Video summary

Dumbest Medals in Pokemon GO, Scopely Needs to Change This!

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Overview

The video critiques Pokémon GO’s “platinum medal” grind for Level 80, arguing that although XP requirements have become far easier (thanks to events and boosts inflating XP), many platinum medals remain disproportionately time-consuming, RNG-gated, or inaccessible—especially for non-city or newer players.

The creator asks Scopely (and, indirectly, Niantic staff now at Scopely Explore) to reduce certain medal requirements to be more “logical and sensible.”

Main argument: XP is inflated, but medals still block Level 80

  • Level 80 requires approximately 203–204 million XP and 50 platinum medals.
  • The creator claims XP is now “hyperinflated” due to frequent boosts and double-reward mechanics, including:
    • 10x/4x XP events
    • Gigantamax
    • Lucky Eggs
    • monetized double-reward methods
  • Therefore, the creator argues that the real barrier is the platinum medals, particularly those that require:
    • long-distance progress
    • repetitive battling
    • rare spawns
    • tedious solo routines

Examples of “dumb” or overly difficult medals (and proposed changes)

The creator discusses many platinum medals individually, explaining why each feels unreasonable and suggesting adjustments.

1. Jogger (10,000 km to platinum)

  • Described as extremely hard for average players.
  • Uses personal step/distance estimates to argue it could take years.
  • Notes that many friends still haven’t reached platinum.

2. Collector (50,000 Pokémon to platinum)

  • Presented as less problematic than distance-based medals.
  • The creator argues many players likely finish it before Jogger, aided by events.

3. Breeder (2,500 eggs to platinum / hatch distance)

  • Suggested relationship to Jogger:
    • If Jogger distance is lowered (example: by 20%),
    • then Breeder should scale down proportionally (example: from 10,000 km-equivalent to ~8,000 km-equivalent),
    • and from 2,500 eggs to ~2,000 eggs.

4. Distance/Stop-based “rural unfairness” medals

These are described as especially harsh for rural players with few stops:

  • Backpacker (50,000 PokéStops)
  • Unique Stops (spinning ring PokéStops)

Suggestion: reduce numbers or redesign requirements so progress doesn’t rely on heavy travel.

5. Fisherman (Big Magikarp line; rarity & RNG)

  • The creator claims newcomers (especially the last ~2 years) often can’t complete it.
  • Reason: requires rare spawns (e.g., Big Magikarp / Heavy Magikarp).
  • Even with trading, the grind is worsened by RNG and spawn rarity.
  • The creator estimates this may require thousands of Big Magikarp catches depending on whether players do it solo or trade.

6. Battle Girl (4,000 gym battles)

  • In Singapore, the creator argues 4,000 is too high.
  • Explains their group’s coordinated play to maximize gym points, but concludes many players would find the time requirement excessive.
  • Implied suggestion: reduce the count.

7. Ace Trainer (team leader battles to platinum) — called the worst offender

The creator criticizes it as uniquely unreasonable:

  • Must battle and defeat the leader repeatedly (not simply quit)
  • Requires long, repetitive sessions
  • Provides relatively limited reward benefit

Estimate: about 2,000 minutes (around 8–9 days) of dedicated leader fights assuming ~1 minute per battle.

Also, it’s said to be difficult for groups to help with because it must be done individually.

8. Youngster (Tiny/Rattata line rarity)

  • Called difficult due to low wild spawns.
  • The creator references “nostalgia” comparison between 2016 vs now.
  • Suggests reducing the requirement and/or adding alternative species-based medals so the grind is distributed more evenly.

9. Unown (28 letters)

  • Described as “okay,” but the creator suggests an improvement:
    • reduce to 26 by removing punctuation symbols (!/?) as an optional change.

10. Champion (raid battles for platinum)

  • Called very heavy at 2,000 raids, especially for free-to-play players.
  • Notes that Mega raids help some progress because Mega bosses can count toward Champion.

11. Berry Master (15,000 berries fed)

  • Estimated at roughly 75 hours including cooldown.
  • Suggests lowering to 10,000.

12. Gym Leader (15,000 hours total in platinum)

  • Depends on travel.
  • The creator says Singapore is tough and proposes 10,000 hours.
  • Acknowledges that players who already completed it lose nothing.

13. Research / Best Friend / trades / friendship & interaction medals

Several are described as possibly needing around a 20% reduction to make platinum less punishing:

  • Research tasks: example 2,500 → 2,000
  • Best Buddy (200 to platinum): criticized as extremely time-gated
  • Gentlemen trade medal (2,500 trades): might be reduced to 2,000
  • Pilot / distance-travel friendship medals (10 million km): criticized for requiring overseas travel and remote interactions

14. Go Battle League medals (Great/Ultra/Master Veteran)

  • Said to be boring and repetitive.
  • Recommends reducing counts, possibly by half.

15. Snapshot (400 surprises / daily behavior)

  • Said to be manageable, but still depends on consistent daily behavior.
  • Suggests scaling down if the goal is faster platinum.

16. Purifier (1,000 purified Pokémon)

  • Called not appealing because it doesn’t add extra value beyond basic mechanics.
  • Suggests lowering to ~800.

17. Rocket / other grind medals

  • Some are described as only feasible during events.
  • Suggests reductions so normal days remain accessible.

18. Various event/feature medals

  • Brief comments include items like Wayfarer nominations, Wayfarer-related numbers, showcases, community ambassador, mega evolutions, etc.
  • The creator primarily focuses on medals they consider the most unreasonable.

Summary of the proposed solution style

  • The creator repeatedly suggests:
    • reducing platinum thresholds by about ~20%
    • and in the harshest cases, cutting substantially, especially for:
      • Ace Trainer and similar gym-battle grinds
      • distance requirements that disadvantage rural players
      • RNG/spawn-locked medals
  • They argue that while XP has already been scaled/adjusted, medals should also be scaled so Level 80 progression isn’t dominated by unreasonable repetition or inaccessible conditions.

Closing stance (tone toward criticism)

  • The creator warns against arguments like “reduce it to 5.”
  • Their position: medals should still represent achievement, but should not require mindless tapping for days/weeks or depend on rare RNG/spawn conditions that most players cannot influence.

Presenters / contributors

  • Brandon (speaker/author of the video)
  • Organizations mentioned:
    • Scopely / Scopely Explore
    • Niantic (no additional named presenters)

Original video