Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Item Traps in Pokémon Games?

Games have a way of making players do certain things by compulsion or force. Perhaps that could be considered true for Pokémon games as well in certain respects. One way that could happen is by forcing players to use up certain game items in order to make progress in the games at certain points; this is what I would define as "item traps". Now, I'd like to make the argument that the situations in some Pokémon games can also present themselves as "item traps" for their specific cases.

Some of those "item traps" may lie in the puzzle spinoff games: most recently, Café Remix has some stages that practically require certain Pokémon to clear, but even then that's not enough, since the same stages practically require items to enhance the skills of the Pokémon. While some players may chalk up the possible misplay of the stages due to inexperience or not enough time spent, the fact of the matter is that somehow the items present their necessity, thereby realizing them as "item traps".

Meanwhile, in Pokémon Go, if one used a Bottle Cap for a Pokémon, the higher-level tasks of Hyper Training for the IV stat of HP feature tasks of earning Candy for a Buddy Pokémon by walking with them. If the Bottle Cap was used for a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon - and most Trainers are expected to do so - that invariably means walking 20 km for each Candy, unless they get them excited manually (which is possible but time-consuming) or use a Poffin (which is instant but... it's an item, and thus an "item trap" lies in wait). Granted, the usage case is very specific, but the "item trap" can present itself in that case.

For the main series games, if the act of giving a drink to the Saffron City guards is considered an act of compulsion, and so would be the use of items in Trainer battles involving the CPU by both sides, then these could be loosely considered "item traps" by the definition above. They aren't strictly "item traps", but they're sufficiently demanding situations that in some ways do prompt the usage of items in order to continue progress.

There are likely to be more examples of "item traps" in Pokémon games that have escaped my mind, the scope of my Pokémon gameplay experience, and the creation of this write-up, but the situations that prompt them to appear should be quite evident by the above examples. In any case, usage of items is essential for Pokémon games or otherwise, but it cannot be denied that at certain points, the usage becomes not only essential but down right needed so that one's progress doesn't come to a screeching halt.

Four years ago: The Hisui Cup of GBL
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Tuesday, August 4, 2026

A Frozen Ice Land and Its Creatures

As I'd mentioned in a recent imaginative write-up about five likely-to-be Pokémon as creatures on a wild island setting, that follows up or constitutes a "sequel" of a previous post in the same manner. I also said that the previous post might be "missing" or could use one more element that also applies to what the post was referencing. Now I'd like to add that "missing" or extra element through a write-up of its own, yet certainly in the same style as that previous write-up and bringing up what appropriately applies.

Like before, a place pertains to the discussion as the setting. By the title, that place is a land - more appropriately, an island on a sea - that could be described as being in a kind of "eternal winter". Subsequently, the place can be considered very much frozen in climate and perhaps slightly with regard to time as well, especially for what might take place on the island. The climate can also be a bit harsh in the place due to the "winter" element, but it can also be quite hospitable, especially for its possible creatures.  

It cannot be doubted that Pokémon of the Ice type can and would make themselves at home here, an example being Jynx as well as the Galarian form of Mr. Mime. Strangely enough, some creatures are present in the water, but they're not of the Ice type: they'd be of the Electric type, which would be in the form of Chinchou and Lanturn as one species family. As the place lights up in the night by auroras of uncertain origin, they too can also make their own way of making the night light up for the resident Ice-types.

The place is perhaps the strangest compared to the previous six, and now as a group of seven that can be identified by certain creatures as the possible Pokémon species that may persist within those places. Yet for those who have recollection of those places, they might not seem that strange at all... just perhaps a little mysterious - or a lot in some cases. Coupling that with the wonders of Pokémon species, there is something to be said about them persisting in and out of the imagination of those linked to them.
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Monday, August 3, 2026

What's Hot, What's Not, and What Else for Champions

I haven't dealt very much with Pokémon Champions recently, but I'm still observing some of the particulars that pertain to the game. For that reason, I want to cover some of them in a post, so I've thought of covering them in a "what's hot, what's not, what else" format, which serves (and had done so, in a different context) as a general overview of various particulars for different things. Now, that becomes applied to Pokémon Champions according to some of the particulars I've observed from both sides of play and development.

