their names. In the "Organizing Tips" section of this page I have a list of these special symbols/characters you can use to mark your PokéMon!
A lot of the recent CD Exclusive Moves have been GBL/pvp effective moves!
Sometimes they've added new moves (applicable to the CD PokéMon) that aren't exclusive to the CD event, but are moves that you can TM to get anytime after it's added to the game. That way, if you don't like the CD exclusive move for that PokéMon, you could give it the newly added move instead of or in addition to it's CD exclusive move!
With Elite TM's you can add CD Exclusive Moves to those PokéMon obtained outside (before or after) the CD time! You must wait until *after* the CD event is over before the move is added to it's Elite TM move pool.
Community Day $1 Ticketed Special Research
These are totally worth it 'cos they give you more encounters & candy for that CD PokéMon plus lot's of good items. The research is usually 4 pages of catching that CD PokéMon that must be completed before that CD is over and the rewards includes xp, stardust, items and encounters with that CD PokéMon and it's family. Be aware that there's usually a Research tasks that requires you to evolve a number of that CD PokéMon. Field Research encounters can be shiny and usually have good stats so again, these $1 Tickets are worth it! These are usually added into the shop the day before CD at the same time the CD Box is added.
Community Day Photobombs
That day's CD PokéMon will photobomb 5 times during the event. You usually can't get another photobomb until it de-spawns (about 1/2hr later) or until you catch it. If you get regular (non-CD) photobombs before CD, you will have wasted your photobombs and could lose out on CD PokéMon photobombs during the event.
Field Research
Once CD starts, most PokéStops Field Research will change into CD specific research: catch a certain # of the CD PokéMon for a bonus. When you complete a Field Research at a particular PokéStop, that stop will get a checkmark which means you can't get research from it until the next day. If that stop is already checked off earlier in the day (before a CD Event) then you'll miss out on those easy (as you go) CD bonuses. Most CD Field Research yields items as the bonus, but sometimes they can give you an encounter with that CD PokéMon.
Also line-up previous day(s) Field Research tasks for CD since that PokéMon's type or hit box for catching will make certain Field Research easier. For example: if you have a Field Research for catching a # of ice-types and the CD PokéMon happens to be an ice-type then boom, save that Field Research back for CD!
Nested PokéMon & Overlapping Events
Most parks and other higher traffic areas in the game have "nested" PokéMon, but during CD those nested PokéMon become CD PokéMon spawns. Sometimes other events overlap (which can help or hinder) catches of CD PokéMon, so be aware.
Finding nests of PokéMon with upcoming CD can also be good for harvesting candy for that PokéMon, good stat PokéMon to save to evolve on it's CD and also to increase your catch rate for that PokéMon which can lower the risk of them running away.
Other Bonuses
In nest areas evolved forms of that CD PokéMon family have a higher chance of spawning...while they won't be shiny they give more candy when caught. In the shop there will be a free gift box with 30 Ultra PokéBalls during CD! PokéMon will be featured in stickers from their respective CD. Other bonuses have been added like up to 3 free raid passes when going from gym to gym incentivizing those to go outside to play.
Catching Tips
Community Day PokéMon can be harder or easier to catch depending on how common they are outside of the event. Some starters and 10k hatch PokéMon are usually less common to find in the wild so their catch ring can be closer to red than green. If you have medals for their type and/or you have a high catch rate on them before going into the CD then your catch ring for them will be closer to green.
Shiny Tips
Remember that shiny PokéMon are completely random, but are increased for CD. Once you catch one, more seem to follow so keep going! They spawn at and between stops so keep moving and check everywhere. Shiny check all of them, catching them can take time but catch rates don't matter for shiny encounters. Look for clusters of them spawned together. The more you encounter, the higher the chances of finding one, so again, check all of them. I like to mark the shiny PokéMon with better stats after I catch them so I don't evolve the wrong ones when it comes time to. For more tips check my "Shiny Tips" below!
Gender
Some PokéMon evolution's are dependent upon their gender, so keep that in mind. Also, most CD shiny PokéMon tend to be male, while females are more rare. If breeding is introduced into PokéMon GO, this will be important later on!
Mega Evolution
Many CD PokéMon have Mega forms which I note 'cos these particular CD PokéMon may have certain in-game features/events that apply to their Mega Evolutions. I do believe that the $1 CD Tickets were originally meant to be a way to introduce/gain Mega Energy for Mega PokéMon, but...ccp flu. When you Mega Evolve a PokéMon of the same type as the CD PokéMon during the CD you'll receive XP and candy bonuses on catches as well as a higher chance at gaining XL candy!
PokéMon GO +
Community Days are a good time to use your PokéMon GO + (or PokéBall +) since it helps speed up catching between shiny checking each PokéMon so you can quickly move on to the next area of where you're hunting.
Can't Make It To CD?
