Conquering Johto: Your Definitive Guide to Earning the Platinum Medal

So, you want to etch your name into the annals of Pokémon GO history and claim the coveted Platinum Johto Medal? It’s a badge of honor that signifies true dedication to the second generation of Pokémon, a testament to your catching prowess and a symbol of your adventurous spirit in the world of Pokémon GO. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to achieve this goal.

To earn the Platinum Johto Medal, you must catch 100 different species of Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Johto region. It’s a journey that requires patience, exploration, and a dash of luck, but with the right approach, you’ll be proudly displaying that shiny Platinum medal in no time!

Mastering the Johto Challenge: A Comprehensive Strategy

Earning the Platinum Johto Medal isn’t just about randomly encountering Pokémon. It requires a strategic and dedicated approach. Here’s a breakdown of how to tackle this challenge:

1. Know Your Pokémon

The first step is understanding which Pokémon count towards your total. The Johto region introduced 100 new Pokémon, starting with Chikorita (#152) and ending with Celebi (#251). Not all of these Pokémon are readily available in the wild at all times. Some are tied to events, research tasks, or specific habitats.

2. Maximize Encounter Rates

• Events: Pay close attention to in-game events! These events often increase the spawn rates of specific Pokémon types, sometimes including rarer Johto Pokémon. Keep an eye on official Pokémon GO announcements and community resources to stay informed.
• Habitat Hunting: Different Pokémon prefer different environments. Water-type Pokémon are more likely to appear near bodies of water, while Grass-type Pokémon thrive in parks and grassy areas. Explore diverse locations to increase your chances of finding a variety of Johto species.
• Incense and Lures: Use Incense to attract Pokémon to your location and Lure Modules to increase spawns at PokéStops. These items can significantly boost your encounter rate, especially during periods when you have limited time to explore.
• Daily Adventure Incense: The Daily Adventure Incense can also spawn rare and unusual Pokémon, potentially including some elusive Johto species. Don’t forget to activate it daily!

3. Utilize Research Tasks and Special Research

• Field Research: Regularly check the Field Research tasks available at PokéStops. Sometimes, these tasks reward encounters with Johto Pokémon. Completing these tasks can be a reliable way to catch specific species.
• Special Research: Keep an eye out for Special Research quests that feature Johto Pokémon. These quests often involve catching a specific number of Pokémon or completing other objectives, rewarding you with encounters with rare Johto species.

4. Raid Battles and Eggs

• Raid Battles: Participate in Raid Battles to encounter powerful Johto Pokémon that may not be common in the wild. Keep an eye on upcoming Raid events and plan your strategies accordingly.
• Egg Hatching: Hatching Eggs can be another way to obtain Johto Pokémon. Different types of Eggs can hatch different Pokémon, so research which Eggs have the best chance of hatching the Johto Pokémon you need.

5. Trading with Friends

If you’re struggling to find a particular Johto Pokémon, consider trading with friends. Coordinate with other players in your area to exchange Pokémon you have for Pokémon you need. Trading can be especially helpful for obtaining region-exclusive or rare Pokémon.

6. Patience and Persistence

Earning the Platinum Johto Medal takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find all 100 Pokémon right away. Keep exploring, participating in events, and utilizing the strategies outlined above. With patience and persistence, you’ll eventually complete your Johto collection and earn that prestigious Platinum Medal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Platinum Johto Medal

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you on your journey:

Q1: Do Shiny Pokémon count as separate entries for the Johto Medal?

No. Shiny Pokémon of the same species do not count as separate entries for the Johto Medal. Only catching a different species of Johto Pokémon will contribute to your progress.

Q2: Does catching Pokémon evolved from Johto Pokémon count?

Yes. Catching Pokémon evolved from Johto Pokémon, like Croconaw (evolved from Totodile) or Bayleef (evolved from Chikorita), does count towards the medal progress. This is helpful for Pokémon like Espeon and Umbreon that evolve from Eevee.

Q3: Are Johto Pokémon that evolve into Pokémon from other regions included in the count?

Yes. For example, catching a Sneasel does count toward the medal, even though it evolves into Weavile, a Pokémon from the Sinnoh region. The key is that the base form is originally from the Johto region.

Q4: How can I track my progress toward the Platinum Johto Medal?

You can track your progress in the game by going to your Trainer Profile, scrolling down to the Medals section, and finding the Johto Medal. The progress bar will show you how many different Johto Pokémon you have caught.

Q5: Are Mythical Pokémon like Celebi required for the Platinum Johto Medal?

Yes, Celebi is among the 100 Johto Pokémon and therefore required for the medal. It is usually obtainable through a Special Research storyline. Make sure you’ve completed or are working on the relevant Special Research quest.

Q6: Do Pokémon caught before the medal’s release count?

Yes, any Johto Pokémon you have caught before the medal was introduced will count toward your medal progress. The game keeps track of all Pokémon caught, regardless of when they were caught.

Q7: What’s the best time of year to focus on catching Johto Pokémon?

Events like the Johto Celebration Event or other events celebrating the release of Pokémon games tend to increase the spawn rates of Johto Pokémon. Keep an eye out for these events and maximize your playtime during those periods.

Q8: Do Pokémon caught in Shadow Raids or through Team GO Rocket encounters count?

Yes. Pokémon caught in Shadow Raids or after defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts or Leaders will count towards your Johto Medal progress if they are Johto Pokémon.

Q9: Can I get the medal if I transfer a Johto Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?

Transferring a Johto Pokémon to Pokémon HOME does not remove it from your count for the medal. Once you’ve caught it in Pokémon GO, it’s permanently added to your medal progress, even if you later transfer it.

Q10: How can I find out about upcoming Pokémon GO events that feature Johto Pokémon?

The best ways to stay informed about upcoming events are to follow the official Pokémon GO social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), subscribe to the Pokémon GO in-game news, and join local Pokémon GO communities (Discord, Reddit, etc.). These communities often share information about upcoming events and strategies.

Q11: Are there any region-exclusive Johto Pokémon that I might have trouble obtaining?

Thankfully, there are no truly region-exclusive Johto Pokémon that are perpetually locked to a single geographical area. While some Pokémon might be more common in certain areas, they are generally available globally during specific events or through trading. However, specific habitats might favor certain types, so exploration is key.

Q12: Is it worth using a Lucky Egg when catching Johto Pokémon for the medal?

While a Lucky Egg doubles the XP you earn, it does not impact the progress of your Johto medal. Therefore, save your Lucky Eggs for activities that benefit from increased XP, such as evolving Pokémon or completing raids. Focus on using Incense and Lure Modules to increase your encounter rate for Johto Pokémon.