Pokemon Go players face Pokeball shortages before Kanto Tour: Strategies to cope
The Pokeball Shortage Crisis
Trainers across the Pokemon Go community are voicing concerns about a noticeable reduction in Pokeball availability just days before the highly anticipated Kanto Tour.
With the 25th anniversary celebration approaching on February 20, 2021, players expected to encounter numerous Gen 1 Pokemon including the debut of Shiny Ditto. However, many find themselves unprepared due to unexpected item scarcity.
Community forums and social media platforms reveal widespread frustration. “After opening 30 gifts yesterday, I received just 12 Pokeballs total,” reported one trainer on Reddit. This sentiment echoes across multiple platforms, with some players suspecting intentional drop rate adjustments.
Understanding the Causes
The current Valentine’s Day event (February 14-18) appears to be the primary culprit, prioritizing berry drops over Pokeballs in gift distributions. Data from player reports shows berries appearing at nearly double the rate of Pokeballs during this period.
Compounding the issue, pandemic-related movement restrictions in many regions prevent trainers from visiting Pokestops – the traditional primary source of Pokeballs. “With stay-at-home advisories in my area, I can’t replenish my stock through normal gameplay,” explained one player on Twitter.
Niantic’s event scheduling has created a perfect storm: the berry-focused Valentine’s event concludes just two days before the Pokeball-intensive Kanto Tour begins, leaving little time for resource recovery.
Alternative Acquisition Methods
With Pokestop access limited, trainers have turned to gifts as their primary Pokeball source. However, the current drop rates make this unreliable. Analysis of 50 gift openings showed an average of just 1.2 Pokeballs per gift during the Valentine’s event.
The in-game shop remains the most consistent option, though many players resist this pay-to-play solution. “It feels like we’re being pushed toward microtransactions,” commented a Reddit user with over 10,000 Pokecoins spent.
Savvy players recommend focusing on friends who regularly send gifts from Pokestop-dense areas, as these may have slightly better drop rates. Additionally, completing research tasks that reward Pokeballs can help bridge the gap.
Preparation Strategies
Proactive trainers suggest these preparation methods for the Kanto Tour:
- Begin stockpiling gifts now to open after the Valentine’s event ends
- Prioritize catching common Pokemon with regular Pokeballs to preserve Great and Ultra balls
- Coordinate with local players (safely) to identify accessible Pokestops
- Complete ‘Catch 5 Pokemon’ research tasks for Pokeball rewards
Niantic has extended the celebration with a free Kanto-themed event running until February 27, giving players additional time to prepare. Those who planned ahead report entering the event with 200+ Pokeballs by consistently managing their resources.
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