If you can't manage to get out for CD, this section is for you! If you know you can't get out for CD you can prepare yourself before the event. You also have to determine what degree you can't make CD, as in: no access to your phone at all up to being able to make it out to hunt for a limited amount of time.
No matter what level you can or can't participate, the best thing you can have to get CD PokéMon is...friends! Those who can participate more may have extra ones to trade you from the event. Make sure to make plenty of good friends and have good stuff to trade them.
They announce CD time & PokéMon way ahead of time so you can prepare in getting that PokéMon ahead of it's CD so you can have good stat ones & enough candy for later. See if there's a nest for that CD PokéMon, too! Also stock up on PokéBalls (especially regular ones if you can use your PokéMon GO +), incense (enough to last the entire event) & lures (if you'll be close to a PokéStop).
If you can't have your phone with you during CD, maybe a friend can take your phone and do CD for you? If you can have your phone on you, but can't check it...invest in a PokéMon GO + to try to catch while your phone is in your pocket. If you can keep your phone screen on (near a place to charge it) do so, so that if you use a PokéMon GO+ you can try to shiny check whatever it's pointing at quicker/easier. If you can step away every once in a while to use the restroom, walk around the building or even walk around the block you can really broaden your catch range to get more...and since spawn rates are increased you may find something good.
If you are able to be free for part of CD, go to a good spot with lot's of spawns or clusters. Don't waste efforts on raids, field research, Team GO Rocket or other things that cut into your hunting time...just focus on catching. If you have enough candy for that CD PokéMon, just quickly shiny check them then run away. Collect eggs during the event if you can so you might hatch a good one.
You have 2hrs after CD is over to get the CD exclusive move, so there's no rush...and if you miss that window of time, you may be able to obtain the move (as well as that CD PokéMon) during the December CD event which is like a "make up" time for missing any of the January - November CD PokéMon or CD exclusive moves. Just save back (and mark) the PokéMon you want to evolve during that time.
December/Holiday Community Day Events
The pattern for the end of the year CD has been that it'll be a "make-up" CD event for the previous years' CD PokéMon!
In 2018 it was an entire CD Weekend of the previous years CD PokéMon spawning more. During that time, you were also able to evolve up those PokéMon to receive their respective CD exclusive moves.
In 2019 there were 9AM - 9PM windows for CD weekend with 3hr bonus windows for certain 2019 CD PokéMon to spawn more. 2018 CD PokéMon were obtainable through special raids for them or (more rarely) in the wild. Like in 2018, both 2018 & 2019 CD PokéMon could be evolved up to receive their respective CD exclusive moves.
In 2020 this "make-up" trend in spawns, bonuses and getting CD exclusive moves for previous CD PokéMon will continue, but with some changes to accommodate for many more CD PokéMon. 2020 CD PokéMon in the wild, 2019 in 2km eggs & 1* raids, 2018 not a part of the event. Most likely future Holiday CD will be the same and only be for the previous 2yrs of CD PokéMon.
Community Voted Community Days
Sometimes CD events Niantic will make it to where we vote on a certain months' CD PokéMon! Going by the nominee's they've given us, this opens up possibilities to future CD PokéMon that already had their own CD already, PokéMon that were already previously shiny in the wild and PokéMon that are outside of the traditional CD picks! Also brings to mind the question: will those nominees that lose be included in future elections? And if it is a nominee who has already received a prior CD and it gets another CD with a different move...which CD exclusive move will it receive during the (December/Holiday) "make-up" times? That last question is probably solved via Elite TM's.
Something else to note about the first set of nominees...they're all from GEN1!
With the 2ND Community Voted CD (and ccp flu) comes a different way to vote: Twitter...and the winner got the first month, while the runner-up got the month after...so, that's different...
Data-Mined CD Vote Nominees
Again, more non-typical CD candidates: those who have already had a CD before, those who are already available in shiny form, 2-stage evolutions, lower-level (for a CD) choices, each month with 1 starter and 1 PokéMon with Alola form(s) in it's family, all from GEN1 again and...then...Starly??? Maybe Starly is a placeholder nominee? Besides the above things I noted, many of these (as well as many previous or potential CD) PokéMon can Mega Evolve in the main-line games. This really opens up a lot of possibilities and could explain why some (especially starter) PokéMon may get multiple CD events for themselves.
In a way, I find these a bit "rigged" since the winner is set up to be the one that has never been shiny before with the runner-up being a fan-favorite. The lesser likely nominee's being being 2 stage evolutions, having Alola forms, already being shiny in the game (and even already having a previous CD), being a common/unpopular choice.
This also brings up the topic of when GEN6 starters will get their CD or if this voting system is put in place to delay their CD events to prolong the life of CD events and PokéMon GO in general, as it's quickly catching up to the main-line series of games as far as generations go. They're also likely delaying or prolonging things due to the ccp flu.
