Pokémon GO has announced that Shadow Pokémon will not be able to participate in the upcoming Hyper Training feature, which is tied to Gold Bottle Caps—an anticipated item set to appear soon in the game. The new function has garnered a mixed response from the community.

Previously, Pokémon GO fans were informed about Gold Bottle Caps, a long-awaited feature inspired by the core games, designed to allow players to enhance their Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs). In traditional gameplay, using a Gold Bottle Cap resulted in Hyper Training, instantly boosting the creature’s attributes. However, Hyper Training in Pokémon GO will operate differently, necessitating players to engage with their Buddy Pokémon in various activities such as battling and exploration.

Recently, Pokémon GO provided additional important specifics regarding Hyper Training limitations. It was revealed through an official Twitter announcement that Shadow Pokémon are excluded from undergoing Hyper Training with the Gold Bottle Caps. These Pokémon are often regarded as powerful in PvP battles or raids, leading many players to seek them with optimal stats. Therefore, this restriction may disappointment players who had hoped to augment their raw Shadow monsters.

Moreover, it was clarified that Pokémon whose stats are already maximized are ineligible for Hyper Training, as well.

Despite the long-standing request for Hyper Training availability, the introduction of Gold Bottle Caps stirred discontent among players, primarily due to concerns about accessibility. The initial batch of these items will only be available through the purchase of a GO Pass Deluxe during the forthcoming Ancients Recovered event on June 23. As a result, the community has expressed disappointment, decrying the Gold Bottle Caps as leaning more towards a pay-to-win approach. There are also complaints about the event’s limited timeframe for obtaining these items.

The unclear future regarding a broader availability of Gold Bottle Caps suggests that they may be scarce and linked to special events. While many players hesitate regarding the current plans for Gold Bottle Caps, others express eagerness to invest in the GO Pass Deluxe in order to refine their rare shiny Pokémon.

For a significant portion of the player base, Hyper Training is likely to be a transformative feature. The upcoming Ancients Recovered event is set to bring back legendary favorites, including a guaranteed Regi with a special background and a dressed-up Pikachu.