Niantic has officially confirmed that Shadow Pokémon will not be eligible for Hyper Training in Pokémon GO—a feature long-awaited by fans of the mainline series. The announcement comes ahead of the Ancients Recovered event on June 23, which will introduce Gold Bottle Caps, an item used to maximize a Pokémon’s IVs (Individual Values).
What Is Hyper Training in Pokémon GO?
Hyper Training allows trainers to push their Pokémon’s stats to their peak—similar to mechanics from the core series. In Pokémon GO, players must complete Buddy-related activities, such as battling and walking, to unlock Hyper Training. However, Pokémon with already maxed-out stats will not be able to participate.
Gold Bottle Caps: A Controversial Launch
The first wave of Gold Bottle Caps will be locked behind the GO Pass Deluxe, a premium ticket for the Ancients Recovered event. This decision has sparked backlash within the community, with many labeling it as a pay-to-win feature. Criticism has also focused on the short expiration period of the item, limiting its usefulness for players hoping to save it for a future Pokémon.
While developers have stated that Gold Bottle Caps will remain rare, this implies they may remain tied to limited-time events or premium content—further frustrating free-to-play users.
Community Reactions: Divided Opinions
Some trainers are excited about the potential of turning rare shiny Pokémon into perfect IV specimens, especially with the return of the Legendary Titans during the event. However, others are disappointed by the exclusion of Shadow Pokémon from Hyper Training, given their unique strength in PvP and PvE scenarios.
As Niantic continues to roll out new mechanics, the divide between F2P and paying players may widen—especially if core features like stat optimization remain behind a paywall.