A previous nominee (Sandshrew) is now getting a CD. Sandshrew (as well as Vulpix & Grimer) has (have) Alola variants and when they suggested these as CD PokéMon before they said the Kanto variants would be in the wild, while the Alola variants would be from some special means (research, hatches, raids, etc. aka: not in the wild) but they're not doing that now. Now *both* variants will be catchable in the wild! Also maybe there will be a Vulpix CD & Grimer CD during this Season of Alola?
Previous CD Vote Nominees
Community Day Classic
These CD feature an "classic" CD PokéMon with their same CD exclusive move and old 3hr rules. So far this looks like a once a season deal or just every once in a while?
Future CD
Likely Candidates For Future CD:
starters
rumored: Vanillite
most likely: Whismer, Goomy
past Community Voted CD nominees: Caterpie, Vulpix, Grimer, Exeggcute
-Shiny Tips-
Many believe that shiny encounters occur through random number generation (RNG) in the game's code. I'm not suggesting RNG is wrong, just that I don't think it's the only/main factor in shiny encounters.
If it's purely only RNG then the odds of finding a shiny is strictly random...but what are the odds it's random for everyone yet in some instances two (or more) people have gotten a shiny from the exact same spawn? Also, what about catching back-to-back shiny (though, that seems to mostly apply to Community Day PokéMon since the odds are increased then)? That's happened to me and several others I know...yes, I know, anecdotal evidence isn't proof for anything, but those are some crazy (beyond RNG) odds!
Some swear that the game favors new players/accounts over others, while others claim that older accounts get more shiny. Variables that should be applied to these ideas is how active are these players/accounts and how available (how long have they been shiny, how common does it spawn and are there increased encounters for when when it was caught) are the shiny they have caught?
My belief is that while it is random luck, other luck variables go into it...the variables I suggest are:
-finding a sweet or hot spot on the map (now this, of course, is increased by higher activity = higher spawns = higher odds) where you have luck finding more shiny there
-likewise there are bad spots for finding shiny encounters (I have hardly no luck in some areas even if there's heavy spawns there or catching ones on radar at PokéStops)
-chaining streaks where if you encounter more shiny in the span of an hour, day or week you get more shiny encounters overall (and not just of the same shiny PokéMon, but varied ones)
-once you catch a shiny of a particular PokéMon, the chances of you encountering another shiny of that same PokéMon is increased
-when multiple PokéMon become shiny at the same time, it seems the game assigns particular players to get one over the other...something coded to your player ID to entice more trading
-each player having certain "Spirit PokéMon" that they're luckier with so it increases their chances of catching multiple shiny of that same PokéMon
-likewise there's also "Nemesis PokéMon" where no matter how many encounters, catches, hatches, raids, nests or field research you do for it, you can't get it...or even won't get it unless you trade for it
To try to support the idea of "Spirit PokéMon" I've found that the luck doesn't just apply to encountering them in shiny form, but also overall catch-rates, increased lucky trades, higher cp, higher iv and even perfects, too!
I'm not arguing against RNG being a part of the game's coding, but saying that's the only variable for a player's luck seems too pessimistic...like taking the fun out of it by simply slapping a label on our luck. I don't think our random chance luck can be defined in such a way in the game or in life.
I think there's other luck variables in the game beyond just number coding and raw odds. Maybe it's dumb/naive to call it having a "Spirit PokéMon" but I dunno what else to call it...I seem to have more luck with some over others but I also believe that luck can change! Shiny luck also sometimes seems to skip events, where some events I get one or none and then the next event, boom, a bunch!
Beyond RNG, there's other coding and variables in the game to entice you to play more, encounter more, catch more, raid more, hatch more, trade more and thus...spend more time/money. So I think there's coding tied to each player to be luckier with specific PokéMon.
I've caught a lot of shiny PokéMon so here's some tips:
-look for clusters of the same PokéMon in one spot (this can work for Ditto hunting, too)
-places you've caught shiny PokéMon, make that a part of your hunting routine
-PokéStops have been bad shiny luck for me, I see a shiny possible PokéMon on radar near that stop, I go there...not shiny...however, on the way there or in between stops (even in "dead zones") I have found a few shiny just sitting there by themselves
-parking lots, especially between stops or next to high activity areas
-ones that are only available from raids/hatches...keep raiding/hatching for them continuously, the odds get more in your favor the more you do
-hunt even more during special events *especially* weekend events...increased shiny encounters = increased chaining streaks, sometimes you can find at least a shiny a day multiple days in a row if you attack it
-hunt even more before and after CD for more chaining streaks
-keep moving, it can help in spawn variety...but sometimes staying in one place for a long play session can yield you some shiny, too
-during transit, keep hunting...many of mine were snagged this way
-if you can't move try catching in a spot you spend a lot of time at (work or home)...I have caught many from just those two spots than I ever have from using incense or a lure
-if you've caught one shiny of a particular PokéMon, eventually you will catch more of the same one...even if it's much later, it'll happen (and if not, it'll still be cheaper to trade for another one since it's in your PokéDex as shiny already which lowers trading costs)
-if you seem to have bad luck catching a certain shiny...make friends with someone who's had good luck with that one and trade shiny one's you've had good enough luck with to have multiples of
-you got the shiny you want, keep shiny hunting for it to get better ones or more for trade-fodder later
-know your shiny PokéMon's value before you trade...there are more common shiny (especially CD ones) but a shiny legendary or a shiny baby (and their evolved forms) seem to be the rarest
-use your PokéMon GO+...it can catch things you can't see or get to from the map normally (especially in transit)
-find nests...it takes time, but I've gotten a few this way...surprisingly of ones that were in another's nest
-shiny check everything, more encounters = more chances
My Shiny Stats
I had a long write-up of my "shiny stats" before, but I'm just gonna let this checklist do the talking as I update it...
