Why Can’t I Unbound My Hoopa? A Comprehensive Guide
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It’s frustrating when you’re ready to unleash the full power of a Pokémon and the game throws a wrench in your plans. If you’re wondering, “Why can’t I unbound my Hoopa?”, the answer lies in a few key requirements that need to be met. Primarily, you need to have completed the second step of the Mischief Unbound Special Research. This specific research unlocks the form change mechanic for Hoopa, which is essential for transforming it from its Confined form to its Unbound form. Without completing this step, you will not see the option to change Hoopa’s form. Additionally, the form change requires 50 Hoopa Candy and 10,000 Stardust. If you lack either of these resources, the option to change Hoopa’s form will remain unavailable. Think of it like an evolution; you need to have the right amount of candy and a specific trigger. Let’s explore these requirements, and common issues, in detail, and cover a range of related questions.
Unlocking Hoopa Unbound: The Key Steps
The process for obtaining and changing Hoopa’s form is not automatic; it involves specific steps in Pokémon GO. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do:
1. Acquire Hoopa Confined
Firstly, you must have a Hoopa Confined in your possession. This form is obtained through the Mischief Unbound Special Research questline. This research was initially released in 2021. If you missed this research you will need to wait for another chance to obtain Hoopa via a future event.
2. Complete “Mischief Unbound” Special Research Step 2
This is absolutely crucial. The second step of the Mischief Unbound research unlocks the mechanic for Hoopa’s form change. This step is often overlooked, and many trainers who haven’t completed it are left wondering why they can’t unbound Hoopa. Ensure you’ve progressed past this stage of the research.
3. Gather the Necessary Resources
You will need 50 Hoopa Candy and 10,000 Stardust. Check your inventory to make sure you have both of these requirements. You can obtain Hoopa Candy by walking with Hoopa as your buddy, completing research tasks, or using rare candies. Stardust is acquired through everyday gameplay, such as catching Pokémon and completing battles.
4. Change Hoopa’s Form
Once you meet all the criteria, tap on your Hoopa in your Pokémon storage. You should now see the ‘Change Form’ option. Select this, and the game will deduct the necessary Candy and Stardust, transforming your Hoopa into its Unbound form.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even after meeting all the listed requirements, some players still face challenges. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
The “Change Form” Option Isn’t Appearing
This is usually because either the second step of the Mischief Unbound research hasn’t been completed, or you don’t have enough candy or stardust. Double check your research progress and your inventory.
I completed the research and have the resources, but still can’t change forms
If you believe you’ve met all requirements and the issue persists, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Restart the game: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve minor glitches.
- Update the app: Make sure you are running the latest version of Pokémon GO.
- Check the in-game news: Occasionally, there might be temporary issues that Niantic will announce.
- Contact Support: If the problem continues, it might be a bug that requires official support intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further assist players, here are some related FAQs about Hoopa and its Unbound form:
1. How Do I Get Hoopa Unbound in 2023?
Hoopa Unbound is not obtained through direct catches in the wild or traditional raids. Instead, you first need to get Hoopa Confined through special research events. Once obtained, you can then transform it to Hoopa Unbound using 50 candy and 10,000 stardust after completing the correct steps of the Mischief Unbound research line.
2. Is Hoopa Unbound a Raid Boss?
Currently, Hoopa Unbound is not available through raids. It is obtained only by changing your Hoopa Confined’s form. The information about Hoopa Unbound being in Elite Raids is incorrect. This may be in reference to an event or encounter not yet implemented.
3. How Many People Do You Need For A Hoopa Unbound Raid?
As Hoopa Unbound is not a raid boss, you don’t need a group to obtain it. You only need to gather the candy and stardust needed to change its form.
4. How Do I Play With Hoopa Unbound?
In Pokémon GO, Hoopa Unbound has a different move set than Hoopa Confined, including moves like Hyperspace Fury and Psybeam. When using Hyperspace Fury, Hoopa unleashes a barrage of attacks, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and leaving them unable to act for a short time.
5. What are Hoopa Unbound’s Strengths and Weaknesses?
Hoopa Unbound is a Psychic/Dark-type Pokémon. Its main weaknesses are Fairy and Bug-type moves. It is generally considered a very powerful Pokémon in the right hands.
6. Is Hoopa Confined Different From Hoopa Unbound?
Yes, they are different. Hoopa Confined is a Psychic/Ghost-type, while Hoopa Unbound is a Psychic/Dark-type. Their appearance and move sets are also different. The form is changed using 50 candies and 10,000 stardust, and not via evolution.
7. How Long Does Hoopa Unbound Take in Battle?
Battles involving Hoopa Unbound depend on the battle type, (such as PvP or raids), as well as the team composition. There is no time limit to change a Hoopa’s form, it can be changed any time you meet the requirements. Elite Raids also have a time limit of 30 minutes once the egg hatches, though these do not include Hoopa Unbound.
8. Can You Beat Hoopa Unbound With 2 People?
This is not applicable. You do not “beat” Hoopa Unbound, you transform it from its Confined form.
9. Is Shiny Hoopa Legal?
Currently, Shiny Hoopa is not available through regular gameplay or event releases. Any shiny versions are obtained illegally.
10. Can Hoopa Unbound be Caught in the Wild?
Hoopa Unbound is not catchable in the wild. It’s exclusively obtained by transforming Hoopa Confined using the necessary resources and completing the required special research.
11. Is Hoopa Unbound Temporary?
Hoopa’s form is not temporary in Pokémon GO. Once you’ve used the candy and stardust to transform it, it remains in its Unbound form unless you decide to transform it back to its Confined form.
12. Can You Transfer Hoopa Unbound to Pokémon HOME?
Currently, Hoopa Confined can be transferred to HOME, but Hoopa Unbound cannot be directly transferred. This is due to the fact that the form changes, and is consistent with other main series games. There is a method to bypass this mentioned in the main article, using the main series games.
13. Who is Stronger: Arceus or Hoopa Unbound?
Arceus is considered stronger overall. While Hoopa Unbound is a powerful force, Arceus has the ability to change into different types, and is considered a god-like entity. However, in Pokémon GO, Hoopa Unbound can out perform Arceus in specific scenarios, due to its typing.
14. Is Unbound Hoopa Better?
Hoopa Unbound is generally considered better than its Confined form due to its higher stats and different typing (Psychic/Dark versus Psychic/Ghost). This gives it offensive advantages over its original form.
15. What are the Best Counters for Hoopa Unbound?
The best counters for Hoopa Unbound in Pokémon GO are Fairy and Bug-type Pokémon. Specifically, Mega Pinsir, Volcarona, Mega Scizor, Shadow Scizor, Shadow Pinsir, and Genesect are good choices.
By understanding these requirements and addressing common issues, you should be able to successfully unlock Hoopa Unbound and unleash its formidable power in Pokémon GO. If you encounter persistent problems, always reach out to Pokémon GO support for additional help.