In Pokémon GO recently had a new update that brought some changes to the game. Among them is a new feature for catching. We at MeinMMO will show you what this feature is and what it can be useful for.
Which update is it about? On January 26, 2023, Niantic provided you with the new update 0.261 for Pokémon GO. This brought you, in addition to some bugs, such as shifted graphics in the research breakthrough or problems executing charge attacks in raids, also a new function when catching.
What this new feature is, what it is good for, and what the trainers think about it, we have summarized for you below.
By the way: The new update could cost you a lot of data volume. We will show you what you should keep in mind.
This new feature is now available for catching
This is the new function: If you have already downloaded the update, you will have encountered a new feature when catching. While the catch view looked the same for all monsters in the past, there are now differences.
You can now see a small icon next to the name of the Pokémon when lure modules or incense are activated, which indicates where the spawn actually comes from.
As reddit user Blarghish writes (via reddit.com): “Pokémon spawned by lure modules now show a small symbol, similar to daily incense. In another post, the mystery box symbol was confirmed upon encountering Meltan.” He also shows a picture of a Stollunior that spawned from a magnet module.
What does the new function bring?
Hunting specific monsters: Although the new feature may seem rather insignificant at first glance, it can be quite interesting for some trainers. Especially when searching for specific monsters with friends or hunting for a Hundo.
Here it makes a difference whether the respective Pokémon is visible to all as a wild spawn or from a lure module, or from incense, which has different monsters for each player.
Distinction with many spawns: Even with larger spawn gatherings, this information can be helpful, as the icon allows trainers to directly recognize how long a monster will roughly stay at that point.
Pokémon from incense tend to stay in one place for a shorter time, while monsters from modules can often be caught for up to 5 minutes. Pokémon that spawn naturally in the wild can be caught the longest.
A similar way to visually distinguish the spawns already existed before. Pokémon could be recognized by different circles on the ground. However, this was not always very easy when many spawns were in one spot.
Help with the Picnic Medal: The new display can also assist in processing the Picnic Medal. In this, other trainers must catch 2,500 monsters from the lure modules that you have placed yourself, in order to secure the platinum medal.
Since other players can now see better that the respective monster spawned from the module, they may also be willing to catch it to help another trainer achieve the platinum medal.
This is how the community reacts to the new feature
Positive feedback: In the reddit community, the new feature is generally well-received. Some trainers are happy that they can now better distinguish where their monster comes from and speculate on why this feature was introduced. In the comments, you can read the following (via reddit.com):
- RRubenM2017: “The symbols for lure/incense could be useful when shiny monsters appear during such events that change the spawns at a certain time (e.g. Go-Fest, tours, etc.).”
- Pendergirl4: “This could be useful for lure modules. If I come to a stop with a bunch of monsters, it would be nice to know whether the monster I’m catching is a natural spawn (with a 30-60 minute timer) or a lure spawn (with a 5? minute timer (maybe different for special modules)). I would probably back off and focus on the lure modules first. At least with incense, you can recognize that on the map (that would really be a great improvement for module spawns…)”
- ToxicOmega: “Probably because we will soon get the shiny lure module effect for Gierspenst, they wanted to find a way to distinguish it.”
Gierspenst is a Pokémon from the Paldea region, which made its debut in the game following the Community Day Classic in November. Trainers were chasing it in search of special golden coins, but at that time it could not be caught.
Here we explain what Gierspenst is for a Pokémon.
Criticism from trainers: Despite many positive comments, some players are disappointed that Niantic is initially focusing on new features that no one has requested instead of fixing bugs in the game or implementing more essential features.
Some trainers also expressed frustration that the new view of the item bag has not yet been implemented for all players. For example, reddit user lilfoxy16 (via reddit.com): “This is great and all, but damn, can’t I just have the item box upgrade that everyone else seems to have?”
Whether and when these issues will be addressed by Niantic is still unknown at this time and remains to be seen.
How do you like the new feature for catching? Do you find it useful to recognize the origin of the respective spawns now in the catch screen? Or should Niantic have first tackled other issues? Feel free to let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers.
According to current findings, Pokémon GO will likely soon receive a new feature about “competitions”. We will show you what it is about.