-Beginners Tips-
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
-Organizing Tips-
Organizing PokéMon will become important as you run out of space to store them. Which one's to keep? Obviously your best one's, but maybe also one's with legacy moves, one's to keep back for trading (to friends or PokéMon Let's GO) or transferring (during double candy transfer times) or for purifying/evolving later (for it's CD, certain research or other bonus events) or even one's with sentimental value. I personally also like to keep at least one of each PokéMon as well as it's variant alternate, costumed or shiny forms and I also like to keep one of each gender of the rarer one's in case they ever open up breeding in the game.
There's lot's to think about before transferring a PokéMon to make sure you don't get rid of the wrong one. When the game first came out appraising and searching for certain PokéMon was more primitive...now it's easier to find out how good one is with the in-game team leader appraising and also easier to search with lot's of search terms and even pre-made in-game search recommendation icons. In the Infographic's section at the top of this page there's an infographic for different search terms you can use to find all kinds of things. Note that when the game updates sometimes new search terms/functions are added. There's also tagging which allows you to give certain PokéMon your own "tag" that you make yourself. Without using these searches, PokéMon in your storage have markers around them to show various attributes like it being lucky (yellow bubbles behind), it marked as a favorite (upper right), buddy PokéMon you're walking (upper left), being shiny (upper left), being shadow/purified (lower left) or it's user created tag (lower right).
You can also rename them in certain ways to further mark them to keep track of all kinds of things. Some do this by giving it a personalized name or putting it's iv # in it's name or having special characters/symbols in it's name to signify something else. Here's where things can be crazy with how you organize your PokéMon. If you want to use a special symbol to quickly search for something make it a prefix so it's easier to search for, but also make sure it's a special character/symbol your phone's keyboard can quickly/easily access and make sure it's a special character/symbol that can be displayed in the game as not every one of them will work. Special characters/symbols aren't just limited to your phone's keyboard as more of them can be used (copy/paste them) but you may have to run a bunch of trial/error on which ones you can use. The one's not directly on your phone's keyboard are better used as a suffix in naming since they'd be harder to use as a search term.
Now your phone will have it's own virtual keyboard but you can add different virtual keyboards. I used to use LG phones, but since they're leaving the phone business many of the LG keyboard symbols no longer work. I downloaded the Google virtual keyboard and use that one as a replacement since it has many symbols I can use in the game. Below are a bunch of special characters/symbols I've found that work with my Google virtual keyboard on my phone and in the game (note that some of these may appear differently in game):
♂️ ♀️ ⚧️
⁉️ ‼️ ♨️ ㊙️ ㊗️ ☢️ ☣️ ⚠️ ⚜️ ✴️ ✳️ ❇️ ♻️ 〽️
️✔️ ☑️ ⬆️ ↗️ ➡️ ↘️ ⬇️ ↙️ ⬅️ ↖️
↕️ ↔️ ↩️ ↪️ ⤴️ ⤵️
⏭️ ⏮️ ⏏️ ▶️ ◀️ ℹ️ Ⓜ️
☹️ ☠️ ❣️ ✍️ 🧑🦯 ⛹️ ⛷️ ☃️ ⛰️ ☘️
☀️ ⛈️ ⛱️ ☄️
✈️ ⛴️ ⛩️ ⛸️ ♟️ ⚖️ ⛑️ ☂️ ⚒️ ⛏️ ⚙️ ⛓️
✂️ ✒️ ✏️ ✉️
⏱️ ⚛️ ☸️ ☮️ ☯️ ☪️ ✝️ ☦️ ✡️ ♾️ ⚕️
✖️ 〰️ ©️ ®️ ™️ ◼️ ▪️ ◻️ ▫️
Beyond Google's special characters/symbols options it's virtual keyboard also contains many symbols in the normal keyboard that can be accessed through long presses. On top of that I've (copy/paste) tested many other special characters/symbols that work in the game:
☃ ☼ ⁂ ༄ ☂ ϟ ⌘ ⌇ ⌒ ☯ ◎
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⓪
⁰ ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ⁿ º
₀ ₁ ₂ ₃ ₄ ₅ ₆ ₇ ₈ ₉
≈ ≢ ≠ ≡ ～ ˜ ⋯ ∴ ∵ ∽ ∙ ∝
░ ▒ ▓ ▣ ▤ ▥ ▦ ▧ ▩ ⊠
◊ ◇ ◆ ∆ △ ▲ ▼
◉ ○ ◌ ◎ ● ◐ ◑ ◒ ◓
⊗ ⊙ ◦ ∅ ⊕ ⊖ ⊘ 〄
ð ∑ Σ ∊ ∈ ∉ ∋ ∓ ∃ π ∫ ∬ ∭ ∮ ϡ
∀ √ ˠ Θ φ ω Ξ ξ ψ θ β δ ε ζ ӫ Ӫ