Starting with "what's hot", tournaments are still hot for the game and getting hotter, also for the fact that the annual Pokémon competitive happening is approaching. That said, the game is also desired to have a feature for hosting custom tournaments in-game, which would help to alleviate the external burden. Then, the battle arena is also desired to have some variety, which aside from the Pokémon may be something that's as varied as it's going to get (to be expounded shortly). These "hot" aspects surely keep the game going.

Then there are the "not" aspects. For all of its playability, the game hasn't included pre-evolved species, which might just be able to do some marvelous things depending on the species in question. This is a particular complaint of one of my VGC friends, who hasn't gotten to playing this very game for that particular reason. As such, the game is slated to include these at a later time - obviously not now with the peak of the competitive season at hand - and by then, my friend and others can take part in the experience with those Pokémon.

As for "what else", the game has some elements that will likely remain as unconsidered for inclusion. They are replays and skins, which are clearly considerations that are influenced by Pokémon Unite (the latter notably called Holowear there). And that seems to be warranted; the former is becoming a relic in said game, and the latter just adds bulk to the game, which is not necessary since Champions is already bulky in its initial edition. Even with the interface having resemblance, the features need not to resemble the other game either.

Reviewing the aspects as mentioned above, Pokémon Champions is still in its early days despite having been around for several months, at least for the Nintendo Switch edition, and much more still lies in wait for the game to bring it to maturity like main series-style or VGC battling has in all its years. The players and developers both still have a lot to deal with for the game, especially with the upcoming competitive season transition into the next one, and once that happens, more aspects may just need to be scrutinized as above.

Three years ago: Let's Go on Routes
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Sunday, August 2, 2026

Cosplay: Halloweeaboo Vol. 6 - Natsukoi

So, it is to my knowledge that Ash and Goh won't be present too often this month for um... reasons - including research. Today, then, there is...

Red: Hello. Those two are something.

Me: Yeah, you can say that. Anyway...

Red: You want me at a festival today. Sure thing.

Me: Yes, it's one that sometimes Ash could make it to.

Red: Well, that's great. For that, let me try a little something for you along with my classic outfit.

Me: Oh, you got the hair done a bit! Perfect.

Red: It took a bit of time to get to the place where you'd usually have that, but it's OK. 

Me: And it's somewhat needed too. 

Red: So then, the festival is at the rooftop level of a mall. 

Me: Yup, it's back to the usual place after it went somewhere else.

Red: Hmm, that one had a singing competition. This one didn't.

Me: I heard about that - but then, I don't think I can get you to sing anything.

Red: No, save that for when Ash comes back.

Me: But there are character competitions - team performance and single parade.

Red: I'll take the latter for you, then. Especially since I gussied up for you.

Me: Sure. I couldn't plan out a team performance anyway even if I wanted to.

Red: And it looks like this festival always has a lot of people - and characters.

Me: You better believe it.

Red: Including in the parade, 40 with me. 

Me: And how'd that turn out?

Red: Didn't work out for me. The winners were great, though.

Me: Yeah, that seems to be the case, with or without you.

Red: And I got to see a bit of the performances. They were... interesting.

Me: I'll bet. Oh, by the way, dance groups for entertainment, yes?

Red: Yup, saw a couple. And a dance party near the end.

Me: Uh-huh, so standard for current times. Now, what else did you do?

Red: I got to hang out with a few of your friends and have fun - and eat, up until the end before I got back to you.

Me: Haha - well, that's always a necessity when I send you or him.

Red: Hey, and you got me to go somewhere again.

Me: So, I got to fulfill that commitment.

Red: The festival scene here is lively, even if it has really changed.

Me: It has, and this festival is one of those changes. As an aside, this edition has the theme of "summer love".

Red: I don't know about love - even though we like Pokémon - but this was a good "summer" day for a festival.

Me: Yup, I do believe it is.

Red: So, where to next?

Me: I have an idea - but wherever it is, there certainly will be some "hello" greetings involved.

Red: Like here! Nice one.

Me: Of course.

Four years ago: (This Is) Just the Start
Six years ago: Let There Be No Lies
Seven years ago: Topic Balancing, Again
Eight years ago: The Music of Magikarp Jump
Nine years ago: Pokémon Is Everything
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Saturday, August 1, 2026

More Increased Limit Ideas for Pokémon Go?

