Pokémon GO introduced Hyper Training during the 2025 Ancients Recovered event, letting Trainers permanently improve their Pokémon’s IV stats – HP, Attack, and Defense – using special items called Bottle Caps!
The Gold Bottle Cap allows Trainers to push almost perfect Pokémon into hundos by strengthening all three IV stats. It first debuted in June 2025 and returned most recently during the Road of Legends event in July 2026.
The Silver Bottle Cap, which made its official debut during the Into The Wild event in November 2025, gives a permanent upgrade to just one of your chosen IV stats (Attack, Defense, or HP).
Here’s how to get a Bottle Cap, how Hyper Training works, and how much effort it takes to perfect a single Pokémon.
💡 Note: We have a Gold Bottle Cap Tier List that can help you decide which ‘mon are the best to use your Bottle Caps on.
What is Hyper Training in Pokémon GO?
Hyper Training is a feature in Pokémon GO that lets Trainers maximize a Pokémon’s IV stats using a Bottle Cap. Available since 2025, this training boosts a Pokémon to near or full perfection through a series of gameplay tasks. You can kick off Hyper Training by using a Bottle Cap on any eligible Pokémon that has reached at least the Good Buddy friendship level.
Gold Bottle Caps
The Gold Bottle Cap is an extremely rare, one-time-use item that allows you to start Hyper Training to max out all three of a Pokémon’s IV stats simultaneously.
- It is obtained exclusively via premium paid event tickets, such as the GO Pass Deluxe: Ancients Recovered (2025) and the GO Pass Deluxe: Road of Legends (2026).
- Gold Bottle Caps earned from these events expire shortly after the event ends (usually within a week), so you must select your trainee and consume the item before it disappears from your bag.
Silver Bottle Cap
The Silver Bottle Cap works similarly to the Gold Bottle Cap, but you are only able to increase one IV stat to the maximum of 15.
- It debuted as a premium reward in the GO Pass Deluxe: Into the Wild (November 2025).
- When selecting a trainee, you will choose whether you want to train its Attack, Defense, or HP stat.
- Like Gold Bottle Caps, Silver Bottle Caps will expire if not used before their specific event deadline.
Once you’ve given your chosen trainee a Bottle Cap, it’s time to start Hyper Training! To train, you will complete various sequential tasks themed around the stat you plan to raise. Once you use your Bottle Cap, you’ll have exactly 365 days to complete your Hyper Training Tasks.
| Stat | Method |
|---|---|
| Attack | Battle alongside your trainee while they’re your buddy. Tasks include winning Gym battles, raiding, and defeating Team GO Rocket members. |
| Defense | Strengthen your bond with your Buddy Pokémon trainee. Tasks include playing together, taking snapshots, catching different species, and powering up Pokémon of the same type. |
| HP | Explore alongside your trainee as a buddy. Tasks include spinning PokéStops, completing Field Research, hatching Eggs, and earning Buddy Candy by walking. |
Every time a task is completed, the stat increase is automatically granted before moving onto the next task in the sequence.
Hyper Training Rules and Mechanics in Pokémon GO
- Your chosen Pokémon must be a Good Buddy or higher to be eligible.
- Shadow Pokémon are not eligible for Hyper Training.
- Pokémon that already have perfect 15/15/15 stats cannot be trained.
- Lucky, Purified, Traded, and Mythical Pokémon are eligible for Hyper Training.
- Pokémon HOME Restriction: Pokémon that have undergone Hyper Training cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME.
- You can take any eligible Pokémon up to a hundo; however, the lower its starting IVs, the more tasks you will have to complete. (e.g., going from 0 to 15 IV takes significantly more effort than 14 to 15 IV).
- You can opt to stop training at a certain point and not reach the cap. This is highly useful for players looking to limit a Pokémon’s CP for Great or Ultra League.
- A visual representation (a small dumbbell icon) will appear on the Pokémon’s Appraisal screen to show it has been Hyper Trained.
GO Pass
What is the GO Pass?
The GO Pass is a free, limited-time progression track available during specified major events (like Ancients Recovered, Into the Wild, and Road of Legends). By collecting GO Points, you can increase your rank to earn rewards.
Trainers worldwide automatically receive the free GO Pass at no cost during the start of these events. During the event, you can earn up to 1,000 GO Points per day outside of completing Pass Tasks.
GO Pass Deluxe
For US$19.99 (or local equivalent), Trainers looking for upgraded rewards and powerful event bonuses can upgrade their free GO Pass to GO Pass Deluxe. This is currently the only way to obtain Bottle Caps.
While progressing through the GO Pass Deluxe, you’ll be able to claim all of the rewards from both tracks. You can upgrade to a GO Pass Deluxe at any time and still collect rewards from previously unlocked ranks. Rewards unlocked in the GO Pass will expire at the end of the event, so be sure to claim your rewards before they’re gone forever!