〠 유 Ü ✓ 〆 ╬ ﹌ ︸
ლ დ ღ ♡ ♥ ۵ ♁ ✚ ❖
Þ ö Đ Ħ ŧ Ů ƒ ΅ ΐ ξ Ж ж ф ю Ѽ ѽ
Ҩ ҩ Ө ө Գ Զ Թ Ժ Խ Ծ Հ Ձ Ճ Պ Ջ Ֆ
թ ձ ‡ ₠ ₡ ₤ ₧ ₪ ₮ ₯ ₰ ₱ ₳ ₸ ₹ ₺
₻ ₼ ₽ ₾ ∞ ≈ ♪ ꜛ ꜜ ꜝ ￦ ₩ « ° ± ¿ ¡
_ ~ | • √ π Π Ω μ ÷ × - + ¶ § *
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★ † ‡ $ ¢ € ¥ £ № ℅ · ← ↑ ↓ →
So what would you use all these symbols for? They can be used to mark gender, stats/iv #, when/where/how they were caught, your "keepers", it's special moves (legacy, status effect, 2ND charged, CD), trade fodder, etc. Special characters/symbols right on the first part of your phone's keyboard should be kept for quicker/easier search markers, your phone's keyboard may have a secondary (symbols/smiley) keyboard which you could use for more in-depth/specific marking/searching, while the more complicated copy/paste special characters/symbols can be used for even more specific stuff you don't use as a search, but more as a suffix marker while scrolling through your PokéMon. Here's how I mark some of mine...
prefix:
$ - for trade fodder
$friendsname - for a friend
[] - for trade to PokéMon Let's GO
CD - evolve on it's Community Day
? - ones to keep 'til I figure out what to do with them
0% - lowest iv possible
xx - for transfer
2016 - 2017 - old PokéMon
° - distance/far away PokéMon
* - perfect
' - one click away from perfect
" - two clicks away from perfect
suffix:
* - a keeper
♂ - male
♀ - female
↕ - previously traded
Ⓜ - previously mega evolved
© - CD move
⚠ - legacy move
™ - shadow with frustration tm'ed away
① - Spinda #
◓ - caught with PokéMon GO +
In the past when they game has updated it has disable certain special characters/symbols so be aware that at any time you may not be able to use the above symbols I've tested before.
= [
Appraising
When PokéMon GO first came there was really no way of knowing how good your catches were, just a general Combat Power (CP) #, which can be accurate since the higher it is, the better it may be at combat, but this doesn't really take into account all factors in what makes it good, though. CP is only one # that represents how powered-up a PokéMon is. We noticed that there was a bow above the PokéMon that showed how high on the scale it's powered up to. People devised & made unofficial appraisal apps where it would show on a scale of 0-100% how good your PokéMon are. I always felt these apps took some of the fun out of the game, so I never downloaded or used any of those apps. I like figuring things out myself and leaving a bit to the imagination.
Then came in Team Leaders who gave more official insight into how good your PokéMon are. I'm Instinct and I loved Spark's "Battle With The Best of 'em" (BWTB) appraisal and any of them that were BWTB I starred as favorited so as not to accidentally get rid of them. Can't help but to think, before these appraisals, we probably transferred great or even perfect PokéMon away! At first, many thought the in-game appraisals were gibberish, but after studying the wording closely you could ascertain low ones, high ones, perfect ones, which stats (Attack, Defense or HP) were the best and other things to figure out how good your PokéMon were.
From appraising we could tell that even if it has a lower CP, it's stats individual values (iv's) will have a greater potential once powered-up to the same level as higher CP PokéMon with lower iv's. Comes down to current CP vs it's potential CP and the higher it's iv, the higher it's overall potential once powered-up. I usually keep the highest CP of each PokéMon (regardless of it's iv) if only as a placeholder 'til I get a higher CP one with higher iv stats. By comparing their CP's & appraised stats you can gauge how much you may have to power-up a lower CP (but, with better IV's) PokéMon to reach and then surpass higher CP PokéMon. A low iv PokéMon that's powered-up to a high level will never have a higher CP than the same PokéMon with a higher iv at the same level...in fact, we find many cases where a low iv PokéMon can even have a lower CP than a higher iv PokéMon even though it's way less powered-up 'cos the higher iv PokéMon stats are so much better!
