The Pokémon Go Radar System Explained

Niantic recently revealed that a new type of device will soon appear in Pokémon Go. This device is said to remind some veteran trainers of the game’s first tracking system, which is basically a version that lets players see how exactly close they are to – or even how far they are from – any given nearby Pokémon. Although details are still scarce, it is very likely that the device could suggest that Niantic might eventually bring elements like this in the future.

New items in the game were reported by Pokémon Go’s very own Professor Willow. He said that they are called “Mysterious Components.” His journal entry from 10/22/2019 further mentioned that some Team GO Rocket Grunts had started dropping “strange items,” particularly during the time when they were defeated in Pokémon battles.

According to the aforementioned professor, some – or even all – of the Mysterious Components he discovered “seem to be made of some metal alloy.” What is more, they were a bit “cold to the touch.” One reportedly had a glass screen that seemed to “radiate a light-purple color.”

Another report “written” on October 24 by professor Willow stated that he will soon construct a so-called “Early Rocket Radar Prototype.” This device is created by combining together a total of six “Mysterious Components” into one big machine.

“I believe that if I can create a functioning prototype of this Rocket Radar, we might be able to use Team GO Rocket’s own technology to find out where their hideouts are,” said Willow. “While it’s relatively easy to find Team GO Rocket Grunts (the PokéStops they hack become noticeably discolored and have a glitch-like appearance), we’ve had a difficult time finding where the Team GO Rocket Leaders—or even Giovanni—are hiding.”

Obviously, this system is part of Niantic’s future work on Pokémon Go’s radar system. The very first version of the radar from the infamous Team Rocket is expected to be for that mission alone. But the likelihood of using it to find pocket monsters is quite high.