A New Way to Power Up Your Pokémon: Gold Bottle Caps in Pokémon Go

The iconic theme of Pokémon — the quest to become the very best — takes on a new dimension with the introduction of a premium in-game item that can give your Pokémon a significant edge over time. Known as Gold Bottle Caps, these rare items are designed to boost a Pokémon’s stats up to 100%, achieving that perfect “hundo” score cherished by fans. However, acquiring these power-ups won’t come cheap or easily.

What Are Gold Bottle Caps and How Do They Work?

In line with the main series Pokémon games, Pokémon Go is now offering Gold Bottle Caps as part of its expanding range of premium items. These caps allow trainers to enhance their Pokémon’s individual stats, making them more formidable in battles and raids. But unlike some other items, these caps are expected to be extremely rare and hard to obtain, emphasizing their value and exclusivity.

The Introduction of the $20 Premium Pass

The first Gold Bottle Cap will be available exclusively through a new $19.99 (roughly $20) event pass called GO Pass Deluxe: Ancients Recovered. This pass will be available from Monday, June 23, to Sunday, June 29. It marks the most expensive pass offered in Pokémon Go so far, surpassing previous options priced at $7.99 and $14.99. Notably, this will be the first time players can hold overlapping event passes, as the regular June pass will still be active during this period.

What’s Inside the Premium Pass?

While a free version of the Ancients Recovered pass will also be available, it doesn’t include the Gold Bottle Cap. The paid, Deluxe version offers exclusive items such as Zacian and Zamazenta masks for your avatar, plus premium items like Incense, Incubators, Lure Modules, and, of course, the coveted Gold Bottle Cap.

Purchasing the premium upgrade through the Pokémon Go web store — outside of app stores to avoid platform fees — unlocks additional rewards such as 10 Max Revives, 10 Max Potions, five Premium Battle Passes, five Max Particle Packs, a Max Mushroom, and an Incubator. For the most dedicated trainers, the GO Pass: Deluxe: Ancients Recovered + 10 Ranks bundle unlocks the first 10 tiers immediately and includes even more Incubators, providing a substantial boost for those aiming to maximize their gameplay experience.

Design and Fair Play: Addressing Pay-to-Win Concerns

Since dataminers first hinted at the concept months ago, the Pokémon community has debated the potential impact of Gold Bottle Caps. Many fans expressed concerns about how these powerful items might disrupt game balance or encourage pay-to-win tactics. To address those fears, Pokémon Go’s game director, Michael Steranka, clarified the design philosophy behind the new feature.

Ensuring Balance and Fairness

In an interview during the recent Go Fest 2025 event in Paris, Steranka explained that the development team carefully crafted the Gold Bottle Cap system to prevent the game from tipping into pay-to-win territory. “We’ve been very cautious with how Bottle Caps are integrated,” he said. “They will be exceedingly rare, and we intentionally don’t want players to just spend money and instantly have the strongest Pokémon.”

He emphasized that even with a Gold Bottle Cap, players will need to put in effort to fully utilize its potential. Once applied, the cap triggers a process called Hyper Training, which requires completing specific tasks over time, such as battling with the Pokémon, strengthening bonds with a Buddy, and exploring the world together. This approach ensures that power growth is gradual and skill-based, rather than a simple matter of spending money.

Gradual Power Growth Through Gameplay

Hyper Training allows trainers to enhance individual stats—Attack, Defense, and HP—by engaging in dedicated activities. Raising Attack involves battling with the Pokémon as your Buddy, while boosting Defense comes from strengthening your bond through exploration and catching. Increasing HP involves various adventures like spinning PokéStops and earning Buddy Candy. This layered system ensures that players who wish to maximize their Pokémon’s potential must invest time and effort, not just money.

The Rarity and Availability of Gold Bottle Caps

Community feedback suggests that Gold Bottle Caps should be as rare as other ultra-rare items, such as the Master Ball. Steranka confirmed that the exact frequency of their availability remains undisclosed, but assured fans they will be extremely scarce. “They will be one of the rarest items in the game,” he said, adding that obtaining one will be a special occasion meant to reward dedicated players.

In previous years, Pokémon Go has occasionally offered ultra-rare items like the Master Ball, and many players believe that similar rarity should apply to Bottle Caps to maintain game balance and preserve their value.

Pricing and Future Expectations

Given the rarity of achieving a perfect IV (Individual Values) Pokémon through standard gameplay, many fans expect the price of Gold Bottle Caps to reflect their utility and scarcity. Currently, the plan is to launch with only the Gold Bottle Cap, which will allow trainers to hyper-train any Pokémon up to maximum stats. Other variations, such as partial boosts or free offerings, have not been announced.

As the game continues to evolve under the ownership of Monopoly Go’s parent company, Scopely, Pokémon Go remains committed to balancing monetization with fair play, ensuring players can enjoy the game without feeling forced into spending money for competitive advantage.

Final Thoughts

While the introduction of Gold Bottle Caps and the $20 premium pass might raise eyebrows, Niantic’s focus appears to be on maintaining fairness and rewarding dedicated players. By combining rare items with gameplay efforts, Pokémon Go aims to offer a balanced path to power — one that rewards effort as much as spending.

Alex Hunter

Alex is a passionate gamer with over a decade of experience exploring everything from AAA blockbusters to indie gems. He specializes in uncovering hidden secrets, mastering complex mechanics, and creating in-depth walkthroughs. Whether it’s a challenging boss fight or a puzzling questline, Alex breaks it all down in a way that’s fun, clear, and engaging for readers of all levels.