One of the best parts ofPokemon GO’s Community Day events is the opportunity it presents to players. Though not every Pokemon selected for Community Day is rare, the event always presents players with the chance to collect new shinies. It’s unsurprising that players look forward to this monthlyPokemon GOevent. After all, the goal is to “Catch ‘em all!”.
But the Pokemon selected for February 2025’s Community Day event could present some limitations to players. In fact, this specific issue is oddly similar to one thatPokemon TCG Pocketplayers are currently facing. If playerswant to complete their Pokedex, it seems thatPokemon GOandPokemon TCG Pocketwill emphasize trading rather than catching.
February’s Spotlighted Pokemon Could Frustrate Players
February 2025’s Community Dayevent boosts two Pokemon.Pokemon GOused to only promote one Pokemon each month during Community Day events, but has expanded this number on occasion to two or a whole roster in the case of December Community Days. This month’s spotlighted Pokemon are Shelmet and Karrablast. While these picks may seem mundane, both Pokemon have a key similarity. Besides both being Bug type Pokemon, both Karrablast and Shelmet can be evolved by trading or by using 200 candy. While there are other Pokemon that have high candy prices for evolution, like Magikarp, most Pokemon evolve for 50-100 candy.
Shelmet and Karrablast’s high candy price for evolution makes their alternative evolution method of trading all the more enticing. But forPokemon GOplayers who have yet to add other trainers to their friends list, trading might not be possible. Fortunately, the increased number of both Karrablast and Shelmet appearing in the wilddue to the Community Day eventmakes the two hundred candy barrier less daunting.
But even players who choose to go the trading route for February 2025’s Community Day event may run into some hurdles. Shiny Pokemon cost a ludicrous amount of Stardust to trade, even if the base Pokemon is not a rare, evolved, mythical, or legendary. Players who participate in the event in hopes of gaining a shiny Escavalier or shiny Accelgorfor their Pokedexmust be prepared to stock up on candy if they don’t want to lose thousands of Stardust.
Trading is Frustrating Players Across Pokemon Titles
Pokemon GOisn’t the only Pokemon title with frustrating trading limitations.Pokemon TCG Pocketjust doubled down onits trading system in a recent update. WhereasPokemon GOonly requires Stardust for trades,TCG Pocketmakes players use two separate currencies, Hourglasses and Trade Tokens, for almost every trade. BothTCG PocketandPokemon GO’s trading systems also require more currency based upon the rarity of the Pokemon. Trading isn’t the main focus ofPokemon GO, which emphasizes catching Pokemon and training them for gyms. But trading is the main focus ofTCG Pocket. After all, the word “Trading” is in the game’s name. This high barrier to entry for one ofTCG Pocket’s main aspects of gameplay has left players both confused and frustrated.
Playerresponse to this roadblock ofTCG Pocket’s tradingcould be an indication as to how players will react when February’s Community Day rolls around. WhilePokemon GOplayers do have an option to evolve any Karrablast or Shelmet they catch with the aforementioned two hundred candy,Pokemon TCG Pocketplayers do not have such an option. No such alternative seems to be available for players, nor does one seem to be in development.
Trading may not bethe main gameplay component ofPokemon GO, but it remains an integral aspect of the title that should not be so frustrating to players. Those participating inPokemon GO’s February 2025 Community Event on February 9 should remember to stock up on candy and stardust if they hope to evolve their Karrablasts or Shelmets.