Then came in Team Leaders who gave more official insight into how good your PokéMon are. I'm Instinct and I loved Spark's "Battle With The Best of 'em" (BWTB) appraisal and any of them that were BWTB I starred as favorited so as not to accidentally get rid of them. Can't help but to think, before these appraisals, we probably transferred great or even perfect PokéMon away! At first, many thought the in-game appraisals were gibberish, but after studying the wording closely you could ascertain low ones, high ones, perfect ones, which stats (Attack, Defense or HP) were the best and other things to figure out how good your PokéMon were.
From appraising we could tell that even if it has a lower CP, it's stats individual values (iv's) will have a greater potential once powered-up to the same level as higher CP PokéMon with lower iv's. Comes down to current CP vs it's potential CP and the higher it's iv, the higher it's overall potential once powered-up. I usually keep the highest CP of each PokéMon (regardless of it's iv) if only as a placeholder 'til I get a higher CP one with higher iv stats. By comparing their CP's & appraised stats you can gauge how much you may have to power-up a lower CP (but, with better IV's) PokéMon to reach and then surpass higher CP PokéMon. A low iv PokéMon that's powered-up to a high level will never have a higher CP than the same PokéMon with a higher iv at the same level...in fact, we find many cases where a low iv PokéMon can even have a lower CP than a higher iv PokéMon even though it's way less powered-up 'cos the higher iv PokéMon stats are so much better!
People who use iv checking apps also refer to a PokéMon's level (how powered up it is) and it's percentage (how good it's iv's are)...I determine it's power "level" by seeing how far the dot on the bow is and seeing how much StarDust is needed to power it up and "percentage" by it's in-game appraisal.
The in-game appraisals now show level bars for each stat (0-15) and a star rating system to better appraise your PokéMon. While the current appraisal system is great...part of me prefers the old system which leaves more to the imagination and showed more of your Team Leader's personal touch...as it is now, there's no personality in how they appraise. There's more info with less clicking and this new system certainly is faster/easier to mass appraise a bunch of PokéMon, but still I miss some of the charm of the old system. A lot of this info here now is moot since the current in-game appraisals are better, I will just miss the "Battle With The Best of 'em" phrase.
-Data-Mining/Speculation/Theories/Ideas-
This will be my one-stop page for apk data-mining news, rumors and my own speculation & ideas to accompany them. This is about new PokéMon, features, events, research, items, moves, etc. coming to the game:
7TH Anniversary Poster
GO HUB has a post about everything in this poster, but just like the 6TH Anniversary Poster there are new trainers shown.
6TH Anniversary Poster
Everything in this poster has come about...except there seem to be partners for the Team Leaders which could be new characters added to the game (story, npc, battle trainers) or just be trainers representing "us" as players?
Mega Evolutions
Not all the Mega have shown up yet, obviously holding back some for future events. Will Mega Mewtwo bring back EX Raids? In code there's spots for all Mega PokéMon as well as Primal Forms.
Buddy System v2
Found in code. This system has been rolled out, but there's still some things in code that haven't been realized in game like a Chocolate Nanab berry and your Buddy having a Tired & Dull emotion? Speculation gives rise to these negative emotions coming about from certain moves from opposing PokéMon causing status effects (lasting outside of battles?) and that maybe the only way to alleviate these effects is by giving it a Chocolate Nanab Berry? Or, to tie into PokéMon Sleep maybe status effected PokéMon will have to sleep it off?
Found in code. This system has been rolled out, but there's still some things in code that haven't been realized in game like a Chocolate Nanab berry and your Buddy having a Tired & Dull emotion? Speculation gives rise to these negative emotions coming about from certain moves from opposing PokéMon causing status effects (lasting outside of battles?) and that maybe the only way to alleviate these effects is by giving it a Chocolate Nanab Berry? Or, to tie into PokéMon Sleep maybe status effected PokéMon will have to sleep it off?
Dynamax & Gigantamax
Found in code. So the feature inspired by PokéMon GO raids that was added to the mainline Sword & Shield games is probably coming to PokéMon GO...but will they be raids like Megas were introduced? Maybe an online raid (more than 20 people) like they were experimenting with a while back? Is that why they changed the gym assets to be more like a giant stadium than a smaller gym? We'll see?
Galar Accessories
Found in code. Are accessories different than items? Meaning, can they be used once like current items or be held by a PokéMon like equipment? Greedent is a Galar PokéMon that stores berries in it's tail...storage...like item holding? The Rusted Sword & Shield are equipped to the Hero forms of Zacian & Zamazenta to transform them to their Crowned forms (enhancing them), but I'm not sure if this will be transformation is changeable (by unequipping these accessories/form changing), permanent (like an evolution) or temporary (like a Mega evolution)?