Quite a few years ago, for Pokémon Go, I discussed about several limits and how they may be raised, and since then, some (but not many) of them have been realized - the last being the friend limit, which is now up to a whopping 650 to accommodate the "permanence" of Forever Friends. The others have been accommodated only at times but not indefinitely, which could still sometimes be frustrating. Meanwhile, recently I've thought of other limits within the same game that could be raised, so now it's time to make a "sequel" post of sorts to discuss those other limits and the possibility of raising them... or not, as the case may be.

One of those limits is the placement of Pokémon in Gyms and Power Spots, which are still at 20 each, a number that has remained so for the former and only newly instituted for the latter. While the latter is fine given their paucity, the former may need to be raised, if only slightly to 25 as a possible value, to accommodate the many Pokémon that Trainers have as well as the possibility of not being able to go out often. Such a limit would probably also need to be explored with regard to the capacity of the Pokémon Go servers to handle it. 

Meanwhile, the swapping of Buddy Pokémon is still limited to 20, which is a modest value. Yet it may not be modest enough for some, especially if they're involved in certain battles that suit them in the Buddy position due to being a Best Buddy. Similar to the above, an increase to 25 might just accommodate those who swap Buddy Pokémon day in and day out for all kinds of purposes, including but not limited to that mentioned purpose. It's a slight augmentation that in some Trainer cases should improve the way they handle Buddy Pokémon.

As a last limit increase idea that I'm presenting now, it is known that Max Particles are used not only for battling at Power Spots but also to power up Max Pokémon of all kinds from those and other encounters. Therefore, it could be plausible to have the daily earning limit for them to be increased even just slightly from 800 to 1000 to allow an accommodation for powering up. While various concessions already seem not to warrant this - including the current ways to earn them - the thought of the idea may be the only important thing for it.

The common thread for all of these "raise limit" ideas does rather seem to be "accommodate", and that could also apply well to some limits that have been raised in the past, whether they were temporary or indefinite. With the game having gone on for 10 years - a long time for a game of its kind(s) - some limits sometimes have to be surpassed to achieve all the things that could be achieved, and now will be as the game and its ideals continue on.

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Friday, July 31, 2026

Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/31/2026

Then, there is the rollup of events in Pokémon Go to deal with. This month moves forward the season that also aptly has the same theme ("Forever Forward"). It also moves the game into its prime celebratory season, being the time surrounding its anniversary, as detailed earlier in this month. And it is a prime celebration, which as I've said is its 10th year for this year. All the details would then lie in the surrounding events, which is the purpose of this rollup to cover and present them as they are (or were).

The actual celebratory event would be the aptly titled 10th Anniversary Party from July 4 to 6, also covering the monthly Community Day up to the actual anniversary day. It brought about a slew of past celebratory costumed Pokémon in the wild, as well as a new one for Gimmighoul with a 10th anniversary coin from its usual sources; some might also appear in Field Research encounters. A paid Timed Research set provided premium niceties, and a new avatar item and new stickers made things festive. All this was supplemented by bonuses of evolving Kanto starters to get their special moves, as well as increased catch XP and Stardust as well as Shiny and background (for Gimmighoul) chances. It was a short celebratory event, but that was needed since the party would continue in a longer form in a different way.

Following the celebration, things led up to the Global edition of Pokémon Go Fest with the Road of Legends event from July 6 to 10. This event served as the accompanying event for that, for which its Go Pass of 200 ranks furnished all the niceties for and through the grand weekend event, including in its Deluxe track. As for its other features, true to its name, it had a lot of Legendary Pokémon, from an all-out raid-able bash on Monday, Fusion selections on Tuesday and Wednesday, Crowns on Thursday, and Origins and Primals on Friday, plus complementary Mega Raids for each save Primals. All of them might also have a special background celebrating raids when caught, and they might have Fusion moves if applicable. Other complements to this event were special 2, 5, and 10 km Eggs, as well as bonuses of no remote limit (through Go Fest), stickers, increased Premier Ball catch rate, increased Party Power, and an extra free raid pass on the specific event days. In a way, it was even more of a celebration because of the lead-up to the prime event, which is (and was) a total "fest" in itself.

