The Joy of Clearing Mission Bingo Cards All at Once

I've covered the quite rewarding feature of Mission Bingo in Café Remix a somewhat longish time ago, and this time I want to come back to it to discuss a more pleasant aspect concerning the feature. Now, the objective is certainly to clear the bingo cards line by line, but something that might bring joy to some players (like me) is being able to clear an entire card and all of its lines all at once. It's a fascinating feat that is certainly doable with this feature, and thus this post serves to "enlighten" regarding that feat.

Recall that the bingo cards are composed of spaces containing objectives, which when cleared mark off the lines. Thus, to accomplish the above feat, all of the objectives (or at least, the ones remaining) need to be cleared at the same time. I say "remaining" because a player will most likely need to look at a bingo card at least once to find out the objectives on it, and in doing so is likely to have several of them already completed and marking off spaces. As such, only the ones left incomplete are crucial for accomplishing it.

For that, most of the current bingo cards will have objectives tied to a current event (if not obvious, at least they're implied), so it's possible to mark off those spaces and lines by playing through the event. It's the remaining objectives that aren't tied to an event (or its gameplay) that a player will have to look at, keep in mind, and complete right away - which means the above situation. After that, it's mostly an easy matter of playing through the event for the remaining objectives, which will allow that feat to be achieved.

As a historical note, it used to be that the bingo cards had objectives that demanded certain numbers of lines to be cleared (5 or 10 lines), which meant that the feat was not possible since those objectives could only be cleared by viewing the card to verify their completion. Recent bingo cards have dispensed with these objectives, and that made the feat possible with just the objectives currently present, with all remaining objectives marked off in a cascade, the lines cleared by indication, and the rewards shown and obtained all at once.

The satisfaction in accomplishing the feat, of course, is the completion of the cards in the best way possible, being in an immediate fashion. There too is a sense of excitement with the way the card is marked off - and perhaps to some extent, obtaining the rewards outlined for it - which would definitely make any player of the game happy, including me. Now that I have outlined and discussed the feat and its joy, it's up to other players to try to accomplish it and feel the same happiness that I feel and have felt with that very accomplishment.

One year ago: Graphic Improvements, Lagging in Gameplay?

Two years ago: Changes to Slow Cooking in Café Remix

Three years ago: Few Abilities, Much Wisdom

Four years ago: One More Day, Time, and Chance

Five years ago: Quickies: Going to the Safari

Six years ago: PvP Charged Attack Technique

Seven years ago: Friend Cascade

Eight years ago: Icons, Images, and Such

Nine years ago: These Foolish Things Remind Me of Pokémon

Cosplay: Cosplay Expo Regional Event

Me: Continuing on...

Ash: Oh, this continues the one from January!

Me: You bet. So we don't have to talk too much about the background, because it's clear. 

Goh: But this is the "regional" one... as in your region?

Me: It sure is. That means it's also in the faraway place as promised...

Goh: So it's another "there and back" thing like last Saturday. 

Ash: Yeah. I guess it's a little tiring, but anything for our friend. 

Pikachu: Pi pika chu... ["It's tiring..."]

Goh: Well, if it's like the one before, then this must have been a two-day thing.

Me: Right you are.

Ash: And... the character parade was yesterday, wasn't it. I saw only a performance competition today.

Me: On the money. I was busy with something else, so I couldn't possibly send you yesterday.

Ash: I see. Yeah, so today it is.

Goh: What else did you see other than the competition?

Ash: Lots of booths, for the character people and goodies people.

Goh: Well, you must have met all the people our friend wanted you to meet.

Ash: Yeah! So that happened, with me in my Sinnoh outfit just like last week.

Pikachu: Pi pika chu! ["It was so fun!"]

Goh: And there had to have been entertainment today too.

Ash: Dance groups and a band. Plus a dance-off in the late afternoon.

Goh: That's pretty standard. But maybe there were other highlights for you today.

Ash: One of the booths held an open mic, so I jumped in and sang!

Goh: What did you sing?

Ash: Um... that pirate theme thing... since the others sent in characters from that.

Me: Oh, well, I guess I'm in that kind mood too.

Ash: Maybe if they have it again somewhere else, I'll sing "Mezase Pokémon Master".

Me: Sure! We can make up for it whenever.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Very neat!"]

Goh: Anything else? 

Ash: I caught a lot of Dedenne before going back from the place.

Goh: Oh, an added Pokémon thing. 

Me: Well, there you go. So, maybe some things didn't turn out the way I intended, but um... I'm surely going to try to get on with them somehow.

