Pokemon GO Player Makes Heartbreaking Realization After Checking Their Journal

Key Takeaways

• While it can often be useful, the auto-catch feature in Pokemon GO may make rare Pokemon like Shinies harder to catch.
• This was the case for one Redditor, who was heartbroken upon finding out that the auto-catch option prevented them from snagging a Shiny Galarian Articuno.

One unfortunate Pokemon GO player made a terrible discovery after checking their auto catch log, realizing that they missed their chance to nab a Shiny Galarian Articuno. Auto-catch devices in Pokemon GO can make the game easier, but they can also lead to some heartache when a rare Pokemon gets away.

There are a variety of official peripheral devices that can be connected to a cell phone to help players in Pokemon GO. Most recently, the Pokemon GO Plus+ device, which can be used with both Pokemon GO and Pokemon Sleep, was released in July 2023. In addition to allowing Pokemon Sleep users an easier method to track their sleep data, the device can be used in Pokemon GO to spin Pokestops or toss balls at the press of a button without even touching the phone it’s tethered to via wireless connection.

But auto-catching isn’t always the best way to go about playing the game, especially when some rare Pokemon are involved. The Galarian Birds, including Galarian Articuno, are among the most sought-after Pokemon in the game. Even among their fellow Legendary Pokemon, these three monsters have an extremely difficult catch rate, which has prompted Pokemon GO to make Siny Galarian Birds easier to catch. Shiny Galarian Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres will not run from a player following the October 4 update, but as Reddit user Dicey_Mantis found out, they can be missed when using a Daily Adventure Incense with Pokemon GO Plus+.

Auto-Catch Function Ruins Pokemon GO Player’s Experience

The missed-catch notification was especially gut-wrenching for the player, who considers Articuno their favorite of the Legendary Bird Trio, considering there would have been no way that they’d missed out on catching Shiny Galarian Articuno short of running out of balls to throw. Currently, Shiny Galarian Birds only appear on the map when Pokemon GO players use a Daily Adventure Incense. The player has used their Daily Adventure Incense every day for at least a month, and other than a normal Articuno about two weeks prior to the missed catch, they hadn’t seen a single Legendary Bird in that entire span of time.

While the limits of the auto-catch feature serve as a cautionary tale, the Shiny Galarian Birds will soon have to share the spotlight with a new addition to the game. The Pokemon GO Halloween Event Part 1 will introduce Morpeko on October 22. This year’s holiday-themed event will be split into two parts, and Morpeko will introduce a new concept for the mobile game as the first Pokemon that’s able to change form during battle.