Fittingly, a Pokémon celebration has to involve Pikachu, and that was the Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration from July 13 to 20 was all about. It featured the return of many past costumed Pikachu (from special events, anniversaries, and the like) in the wild in roughly two-day periods with different selections in each, as well as a constant selection in raids of one star, and certainly encounters from some Field Research tasks. Pikachu was also easier to catch during the event. Meanwhile, its Go Pass of 60 ranks featured the return of Cosplay Pikachu with glittery items and lots of XP, as well transfer Candy (XL) and catch Stardust bonuses. A Super Mega Raid Day for Raichu - both X and Y forms - coincided with the event on July 18 with all the usual perks, so its evolved (and further evolved) form didn't miss out on the celebration as well, making it inclusive and quintessential for the event.

Last up for this month's prime celebration was the first Ultra Unlock bonus from Go Fest, as the 10th Anniversary Edition from July 21 to 27. It featured the debut of a costumed Pikachu that resembles Professor Willow on its first day and then throughout the event; the first partners of the various regions were also present in the wild (and Field Research encounters) in three-day periods, which when caught could also have backgrounds depending on one's team; all of them could also be evolved to get their special moves. Lure Modules had some powerhouse Pokémon while a few with party hats appeared in raids. Each three-day period also had even more catch XP (up to 10 times), and new Professor Willow avatar items made things lively, along with the stickers from the earlier celebration event. The Masterwork Research for Shiny Shaymin could also be gotten if one hasn't done so. Finally, this event's Go Pass of 60 ranks had some unusual premium goodies like the Golden Lure Module, a T-shirt, more encounters, and Candy (XL) bonuses at each of its milestones to make the celebration more worthwhile.

Lodged in the weekend of the previous event was the Ozone Ascent event from July 25 to 26, which simply had a Timed Research set to be completed to encounter Rayquaza and get its Mega Evolution niceties, a kind of appeal in itself. Then, there was the make-up (as mentioned) for Day 2 of Go Fest on July 26, which in a way was appropriate since the former needed raids, and players needed the best experience.

July will surely cement itself into Pokémon Go as its anniversary month and celebration, and for the tenth iteration as above for this year, the celebration really kept on coming on. Yet that is certainly something players (Trainers) can benefit from in very many ways, perhaps as many as the game's current and future years.

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Thursday, July 30, 2026

The State of Nominations, Part 41

Looking at previous years, see below, this day and the next day - the latter to be dealt with tomorrow - have been alternating in their coverage of nomination updates and event rollups. This year, that will continue, with today being devoted to the former (which also means that tomorrow will be the latter) to maintain the pattern. That's also perfect since I've got something good this time for that update and it deserves to be discussed as soon as possible - as in, now.

For that, now I'm able to update on its actual progress, something I haven't been able to do since January. Since then, I've made four nominations and I've had all of them Accepted, bringing the total to 195. Since they are "four for four", my Not Accepted nominations remain at 71 for its total. This is good progress - even if I'm still not able to determine some of their status definitively - and I can stand to make a few more of these nominations soon enough with certainty.

Then, there are the monthly impact numbers that have been going since the end of last year. The numbers are in for June (21771 visits by 1653 players) and July (32591 visits by 1791 players), and they're extremely satisfying. July being the big Go Fest month correlates well with these numbers, and that will definitely make them hard to replicate in other months. Of course, there isn't a special event in Pokémon Go every month, so that much is also key to these numbers.

Now that I've regained some confidence in making more nominations, that will become exactly what I'll do in the next two months. Still, as with what happened since the beginning of this year, I will still keep some sensibility in mind for many of those future nominations. Though I'm able to make even more nominations than ever (the limit has been recently increased to 60), I'm surely not going to use all of them, and only the ones that matter to me will be used somehow.

While there's no telling if or when I'll have to break the alternation pattern of the posts - even though there is also a history of them also being inconsistent somehow - they will still be consistent in the topics, given their importance to Pokémon Go. This edition of the nomination updates highlights that in a way, with the return of some of the ways I've done things previously along with some new aspects. After that, it's only a matter of how the process has manifested in the game.

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