Goh: I'm still interested to see how you'd make that work out.

Me: Again, I'll have to find out how that can be possible

Ash: You know, the place was so big, so everyone had a great time.

Goh: Where was it?

Ash: It was an expo center outside of the city downtown.

Me: I've been there myself for a different event, so yeah, that's a pretty neat place.

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Very neat!"]

Me: Anyhow, I still want to start out smaller somehow to get on with those things.

Goh: Don't pressure yourself too hard - but try to get it done.

Ash: Goh has the right idea!

Me: After these two expos, the intent and drive to "expose" is still there.

One year ago: Reward Road: The Pokémon Go "Loyalty Program"

Two years ago: Let's Talk About Common Causes

Three years ago: The Language of Money

Four years ago: Keeping Things Down

Five years ago: Pretty Colors of the Prism

Six years ago: Writer Shortcuts

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2017 T-Shirt Replica

Eight years ago: 1000 Pokémon Species?

Nine years ago: That Way You've Got

Dealing with Go Pass Offerings

Now that the Go Pass is more widespread in Pokémon Go beyond the prime paid events (Go Tour, Go Fest, and Go Wild Area) and their associated prelude events, I consider that it is necessary to provide tips - based on my experience - for dealing with what they have to offer. It certainly makes the events a lot more exciting and rewarding, but at the same time they have a few quirks that one can take advantage of according to one's needs and situations. Hence, the tips may just be useful in that regard.

First up, aside from purchasing the Deluxe track through the in-game shop, it can also be purchased through the Web Store, and like most other purchases, it has more value that way. In fact, many will feature just the Deluxe track, Deluxe track with extra ranks, and Deluxe track with extra ranks and more bonus items as purchasing options - each of them valued differently, of course. It is up to the player to choose the best option for them and how far (in rank) they've progressed on the Go Pass accordingly.

With that, if a player is already set to want or need the prime item of a Go Pass (such as the Lucky Trinket or a Bottle Cap), that player should buy the Deluxe track right away - with the rank boost if necessary or applicable - and deal with the extra rewards as they come. Otherwise, if the player is still unsure, the player can defer purchase of the Deluxe track until the last moment the Go Pass is available... which I've done in the past. Still, that does mean dealing with a lot of rewards all at once.

Speaking of which, the "Claim All" button makes it easy to get everything - especially if only "petty" rewards are left - but a player should try to claim certain rewards as their usage potential becomes apparent (like Poké Balls for a capture event) instead of waiting until the end. Pokémon encounters in the past had to be dealt with individually, but although they can now be dealt with in a sequential manner by "Claim All", it's still advisable to manually go through them one by one for what they may be.

Last but not least is making sure that one earns all the points one needs to go up through the ranks. On the initial few days, there is often a limit, but on the final days, there are no limits - and thanks to Daily Discoveries, Mondays are double point days. Players will have to check which actions earn points for a Go Pass by tapping the rank progression points, especially for the days for which limits are set. Whatever the tasks, some commitment is surely needed to ensure good progression on this.

The Go Pass is now certainly a vital part of minor and major events in Pokémon Go, and as such, knowing how to deal with it for its paid aspect and rewards can be quite helpful to make sure that the effort of obtaining and using the rewards measure up to what was paid (or not paid) for them. The aspect will be here to stay for the events ahead - even if their rewards are fleeting due to the way they are used up - and there will certainly be some lasting impressions from making good use of all that it can offer.

One year ago: Pokémon and (Other) Sports: New Inroads

Two years ago: The Profile of My Saved WhatsApp Pokémon Stickers

Three years ago: Silph Arena Web Site Quirks

Four years ago: All the Trainers Are Nemesis

Five years ago: Moody Friends, Moody Pokémon

Six years ago: The Primary Warning of Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Local EX Raid (and Nothing), 4/4/2019

Eight years ago: Gambling Not Permitted

Nine years ago: One Thing

Pokémon Paths on Water

There are two ways of interpreting "paths on water": it could be a track on land (or other surfaces) that is bordered by water on two sides, or it could be a course that is fully or almost fully present on water. Both of these "paths" are present in the real world in various guises. Since the Pokémon world is based on (or a mirror of) the real world, it is conceivable that they would also be present there - and in fact, they are. For that reason (and one more), it seems apt to try to make a discussion out of them somehow, which this post attempts to do.

