Key Takeaways:
- The community spirit shone through via trades and in-person encounters.
- Shiny catch rates remain a point of contention among trainers.
- Despite the odds, some players still managed high Shiny counts.
Some Trainers Celebrated Big Wins…
With GO Fest 2025: Global now behind us, Pokémon GO trainers worldwide are reflecting on their weekend adventures. While many came prepared to grind, the overall mood is mixed. Some, like one dedicated trainer who caught around 40 Shiny Pokémon, shared positive takeaways—despite playing casually and missing many encounters due to using Go Plus +.
Trainers with specific goals—like catching Shiny Skiddo, Torkoal, or region-locked Shinies—reported varying levels of success. One heartwarming moment came when a player traded a Shiny Frigibax for a Skiddo in a random park meetup in England, capturing the community spirit that defines GO Fest weekends.
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…But Many Question Shiny Encounter Rates
Despite some lucky catches, a recurring complaint across social media and Reddit was the low rate of Shiny Pokémon encounters. While the excitement of the event remains intact, many players echoed frustrations that have been heard during previous GO Fest events—namely, that Niantic may not be transparent or consistent with Shiny odds.
Several trainers shared that they barely caught any Shinies despite playing the full two days, leaving them disappointed. For those chasing high-value targets like Shiny Zacian or Zamazenta with the special borders, the event proved particularly frustrating.
A Weekend of Casual Play and Community Highlights
Interestingly, some of the best moments of the weekend weren’t about rare catches but about community interactions and trades. Whether coordinating raids for special Legendaries or swapping spare Shinies with strangers in the park, GO Fest 2025 reinforced that Pokémon GO is as much about people as it is about Pokémon.
For trainers who only played part of the weekend or casually logged in, the experience was still worthwhile—especially for those chasing very specific Shinies rather than blanket hunting.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of GameDegen.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. GameDegen.com is not responsible for any financial losses.
