Niantic has confirmed they are working to resolve a frustrating bug that has left many Pokémon GO players unable to catch the highly coveted Ph.D. Pikachu. The bug, which causes the special Pikachu to flee immediately after players throw a Poké Ball, has sparked widespread complaints within the community.
In response to the growing number of reports, Niantic addressed the issue on X. Here’s what they’re telling players: “We are aware of the issue with catching Pikachu, Ph.D., it flees right away and cannot be caught. We’re working on fixing it for the next update (333).
The Ph.D. Pikachu is awarded to players who win 100 PokeStop Showcases, a challenging in-game competition where players showcase their Pokémon and vie for top placements. After achieving this milestone, players are supposed to have a guaranteed chance to catch this exclusive Pikachu. However, many have been left disappointed after encountering the bug.
A particularly frustrated player shared their experience on Reddit, describing how, after finally winning their 100th showcase, the Ph.D. Pikachu fled immediately upon an “Excellent” throw. To make matters worse, no record of the encounter appeared in the game’s journal, and the issue persisted even after restarting the app.
“I was so excited to finally get my Ph.D. Pikachu, only for it to run away instantly. I wasted my resources and didn’t even get another chance,” the player wrote. Other users quickly chimed in, confirming they too had faced the same bug.
Despite the frustration, Niantic has reassured players that the bug will be fixed in the next game update (version 333). In the meantime, some players are holding off on attempting to catch the elusive Pikachu, while others are hoping the issue will be resolved before they hit their 100th showcase win.
As players wait for the fix, Niantic’s response has been met with mixed feelings—appreciation for the acknowledgment, but impatience for a swift patch to fix the bug. For now, the Ph.D. Pikachu remains just out of reach for many dedicated trainers.
Dwayne Cubbins
393 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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