"If you expected any different, you forgot it's Niantic": Reddit reacts to Max Mushrooms in Pokemon GO

Niantic’s announcement of Max Mushrooms in Pokemon GO has sparked lively discussions among players. Set to debut on December 8, 2024, these items temporarily double the damage output of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon in Max Battles.

However, the community has mixed feelings about their implementation, as reflected in a humorously titled Reddit post by user Nanoespectro:

"If you expected any different, you forgot it's Niantic."

If you expected any different, you forgot it's Niantic. byu/Nanoespectro inpokemongo

The Reddit thread accompanying the post highlighted various perspectives, ranging from frustration to cautious optimism.

Some users like TheShredda suggested that Niantic could introduce creative recipes involving Max Mushrooms to craft items like Max Soup, echoing the mechanics from the mainline Pokemon games:

A post by user Nanoespectro stirred up an intense discussion on Reddit (Image via Reddit)

This would have added a layer of depth to the feature while staying true to Pokemon lore.

A recurring concern was the monetization of Max Mushrooms. As Foulmouth232 pointed out, players without access to larger groups might feel compelled to spend 400 PokeCoins to obtain the item, further fueling the pay-to-win critique.

The disappointment was deepened by user Nanoespectro with the realization that doubling attack power won’t significantly impact G-Max battles requiring around 30 participants:

Players discuss how the introduction of Max Mushrooms might affect the gameplay (Image via Reddit)

This leaves smaller groups still unable to tackle the most challenging content, reinforcing the feeling that the game prioritizes monetization over a fair gameplay experience.

Interestingly, not all responses were entirely negative. Drumstix42 praised the gradual rollout of Dynamax and Gigantamax battles, emphasizing the fun of social meetups for group battles:

Comment byu/Nanoespectro from discussion inpokemongo

However, they also acknowledged the meme’s validity, as smaller groups remain disadvantaged despite some positive strides in feature development.

The absence of items like bottle caps or a straightforward way to create Max Soup reflects Niantic’s long-standing strategy. As Gereffi noted, the company's reluctance to include them likely stems from their focus on incentivizing repeated gameplay to capture high-IV Pokemon rather than simplifying progression for players.

Comment byu/Nanoespectro from discussion inpokemongo

This aligns with their overarching model of maximizing engagement through grind-based mechanics.

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What are Max Mushrooms in Pokemon GO?

Max Mushrooms, as seen in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Max Mushrooms are a consumable item that boosts the Fast, Charged, and Max Move attacks of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon in Max Battles. When used, they temporarily double the damage output: stacking mushrooms extends the duration rather than further increasing damage.

While this mechanic sounds enticing, it has drawn scrutiny from players, particularly regarding its accessibility and functionality.

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The introduction of Max Mushrooms has added fuel to an ongoing debate about Niantic’s approach to balancing innovation, accessibility, and monetization in Pokemon GO. While some players appreciate the social aspects of group battles and gradual feature rollouts, others lament the missed opportunities for creativity and the game’s growing reliance on pay-to-win mechanics.

As December 8 approaches, it remains to be seen how players will adapt to this new feature and whether Niantic will take feedback into account to refine the Dynamax and Gigantamax experience further. For now, the Pokemon GO community’s sentiment is clear: if you expected anything else, you might have forgotten who’s behind the wheel.

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