Why are so many Pokémon running away?
In the popular mobile game Pokémon Go, players often find themselves encountering Pokémon that seem to be fleeing from their grasp. This can be frustrating, especially when you’ve spent valuable resources trying to catch a rare or elusive Pokémon. But why do so many Pokémon seem to be running away?
Reasons for Pokémon Fleeing
There are several reasons why Pokémon may flee from a player’s grasp. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Insufficient Badges: Pokémon will not obey the player’s commands if its level is too high and the player does not have the appropriate Badge, Stamp, or number of Badges. Having all eight Badges or the Island Challenge Completion stamp always makes all Pokémon obey the player.
- Shadow Tag Ability: Pokémon with the Shadow Tag Ability prevent opposing Pokémon from attempting to flee.
- Arena Trap Ability: Pokémon with the Arena Trap Ability prevent opposing grounded Pokémon from attempting to flee.
- Soft Ban: If a player is soft-banned, any Pokémon they encounter may flee when they attempt to catch them, regardless of the ball type or berries used.
- Dropping Balls on Encounter Screen: Accidentally dropping a Poké Ball on the encounter screen, including during raids, can trigger a soft ban.
How Niantic Detects Spoofers
Niantic, the developers of Pokémon Go, have implemented various methods to detect and prevent spoofing. Some of these methods include:
- IP Address Monitoring: Niantic monitors IP addresses to detect when a player is using a VPN or other proxy services to fake their location.
- GPS Spoofing Detection: Niantic’s algorithm can detect when a player’s GPS location is not consistent with their reported location.
- Server-Side Verification: Niantic’s servers verify a player’s location and Pokémon data to ensure that it is accurate and not manipulated.
Soft Ban Consequences
If a player is soft-banned, they may experience the following consequences:
| Consequence | Description |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Flee | Any Pokémon encountered may flee when attempting to catch them. |
| Dropping Balls | Accidentally dropping Poké Balls on the encounter screen can trigger a soft ban. |
| No Pokémon Drops | Pokémon may not drop items when defeated. |
| No Poké Ball Drops | Poké Balls may not be dropped when used. |
Conclusion
Pokémon fleeing is a common issue in Pokémon Go, and there are several reasons why it may occur. Insufficient Badges, Shadow Tag Ability, Arena Trap Ability, soft ban, and dropping balls on the encounter screen are some of the most common reasons. Niantic has implemented various methods to detect and prevent spoofing, including IP address monitoring, GPS spoofing detection, and server-side verification. If a player is soft-banned, they may experience Pokémon fleeing, dropping balls, and other consequences. By understanding the reasons for Pokémon fleeing and the consequences of soft ban, players can take steps to avoid these issues and enjoy the game more.