In Pokémon GO there will soon be a new PokéStop feature where you can compare your monsters. Some players can already test it now. We at MeinMMO will show you what this new feature is and how it looks.
What feature is it about? For weeks, trainers have speculated about an upcoming new feature in Pokémon GO that allows you to engage in a kind of competitions. After the developers provided selected media representatives with insights into their two planned new features during the Summer Game Fest, the first trainers are now allowed to test one of these new features.
Niantic announced late in the evening on June 15, 2023, via their Twitter account (via twitter.com): Trainers in New Zealand can use a new feature at selected PokéStops for a limited time. Register your Pokémon and see how they compare to those of other trainers.
The first players have now tried out this new feature and are providing initial insights into the appearance and functionality of the new competition feature.
Trainers in New Zealand test competition feature at PokéStops
What kind of feature is this? With the new feature, trainers have the ability to pit their Pokémon against each other at PokéStops in a kind of competition. You can compare your Pokémon there with those of other trainers in terms of values like size or weight.
According to reports from the first trainers, a competition lasts a whole day, until 8:00 AM the next day. Depending on the rank, you receive corresponding points. Whether you also get rewards for it and what those will be is currently still unknown, as the testing phase has just started.
What do trainers report about the new feature?
Sleek design and automatic selection: In New Zealand, the new feature is now briefly active and can be tested by players on site. However, comparisons are currently only possible with the Pokémon Imantis, according to initial reports.
A first deeper insight is provided by Twitter user PokeNanoblock. He is particularly pleased that the competitions can be viewed remotely. From there, you can see who has already participated and whether it is worth walking over to participate. You can only register your monsters on-site.
From his perspective, this could also be particularly interesting for more rural areas. He also praises the sleek implementation and the automatic selection of the best monster.
As PokeNanoblock further explains, you should preferably not use a quick catch trick near such competitions. Suitable Pokémon that you catch in the immediate vicinity receive a button after being caught, through which you can register them for the competition. After that, it is no longer displayed. Furthermore, to exchange the monster, you also need to be within the range of the respective stop.
Criticism of the representation in the PokéBag: However, PokeNanoblock also has criticism regarding the new feature. You cannot see in the PokéBag which of the monsters is currently participating in a competition. Thus, it is also unclear what happens if you send that monster.
He explains in his tweet: There is no way to know which Pokémon is in a competition when you check the storage. Sending the Pokémon does not seem to affect the already submitted competition [so far], some have reported experiencing a soft ban when they did so, but I have not experienced it.
How do other trainers like the feature: But PokeNanoblock is not the only player currently testing the new feature and sharing his impressions on social media.
- GamingKiwiNZ writes (via twitter.com):
Competitions are live in New Zealand! Currently, you can only submit Imantis – you have to be within normal PokéStop spinning distance to submit a Pokémon, and the same goes for switching. (Although I thought Niantic said you could switch from anywhere, maybe I misread).
- The Twitter user Kiwisteve5 thinks it is still too early for competitions but praises the new feature anyway (via twitter.com):
It is still too early for competitions, but it looks like a cool feature. It seems to be quite distributed, so a mix of high-traffic and more rural areas, and at 8 AM we are waiting for the rewards. I now need to look out for an XXL Imantis.
- KomodoLord unfortunately struggles with bugs and explains (via twitter.com):
Cool feature…. too bad it is buggy.
The first reports from New Zealand trainers are generally quite positive. However, it remains to be seen when the new feature will also come to us.
How do you like the first insights into the new features? Are you already impatiently waiting for it to be activated worldwide? Or are competitions not really your thing? Let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments.
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