“If you’re lucky, you can …” That’s a phrase that most Pokémon GO players are familiar with. Niantic uses this phrase a lot when announcing new events, especially about Pokémon Shiny that are coming out for the first time. “If you’re lucky, you can find Shiny Miltank!” When this line was used for Pokémon that were once released as Shinies, some speculate that Niantic plans to increase the Shiny rate of that Pokémon during the event. “If you’re lucky, you can find Shiny Lotad!” In a recent blog post announcing the 2020 Valentine’s Day Event, Niantic sparked new speculation when he wrote “If you’re lucky, you can find a Feebas!” As they read this, fans around the world began to wonder … Is Niantic breaking balls?
Here’s the thing. Feebas is a perfectly good Pokémon. I personally like that. It has an increased Shiny rate, its Shiny is good and evolves into the graceful Milotic, which is a great Pokémon with some niche usability in PVP. What Feebas is widely known, however, far more than these good qualities, is to be the curse of the 10KM Eggs.
Not long ago, the Pokémon GO community teemed with Feebas memes. Do you have a bag full of 10KM eggs incubating? It is better to take an aquarium. Feebas was the most undesirable 10KM hatchery due to how common it was, which was well known among players. The players thought they were being heard when Niantic, after presenting Feebas at various jungle events, removed Feebas from 10KM Eggs.
So now, I and many other coaches have asked ourselves, would it be lucky about finding Feebas in the jungle? Of the other Pokémon presented at the event, Feebas is the one we would be lucky to find? If we are lucky, what will happen if we are unlucky !?
Now, it looks like Niantic is trolling. Recent events have been discouraging and this it could be a reference to that, but I doubt it. Instead, I think this “If you’re lucky …” talks about a split between Niantic and Pokémon GO community. I think that speaks to the community not being heard or observed enough. This shows an ever-decreasing understanding on the part of Niantic about what players want Pokémon GO.
I hope I’m wrong because I absolutely love it Pokémon GO and a common comment I see in my analysis of their events is that I’m too pro-Niantic. That’s because, in the past, I felt like Niantic was in control of what the Pokémon community wants. Now, it looks like they got lost. Hopefully, they can start listening again and gain a solid understanding of what is missing, how to correct their course and what players really want. I believe they can do Pokémon GO the incredible game that has the potential to be.
If we’re lucky.