For the first kind, some examples are noticeable across various regions in the Pokémon world. The causeways on the eastern side of Kanto are particularly long instances in this regard, while the one in the Hoenn region for a pond between Petalburg City and Rustboro City is a shorter one. Then there are the strips of land under the Cycling Road in the latter region, serving as the alternate track (for non-cyclists, especially) to that venue. These paths definitely cross or pass through water and thus satisfy one of the interpretations of the phrase above.

Meanwhile, the second kind is particularly evident for the first few early regions where one is expected to have a Pokémon that knows the Surf move for carrying the Trainer across water (and a requisite Gym badge to be able to do so) to go through various region portions that are almost completely over water - termed "sea routes". Later regions don't follow the mechanic as much, although Alola does allow actual surfing to be able to travel across certain islands. In a way, you see the path when you see them, a concept that does take some effort to grasp.

What about the phrase itself? Well, for me, that's evocative of a musical piece with the exact same title by Yanni, an artist I'm obviously fond of. It's actually a fast-sounding piece that could be construed as a remix of another one of his pieces, which I might or might not get to on this blog at a later point in time. The vision that I have is a dynamic one of literally hopping across water, which is evocative of traversing the "sea routes" as above. Then again, it is also very much evocative of the surface paths as explained; in either case, Pokémon can play into that.

"Paths on water" do conjure up certain images and interpretations, particularly for traveling over them; they're certainly likely to appear in some places where bodies of water are present, and moving over them might be literally and figuratively quick, as quick as the sound of the mentioned musical piece. And in all of this, Pokémon can become relevant by the presence of such paths in the world as well as the imagery of being with them on these paths according to the circumstances. It's a vivid and lively one for Pokémon fans, and especially me.

One year ago: A Unite's Dozen of Victories

Two years ago: Three Pokémon Visions in Dreams

Three years ago: Tournament: SWEEP JR vs. Sac and The City (SA Factions)

Four years ago: The Type Is Wild

Five years ago: Cosplay: "How Are You, Communities?"

Six years ago: Subcultures and Specialties

Seven years ago: Pokémon and eSports

Eight years ago: Fondness for Latias and Latios

Nine years ago: A Story of Love, A Story of Passion

Quickies: Washed-Out Altaria

Many fans will recognize the "cotton bird" that is Altaria as the evolved form of Swablu. It's certainly an impressive-looking creature with its wings that are literally made of "fluff". Despite that being the case, what may be less known is that those wings can actually be quite delicate; said wings can actually lose their fluff when exposed to water (and particularly a lot of that), making it and the Pokémon seem "washed-out" as a result.

This situation has in fact been depicted in the anime at one point in time. An Altaria was shown as having been exposed to a lot of water, turning its wings from a fluffy wonder to a limp shade of itself. Understandably, the wings had to go through a drying process in order for them to return to their glorious appearance, and the situation becomes a practical confirmation of a Pokémon oddity that may or may not be known by many.

Meanwhile, as a more sentimental and personal relation to this phenomenon, at times I feel like a "washed-out" Altaria myself, in the sense that I feel like I was flushed with great quantities of water spiritually or figuratively, and not in a good way either. Like the actual Altaria being incredibly moistened with that water, I'd have to go through the "drying process", which may not necessarily be simple or brief according to the situation.

The example of Altaria losing the fluff in its wings due to exposure to lots of water may seem comical at the surface, but beyond that, it can be rather serious for real Trainers who possess this very species in this world. Dealing with it could be an effort in itself, analogous to dealing with feelings of figuratively going through the same thing. At least, Altaria remains majestic even with this situation and conundrum that could make it less so.

One year ago: My Prospects for Pokémon Virtual Console Games?

Two years ago: Going through the 13s

Three years ago: Seeing Polkadots in the Silph Arena

Four years ago: Language Bridging Songs

Five years ago: Getting Collective and Connective with Pokémon

Six years ago: Quizzes and Knowledge

Seven years ago: Going For New Competitions

Eight years ago: Artistic License

Nine years ago: I Found You, Black and White

April Fool's Day 2026: A Shade of Difference

March goes and April comes, bringing with it that tricky day known as April Fool's Day. As is typical of today, there are certain shenanigans for various things, including Pokémon. Over the course of many years, those shenanigans have surely become differentiated in many ways, and this year wouldn't be an exception to that. For this year's occasion, that seems to make a good point for discussion... along with how that may be reflected in certain "shades" that apply to people, Pokémon, and everything in between.

Surely it is obvious that people and Pokémon are all different, even among those who share a common element; as examples, that would be background for people, and type for Pokémon. The "shades" then could be their colors - in a literal sense of the word - as well as the features that they possess, like for outfits and such (also in a different literal sense). That's more of a material for a typical day, so for a bit of a silly day like today, something else has to play into that and the happenings to make them "shenanigans". 

