In a move that’s sparking controversy among players, Pokémon GO has officially introduced Gold Bottle Caps—but there’s a catch. The long-requested item is only available through the paid GO Pass Deluxe: Ancients Recovered, effectively placing it behind a $19.99 paywall. The pay2win content is coming around the corner after the sale of Pokemon Go.
A Powerful Item With a Price Tag
Gold Bottle Caps, introduced in Pokémon Sun & Moon (Gen 7), are known for their ability to max out a Pokémon’s IVs—specifically HP, Attack, and Defense—via Hyper Training. These stats are vital in PvP battles, making the item highly sought after by competitive players. In Pokémon GO, trainers will need just one Gold Bottle Cap to unlock Hyper Training Tasks for a selected Pokémon, which must be a Good Buddy or higher.
The tasks can be completed within 365 days and involve standard gameplay challenges such as battling, exploring, and earning Candy. However, the Gold Bottle Cap itself expires on July 6 at 11:59 PM, meaning players must use it before then.
Limited-Time Access
The item debuts as part of the Ancients Recovered event, running from June 23 at 10:00 AM to June 29 at 6:00 PM. To obtain the Gold Bottle Cap, players must upgrade their free event pass to the GO Pass Deluxe, which costs $19.99. Earning enough GO Points through event participation will then allow players to claim the item.
Also included in the Deluxe Pass:
- Zacian and Zamazenta masks
- A guaranteed encounter with one of the following: Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Regieleki, or Regidrago with a special background
It’s worth noting that the Ancients Recovered Pass is separate from the regular June GO Pass, which remains active until July 1.
Player Reactions and Future Availability
The monetization of such a powerful item has raised concerns. While some welcome the competitive edge, others are frustrated that yet another useful feature is gated behind a steep paywall. Niantic has not confirmed if Gold Bottle Caps will be available for free in future events or remain exclusive to paid tiers.
As of now, the only way to obtain a Gold Bottle Cap is by purchasing the GO Pass Deluxe: Ancients Recovered. Whether this becomes a permanent model or just a test run remains to be seen.