Hisui Region PokéMon (Legends Arceus)
Costumed Onix & Dragonite
Found in code. The first thing that comes to mind is Crystal Onix and Dragonite with messenger bag from the anime, but we'll see where this is going once these costumed versions come out.
New PokéMon GO Models
Found in code. Most of this has come'n'gone, but the "Professor Computer" (which OrangeHeart believes was an in-game April Fool's gag) still hasn't shown up in game.
Found in code. The first thing that comes to mind is Crystal Onix and Dragonite with messenger bag from the anime, but we'll see where this is going once these costumed versions come out.
New PokéMon GO Models
Found in code. Most of this has come'n'gone, but the "Professor Computer" (which OrangeHeart believes was an in-game April Fool's gag) still hasn't shown up in game.
New Incense
We now know the above image isn't a new incense...just that the current green incense changes to orange during specific events (CD, Incense Days, etc.). This is done to signify that the Incense "changes" either it's duration time and/or what it attracts.
But we did see in past data-mines that there was new incense found in code:
-Spicy = fire types
-Cool = ice types
-Floral = grass types
Still not sure when they're coming? This was found before Pansear, Panpour & Pansage were found to be regional's in-game...doubt they're related, but just something I noticed (being cooking themed items & PokéMon) and would be a neat way to "summon" all 3 to your specific region?
VS Seeker
This has been in the code for a while now...but is probably replaced by the current GO Battle League.
VS Seeker
This has been in the code for a while now...but is probably replaced by the current GO Battle League.
New Assets
Looks like a lot of updated assets for battle effects, then there's a neutral avatar (please no), skin/hair color pickers (more avatar customization coming?), radio buttons (in game radio or is radio a generic on/off button term?) and finally contests...
PokéMon GO+ Simulator
Found in code. A virtual PokéMon GO+ could be in the works. Would be neat for faster catching attempts, but how would it work when your phone's screen is off?
Subscriptions
Found in code. Yes, there is code that suggests multiple subscription (tiers or types) being planned. Paying monthly/yearly subscriptions to obtain PokéCoins, shop boxes, items, passes, etc. is unknown at this time.
My Ideas/Theories
Mainline Game Parity
Are they forever going to keep PokéMon GO a few generations behind the main games or will they some day coincide with one another? I have LOADS of ideas for how they'd pull this off but this would be in a future where things are a bit different for Nintendo, The PokéMon Company & Niantic as well as the game series and the hardware it's on. Will write about this more in the future.
Breeding
Not ever eluded to or hinted at, but the mainline games have breeding and it'd be a cool new addition to this game. Just think about it more, what if there is specific times to breed certain PokéMon like as if they have a "breeding season"? To add, more recently some PokéMon have gone shiny but their baby forms have not (Chimecho, but not Chingling or Snorlax, but not Munchlax). Usually the baby forms are shiny as well and sometimes the only way to get some shiny PokéMon was to evolve them up from their shiny baby forms...but those examples have been omitted. If breeding will come to the game, maybe the only way to get those shiny baby forms is to breed their adult forms to get eggs...and maybe shiny baby chances are increased if the mother and father are shiny? I find that fun/interesting.
Item Holding
I held out hope that they would implement this, but at every opportunity to they've instead opted for something else. In the mainline games there were items PokéMon could hold to evolve or change a certain way. Instead Niantic has made different forms obtainable through doing raids for those different forms (Genesect, Deoxys, etc.) or evolving them at different times (Ursaluna, Lycanroc, etc.) or even paying stardust (or other resources) to perform a "form change" option (Furfrou, Zygarde, etc.). We still don't know how they'll do this with Arceus...in the mainline games uses plates to become any of the 16 different PokéMon types.
Shiny Charm
An item you have, earn or buy to increase your shiny odds. Would it work like the mainline games? Will it be like incense?
Nursery Lures
These lures would attract baby PokéMon, 'nough said! Some shiny PokéMon can only be obtained through hatching...but this lure may make that easier.
Mythical Lures
I can dream can't I? They gotta introduce shiny Mythical's somehow? Either that or through the Mystery Box (like Meltan)?
Team GO Rocket Hot Air Balloons
Can you imagine that you're out playing the game and then in the distance you see a Team GO Rocket Hot-Air Balloon just appearing in the skyline and then landing on a gym and taking it over? They could add in the gameplay mechanic that PokéMon at that gym could be held hostage until you defeat Team GO Rocket at that gym. I also thought that in order to defeat them and chase them out of the gym, you'd have to team-up with another trainer from a different team (to promote "teaming up" cooperatively to take on a common foe). Going further, what if there were "wanted" signs posted for these hot-air balloon bandits where you could collect PokéCoin bounties on them when you beat them!
These lures would attract baby PokéMon, 'nough said! Some shiny PokéMon can only be obtained through hatching...but this lure may make that easier.
