Trainers, the speculation is over! The long-datamined Silver Bottle Cap has made its official debut in Pokémon GO during the Into The Wild (2025) event. This item gives a permanent upgrade to 1 IV stat on your chosen Pokémon. But is it worth the cost and effort? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Silver Bottle Cap is an new, rare, single-use item. Using it on an eligible Pokémon allows you to begin Hyper Training for one specific stat (Attack, Defence, or HP).
Once you complete the Hyper Training, that Pokémon’s chosen IV stat will be permanently raised to a perfect 15.
For its initial release, the Silver Bottle Cap is an exclusive reward from the new GO Pass Deluxe: Into the Wild.
- The GO Pass is a limited-time progression track running from Monday, 10 November, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, 16 November, at 6:00 p.m. local time.
- All trainers get the free “GO Pass: Into the Wild” and can earn rewards by collecting GO Points. HOWEVER…
- To get the Silver Bottle Cap, you must purchase the GO Pass Deluxe: Into the Wild for US$14.99 (or equivalent). This pass includes all free rewards plus upgraded premium rewards, including the cap.
- You must claim all your GO Pass rewards by Sunday, 16 November, at 11:59 p.m. local time.
The Silver Bottle Cap earned from this GO Pass will expire on Monday, 24 November, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time. You must use the item to start Hyper Training on a Pokémon before this date, or it will disappear!
This is not an instant upgrade. Using the cap is only the first step. We have a full guide on Hyper Training, which was introduced with the Gold Bottle Cap
- Decide your Trainee: Select the Pokémon you want to train. You will only have one Silver Bottle Cap for now, so take some time deciding on who you want to train up.
- Use the Silver Bottle Cap: Select the item from your bag and choose your Pokémon. You will then select which single stat (Attack, Defence, or HP) you wish to train.
- Start the Training: Once the cap is used, the Hyper Training course begins. You have 365 days to complete the associated tasks.
- Complete Training Tasks: The tasks will vary based on the stat you chose:
- Attack: Battle alongside your trainee (raids, gyms, trainer battles).
- Defence: Strengthen your bond with your Buddy Pokémon (playing, feeding, exploring, catching).
- HP: Explore alongside your trainee as a buddy (spinning PokéStops, earning Buddy Candy, etc.).
- Reap the Reward: Once all tasks are complete, your Pokémon’s chosen stat is permanently boosted to 15!
Restrictions & Limitations
Before you spend $14.99, you should consider these limitations.
- 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.
- Pokémon that have undergone Hyper Training cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME.
With a $14.99 price tag, a potential year-long quest, and a permanent “no HOME transfer” restriction, the Silver Bottle Cap is an investment.
- For Casual Players: Absolutely not. The cost and effort are far too high for a minor stat boost.
- For Collectors: This is a tough one. If you have a prized shiny (like a 14/15/15 shiny legendary) and want to “perfect” it for your GO collection, this is the only way. But you sacrifice the ability to ever move it to HOME.
- For Hardcore Raiders: This is a strong “maybe.” Perfecting the Attack stat on a legendary or mythical raid attacker (like a 14-Attack Rayquaza) will squeeze out extra damage, helping with breakpoints and short-manning raids.
- For Hardcore PvP Players: This is the prime audience.
- Master League: This is the ultimate tool. Perfecting a 14-Attack Dialga or a 14-HP Giratina-O for Master League is a game-changer. The HOME restriction is less relevant here, as these Pokémon live for GBL.
- Great/Ultra League: Be careful! You often don’t want a 15-Attack IV. However, this could be used to max out the Defence or HP on a Pokémon with an otherwise ideal PvP spread (e.g., a 0/14/14 Bastiodon could become 0/15/14).
Given the high cost and restrictions, you must choose wisely.
- Legendary & Mythical Pokémon (for Master League): This is the #1 use. Think Dialga, Palkia, Zekrom, Solgaleo, or Giratina that have a single imperfect stat. Correcting a 14 IV to a 15 IV is the difference between winning and losing mirror matches.
- Prized “Almost Perfect” Shinies: That 98% (15/15/14) shiny Rayquaza or Mewtwo you love? This is your chance to make it a functional “shundo,” if you are 100% certain you never want to send it to Pokémon HOME.
- Perfecting a Key Raid Attacker: If you have a 14-Attack Terrakion or Reshiram, this will push its damage to the absolute limit.
- PvP Pokémon (Non-Attack Stats): Using this to max the HP or Defence on a key Ultra League Pokémon (like a 14-Def Cresselia) could be a very strategic, high-level play.
We did an article on which Pokémon to choose for the Gold Bottle Cap, and we’d suggest the same ranking here.
Avoid Using On:
- Anything you might want in Pokémon HOME
- Pokémon for Great/Ultra League (Unless you are 100% certain you need a 15 in HP or Defence and not Attack)
- Common Pokémon (The cost is too high)
The Breakpoint Factor
In both Raids and PvP, “breakpoints” are key. This is a threshold where a 15-Attack IV lets your Fast Attack deal 1 extra point of damage. This item is the only way to guarantee you hit a breakpoint if your best Pokémon is a 14-Attack. This is the difference-maker for the 1% of elite trainers.
Final Verdict
The Silver Bottle Cap is one of the most powerful and “premium” item ever released in Pokémon GO.
It’s a high-cost, high-effort, high-reward tool for dedicated trainers looking to perfect their absolute best Master League contenders or cherished legendaries. Choose wisely, and remember that November 24th expiry date!
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