For that, the "shades" have to be things that make them stand out in all their silliness and present considerations for what they mean to them. There will always be reasons for this, of course, but then the reason of today being April Fool's Day might just make things stand out and be meaningful even more to the parties of concern. Pokémon elements can present such a potential, especially if prior years are considered.

Now, today's "differences" are best addressed, like in previous years, with a talk about them with some familiar parties for that case:

Ash: Hey, it looks like there's a Mimikyu nearby!

Me: Hey, thanks! I'll go catch it. 

Goh: Ooh. It looks like Pikachu, but then there's something inside there.

Ash: You don't want to know.

Goh: Absolutely.

Pikachu: Pi pika... [shudders] 

Me: And, well, since you're here, how about you raid for Regidrago?

Ash: I did just that - but I didn't get a Shiny one. Or anything special.

Me: Huh. I guess there are tricks afoot with the raids.

Goh: I think they're tricky, whether on this tricky day or not.

Ash: I know! One of them even ran away.

Me: I suppose that's what makes things different.

Ash: And then there was Pikachu and Mimikyu appearing at the same time in the same hour!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Hey, hey!"] 

Goh: It really is a tricky day this year!

Ash: Some things just don't change.

Me: But a little difference like Mimikyu this year is always nice. 

Well, it seems the "shade of difference" for this year has become evident. But whether they're "tricky" or "shady", some differences keep things going and may just something to think (and talk) about for all the forms they can take for Pokémon and beyond.

Happy April Fool's - it's a tricky and different world out there, now and ever.

One year ago: April Fool's Day 2025: Balls for You and Me

Two years ago: April Fool's Day 2024: Making Good (Excellent?) on Things

Three years ago: April Fool's Day 2023: For the Birds

Four years ago: April Fool's Day 2022: Life in Duplex

Five years ago: April Fool's Day 2021: Aipom Business

Six years ago: April Fool's Day 2020: Truth in a Post

Seven years ago: April Fool's Day 2019: Objectivity and Subjectivity

Eight years ago: April Fool's Day 2018: Stepping Back, Moving Forward

Nine years ago: It's April Fool's Day!

The State of Nominations, Part 39

Meanwhile, for this edition of updating what's going on with my PokéStop nominations, I thought I'd do things a little (well, somewhat) differently from previous updates. Given the way that things have been somewhat recently, I'm going to update on them mostly philosophically rather than objectively, but still with reference to what has gone on with them. It's also been a somewhat questionable time for those nominations, so this update is a further "stepping back" since the last update for the consideration of the aspects that apply to them.

Considering the very many nominations that I've made (over 250 in all, both Accepted and Not Accepted), I do believe that I've stayed within the corridor of what makes them fit as waypoints and therefore PokéStops in Pokémon Go - furthermore in other games that draw elements from the same system. The ones that are (were) Accepted should exemplify that quality to a great extent, while the Not Accepted ones can (may) be considered as attempts to "bend" the corridors a bit while still staying within them - despite the unsuccessful results. The system has to become the "proving ground" in this regard as best as it possibly can.

For the objectivity, I can still provide the monthly impact numbers for January (informed in February) and February (informed in March - this month). For the former, there were 23863 visits by 1119 players, and for the latter, there were 32207 visits by 1286 players. Those are still impressive numbers by a long shot, and they ought to be a further affirmation of the quality of the waypoints as I have detailed above. Whatever it takes to maintain and even increase those numbers is going to have to be determined by how I continue to deal with the nomination system - as well as how that system deals with me and other players.

Having dealt with the PokéStop (and waypoint) nomination system for the better part of many years, it can be said that there have been many ups and downs. Right now, there is a lot of the latter and a little of the former, and that is very well reflected in how I'm dealing with writing up the status for that, as I usually and regularly do on this blog. Something will have to give way, certainly, for further advancements and improvements to that, and they'll still hold both philosophical and objective answers as the process continues.

One year ago: Thinking About... Us

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 3/31/2024

Three years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 21

Four years ago: Consume and Create

Five years ago: "New Daybreaks" for Pokémon

Six years ago: The Long-Winded Side of Things

Seven years ago: Cosplay: ONEGAI Bunkasai 2019 - Eiyuu no Uprising

Eight years ago: Mauville's Progress

Nine years ago: Nostalgia: Episode 672 - "Here Comes the Trubbish Squad!"