Mythical Lures
I can dream can't I? They gotta introduce shiny Mythical's somehow? Either that or through the Mystery Box (like Meltan)?
Mystery Box
The wording of the PokéMon GO Mystery Box does not say Meltan by name, nor does it specify that it's just one PokéMon that could come from it. There's a great possibility that other (future PokéMon Switch) games could interact with the Mystery Box and that it could give us something other than Meltan!
UPDATE: kinda came true with the Gimmighoul Coin Bag.
Team GO Rocket Hot Air Balloons
Can you imagine that you're out playing the game and then in the distance you see a Team GO Rocket Hot-Air Balloon just appearing in the skyline and then landing on a gym and taking it over? They could add in the gameplay mechanic that PokéMon at that gym could be held hostage until you defeat Team GO Rocket at that gym. I also thought that in order to defeat them and chase them out of the gym, you'd have to team-up with another trainer from a different team (to promote "teaming up" cooperatively to take on a common foe). Going further, what if there were "wanted" signs posted for these hot-air balloon bandits where you could collect PokéCoin bounties on them when you beat them!
UPDATE: Came true, though not exactly how I described it.
Team GO Rocket Exclusive PokéMon
These would be PokéMon that could only be obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket grunts, leaders or Giovanni himself. They have made certain PokéMon only obtainable (or evolve-able) by means of completing research, opening Mystery Boxes or using certain items or lures...so why not this way?
These would be PokéMon that could only be obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket grunts, leaders or Giovanni himself. They have made certain PokéMon only obtainable (or evolve-able) by means of completing research, opening Mystery Boxes or using certain items or lures...so why not this way?
UPDATE: Came true via Team GO Rocket Leader wins giving Red Eggs which hatch some exclusive PokéMon.
PokéCenters
A staple in the mainline games, PokéCenters would be places you could freely heal your PokéMon, meet with others to battle/trade and do other activities (PokéMon shows, breeding, etc.). Could be pretty elaborate, but what I imagine is that a small number of current gyms would have a PokéCenter added to them and kept separate from gym dealings (raids, gym battles, team affiliation) to avoid interfering with PokéCenter activities.
These activities could be free healing, free incubating, checking "most wanted" signs (see above idea) for Team GO Rocket bounties, putting your PokéMon (including Mythical & Legendary) on display (like a show) to compare stats with local trainers, remote play (raiding, battling & trading with trainers at distant PokéCenters) and putting up studs/meres for potential breeding. Putting PokéMon in a gym through continuous gym battling is a way to "show off" your PokéMon, but in the PokéCenters there would be a "Museum" of local trainers and could include showcasing Legendary & Mythical PokéMon, even?
Every week or month the theme for the Museum PokéMon show would change and trainers who have the best groomed, stats or voted PokéMon of that theme would be on display. These characteristics would be less about battling and more about other stats like: highest/lowest CP, HP, weight, height, exotic catch location or time, perfect IV's, rarity, etc.
Ultimately, I don't think this will happen how I'm thinking in scope or in implementation. Online leaderboards, breeding, remote playing...all things possible, but they don't have to be done in this theoretical PokéCenter and if/when they come they'll probably be their own features in themselves rather than tied together with my idea of a PokéCenter.
UPDATE: Online battling/leaderboards & remote raiding have come to PokéMon GO, but not through my PokéCenter ideas. I still think having them for free incubating or healing, a local BBS or leaderboard, museum or shows, remote trading, breeding or even adopting are still doable.
New Shadow PokéMon In APK Give Hints
Sometimes when PokéMon appear as a Shadow it's in tandem with an upcoming event (like a Community Day) and that can also suggest that particular PokéMon may go Shiny, too! Shadow PokéMon have now included later stage PokéMon, item evolved PokéMon, shiny PokéMon, Legendary PokéMon and even rarer PokéMon like Gible & Hippopotas. Imagine Unown being added to this list someday?! I also think that some PokéMon may make their first appearances in PokéMon GO in Shadow form!
-Humor-
-Links-
The official site for PokéMon GO, the web store allows you to buy more PokéCoins than the in-app store & Item Boxes at a discount.
Many trainers online putting out info are annoying/have annoying voices, he's not annoying and a great go-to for the latest stuff.
Makes the best infographics around and has a nice shiny checklist tool.
A great resource for learning about and testing moves/stats for PvP & GBL.
Fan run site with news & analysis on the latest about PokéMon GO.
Top source for data-mined information...however, they've been hit with problems (maybe cease & desist from Niantic) and have stopped leaking new info.
I do not use or advocate tool-assisted apps that allow you to mod, cheat or spoof in PokéMon GO but this group does show off data-mined info & asset updates in the game...and since PokéMiners is down, I'm linking to Pokemod so you can see this leaked info.
PokéMonGO.fandom has some good info and useful lists.