Pokémon Go’s Brutal New Leveling System for 2025

Welcome to the Infinite Grind, Trainers

A specific segment of the community, particularly those who have not yet reached the current pinnacle, had a profound sense of deflation for the news. For these players, the exclusive rewards they’ve been diligently working toward for years are scheduled to be permanently removed from the game. Currently, Pokémon Go‘s new leveling structure will begin its official rollout on October 15, 2025.

Furthermore, the astronomical amounts of XP currently needed to advance beyond level 40 have been challenging for many players. That said, Pokémon Go‘s new upper tiers would be nearly impossible to achieve due to these simple, linear expansions of the experience point requirements. Consequently, Niantic will introduce a completely rebalanced XP curve alongside the cap increase to ensure the new levels remain attainable.

As a result, Pokémon Go will effectively transform into an 80-level system. Ultimately, this recalibration will likely have nearly every active player instantly gaining one or more levels when the update goes live. Although this change sounds like a positive adjustment, players who are currently in the midst of their grind through the 40s have shown significant discontent.

The Simpsons Did It First, Again

A user named Yavandor on the Pokémon Go subreddit made a post that powerfully encapsulated this sentiment by employing a scene from The Simpsons. Specifically, Homer Simpson is the centerpiece of this analogy, where he finally reaches the summit of a mountain after a long and exhausting climb, only to discover a sign revealing a much higher and more daunting peak looming ahead.

This analogy perfectly illustrates the feeling of players who believed they were nearing the end of their long journey, only to be told the finish line has been moved much farther away. Ultimately, this change may cause their previous efforts to no longer be recognized in the same manner. Not only that, but Pokémon Go‘s specific in-game items are being eliminated to cause such disappointment. The players who’ve already earned their level 50 will still retain the exclusive jacket, but it will no longer be obtainable for others.

Recalibrating the Core Pokémon Go Experience

Unfortunately, this coveted avatar item and several other cosmetics unlocked between levels 40 and 50 will be retired from the game entirely once the balance update is live. For a highly dedicated group of trainers, this removal of Pokémon Go‘s exclusive rewards is the primary source of frustration. It cannot be overstated that the immense time investment required to reach level 40 and beyond represents nearly a decade of gameplay for many.

Sadly, the tangible goals motivating that long-term grind suddenly vanishing is a significant demotivator. However, Niantic has mentioned plans to host bonus XP challenges before October to help players secure these rewards. Yet, many within the community already feel that this gesture will be too little, too late. While the Pokémon Go update will add new long-term goals, players who have not yet completed the existing journey will be undermined and their efforts wasted.